Issue : Solve Halting problem.

In the contributiong page for V8 ( here ), I read the following comment.

I use javascript a lot in my webpages. It would be useful for web designers if v8 could implement a safeguard against infinite looping statements which freeze the browser. (which would occur if the programmer makes a coding mistake)

In other words, the issue is to solve halting problem.

Posted via web from Sriram's posterous

you cant please every one

A review of Kurt Vonnegut's novel "Slaughterhouse Five" in Amazon.com (I burst out laughing reading it)

This without a doubt ranks up there with the WORST books I have ever read. Pointless, poorly written, and incredibly dull.

If you want some great writing, try Ayn Rand.

Ayn Rand, really ? You can't please every one, right ?

munich and then...

Few days ago, Spielberg's movie 'Munich' was on STAR TV. Its a fictional, I stress fictional here, about Israeli's response to the 1972 Munich Massacre. (The Munich massacre occurred during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany, when members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage and eventually murdered by Black September, a militant group with ties to Yasser Arafat’s Fatah organization.) I mean, the response was real, but movie's depiction of the response is fictional. These were the movie-lines for the Gold Meir, who was the Israeli prime minister when the Massacre happened. Remember, this is fictional Golda Meir, taken from the script of the movie. You can get a soft copy, if you google it.

GOLDA MEIR

These people ... They're sworn to destroy us. Forget peace for now. We have to show them we're strong.
(a beat)
We have laws, we represent civilization. Some people say we can't afford to be civilized. I've always resisted such people.

...
GOLDA MEIR (CONT'D)
There are no such people. They're not... recognizable. You tell me, what law protects people like these?
Today I'm hearing with new ears.
...
Every civilization finds it necessary to negotiate compromises with its own values. I have made a decision. The responsibility is entirely mine.

I can not stop but think these lines in light of the recent attacks in Mumbai. Similar thoughts can be heard every where in Television, Newspapers, Forums etc. Sure, Spielberg made sure that we see a vengeful Meir. But, many don't agree with such a depiction. Looking through Wikipedia, I hit a newspaper Haaretz's interview with Zvi Zamir, who was the head of Mossad, the Israeli spy agency at that time. He says,

"It is a disgrace that Spielberg compares Golda Meir to terrorist leaders in Lebanon. For quite a lengthy period Golda rejected our proposals - of the Mossad, Military Intelligence and the Shin Bet [security service] - for operations against terrorism in Europe. She hoped the Europeans would be vigilant and would take action themselves against Palestinian terrorism aimed at Israel. ... "

Zvi Zamir also tells incidents that he thinks exemplifies Golda Meir's character. Of course, it can be said Zvi is far from the truth just as Speilberg is. But there is one line of Zvi's interview, which I think we should think about in the light of Mumbai attacks.

I will say only that the whole issue of whom to strike at was given meticulous consideration and the probable consequences were evaluated. What guided us was [the need] to strike at the infrastructures of terrorism and at those who might attack Israelis in the future.

That is more insightful than the rhetoric of our politicians and the drama of 24-hour news channels.

disgusting science

A 60% real - 40% fictional conversation.

She: Why did you fall in love with me ?

He : If you think about it, it is all about survival. Human beings for the matter of the survival of their genes, need to find mates. Driven by such a survival instinct, they choose their mates, have kids, and pass on their genes. Did you know, scientists have found that the activity in brain when you fall in love, is similar to the activity of a person on Cocaine ?

She : Well, that sounds true - you laugh and cry without any reason. But my question is : Why did you choose me ? Why not some one else ?

He : Again, scientifically, there are many reasons - First, the sense of being physically attractive. We tend to think that by choosing attractive people, it can lead to a better chance of survival of our progeny. Studies have shown that one of the most common trait of attractiveness is symmetry.(Think: Survival) Second, there are other non-physical traits like kindness. We tend to see these traits, because, physical attractiveness may be faked. Any kind of difficult experience would make us more mean. Kindness is a trait that has a better chance of survival. Third, bandwidth of risk. Empirical studies have shown that we are likely to choose some one in a high-risk environment than in a low-risk environment. We tend to believe that some one with a higher bandwidth for risk has a better chance for survival.

She : Is this your idea of being romantic ? OK. I will humor you. There are scientific reasons for you falling in love with me. But, Why are you still stuck with me ?

He : Well, after making a choice, there is a need to stick together until our progeny is able to survive on its own. It is all hormones all the way from there.

She : You are disgusting.

He : No, science is disgusting.

wow!

But the economics profession for the past thirty years instead focused on producing stochastic calculus porn to satisfy young men's urge for mathematical masturbation.

Wow! That is from here.

intellect

I read a great quote today by Randall Jarrell,

"I think that one possible definition of our modern culture is that it is one in which
nine-tenths of our intellectuals can't read any poetry."

When I was in School, our teachers work hard to make sure that I rather read maths and science and not poetry. How un-interesting-ly young had I been !

big picture

If you are fan of photography, I am sure you already subscribed to the Big Picture web site. This recent installment of Yann Arthus-Bertrand's photographs are just breath taking.