I got myself a new pair of sunglasses a couple weeks back. I was rather pleased with them until I realized that the lenses both had a distortion in the material, causing the image to be blurry towards the bottom of the lenses. Naturally, I brought the pair to the store and the storekeep tried to replace the lenses. Unfortunately, the new lenses turned out to be darker on one side than the other, and the store had no more spares, so back to the supplier it went.
I got the pair back and it seemed like the tinting was even while the image distortion was negligible. Lovely...till I realized that more light was coming out the bottom of the left lens relative to the right. I thought I had them on crooked, so I kept adjusting them without success. After examining the lenses, I realized that one was on crooked. It seems that the lens was marginally oversized for the frame. After another replacement at the store, it seems like the new batch has the exact same subtly oversized lenses. Back to the supplier it went.
I figure the fellas at the store have me tagged for a fussy customer already, but it is really quite unusual that standard issue stuff (mine were not prescription optics) could have such production variance. Given that they were made in France, I shall be a bigot and declare that French engineering leaves much to be desired =p
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
On Madness
I was considering the Catch-22 situation, and really do think it is an interesting paradox: can a madman truly know that he is mad? The original postulate was one of absolutes, whereby a madman has to be absolutely ignorant of his own madness. However, it is interesting to consider the hypothetical situation whereby this is not the case.
For example, a madman may be aware of his own madness, but be unable to refrain from mad behavior. I recall with amusement the case of Fulgrim whereby he had the misfortune of realizing the madness of his ways after the death of his brother, just before the Slaaneshi daemon fully possessed him while allowing a fragment of his consciousness to gawk in horror at the daemon's actions.
A person thus afflicted cannot be reasonably held accountable for the involuntary actions of the body, yet in a world where people are largely expected to be in control of themselves, I do wonder how such a person would be judged. Guilty, I suppose.
For example, a madman may be aware of his own madness, but be unable to refrain from mad behavior. I recall with amusement the case of Fulgrim whereby he had the misfortune of realizing the madness of his ways after the death of his brother, just before the Slaaneshi daemon fully possessed him while allowing a fragment of his consciousness to gawk in horror at the daemon's actions.
A person thus afflicted cannot be reasonably held accountable for the involuntary actions of the body, yet in a world where people are largely expected to be in control of themselves, I do wonder how such a person would be judged. Guilty, I suppose.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Human Optimization
I was having a discussion and the issue of assholes came up. That is, humans deciding to abuse their privileges, be it authority or access, in order to have personal gain or satisfaction. My friend proposed that nobody was truly an asshole by nature, but is encouraged by the system (or circumstances) to exhibit asshole conduct.
I found the idea intriguing, because indeed abuse is only possible should an affordance exist. For example, I am unlikely to wrongfully arrest someone if I am not invested with the authoritative powers of a police officer. However, there is little question about the desirability of asshole conduct: to those who know right from wrong in a context, the decision tends towards whatever they might deem to be right at the moment. The assumption here is that asshole conduct is not done in a vaccuum out of purely malicious intent.
It occurred to me, however, that asshole conduct is actually a form of situational optimization. That is, if an affordance for personal gain is made available, it is in fact sub-optimal to pursue the "right" path. Take for example white collar criminals. While they are wrongdoers in the eyes of the law, they are also self-optimizing individuals because they spotted a flaw in their respective systems and wilfully exploited them.
Interestingly, the implication is that the morals we are ingrained with are measures of artificial de-optimization to inhibit the maximal exploitation of available opportunities. In a less than optimal enforcement environment, it is actually more desirable to inhibit self-optimizing behavior lest the whole system descend into chaos.
I found the idea intriguing, because indeed abuse is only possible should an affordance exist. For example, I am unlikely to wrongfully arrest someone if I am not invested with the authoritative powers of a police officer. However, there is little question about the desirability of asshole conduct: to those who know right from wrong in a context, the decision tends towards whatever they might deem to be right at the moment. The assumption here is that asshole conduct is not done in a vaccuum out of purely malicious intent.
It occurred to me, however, that asshole conduct is actually a form of situational optimization. That is, if an affordance for personal gain is made available, it is in fact sub-optimal to pursue the "right" path. Take for example white collar criminals. While they are wrongdoers in the eyes of the law, they are also self-optimizing individuals because they spotted a flaw in their respective systems and wilfully exploited them.
Interestingly, the implication is that the morals we are ingrained with are measures of artificial de-optimization to inhibit the maximal exploitation of available opportunities. In a less than optimal enforcement environment, it is actually more desirable to inhibit self-optimizing behavior lest the whole system descend into chaos.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Inception
Let me be upfront: I loved Inception. In fact, I loved it so much that I watched it twice: the first being back in Kentucky. I suppose I would describe the movie as a cross between The Matrix and Mission Impossible. What happens when you try to fiddle with someone's memories, without them knowing? That is basically the crux of the movie.
Now, I can relate in a way, having had dreams of waking up where I realized that I really haven't. It's quite a bizarre experience. However, the concept of precisely navigating dreams within dreams in a perfectly synchronized manner in order to plant an idea in someone's head is quite a challenge. Of course, it does raise the obvious question of what, exactly, reality is. Weaving a tangled web of reality and non-reality, it really does force the viewer to think about what just happened and just where reality lies. The cliff hanger ending does reinforce that, as well.
It has been some time when a movie's encouraged me to think in the sense of I wana know what it is really about rather than trying to imagine connections in an incoherent story. I'd give the movie a straight 8.5/10.
Now, I can relate in a way, having had dreams of waking up where I realized that I really haven't. It's quite a bizarre experience. However, the concept of precisely navigating dreams within dreams in a perfectly synchronized manner in order to plant an idea in someone's head is quite a challenge. Of course, it does raise the obvious question of what, exactly, reality is. Weaving a tangled web of reality and non-reality, it really does force the viewer to think about what just happened and just where reality lies. The cliff hanger ending does reinforce that, as well.
It has been some time when a movie's encouraged me to think in the sense of I wana know what it is really about rather than trying to imagine connections in an incoherent story. I'd give the movie a straight 8.5/10.
A Quirk Of Memory
I seem to be having some cognitive issues lately, primarily in terms of visual recognition and short term memory retention. I can start a task, get distracted, leave it incomplete for hours (while convinced that I probably did finish it), then realize that I didn't remember finishing it off. Other times, I can read something, and comprehend it entirely wrongly. For example I could read numbers and not remember some of them or reverse their order, read letters entirely wrongly and similar misunderstandings.
What is interesting is that there is nothing wrong with my visual acuity. If anything, it's generally above average in anything but bright lighting conditions. However, just because I can see something doesn't necessarily mean my brain would process it as exactly what I see. I comprehend by reading inside my mind, and what comes out is what I understand as the message. Unfortunately, it seems that I have developed a propensity towards scrambling that message. Or dropping the signal entirely.
3 possibilities: I'm getting senile, developing ADHD, or am just plain sleep deprived from the punishing daytime schedule. For the sake of what little remains of my sanity and the general feeling of being totally messed up from having to be up through the daylight hours, my bet would be sleep deprivation. Note to self: It may be better to make sure parents don't shake me out of bed on weekends.
What is interesting is that there is nothing wrong with my visual acuity. If anything, it's generally above average in anything but bright lighting conditions. However, just because I can see something doesn't necessarily mean my brain would process it as exactly what I see. I comprehend by reading inside my mind, and what comes out is what I understand as the message. Unfortunately, it seems that I have developed a propensity towards scrambling that message. Or dropping the signal entirely.
3 possibilities: I'm getting senile, developing ADHD, or am just plain sleep deprived from the punishing daytime schedule. For the sake of what little remains of my sanity and the general feeling of being totally messed up from having to be up through the daylight hours, my bet would be sleep deprivation. Note to self: It may be better to make sure parents don't shake me out of bed on weekends.
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
The Worth Of Love
How much is love worth? It is a question that was raised while I was stuck at Narita. Of course, measuring the exact value of love is a fool's errand, since humans value loved ones differently and prices will vary according to an individual's shifting moods. However, it is sufficient to know that there is indeed no true cap to the price of love, given the correct stimuli.
The situation in question is when a dearly beloved person becomes progressively incapacitated, towards death. Initially, expenses are justified in restoring the person to health. As the incapacitation worsens and greater resources are demanded, the real price of love becomes increasingly apparent. Given the resources available to an average person, expenses may well eat through all savings and might even force one to mortgage the primary dwelling in order to keep the loved one around. The question, of course, is whether it is worthwhile to do so.
Such a consideration is never easily resolved in real life. Human affection may be such that the price of love is effectively infinite, and every additional expense is just another last ditch attempt at saving a life. However, in the hypothetical situation whereby the situation is known to be hopeless, I do wonder if the human in question would actually stop treatment at a particular point and actually let go.
The situation in question is when a dearly beloved person becomes progressively incapacitated, towards death. Initially, expenses are justified in restoring the person to health. As the incapacitation worsens and greater resources are demanded, the real price of love becomes increasingly apparent. Given the resources available to an average person, expenses may well eat through all savings and might even force one to mortgage the primary dwelling in order to keep the loved one around. The question, of course, is whether it is worthwhile to do so.
Such a consideration is never easily resolved in real life. Human affection may be such that the price of love is effectively infinite, and every additional expense is just another last ditch attempt at saving a life. However, in the hypothetical situation whereby the situation is known to be hopeless, I do wonder if the human in question would actually stop treatment at a particular point and actually let go.
Heading Home
I managed to head down to Naritasan temple early today after a hearty breakfast at the hotel (with meat and fruit again!). The place was just gorgeous. I was also amused to note that I was walking on hallowed ground that was hallowed since 940 AD. That's some old territory. I also walked back via the Omotesando road, which was pretty much a shopping street in the old Japanese style. Pretty much exactly the kind of thing you'd expect to see in anime. Overall, I'd really love to visit these sorts of places rather than some old shopping district in Tokyo. If you're brought up in the city, every other city is kinda the same if not for the subtle differences and obviously the different kinds of architecture/shopping.
After the good long trip home, I finally hit the airport at nearly midnight. Lovely timing. Since I am pretty much able to sleep virtually anywhere, I actually did manage to have a good rest on the plane. My mom figured that I looked pinker from the experience. I am unsure whether I can attribute that to the meat or the brutal sunshine. Of course, the main thing after a trip is the usual unpacking, and then the preparation of the massive number of photos taken...
After the good long trip home, I finally hit the airport at nearly midnight. Lovely timing. Since I am pretty much able to sleep virtually anywhere, I actually did manage to have a good rest on the plane. My mom figured that I looked pinker from the experience. I am unsure whether I can attribute that to the meat or the brutal sunshine. Of course, the main thing after a trip is the usual unpacking, and then the preparation of the massive number of photos taken...
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
A Detour
Headin home. I flew down to Houston and was enroute to Japan when there was a medical emergency on board. The flight had to detour to Alaska (yay I've finally "visited" Alaska!). By the time we got to Japan, we already missed the connecting flight. Fortunately, Continental did a bang up job, having tickets to a replacement flight the moment we landed, complete with hotel stay and meal tickets.
I transferred to my hotel in Japan, both somewhat disturbed by the disruption, but also intrigued by the new opportunity to explore the city before my flight the following evening. The buffet dinner at the hotel was really good, especially considering the free flow of roast beef. Come to think of it, I really did get to have a lot of beef on this trip, with the hearty servings of beef stew when I was at the restaurant and at another eatery with my friend. I figure I probably would've gained some weight by the end of the trip. Anyway, early to bed, then early to rise for my visit to a Japanese temple tomorrow.
I transferred to my hotel in Japan, both somewhat disturbed by the disruption, but also intrigued by the new opportunity to explore the city before my flight the following evening. The buffet dinner at the hotel was really good, especially considering the free flow of roast beef. Come to think of it, I really did get to have a lot of beef on this trip, with the hearty servings of beef stew when I was at the restaurant and at another eatery with my friend. I figure I probably would've gained some weight by the end of the trip. Anyway, early to bed, then early to rise for my visit to a Japanese temple tomorrow.
Monday, August 02, 2010
Moar Flea Market
Last day in Kentucky (I fly tomorrow morning), so I basically headed down to Frankfort Avenue for my trinket shopping. Unfortunately it turns out that a good half of the stores are closed on Sunday, so I did not get to view some of them. Regardless, I managed to have a look at a pawn shop and two trinket (vintage) stores. Crazy Daisy's Antique Mall was fantastic, as was the other place I visited along with Phil's Pawn Shop. From these places, I managed to get a bunch of rings. The other trinkets weren't quite as nice. One of them was a 10k gold ring, with a blood red stone that is probably garnet. Probably my favourite acquisition of the trip, after my photos.
Heading back to downtown, I asked my friend out again and we managed to hit the museum, hang out at the skate park and then catch a movie. We took photos together in the evening, and really...that's about it for Louisville. I'm gona miss the place and the nice people. Of course, seeing as how there was a not-so-nice person right at the end of the day, I'm sure it isn't exactly a city made entirely of smiles.
Heading back to downtown, I asked my friend out again and we managed to hit the museum, hang out at the skate park and then catch a movie. We took photos together in the evening, and really...that's about it for Louisville. I'm gona miss the place and the nice people. Of course, seeing as how there was a not-so-nice person right at the end of the day, I'm sure it isn't exactly a city made entirely of smiles.
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Flea Market, Gun Show
Today I met up with my conference friend and we headed down to the flea market at the Kentucky Expo Center. It had an incredible range of vintage items, beef jerky (YAY!) and that's when I realized just how cheap gum could be at the flea market. Yes it's new (non-expired) gum, that costs 1/6 of what I paid downtown. Talk about feeling cheated. Anyhoo, I did manage to grab myself some beef jerky to take home, and that really made my day. In thanks for the trip, I bought my friend a knife that he really wanted to have.
After the flea market, we went over to the gun show that was on right next door. Basically, we got to molest a whole range of awesome firearms and various combat knives. Having seen the price and heft of a .50 cal round, I really do feel sad seeing people firing off that M2 Browning. Overall, it was totally worth the entrance fee.
Evening was basically having a huge pizza at a wonderful pizza place, and as usual there was stuff to take home. That was possibly the best pizza I've tasted...like ever. There was as much cheese on top as I usually put on my ghetto pizza, and every bit as much meat as well. These people really know how to make pizza.
After the flea market, we went over to the gun show that was on right next door. Basically, we got to molest a whole range of awesome firearms and various combat knives. Having seen the price and heft of a .50 cal round, I really do feel sad seeing people firing off that M2 Browning. Overall, it was totally worth the entrance fee.
Evening was basically having a huge pizza at a wonderful pizza place, and as usual there was stuff to take home. That was possibly the best pizza I've tasted...like ever. There was as much cheese on top as I usually put on my ghetto pizza, and every bit as much meat as well. These people really know how to make pizza.
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