I got a feeling that the lid on the Federal Reserve is about to be pried off and the contents will prove to be putrid. Ben Bernacke and his ilk will be revealed to be financial magicians manipulating currency tools like a modern-day Houdini. Now you see it, now you don't.
"The emperor has no clothes."
"It's a giant Ponzi scheme."
Friday, March 25, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
2=1
Assume....................................................a = b
Multiply both sides by a..............................a2 = ab
Subtract b2 from both suides.....................a2-b2 = ab-b2
Factor both sides...................................(a-b) (a+b) = b(a-b)
Divide both sides by (a-b)............................a+b = b
But a = b so.............................................b+b =b
or...........................................................2 =1
Multiply both sides by a..............................a2 = ab
Subtract b2 from both suides.....................a2-b2 = ab-b2
Factor both sides...................................(a-b) (a+b) = b(a-b)
Divide both sides by (a-b)............................a+b = b
But a = b so.............................................b+b =b
or...........................................................2 =1
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Paradox
I am getting into paradoxes and my mind is becoming unsettled.
We are all familiar with the paradoxes of Zeno that show that contrary to the evidence of our senses, the belief in plurality and change is mistaken, and in particular that motion is nothing but an illusion.
However I have recently stumbled on a series of paradoxes that had previously escaped me. I shall only disclose one at this point because one is enough to seriously damage your brain cells.
The total number of integers (whole numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, .....to infinity) is the same as the total number of "even integers" (whole numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 ....to infinity).
I could provide the proof of this but better to allow you to try to get your head around the concept.
As a 'bonus puzzler' I assume that most of you are already familiar with the concept of a sheet of paper that has only one side. i.e It would be impossible to color one side red and the other side blue because there is only one side.
If you are at all curious as to the 'proof' of either or both of these paradoxes let me know.
We are all familiar with the paradoxes of Zeno that show that contrary to the evidence of our senses, the belief in plurality and change is mistaken, and in particular that motion is nothing but an illusion.
However I have recently stumbled on a series of paradoxes that had previously escaped me. I shall only disclose one at this point because one is enough to seriously damage your brain cells.
The total number of integers (whole numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, .....to infinity) is the same as the total number of "even integers" (whole numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 ....to infinity).
I could provide the proof of this but better to allow you to try to get your head around the concept.
As a 'bonus puzzler' I assume that most of you are already familiar with the concept of a sheet of paper that has only one side. i.e It would be impossible to color one side red and the other side blue because there is only one side.
If you are at all curious as to the 'proof' of either or both of these paradoxes let me know.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Sheen vs Obama
Oh, the Humanity!
The sky is falling, the sky is falling!
Can you believe the depth to which political correctness has sunk? We are surely at the shallow end of the semantic pool. Recent outcries of racism over comments that used the expressions “Indian giver” and “wait a cotton-picking’ minute” boggle the mind. Dare I speak a word lest I offend someone? Get a life!
I think it’s politically correct to use the word “diddle” when referring to the US response to the pending disaster in Libya.
Both Obama and Sheen seem to be out of touch with reality. Both refer to “winning” but both appear to be “losing”. “Deeds speak louder than words”. Sheen’s rantings are meaningless prattle. Obama’s speeches are oratorical masterpieces but without accompanying action and leadership are as meaningless as Sheen’s diatribes.
P.S. The TD Bank is one of Canada's largest financial institutions. I have been a client for over 50 years. As a public service I thought I'd provide you a quote from their booklet concerning their acceptance of responsibility:
“We will not be liable for any damages resulting from:
-any failure…even if:
-we knew that damage was likely; or-the damage was a result of our negligence or the negligence of our employees, agents or representatives. "
The sky is falling, the sky is falling!
Can you believe the depth to which political correctness has sunk? We are surely at the shallow end of the semantic pool. Recent outcries of racism over comments that used the expressions “Indian giver” and “wait a cotton-picking’ minute” boggle the mind. Dare I speak a word lest I offend someone? Get a life!
I think it’s politically correct to use the word “diddle” when referring to the US response to the pending disaster in Libya.
Both Obama and Sheen seem to be out of touch with reality. Both refer to “winning” but both appear to be “losing”. “Deeds speak louder than words”. Sheen’s rantings are meaningless prattle. Obama’s speeches are oratorical masterpieces but without accompanying action and leadership are as meaningless as Sheen’s diatribes.
P.S. The TD Bank is one of Canada's largest financial institutions. I have been a client for over 50 years. As a public service I thought I'd provide you a quote from their booklet concerning their acceptance of responsibility:
“We will not be liable for any damages resulting from:
-any failure…even if:
-we knew that damage was likely; or-the damage was a result of our negligence or the negligence of our employees, agents or representatives. "
Gee, I wonder if "BP" is aware how easy it is to accept no responsibility for incompetence and errors.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
ANSWER
The answer and solution to the question posed in an earlier post is provided here.
Ans. 10 and 30 (10² + 30² = 1000)
The sides of the squares are x and y.
x2 + y2 =1000
y = 2/3x -10: Squaring yields
y2 =4/9x2 - 2(2/3x X 10) + 100
y2 = 4/9x2 - 40/3x + 100
Substitution into the first equation yields
13/9x2 – 40/3x – 900 = 0
13x2 -120x - 900 = 0
(x+270) (x+30) = 0
Either x+270=0 or x+30=0
302 + y2 = 1000
900 + y2 = 1000
y2 = 100
y = 10
x = 30
Ans. 10 and 30 (10² + 30² = 1000)
The sides of the squares are x and y.
x2 + y2 =1000
y = 2/3x -10: Squaring yields
y2 =4/9x2 - 2(2/3x X 10) + 100
y2 = 4/9x2 - 40/3x + 100
Substitution into the first equation yields
13/9x2 – 40/3x – 900 = 0
13x2 -120x - 900 = 0
(x+270) (x+30) = 0
Either x+270=0 or x+30=0
302 + y2 = 1000
900 + y2 = 1000
y2 = 100
y = 10
x = 30
Monday, March 7, 2011
Les Miserables
On Sunday March 6, 2011 I watched the 25th Anniversary TV production of the “Les Miserables”. The commentators said that in addition to the wonderful music it was the poignant story-line that made the show really special. The plot covered topics to which everyone could relate and sympathize with: redemption, love, hope and freedom. More about this later but first I think it’s important to clarify the historical relevance. Many viewers seem to think that the ‘uprising’ is somehow connected to the French Revolution.
The French Revolution spanned the 10 year period.1789-1799.
Napoleon lived from 1769-1821 and was exiled to St. Helena in 1815.
Victor Hugo’s novel “Les Miserables” depicted the years 1815-1832.
It is clear that neither the French Revolution nor Napoleon are factors relevant to Hugo’s novel.
The question then becomes what was all that talk of freedom and a popular uprising as described in Victor Hugo’s book and the musical version.
The uprising in “Les Miserables” was that of June 5-6, 1832. It was an anti-monarchist movement that was to some extent mitigated by crop failures, food shortages and an increase in the cost of living. It was quickly put down and amounted to very little.
This brings us back to the positive message that the musical is purported to convey. The protagonist, Jean Valjean evolves into a repentant man on the wrong side of the law, but the right side of social virtues. Conversely Inspector Javert is on the right side of the law, but the wrong side of humanity.
But what about some of the other characters who are tangental to the main plot?
First we have the corrupt innkeeper and his wife. They extort money from Fantine, mistreat and abuse Cosette and gain financially when they turn her over to Jean Valjean. They are associated with an infamous criminal gang and yet at the end of the musical they are given a large sum of money by Marius, are consorting with the elite and doing quite well. What is the message to be derived here? Crime pays?
Next we have the entire group of young idealist students passionately devoted to democracy, equality and justice. Their efforts came to naught and their lives were snuffed out after accomplishing nothing. What is the message here? Opposing injustice is futile?
And what are we to make of Fantine? A good woman, a devoted mother who becomes a prostitute and dies prematurely in a hospital. Again what are we to learn from this? No good deed goes unpunished?
And what are we to make of Inspector Javert? He is not an evil man; misguided perhaps, but well-intentioned. He felt that he was doing the right thing but there is no redemption for him. He sees suicide as his only way out. Not exactly an uplifting message for those who try to follow the law and obey the rules.
Yes, I love the musical but I am somewhat bemused by how differently others interpret the messages therein.
The French Revolution spanned the 10 year period.1789-1799.
Napoleon lived from 1769-1821 and was exiled to St. Helena in 1815.
Victor Hugo’s novel “Les Miserables” depicted the years 1815-1832.
It is clear that neither the French Revolution nor Napoleon are factors relevant to Hugo’s novel.
The question then becomes what was all that talk of freedom and a popular uprising as described in Victor Hugo’s book and the musical version.
The uprising in “Les Miserables” was that of June 5-6, 1832. It was an anti-monarchist movement that was to some extent mitigated by crop failures, food shortages and an increase in the cost of living. It was quickly put down and amounted to very little.
This brings us back to the positive message that the musical is purported to convey. The protagonist, Jean Valjean evolves into a repentant man on the wrong side of the law, but the right side of social virtues. Conversely Inspector Javert is on the right side of the law, but the wrong side of humanity.
But what about some of the other characters who are tangental to the main plot?
First we have the corrupt innkeeper and his wife. They extort money from Fantine, mistreat and abuse Cosette and gain financially when they turn her over to Jean Valjean. They are associated with an infamous criminal gang and yet at the end of the musical they are given a large sum of money by Marius, are consorting with the elite and doing quite well. What is the message to be derived here? Crime pays?
Next we have the entire group of young idealist students passionately devoted to democracy, equality and justice. Their efforts came to naught and their lives were snuffed out after accomplishing nothing. What is the message here? Opposing injustice is futile?
And what are we to make of Fantine? A good woman, a devoted mother who becomes a prostitute and dies prematurely in a hospital. Again what are we to learn from this? No good deed goes unpunished?
And what are we to make of Inspector Javert? He is not an evil man; misguided perhaps, but well-intentioned. He felt that he was doing the right thing but there is no redemption for him. He sees suicide as his only way out. Not exactly an uplifting message for those who try to follow the law and obey the rules.
Yes, I love the musical but I am somewhat bemused by how differently others interpret the messages therein.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
A.I.
A.I. = Artificial Intelligence (OK, so you already knew that.)
"Wilson" defeated the champion humans on "Jeopardy"... quite an accomplishment; not for Wilson, but for the programmers. But is Wilson intelligent? That depends on how you define intelligence. I do not think that "Jeopardy" is a test of intelligence. It's a test of how much data you have been able to cram into your cranium and then able to regurgitate it on demand.
Wilson excels at that process and will definitely be a terrific tool in a number of fields including medicine.
A better test of intelligence would be a "problem-solving" competition. "Brainteasers" would require lateral thinking and problem solving skills as opposed to memory.
Eg. An area consisting of the sum of 2 squares is 1000. The side of 1 square is 10 less than 2/3 the side of the other square. What are the sides of the 2 squares?
* Answer in subsequent post.
"Wilson" defeated the champion humans on "Jeopardy"... quite an accomplishment; not for Wilson, but for the programmers. But is Wilson intelligent? That depends on how you define intelligence. I do not think that "Jeopardy" is a test of intelligence. It's a test of how much data you have been able to cram into your cranium and then able to regurgitate it on demand.
Wilson excels at that process and will definitely be a terrific tool in a number of fields including medicine.
A better test of intelligence would be a "problem-solving" competition. "Brainteasers" would require lateral thinking and problem solving skills as opposed to memory.
Eg. An area consisting of the sum of 2 squares is 1000. The side of 1 square is 10 less than 2/3 the side of the other square. What are the sides of the 2 squares?
* Answer in subsequent post.
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