Random Thoughts

Can We Prove That a Large System is Self-Organizing?

In my 2014 article about large systems  I wrote that "what makes a system large is our inability to observe everything within the system".  Large systems theory has been one of my personal thought experiments for a long time because I have long w ...

Blog Post - Michael Martinez - Feb 17 2016 - 12:16pm

Brexit, the EU Now Has its Puerto Rico.

Brexit, if it happens as we all fear will make the UK the Puerto Rico of Europe. No, not really... Puerto Rico has more rights as a commonwealth of the US than Britain will have in association with the EU. Puerto Rico can stay outside the union while peopl ...

Blog Post - Hontas Farmer - Jun 24 2016 - 8:45pm

I am Sorry Retractions and First Ever Book Recommendation

After more research into the roots as well as the current realities of certain issues, I have removed some articles and revised many (as I usually do, but even more). The US does not have a prison or gun problem; it has a problem with certain races. Since ...

Blog Post - Sascha Vongehr - Sep 13 2017 - 9:45pm

What's It Like For A Working Scientist To Write A Novel?

In an essay for The New York Times, (September 28, 2002) Joseph Epstein wrote: "According to a recent survey, 81 percent of Americans feel they have a book in them-- and that they should write it. As the author of 14 books, with a 15th to be publishe ...

Article - Dave Deamer - Jul 28 2016 - 2:01pm

A Great Blitz Game

As an old time chessplayer who's stopped competing in tournaments, I often entertain myself with the odd blitz game in some internet chess server. And more often than not, I play rather crappy chess. So nothing to report there... However fluctuations ...

Article - Tommaso Dorigo - Aug 25 2016 - 9:11am

No Go Area! What? What is that?

This is a warning especially to East Asians, most of which have never seen anything like this, because in China for example, there is no such thing and it is unheard of. Now they are warned to avoid Western European cities such as Berlin, London, and Pari ...

Blog Post - Sascha Vongehr - Sep 23 2016 - 4:29am

Rant: Enough Damn Awareness Days Already!

Dear Awareness People: Shut the F......... (1) I'm begging you. I already have more than enough to be aware of. Even more than I'm aware of.  You try walking around Manhattan unaware. You won't be walking for long. Nope, there will be the u ...

Article - Josh Bloom - Dec 12 2018 - 5:50pm

The Neglected Majority

The Neglected Majority In every nation, state or county that I am aware of there is a tendency for lawmakers to discriminate against the poor, whether directly or indirectly. Some politicians favour tax reductions for the wealthy.  The flip side of that c ...

Blog Post - Patrick Lockerby - Nov 6 2016 - 3:51pm

Allegation- a new-ism

Allegation- a new-ism Having marked my return to blogging with one new word- egestatism- I thought I may as well invent another. We already have handwaving and whataboutery which appear to be de rigeur in any scientific or political discussion.  And now, ...

Blog Post - Patrick Lockerby - Nov 7 2016 - 3:16pm

Did Donald Trump Really Win Bigly?

Did Donald Trump Really Win Bigly? Did President-elect Donald Trump Win Bigly, or did he suffer an attack of the mumpsimus? We all know that the Donald loves to use superlatives, but 'bigly'?  Really?  Well, no not at all really. We are all subj ...

Blog Post - Patrick Lockerby - Nov 11 2016 - 4:41pm