As I’ve said many a time, when using Ockham’s razor argument, you need to be careful not to cut your own throat. Here neatly exposed by BoingBoing. Classic meme case – where a simple stated, oft quoted, Â but subtly misunderstood adage becomes accepted (by a vocal majority) and applied as some kind of absolute rule.
Entries from February 2013
Careful With That Razor, Ockham
0
February 14, 2013 at 9:44am
by Psybertron
Uncategorized Add Your Comment
One Bit Per Electron
0
February 13, 2013 at 4:57pm
by Psybertron
Interesting potential development in microprocessor technology. (Hat tip to Rayan on LinkedIn)
Uncategorized Add Your Comment
PIE Update
0
February 13, 2013 at 3:41pm
by Psybertron
Interesting, ideas on the source of “Proto-Indo-European” language (aka Aryan) continue to develop – associated with the spread of peoples and trade communications. (from last year).
Uncategorized Add Your Comment
Interesting Alliance
0
February 12, 2013 at 4:54pm
by Psybertron
A coming together of BHA and Baroness Warsi. Warsi [said] that while genuine, hateful religious intolerance should be confronted [and] incitement to religious hatred remains an offence in Britain, a blasphemy law once on our statute book was abolished in 2008 – in part because [...] it was incompatible with the freedom of speech. Copson [...] said [...] “Mere [...]
Uncategorized Add Your Comment
Plus ca Change
0
February 12, 2013 at 3:29pm
by Psybertron
Another one for the “twas ever thus” and “nothing new under the sun” collection (from Punch 1906, from Mike Loukides via Hugh MacLeod): (Which reminds me, a long time since I’ve looked at BoingBoing.)
Uncategorized Add Your Comment
One for engineering geeks
0
February 12, 2013 at 9:15am
by Psybertron
Never seen this effect at this scale before; Von Karman vortices formed in the clouds stretching hundreds of miles beyond two small islands off Chile. Hat tip to Milind on Linked In for sharing the link. Interesting not least (to a geek like me) because this is an effect that works at small and very small [...]
Uncategorized Add Your Comment
‘Scuse me whilst I chuckle
0
February 12, 2013 at 8:53am
by Psybertron
Racial abuse from rival supporters, in fact any kind of tribal “abuse” is a no no for me, even at any competitive sporting event, but Diouf has to be the least likely target to raise any kind of outrage. (Maybe that’s why they’ve chosen him.) Talk about water off a duck’s back – is there [...]
Uncategorized Add Your Comment
Julie Burchill’s a Keeper
0
February 11, 2013 at 2:45pm
by Psybertron
I remember Julie when she started at the NME – alongside Tony Parsons and Charles Shaar-Murray I seem to recall. You can’t help but notice she’s continued to be a contrarian in her life since, but this Desert Island Discs session is one for the scrapbook. You have to suspend disbelief, and Kirsty does a [...]
Uncategorized Add Your Comment
Sign o’the Times
0
February 11, 2013 at 11:18am
by Psybertron
My view: He’s no doubt stepping down due to frailty of age. They already have to wheel him about. In days when authority counted for something, the office of Pope could afford to continue until the demise of incumbent body. Pretty sure the Rap Singer sees that his church needs a person of some strength in [...]
Uncategorized Add Your Comment
The Ladies Have It.
0
February 11, 2013 at 9:40am
by Psybertron
Big data (*) – power of correlation of patterns without necessary causation, understanding or explanation – makes sense when the data largely reflects human psychology and behaviour. Because the human explanations would involve rationalisations and game-theoretic responses, not objective scientific causation. The what may be useful even before the why is considered. The what may provide [...]
Uncategorized Add Your Comment
That Old Saw
0
February 7, 2013 at 1:08pm
by Psybertron
Science has made philosophy redundant – ho hum. Seen Wolpert talk on this before. Need to view, digest and respond later.
Uncategorized Add Your Comment
Management Guru
0
February 7, 2013 at 9:18am
by Psybertron
Interesting watching the management manoeuvres at Reading FC since Brian became manager and Anton became owner, whilst Sir John and Nicky continue as chair and director. Definite signs of teamwork, compared to the usual knee-jerk headless-chickens at most clubs. Last mentioned here the equally encouraging signs of man-management, but many references to the “quality” of football decisions [...]
Uncategorized Add Your Comment
Gotta Love Paolo
0
February 5, 2013 at 1:15pm
by Psybertron
Values – his words.
Uncategorized Add Your Comment
One Mind Better Than None
0
February 5, 2013 at 11:55am
by Psybertron
One for future interest.
Uncategorized Add Your Comment
Memewatch – “Existential Threat”
1
February 3, 2013 at 2:42pm
by Psybertron
When did “existential threat” come to mean “a threat that exists”? Heard it twice recently – Cameron describing Islamists in Saharan Africa, Copson describing extremists in general.
Uncategorized Add Your Comment
Why Care About Football?
0
February 3, 2013 at 11:15am
by Psybertron
We do care about the beautiful game of football, but this piece by Seth Godin is about some other televised sport, played with the hands whilst wearing full body armour, weirdly called “football” in just one country in the world. The tribal culture is a common theme, sure, but I disagree on several points. The [...]
Uncategorized Add Your Comment
Cambridge Values Religion
4
February 1, 2013 at 8:13am
by Psybertron
Now there’s a turn up for the BHA. Hopefully enough to make the BHA think about its position. Hopefully we’re beyond this being “just a bit of fun”. [Video Here. No time to watch the whole right now, but after Copson vs the outgoing Archbishop, you can already see where the more subtle argument lies. [...]
