2015.04.11 13:00 - Randomness and Home-ness

 

Bruce: Heya, Qt!

Qt Core: Hi Bruce!

Bruce: I appreciated your inquiry about the storm.

Qt Core: :-)

Bruce: Do you have tornadoes in Italy?

Qt Core: no, even if we started having major storms in past 10/15 years

Bruce: Hmmm.

Bruce: I grew up with tornadoes . . .

Bruce: for the first seventeen years of my life my home was Iowa,

Bruce: so we saw tornadoes every spring and summer.

Bruce: Iowa is in the northern reaches of the tornado belt -  which stretches from Texas to Minnesota.

Bruce: Ohio doesn't get as many,  of course,  but every year we do get a few somewhere in the state.

Qt Core: i can't really imagine how one could live with such risks (here it is not even a (major) seismic area)

Bruce: I have no storm shelter at the farm,  unfortunately.

Bruce: Well, I understand that.

Bruce: it's interesting how our minds seem to compensate for dangers, though.

Bruce: I remember when I lived right on top of the San Andreas Fault in California,  I never worried about earthquakes.

Bruce: even though I experienced a couple.

Qt Core: then there are more risks in driving your car every day

Bruce: Yes, statistically that is true.

Bruce: so I didn't drive my car today!

Bruce: Being a hermit, of sorts, I only go into town when I absolutely need to.

Bruce: the rest of the time my car sits parked in the driveway.

Bruce: makes for low insurance premiums!

Bruce: I am currently reading a fascinating book on paradox....

Bruce: it's actually a history of philosophy with paradox as its central theme.

Qt Core: it is based on mileage ? (it is something new we hear here too, here you usually get a 10000/30000/50000 km/year levels)

Bruce: I probably drive less than 10,000 km.

Bruce: in any given year, I mean.

Bruce: probably much less than that!

Qt Core: me too, just work and grocery shopping

Bruce: I think automobile insurance premiums are based on several things --  age, of course being one of them.

Qt Core: i usually end up at around 9500

Bruce: and the make of the car, and how many miles you drive....

Bruce: I think that would be about my average also.

Bruce: or less maybe.

Bruce: so do you think there is such a thing as randomness?

Bruce: I will be attending a class tomorrow afternoon and our topic is "The Stochastic Cosmos"

Qt Core: here mainly age of the driver, value of the car, place where you live (the younger you are... the more you pay) and biggest one number of incident you had

Bruce: ('stochastic' means random.)

Bruce: yes the number of accidents and traffic record --  very important.

Qt Core: traffic record not so relevant here

Bruce: there are levels of violations....   speeding,  running stoplights,  etc..

Qt Core: about randomness, yes, i believe it but wonder how many things are really random

Bruce: and in Ohio we have a point system - - -  if you accumulate so many points... Oh.  back to randomness.

Bruce: I've been thinking hard on the subject.

Bruce: and I've decided that there is a self-contradiction in the problem of randomness.

Qt Core: point system here too, but not relevant for insurance

Qt Core: ?

Bruce: doesn't  randomness require a nonrandom principle - - - an abstraction?

Bruce: for example, if I said,  Name a tree at random...

Qt Core: as in the definition of random is not random ?

Bruce: and if you said "olive"  then I would say, excellent choice!

Bruce: but if you said "radish"  I would say bad choice.

Bruce: doesn't that imply that your random selection requires an abstraction ---  some notion about the class of trees and another about the class of not-trees?

Bruce: yes, precisely!   the definition of random is not random.

Bruce: nor can examples of randomness be random.

Bruce: I don't know whether it's possible to produce random numbers with the computer...

Bruce: I know that the only way I can approximate randomness in programs is through using "seeds."

Qt Core: not really, and it is one of the more heavily studied fields in IT

Bruce: yes,  good point.

Bruce: and if our computers cannot generate random numbers without seeds,  than I wonder if anything is actually random in the cosmos.

Bruce: I guess scientific theory depends on laws,  cause-and-effect relationships,  and determinism, huh?

Qt Core: the best random generators are made with some machine that senses radiation emission from a radioactive elements and uses the time intervals as the random generator

Bruce: ahhh!

Bruce: yes I have heard about those!

Bruce: but I have also heard about how a human who perceives their operation can actually influence the numbers that are produced.

Bruce: so perception  upsets the actual randomness, huh?

Qt Core: but there are algorithms that generate "good enough" random numbers sequences and the seed is needed to chose "where to start" in the sequence, or you would get always the same numbers, in the same order

Bruce: yes,  something like having a "good enough mother" . . .   as some psychologists might put it.

Bruce: when I tried to introduce randomness into a computer program,  I call upon the computer's timer,

Bruce: and I look for hundredths of a second...  and I make my "random seed" from that number.

Bruce: the chances of having different sequences if you continually call upon a computer's  timer with every call for randomness . . .   are pretty good.

Qt Core: many things work in a "good enough" principle like security at public buildings (thinking about a shooting we had this week)

Bruce: oh dear!

Bruce: yes I read about that - -  in Milano.

Bruce: scary.

Qt Core: yes, in the main court building too

Bruce nods.

Bruce: you think that will cause people in public buildings to tighten up security?

Qt Core: well, it is pretty tight, but he entered from the judges/lawyers where you don't have to pass a metal detector, for example...

Bruce: wow.

Qt Core: judges/lawyers entrance

Bruce nods.

Bruce: so he knew his way around.

Bruce: that's how 9/11 happened,  you know.   the four terrorist pilots were authorized by their respective airlines,  and so they could enter unsuspected.

Qt Core: yes, he had a fake id card too, the kind you have to show to use that entrance (but you just have to exhibit it, no card reader or real check)

Bruce: I used to fly several times a year . . .  but I no longer do that.

Bruce: it is remarkable how different the security procedures are in different airports.

Bruce: I was very impressed by the security at Edinburgh's airport.

Bruce: Miami's airport was the very worst.

Bruce: I could have smuggled in virtually anything!

Bruce: when I flew from Columbus  to Chicago,

Bruce: they had us take off our shoes, empty our bags, open our computers, etc..

Bruce: but when I flew back from Chicago to Columbus,  I didn't have to do any of that....  I have no reason why.

Bruce: maybe the security folks feel there is nothing in Columbus worth terrorizing.

Bruce: ha ha!

Qt Core: there is a reality show about Australian borders security (mostly airport) and don't know what surprised me most, how accurate they are or the incredible things people try to smuggle in

Bruce: Bruce: when I flew from Edinburgh to Atlanta, four separate individuals interviewed me on the walk-way to the airplane.

Bruce: so Australia is more vulnerable, do you think?

Bruce: or less vulnerable?

Qt Core: less, besides that on most levels they are pretty tight

Bruce: okay.

Bruce: if they are willing to make a reality show of their security process at airports,  they must be pretty confident about themselves.

Qt Core: an example, i probably can't have a work visa for Australia as being fat i may be too costly

Bruce: really?

Bruce: I knew that Australia used to have racial criteria for immigration....  but I think they've dropped that now.

Qt Core: it was a few years ago that i had this news (not that i wanted a job there)

Bruce: Heya, Aph!

Aph: Hi

Qt Core: hi Aph

Aph: sorry I'm late

Bruce: np,

Aph: Hi Qt

Bruce: QT and I have been talking about a number of different topics...

Aph: I was visiting Bleu's art gallery

Aph: oh?

Bruce: most recently we've been talking about airport security

Aph: you were just talking about Immigration laws

Bruce: I'll bet her gallery is really nice!

Qt Core: I've heard of a international level cook that had his visa renewal refused for that and it was a couple years ago at least

Aph: It will be

Aph: why was his visa refused?

Bruce: Did he have his visa renewal refused because he was fat or because he was of a different race?

Qt Core: fat

Bruce always has problems with pronoun references....

Bruce: kk, ty.

Qt Core: (the funny thing - his original one was made when even fattier)

Aph: Maybe they didn't like his cooking

Bruce: perhaps this is an example of randomness - as we were talking about earlier.

Qt Core: but most of their border security (regarding what you can import) is about protecting their environment/fauna/flora

Bruce: well, considering some of the disasters Australia has experienced,  that sounds like a pretty good idea!

Aph: where is this Qt?

Qt Core: Australia

Bruce: Australia.

Aph: ah

Bruce: snap.

Aph: Canada has been pretty bad too

Aph: the Chinese had to pay a head tax

Qt Core: yes, but they didn't have disasters like with rabbits and dingoes

Bruce: "bad" --  are you referring to what they inspect upon entry, Aph?

Bruce: Heya, Bleu!

Aph: who they keep out

Qt Core: Hi Mick, Bleu

Bleu: hey all :)

Bruce: Heya, Mick!

Aph: people

Bruce: kk, whom they keep out.

Bleu: love the bamboo Aph

Aph: Hi Mick

Aph: San put up big stands of bamboo next to my property

Aph: the really big stuff

Bruce: this is a lovely playgoda....

Bleu: I saw that ... beautiful

Aph: sweet of her

Aph: She also lit bonfires around her property line

Bruce: I love the versatile cushions.

Bleu: yes me too, Bruce

Bruce: I should go check out San's estate.

Bleu: she's just beginning

Aph: Have you had any thoughts, Bleu, about our next exhibition?

Bleu: will look great I'm sure

Bruce listens.

Aph: her house is inside that enormous mound

Bleu: well, our first one will be about the pavilion designs

Aph: you will install miniature models?

Bruce: afk for just a sec...

Bleu: photos

Aph: ah

Mickorod Renard: Hi

Bleu: will take us through the summer

Bleu: and then we'll vote

Bleu: we'll talk about that at the guardian mtg

Aph: ah and you will put up the images as they are submitted

Bruce: [back]

Aph: good

Bleu: we need a working group and a landscape/building group

Aph: I was wondering how we could compare and contrast

Bleu: yes Aph

Bruce is grateful that other people will build pavilions . . .  since he has no talent whatsoever in building.

Aph: Hard to keep all the ideas in mind at the same time

Bleu: we can always rez the favorite(s) again

Aph: true

Bleu: hey Luci

Bruce: Luci!

Bleu: brb

Bruce: welcome!

Mickorod Renard: it had crossed my mind whether we could miniaturize ourselves to save prims

Aph: Hi neighbour!

Mickorod Renard: Hi Luci

Luci: HI Mick, aph, Bleu, Bruce

Luci: qt

Mickorod Renard: :)

Luci: may I ask a maybe quick question?

Bruce: by "ourselves"   are you referring to houses, pavilions, or avatars, Mick?

Bruce listens for a question from Lucy=i.

Aph: maybe Luci

Bruce: please go ahead.

Aph: :-)

Mickorod Renard: everything

Bruce ponders mini-Bruce.

Mickorod Renard: but I guess it wouldn't work

Bruce: :)

Luci: I changed my clothes here and the skirt is listed in objects as an attachment...I cannot seem to change it's color to blue. Any suggestions?

Aph: It's not so much the size but the number of scripts

Qt Core: bleu, yesterday we pondered putting pic of the proposed pavilions in the wiki

Aph: can you edit your outfit  Lucy?

Luci: everything but the skirt

Aph: then it means you cant

Mickorod Renard: yeh, its strange that in sl size doesn't matter...he he

Luci: it can be discussed later if you were in the middle of something

Bleu: back :)

Aph: smiles- the only place it doesn't Mick!

Qt Core: and maybe letting people comment/review them there (to be a little more solid than doing it in emails)

Aph: There are some things you aren't allowed to edit, Lucy

Bleu: Qt, yes

Bruce: Heya, Riddle!

Aph: It's easier to vote too. Vote for #1, 2 , 3 etc

Mickorod Renard: Hi Riddle

Riddle Sideways: Hi All

Aph: Hi Riddle

Bleu: I'll also put photos up in the art of being gallery

Luci: hi riddle

Aph: It's so nice to see people I rarely see

Bleu: there's a notecard in the sign at the art of being plot

Bleu: takes you to 4 levels with LM's in the notecard

Aph notices a smaller Bruce

Bleu: hey Riddle

Bruce: !

Bleu: mini Bruce :)

Riddle Sideways: there are more trees today :)

Riddle Sideways: haven't seen mini-Bruce in long time

Bruce is experiencing the phenomenality of smallness.

Luci: :))

Bruce and likes it.

Aph: I added those bamboo trees

Bruce: Your place is lovely, Aph.

Aph: thank you Bruce!

Bruce: I'll miss having you for a neighbor.

Aph: I'm playing with sounds too - crickets and birds

Aph: I miss you Bruce

Aph: Luci - I  hope I'll be able to borrow a cup of sugar occasionally

Bruce: a sort of weird question....

Bruce: is it possible for more than one person to own a house?

Bruce: in Second Life?

Luci: certainly Aph...

Aph: to have a house in two names?

Bleu: what do you mean Bruce?

Bleu: to own a plot together?

Riddle Sideways: create a group

Bleu: yes

Bruce: well, I mean,  normally there is just one owner for a house - and that can be registered with SL as a "home" --

Luci: I wondered that too

Bleu: can have 10% more land with a group

Riddle Sideways: everybody in your group can drop things in your house

Bruce: so, apparently, one cannot have a "home" unless one owns property,  is that correct?

Aph: drop things?

Bleu: "allow to set home here" ... if the land owner allows that

Bleu: you can set home to PaB

Bruce: ahhh.

Bleu: just go up to world menu

Bleu: set home here

Bruce: so "PaB common land"  could be my home, then?

Bleu: anywhere in PaB

Bleu: yes

Bruce: kk, thank you!

Luci: ok Luci has just arrived home

Riddle Sideways: it was probably your home before

Aph: lol

Bleu: yes, in your old plot

Aph: home is where the PaB is

Bruce: yes I understood that about my old plot,  but that was my house,  and I no longer have a house.

Bleu: it's the land. that's your home

Aph: You can make any place your home Bruce

Bleu: the house is something you own

Bruce: okay,  I notice that I'm still able to come back to "the Hermitage" --  since that was designated as my home.

Bleu: 'set home here' means on the land

Note:  I tried Bleu's suggestion at several places in PaB's common land area.  None of them worked.  I'm thinking that (1) I'd need actually to own a plot, or (2) the PaB "owner" [Wol] would need to give me permission to make PaB common land my "home."  Since I am a member of the "land group" ( meaning, a regular contributor of $$$ ), perhaps Wol will add our names as persons eligible to cal PaB lands our "home."  Hoping so.

Aph: I made an underwater place my home when I was first in SL

Bruce: but I think that will change pretty soon.

Bleu: Tuesday

Riddle Sideways: wb Mick

Bruce: heya, Mick!

Mickorod Renard: well..hi, ....

Aph: what are you planning to do with your house Luci?

Aph: I can give you some plants if you like. I have lots

Aph: or furniture...

Luci: well I am not sure...I would like a few plants and maybe some cocking chairs

Aph: lol

Luci: oops rocking chairs

Luci: lol

Bleu: lol

Aph: well, I have a rocking chair u could borrow

Riddle Sideways: Bruce, you grew up

Bruce: yeppers.

Bruce: and also acquired a fish.

Luci: great thank you

Aph: yw. :-)

Aph: did u get the rocking chair Luci?

Riddle Sideways: why are we supposed to have a house?

Aph: Hi Eden

Riddle Sideways: hi Eden

Mickorod Renard: yes, better Bruce..your old self

Mickorod Renard: Hi Eden

Luci: yes thanks Aph

Aph: we aren't' supposed to have anything Riddle

Luci: hi Eden

Aph: put anything there

Eden Haiku: Hi everyone :)

Bruce: Heya, Eden!

Riddle Sideways: went shopping for a park bench

Bleu: you can do anything you want with your individual plots that your own yourselves

Mickorod Renard: I have a park bench I think

Eden Haiku: I love the way your three butterflies inhabit your land Riddle :) Fluttering beauties...

Luci: tho we are supposed to not exceed the prim amount...do rocking chairs have prims?

Aph: 3 butterflies and a tree is nice

Bleu: there are no individual plots on the group land

Bleu: Luci, yes

Riddle Sideways: ya mean the neighborhood association won't dictate the color of the elephant?

Bleu: you have 117 prims

Luci: ah..

Eden Haiku: That would be lovely to have an elephant tour in here :)

Bleu: LL will let you know when you go over :)

Riddle Sideways: the butterflies use to go further, but Cat keep returning them automagically

Bruce: is that a rocking chair or a rocking horse?

Bruce: This is .... ELEPHANTASTIC !!

Bruce:               _____

Bruce:             /  0        \____

Bruce:           /   _    \__/         \

Bruce:          /  /  \      ____     I  \

Bruce:         /_/      I    I       I    I

Bruce:                    I__I       I__I

Bleu: we'll wait a few minutes to start the guardian meeting :)

Aph: automagically :-)

Aph: Is Eliza coming?

Riddle Sideways: speaking of phumts

Bruce: OH!  I almost forgot about the Guardian meeting!   thank you for reminding us.

Bleu: Eliza has the flu and may not be here today

Aph: aww kk

Bruce: wait a minute.  it's going to be right here isn't it?

Bruce: no wonder so many people are showing up!

Bleu: so I can claim this after your session ends Bruce

Bleu: yes

Bruce: yes claim it now!

Bruce: thank you.

Bleu: kk