Some authors publish blogs about their books in order to promote their work and get feedback from readers. Very few of them, however, post all references online. It would be very helpful if for every book there was a list of links were all references were available to click and read (bibliography, articles, manuscripts etc). Book publishers can make it a requirement that to publish any work in print the author has to make available online all references.
http://www.thinkaloo.com
Showing posts with label article. Show all posts
Showing posts with label article. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Am I socially responsible for posting this thought?
I just read on CNN about a new fingerprinting technique that enables scientists to detect fingerprints on spent bullets and shell casings, even when the print is wiped off. It works by detecting the minute corrosion of metal caused by sweat, which corrodes the metal in the shape of the fingerprint. The article concludes by saying that the technique won't work, if a person has just washed their hands or put on gloves before loading a gun. Is it socially responsible to report this kind of news?
What if, out of the millions of people that will read the article on CNN, a few might commit a crime in the future using a gun and what if they take all the necessary precautions to make sure their fingerprints don't get detected because they had read the article?
We can't blame freedom of speech, the media or the internet for how well or not well people plan and execute gun crimes. But since not all news or information ever gets reported, what purpose does reporting this technological advance serve? Would it have been more socially responsible if the media did not report about it?
What about me? What about my re-reporting this news here and spreading the story and informing more people about it? Am I also socially responsible? Should I have not posted this? What purpose does my thought warning about the danger of spreading information that could be used to a criminal's advantage serve?
My thought is powerless to prevent the potentially negative effect it itself predicts. I am under no illusion about that. The info is out there already and no one can take it down now. But still, by writing these lines, I am contributing to the fact that more people know about it now than if I hadn't written them.
What if some people reading my thought right now will end up killing someone in the future with a gun and what if they take all the precautions I mentioned here? What if they write to me to thank me for letting them know about it? What if they start leaving comments saying 'thank you' or something? What if YOU - reading my thoughts right now! - left me a comment saying 'thank you mister egghead for letting me know', will it be a joke? How sincerely or seriously should I take it?
I feel so guilty posting this but I can't help it. I want you to read my thoughts and realize that our media and I are both socially responsible for posting this. I want you to see what an egghead I am, so selfish and so vain-driven my mind is :)
http://www.thinkaloo.com
What if, out of the millions of people that will read the article on CNN, a few might commit a crime in the future using a gun and what if they take all the necessary precautions to make sure their fingerprints don't get detected because they had read the article?
We can't blame freedom of speech, the media or the internet for how well or not well people plan and execute gun crimes. But since not all news or information ever gets reported, what purpose does reporting this technological advance serve? Would it have been more socially responsible if the media did not report about it?
What about me? What about my re-reporting this news here and spreading the story and informing more people about it? Am I also socially responsible? Should I have not posted this? What purpose does my thought warning about the danger of spreading information that could be used to a criminal's advantage serve?
My thought is powerless to prevent the potentially negative effect it itself predicts. I am under no illusion about that. The info is out there already and no one can take it down now. But still, by writing these lines, I am contributing to the fact that more people know about it now than if I hadn't written them.
What if some people reading my thought right now will end up killing someone in the future with a gun and what if they take all the precautions I mentioned here? What if they write to me to thank me for letting them know about it? What if they start leaving comments saying 'thank you' or something? What if YOU - reading my thoughts right now! - left me a comment saying 'thank you mister egghead for letting me know', will it be a joke? How sincerely or seriously should I take it?
I feel so guilty posting this but I can't help it. I want you to read my thoughts and realize that our media and I are both socially responsible for posting this. I want you to see what an egghead I am, so selfish and so vain-driven my mind is :)
http://www.thinkaloo.com
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Can you find the integer without Googling it?
Can you find the integer without Googling it?
Taken from a NYT article on Freeman Dyson. What's the smallest integer where, if you take its last digit and move it to the front, turning say 112 to 211, it's possible to exactly double its value? The answer is 105263157894736842 and has 18 digits. Now, what is the smallest integer where you can move the first (most significant) digit to the right, and the result will be exactly half the original number? :)
Can you work out the answer in your head? I couldn't. Instead I searched for it on Google and I got the answer in a second. Hmmm, what does that tell us about the skills we need to succeed in life?
If all knowledge becomes available online and anyone can look up the answer with the click of a button, would it matter how much you know or how able you are to work out the answer by yourself?
As technology does most of the work for us, are we creating a society where the skill to use technology efficiently will be valued higher than learning how to work out the answers ourselves?
How should I answer that question now? If I Google it, will I get the answer or should I wait for your comments? (lol)
http://www.thinkaloo.com
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