April 2008 Archives
Check it out here.
From the website:
Social computing is concerned with the study of social behavior and social context based on computational systems. Behavioral modeling reproduces the social behavior, and allows for experimenting, scenario planning, and deep understanding of behavior, patterns, and potential outcomes. The pervasive use of computer and Internet technologies provides an unprecedented environment of various social activities. Social computing facilitates behavioral modeling in model building, analysis, pattern mining, and prediction. Numerous interdisciplinary and interdependent systems are created and used to represent the various social and physical systems for investigating the interactions between groups, communities, or nation-states. This requires joint efforts to take advantage of the state-of-the-art research from multiple disciplines, social computing, and behavioral modeling in order to document lessons learned and develop novel theories, experiments, and methodologies in terms of social, physical, psychological, and governmental mechanisms. The goal is to enable us to experiment, create, and recreate an operational environment with a better understanding of the contributions from each individual discipline, forging joint interdisciplinary efforts.
Oddly Enough | Africa - Reuters.com
Lynchings in Congo as penis theft panic hits capitalBy Joe Bavier
KINSHASA, April 22 (Reuters Life!) - Police in Congo have arrested 13 suspected sorcerers accused of using black magic to steal or shrink men's penises after a wave of panic and attempted lynchings triggered by the alleged witchcraft.
Reports of so-called penis snatching are not uncommon in West Africa, where belief in traditional religions and witchcraft remains widespread, and where ritual killings to obtain blood or body parts still occur.
This is what the web is for, truly.
Two dudes with too much time on their hands used a high powered digital microscope to count the number of threads in a set of 360-thread-count Martha Stewart sheets.
Guess what? She's not lying.
This is not just interesting, it's funny -- at least the entry on these guy's website is funny. it's worth the read and look-see, as they have lots of pictures.
Check it out here.
BIF Speak: Can modeling and simulation enable collaborative innovation?
- You refine heroin for a living, but you have a moral objection to beer.
- You own a $3,000 machine gun and $5,000 rocket launcher, but you can't afford shoes.
- You have more wives than teeth.
- You wipe your butt with your bare left hand, but consider bacon 'unclean.'
- You think vests come in two styles: bullet-proof and suicide.
- You can't think of anyone you haven't declared Jihad against.
- You consider television dangerous, but routinely carry explosives in your clothing.
- You were amazed to discover that cell phones have uses other than setting off roadside bombs.
- You've ever uttered the phrase, 'I love what you've done with your cave.'
- You have nothing against women and think every man should own at least one.
- You bathe at least monthly whether necessary or not.
- You've always had a crush on your neighbor's goat.
down-right offensive and can lead to premature discussion of difficult
topics with your kids.
My son, Kyle, the avid swimmer, is participating in the South Hampton Roads championships this Saturday. This is a pretty big deal for an 11 year old. He's a strong freestyler, swimming in three different events.
We live over an hour from the meet's location, so we're staying in our trailer (travel trailer, 28 foot Outback, sleeps six comfortably, three more uncomfortably) nearby the event.
Normally, I have a checklist -- more mental than on paper -- for the stuff I need and need to remember to bring with me. It saves my attitude and sanity on the first day of my vacations.
I didn't have the luxury of that level of prep this time. I found myself lacking as I was setting up the trailer. I had to buy some important stuff, like a water hose (!!!!) and the sewer grommet that allows your refuse hose to properly seal with the sewer. Kind of important stuff. Threw myself for a loop.
I never mind making fun of myself, because I am really just a dopey fool who does a pretty good job of over reaching his abilities. Constantly over excelling is good until you return to normal, and then you look like a total idiot or, worse, a practiced ass. I get a taste of kryptonite at least once a week. I hate it, but put up with it, 'cause I don't have a choice.
It's difficult being a mere mortal . . .
Seven Traits of Successful People ∞ Get Rich Slowly
How Do You Know You're In The Wrong Religion?
I've got an opinion on this, but I won't be sharing it right now. It's a loaded gun . . .
Unclutterer » Daily tips on how to organize your home and office.
The Escapist : The Myth of the Media Myth
These are the top three strengths that come to mind; note that they could easily be applied against other executive positions.
1. Ability to lead people.
Leadership is a fuzzy thing, part art and part science. Good leaders inspire people, motivate people, teach people, and help people to succeed -- all without the people in question knowing that they are being inspired, motivated or helped. Good leaders also build teams, build important trust relationships, listen to their people, and guide their people with care.
2. Ability to see with vision.
This is a hard one, because what I really mean if that a CTO/CIO needs to be able to predict the future -- the future of the company, the future of the market, and the future of the technological environment. Vision is 50% forsight and 50% introspection, organizationally speaking. Seeing with vision requires courage and a personal sense of the "rightness" of trends and external predictions.
3. Ability to execute.
I know a lot of really smart people who can't fight their way out of a wet paper bag. The ability to get things done, to organize, plan, and carry out any activity that imparts change on an organization, is a very important skill. This is where the proverbial rubber meets the road, where the plan becomes reality, and where the majority of the people you lead spend their days. When you successfully execute, your people are earning their paychecks, they are probably very happily at work, and the enterprise machine becomes better-tuned and more profitable. It's a win win.
My thoughts, thought I'd share them.
How do I use it?
Just click "Set custom time" from the Compose view. Any email you send to the past appears in the proper chronological order in your recipient's inbox. You can opt for it to show up read or unread by selecting the appropriate option.
Is there a limit to how far back I can send email?
Yes. You'll only be able to send email back until April 1, 2004, the day we launched Gmail. If we were to let you send an email from Gmail before Gmail existed, well, that would be like hanging out with your parents before you were born -- crazy talk.
How does it work?
Gmail utilizes an e-flux capacitor to resolve issues of causality (see Grandfather Paradox).
Gmail: Google's approach to email
