Wow! Vinay Deolalikar, a Hewlett Packard researcher, has published his proof that P≠NP. It may not mean much to most of you, but P versus NP is the greatest unsolved problem of theoretical computer science. A complete explanation of the problem would be lengthy, but let me see if I can summarize it. P represents a large set of computer science problems that are known to be … [Read more...] about P≠NP (maybe)
Science
A Scientific Digression About Inductive Cooking
I had a frustrating science discussion with a friend the other day. Somehow, our conversation had turned to the subject of cooking -- about which I know nearly nothing -- and my friend mentioned that someday he'd like to have an induction cooktop. He told me that when you place a pan on an induction cooker and turn it on, the food will begin to sizzle almost immediately. To me … [Read more...] about A Scientific Digression About Inductive Cooking
Is Consistency Enough?
People I trust have been saying good things about Jeff Gamso's blog, Gamso - For the Defense, and I've been meaning to check it out for months now. I finally got around to it, and I'm glad I did, because I discovered a fascinating post called "Hobgoblins of Little Minds."It's about what experts mean when they say a piece of evidence is "consistent": The criminalist who did … [Read more...] about Is Consistency Enough?
iPad iMpotence
Ken Lammers does a nice job of collecting up some of the shortcomings of the just-announced Apple iPad. I don't get it either. The iPad seems really limited. My iPhone has similar limitations---no multitasking, no USB or FireWire, a closed application deployment mechanism---but it's a cell phone: Making it more flexible would come at the risk of making it less reliable. But in … [Read more...] about iPad iMpotence
Mathematics In Gangland
Scott Greenfield, font of so much that I can riff off of, has a complaint about gang experts who try to paint every action by the defendant as related to his membership in a gang: If a defendant has a tattoo, the expert will testify that tattoos are "brands" typically worn by gang members. If the tattoo happens to say "Tiffany", then the testimony is changed ever so … [Read more...] about Mathematics In Gangland