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A complete waste of time!
So a few days ago, I got an amusing idea for an interview question which I realized was totally pointless as an interview question, because it has no practical value whatsoever. So instead, I'm going to post it on my blog, as a way to help waste the time of all my CS friends. There is no prize whatsoever for a correct answer, except for the ( Read more... ) -
A note on interface design
While reviewing some code today, a principle of software design somehow distilled itself to clarity in my head.
When designing your system, think of every major system1 upon which your own system directly depends2 as a bug.
By "think of it as a bug," I mean that sooner or later, you are going to come to truly hate this dependency. It won't do what ( Read more... ) -
Now that's hardcore.
Washington DC just legalized gay marriage; the local archdiocese responded by ending all spousal health benefits to its employees.
Now here's an organization with the courage of its convictions. Rather than let a single gay partner get benefits from them, they will let each and every one of their people's spouses die. None of this Christian ( Read more... ) -
A stupid quote
From the Washington Post today:
Authorities and people familiar with the drug trade say violence in Mexico and increased enforcement -- symbolized by the Flores case -- are having a dramatic effect on Chicago street sales, at least for now. The wholesale price for a kilo of cocaine -- about 2.2 pounds -- has spiked over the past 18 months, from $18 ( Read more... ) -
Read this book!
Back from Montreal. No energy to try and write a con report right now... but it was a hell of a Worldcon. Paul Krugman's two talks were definitely high points, as were several panels, and a great deal of meeting some very interesting people ( Read more... ) -
Get out and vote!
America just doesn't take its elections seriously enough. Our last two elections, we got about 55% of the voting-age population going to the polls, and that was unusually high.
Now take a look at Iran. Why, in some towns, their voter turnout was as high as 141%. Now that's a country that takes its democracy seriously. -
Fiat 500 coming to America.
The Fiat 500 will soon be sold in the US. (Well, "soon" by auto industry standards, a mere year and a half from now. I have no idea what takes this much lead time.) And they're planning on reintroducing Alfa Romeos, as well ( Read more... ) -
Freedom of speech
From the WP: In China, Would-Be Protesters Pay a PriceSummary of the article: China made a lot of noise during the Olympics about how it would allow peaceful protests in three special zones. A total of 77 applications were made to protest; none were actually approved. Those who didn't withdraw their petitions quickly enough are now in jails, mental ( Read more... ) -
What a show!
If you have some free time, you need to read this. It's an article from the Angelus, journal of the Society of St. Pius X, titled Defense of the InquisitionWhat's fascinating about this article is that it isn't what you think it is -- if you're expecting a modern historical reexamination, showing that the Inquisition wasn't what we thought it was, ( Read more... ) -
Another Gaza post
Another joint analysis of the developing Gaza situation with amysun. Read and enjoy ( Read more... )