Monthly Archives: December 2009

Computational Journalism – Already Here but Not Obviously So

Posted on December 30, 2009 by

In my early discussions and presentations regarding Wolfram|Alpha I often used Computational Journalism as the initial non-engineering use case.   Most folks weren’t quite sure what I meant initially by Computational Journalism until I explained how, as a toe in the … Continue reading →

Posted in computer science, Computers, data mining, decision theory, journalism | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Death and Taxes – a What Is Man Follow Up

Posted on December 30, 2009 by

This article on estate taxes came across my email inbox today, from WSJ: Under current laws in effect until the end of this year, the size of the exemption is $3.5 million per individual or up to $7 million per … Continue reading →

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What is Man?

Posted on December 30, 2009 by

This question, and its variants, might be the most common question asked in literature, storytelling, laws, history and philosophy (less so in daily conversations!).  This question defies an answer not because it is too complicated or out of our reach.  … Continue reading →

Posted in analysis of behavior, anthropology, brain, human rights, science, truth | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Op-Ed Calling for Search Neutrality is Grossly Unimaginative

Posted on December 29, 2009 by

As Google grows bigger and deeper the op-eds and various critics are calling for hard core scrutiny and even regulation. The latest piece I’ve come across is this rather drab call for “search neutrality” in the New York Times. Without … Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, business strategy, google | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Facebook Infrastructure – Number of Servers @Facebook and more

Posted on December 20, 2009 by

If been asked many times about the size of Facebook’s infrastructure.  Folks love to get a gauge of how much hardware/bandwidth is required to run high trafficked sites. Here’s a recent report of the set up. Read the details there.  … Continue reading →

Posted in business strategy, computation, computer science, data mining, social networks, software | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Are Insurgencies Predictable?

Posted on December 19, 2009 by

Seemingly random attacks and a shadowy, mysterious enemy are the hallmarks of insurgent wars, such as those being fought in Afghanistan and Iraq. Many social scientists, as well as the military, hold that, like conventional civil wars, these conflicts can’t … Continue reading →

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Interesting / Fun on Cantor’s Diagonalization Proof

Posted on December 15, 2009 by

I really like this post on Good Math, Bad Math. Beyond being mildly humorous in that cranky math person non-funny kinda way, it touches on lots of my favorite subjects: enumeration, Cantor, classic proofs, cranky math people. The catch – … Continue reading →

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Software and Media Company Formula for Keeping It Real

Posted on December 10, 2009 by

I find simple equations sometimes help frame an opportunity. In the case of software and media companies I have a very basic formula to gauge an opportunity that goes something like this… M = Maximum possible number of users (consumers … Continue reading →

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