Near the end of Jordan Ellenberg’s wonderful collection of essays Shape he writes: What if the Poincaré Conjecture had been proved, not by an introverted Russian geometer, but by a machine? Say, a grandchild of a grandchild of Chinook, which instead of solving checkers had managed to solve this part of three-dimensional geometry. And suppose … Continue reading Checking a Racist Alien AI’s Homework
Author: John Baker
Professional curmudgeon and relentless skeptic. "Belief" is a bullshit word. You know or you don't know!
The Great White North: Now with Shiny Pony Capital Controls
I take pride in ignoring what some perceptive individuals have labeled the “misleadia.” Our garbage press spends more time pushing their contradictory agendas than providing useful information. I monitor their tone but immediately consign the majority of their claims to the almost certainly crap unless overwhelming and independently verified bin. But, occasionally, events force the … Continue reading The Great White North: Now with Shiny Pony Capital Controls
To-do Twenty Twenty-Two
I'm so bad at making and keeping New Years Resolutions that I typically put them off until February. I've always been a procrastinator and I've always told myself that I'm going to change, but not today. Tossing Calvinistic guilt aside procrastination isn't all bad, it gives you time to mull over your plans before making … Continue reading To-do Twenty Twenty-Two
Yet Another New Year
Well, I survived 2021, another crappy COVID year. Three cheers for me. 2021 was marked by four deaths. The first off was my dad. He died in February of “general geriatric decline” (old age) and I have been dealing with his estate ever since. It’s mostly settled with a few irritating exceptions. Just try closing … Continue reading Yet Another New Year
An Epiphany induced by reading Journey to the Edge of Reason
If you’re faced with undeniable evidence that Shakespeare was a racist, would you change your opinion about the play Othello? I’m in the habit of asking myself such hypotheticals; it helps me clothe my opinions in reason. Here's another one. If you learn that one of the greatest mathematicians in history was prone to conspiracy … Continue reading An Epiphany induced by reading Journey to the Edge of Reason
Joe Biden = Intelligence Failure
Joe Biden, the demented imbecile in the White House, recently had his, “it will go away like a miracle” (Trump) moment. His, “the rise of the oceans began to slow” (Obama) moment. His, “mission accomplished” (Bush) moment. His, “I did not have sex with that woman” (Clinton) moment. His, “I’m not a crook” (Nixon) moment, … Continue reading Joe Biden = Intelligence Failure
Public School Teachers Should Wear Body Cameras
One of the many positive things to emerge from the Coronavirus pandemic is the renewed interest of parents in just what the fuck is going on in their children’s schools. Like many pandemic perks this wasn’t planned, but when kids were expelled from their classrooms and parents were sent home from their jobs, both ended … Continue reading Public School Teachers Should Wear Body Cameras
JETL – J Extract Transform and Load
I have been surreptitiously using the J programming language on the job for many years. With rare exceptions, I haven't advertised my clandestine use of J simply because it's strange and scary and nonstandard, and IT departments are filled with cowardly little bedwetters that run away like Brave Sir Robin when confronted with something really … Continue reading JETL – J Extract Transform and Load
Buy My Daughter Helen’s Art!
Dear readers, as most of you know, this blog does not promote anything except the fevered ravings of its somewhat deranged author. But today, in a wild break with tradition, I'm promoting my daughter's art. Some of us put Winnie the Wuhan Kung Flu1 lockdowns to good use. I finished my JOD book, and my … Continue reading Buy My Daughter Helen’s Art!
The Zero Bullshit Sport Olympics
We can thank the perpetually aggrieved and ever-complaining “transgender community” for the Zero Bullshit Sport Olympics. The ridiculous spectacle of huge male weightlifters, that conveniently identified and competed as women, crushing smaller and weaker female competitors on live global TV forced many to ask forbidden questions. “Why are Olympic sports sexually segregated?” “Does it really … Continue reading The Zero Bullshit Sport Olympics
Analyze the Data not the Drivel 