Quantum affects everyday things.

tchamplin — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 05:38:08 +0000

Because the behavior of molecules and other large objects can be predicated with classic Newtonian physics it has been long thought that quantum effects did not influence them. Vlatko Vedral, in a June 2011 article published in Scientific American, writes that presently nearly all physicists think that quantum mechanics applies to everything regardless of size. It is difficult to observe the entangled states that exists in complex objects because it quickly fades. That is, it experiences decoherence. It appears that entanglements make up reality. Space and time emerge as a result of the decoherence of entanglements. An implication of this, that information is the fundamental element, is explored in his book, Decoding Reality, published last year.

Stuart Kaufman in Reinventing the Sacred and James Gardner in Biocosm explore related ideas.

Dr. Vedral also explores further ideas in a guest blog, where he explores how entanglement appears to allow for the deletion of information while not producing heat. That is, entanglement appears to make it possible to compute massive amounts of information without requiring massive amount so cooling.

Atul Gawande – Surgeon / Writer

tchamplin — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 02:15:25 +0000

As Harvard Magazine points out, his outstanding writing is as good as the rest of his career. I found his first book, complications, which has 4.5 amazon stars from 183 reviews a quick and insightful read.

If I had a Mac or my adventure with the Vista Codec Package

tchamplin — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 05:24:00 +0000

If I had a Mac playing a video would be simple. I downloaded a selection from learnvisualstudio.net and the Windows Media Video (WMV) would not play in Windows Media Player despite having version 5.06 of the Vista Codec Package from Shark007. I am told “Windows Media Player cannot play the file (or cannot play either the audio or video portion of the file) because the Sipro Lab Telecom ACELP.net (130) codec is not installed on your computer.” I downloaded version 5.9.1 of the Vista Codec Package from MajorGeeks.

By the time I found and installed the new codec I missed the evening’s opportunity to review some of the System.Data.SqlClient Namespace Classes. (What is the symbol for pounding one’s head on a hard surface?)

When a reboot did not fix it I tried TechSmith’s Camtasia Studio codec. Still no luck. Finally, I follow a suggestion and use Winamp which I used to use for mp3 playback all the time.

Two hours on two separate evenings after I begin this adventure I used a non-microsoft product to watch Camtasia produced WMV screen casts.

Afghan Opportunity

tchamplin — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 05:22:00 +0000

It is possible that I am naive about international affairs. In fact, in many respects, it is quite likely. I am confident, in part based on the recent article in Rolling Stone, that depending on those who have a history of treating others poorly, if not brutally, is not the way to win friends and develop lasting influence. I am also pretty confident that those educated at West Point or the U.S. Army War College know this.

What then is the motivation behind many of our activities in the Middle East? Do our leaders believe us to be so stupid that we could not understand a complex, long term plan that askews brutality? If the theory that counter insurgency is prevented by establishing a legitimate government is valid, then encouraging and supporting large scale criminals, commonly known as warlords, whose very presence undermines the rule of law, is insane. Should we not pursue policies that encourage a framework for the constructive airing of grievances, justice, and freedom as suggested recently by Kenneth M. Pollack.

Having ruled out, at least tentatively, ignorance and stupidity, I suggest looking at who is making money here. And how do they make more money has result of long term instability? Or Is Al Queda a greater threat than the mass press had portrayed? Do we really need to spend so much money for a base to purse them? What scenarios have have I overlooked? This further suggests that there are forces who materially profit from instability. But whom? And why?

What we do there matters. Who we select for leadership roles matter. Holdbrooke’s absence mattered. Patraeus’ ability to communicate and frame matter. How we get from where we are to a stable government that can defend its borders and provide opportunities for its citizens to become educated and productive locally and internationally matter.

Voting

tchamplin — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Voting seemed easier 15-20 years ago. Were there fewer elections? Did I have a more cavalier attitude about it? Did I have more time? While I don’t know if there were fewer elections or not, I still took time to become familiar with the issues and the candidates. I do have less time now than then. I worked less and commuted less than now. Still sometime I wonder, does it really make that much of a difference. Perhaps not but it does help me feel involved and part of the community.

On NOT writing

tchamplin — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:05:00 +0000

As you can see I still have not made time for writing. Frustrating. I have a sense that in the weeks and months to come I will be able to block consistently. I was able to resume regular workouts and I have lengthened my daily mediation to 20 minutes. I would like to start doing it nightly as well.

I feel good today. Am in a very good space. That will change. It always does. It ebbs and flows. However, given the weather and the season I think it is a very good sign.

Recently, I attended that Brewery Art Walk. It is a lovely semi-annual event.

Saturday I will attend the South Pasadena Art Fest 2010 at SOPA Studio. If you are in the area, come out!

Milestones

tchamplin — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 16:08:00 +0000

Saturday was my 2nd wedding anniversary. I was very anxious about the day and I spent the morning doing things that were good for me and my psyche. The rest of the day with N.

Photos and details are on Facebook. It was a great day.

We laughed and had a level of honesty that is hard to come by and maintain. Eight years together for two complex, multilayered people takes its toll on both parties – married or not.

Cheers to us!

On Blogging

tchamplin — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:03:00 +0000

Well, I still have not gotten back to writing and I have been neglecting my workouts. Work has been very busy. However, I have been making progress on my SQL/.net studies and my writing studies.

At this point I don’t even see a path to get back on track.

Life Happended

tchamplin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:27:00 +0000

The past 7 days have been very busy with work and I have neglected my writing. I hope to get back on track this week.

VB6 ADODC error

tchamplin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:06:00 +0000

I have a VB 6 program that since moving it to another server serves up an ADODC error unless the original DB is keep unrestricted. Now the data correctly going to the new database on the new server but there is some configuration setting in the original I just can’t find. Or there is some code in the program that points to the old DB that I just can’t fine. Frustrating.