A Face Full Of "D'Awww"

Topic: Varia

Appeal: noun the power or ability to attract, interest, amuse, or stimulate the mind or emotions: The game has lost its appeal.

Hello, my dear readers.

I just wanted to post something to indicate that contrary to popular belief, this blog is not dead, it is simply on hiatus segnities. This means that I will resume updating regularly once I quit being lazy.

In the meanwhile, enjoy this moving picture of the world's cutest puppy:

Yours truly,
Snowman

Bostrom's Argument

Topic: Varia

Simulation: noun the representation of the behavior or characteristics of one system through the use of another system, especially a computer program designed for the purpose.

Today I would like to present to you the argument of a certain Nick Bostrom about whether or not we live in a simulation. For those of you who are not aware of this philosophical question, it goes a little like this; how can we be certain, as thinking beings, that we are not in fact living in reality, but in a simulated reality part of a larger world, that we may in fact simply be living in a computer program. If that were the case, then there would be no way of knowing. So which is it more logical to think: that we live in reality, or that we live in a simulation? Dr. Bostrom makes a point of explaining that it is more logical to think the latter, and here is his argument.

Of the following three prospects, only one can be true:
(1) Sufficiently advanced civilizations which can create simulations do not, and cannot, exist;
(2) Sufficiently advanced civilizations which can create simulations would not be interested in doing so (i.e. they would not create simulations);
(3) We are most likely living in a simulation;

Now, before we get started, we need to clarify what it means to be a "sufficiently advanced civilization". To be one such civilization is to have attained the level of technological advancement required to create simulations of entire universes (similar to ours).

If (1) is true, then by definition neither (2) nor (3) can be true (since simulations would effectively not be possible). If (2) is true, then (1) is not true by default, and (3) would not be true as it would not be likely that we are in a simulation since it is not likely that a simulation exists. If (3) is true, then it is clear that both (1) and (2) are false.

Now, what about the premise that they are all false? Well, that is incredibly unlikely, and this is why. Suppose that both (1) and (2) are false. Then, there exists a sufficiently advanced civilization which can create simulations, and that civilization is interested in doing so. If that is the case, then that civilization would have, in all likelihood, created such a simulation in which billions of beings would be simulated. In fact, it is likely that many thousands of simulations are being run. If this civilization is sufficiently advanced (and we assume it is), then there would be a much greater number of simulated universes than "real" universes (of which there would only be one). By extension, there would be a much larger number of simulated "minds" than real minds. Therefore, it is a very real probability that our minds are simulated.

What about the prospect that all 3 are false? Well, Dr. Bostrom argues that it is incoherent to think in such a way. I, personally, would argue against that; indeed, what if we are the most advanced civilization ever? What if we would father all other simulations? Only time can tell, but it is a very real possibility.

On this note I leave you, dear readers. Stay cool,
- Snowman

And That's All I Have To Say About That

Topic: Varia

Opinion: noun a personal view, attitude, or appraisal.

I don't like doing this, posting an update only to refer you to another article, but I felt the need to share this with you:
Pourquoi je suis pour la hausse et contre la gratuité, de Lise Ravary
Please note that this article is in French.

Stay cool,
Snowman

Keep At It

Topic: Programming, Varia

Expert: noun a person who has special skill or knowledge in some particular field; specialist; authority: a language expert.

People have unrealistic expectations when it comes to programming (and this applies also in every other area of life). There are books out there with stupid, outrageous titles: Learn X In Y Days, with Y being anything between 3 and 10 and X being almost anything. I used to be a TA for an introductory course at McGill University, and it would aggravate me to no end when students would complain after getting a bad grade, stating that all they "needed" to do to pass the course was "read a 'for dummies' book".

You cannot expect to be an expert in a field the first time you enter it. True, there are some exceptions, but they are incredibly rare. Harold Ramis once said "It takes at least 10 years to get good at anything", and I couldn't agree more. And before you get good, you're going to have to be bad, and that's okay. Everybody starts everywhere.

What's my point? Well, people get discouraged when they're told they're bad at something, and most people quit trying to do it. And this is not limited to programming; learning to play an instrument, or learning to play a sport, or learning any field of study takes a long time.

So people, if you feel bad at something you want to do, just keep at it!

Stay cool,
Snowman

Keep Calm and Carry On

Topic: Varia, Riots

Survival: noun the act or fact of surviving, especially under adverse or unusual circumstances.

Living in Quebec, more specifically Montreal, these days has become slightly dangerous for students (and people in general) due to the abnormally-high amount of protesters. Now, I don't want to start preaching about which side is right; the tuition hike is a subject that I (along with all my friends I'm sure) am sick and tired of hearing about. Instead, I will post a few tips for those of you who might be stuck in the middle of a riot.

Now hold on, says Avid Reader, they are just peaceful protests! They won't turn into riots!

Yeah, just step outside and watch. More and more of these "peaceful protests" are turning to violence and vandalism. I have my own, very strong opinion about these protests and the reasons behind them, but like I mentioned earlier I do not believe it is my place to start debating.

So here are a few things you can do if you are ever stuck in a riot you never wanted to be part of in the first place:

1. Avoid Protests: If you feel like being yelled at and shoved around would effectively ruin your day (how someone can feel angry after being pushed and hit is beyond me), then it might be a good idea to avoid the protests altogether. Obviously this is not always possible for various reasons, but doing so effectively prevents you from being in a position you would like to avoid.

2. Keep Calm, Keep Your Head Down, and Keep Moving: Riots tend to make people edgy and angry and, sometimes, violent, so keeping calm will keep you from doing something which you would regret. If someone pushes or shoves you, don't respond (as that would just aggravate the situation) and keep walking.
Keeping your head down, shoulders hunched, will not only protect your face, but it will avoid drawing attention to you, thus reducing the risk that you'll be caught in a brawl.
Finally, keep moving. As soon as you stop, you are now basically part of the rioting crowd.

3. Stay Indoors: Well I think this one speaks for itself.

4. Carry Sugary Foods With You: This one is a little obscure and confusing. When in a riot, your adrenaline levels automatically increase, thus draining your energy reserves faster than normal. If that happens, then you may become too tired (especially at the end of the day) to make the right decisions based on your immediate situation. Sugary foods can therefore provide the energy you might temporarily need to leave the riot.
Edit: I was told by my better half that it takes up to an hour for the body to absorb the energy contained in sugar, and that it is the fastest the human body can gain energy, and so it is better to eat before going through a protest area.

5. Stay On The Sidelines: Walk along walls, avoid taking sides in the riot, and try to look as innocent and, for a lack of better term, uncomfortable as possible. Don't film anything, don't take pictures, just keep walking as though you would rather be anywhere else than there (which is probably true). This will help you go along unnoticed by both the crowd and the police.

6. Avoid Getting Hit By Riot Control Chemicals: Again, speaks for itself.

7. Move Away From The Riot: Walk, don't run, as running will attract attention to yourself. Try to avoid moving against a crowd, as you will be pushed and shoved; instead move with the crowd until you can find a side street or a doorway where you can break away. Avoid major roads, as they are more likely to be filled with rioters or police officers. In Montreal, try and take the metro. The metro system is usually unaffected by riots. However, in other cities it is in fact considered a bad idea to use public transportation.

8. Don't Antagonize The Police: Your personal safety is your number one priority, and antagonizing the police force is the number one thing you don't want to do. If they talk to you, listen and answer honestly. Explain that you just want to get away from the riot. In most cases they will point you to a safe area. In the worst case, they will take you as a rioter (see point 9).

Now, these are all used to avoid being in trouble in a riot, but sometimes you cannot avoid being caught in. The following 3 points are things to do if you end up being in distress.

9. If You Are Mistaken As A Rioter: Do not resist! If you go peacefully you will not be roughed or hit by the police force. Follow their instructions. Police officers usually only arrest people who attack them or who vandalize the area, and so if you "play nice" you will be left alone. If you are arrested, then simply explain your situation as calmly as possible. Again, your personal safety is the most important thing, and even though it sucks, you are safe while arrested.

10. If You Are Sprayed With Chemicals: If you are sprayed by tear gas or other chemicals, a simple solution of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) with water will usually wash off the chemicals. In fact, if you can it could be a good idea to keep a bottle of that solution with you so that you can apply it to affected areas as soon as you are sprayed. This solution does not work on pepper spray. If you are hit by pepper spray, find a water source as quickly as possible and wash it off. Keeping a bottle of water with you also greatly helps.

11. If You Are Stuck In Your Car: First of all, no matter what happens, don't run over rioters, as this will put you in the "oh-so-definitely-screwed" zone with both the rioters and the police, greatly reducing your chances of survival. Remain in your car while the riot continues around you, as your car becomes a shelter from projectiles. Do not attempt to respond if someone hits your vehicle. If, however, your car becomes a target for vandalism (i.e. several people are targeting it) then abandon your vehicle and move away as fast as possible without running. Pulling your shirt over your head can help protect you. Before thinking about the cost of your wrecked car, think about what can happen; cars are regularly torched and smashed in a riot, and if you are stuck in one you can become severely hurt or you may die.

Hopefully none of you will need to use any of these tips, but with the amount of riots we've had so far in 2012 increases the likelihood of an all-out riot breaking out around you.

This is it for today, readers. Stay safe, stay cool.

- Snowman