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Proof of the Riemann Hypothesis utilizing the theory of Alternative Facts

Conway's powerful theory of Alternative Facts can render many difficult problems tractable. Here we demonstrate the power of AF to prove the Riemann Hypothesis, one of the most important unsolved problems in mathematics. We further suggest applications of AF to other challenging unsolved problems su...

Click to view the original at scribd.com

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Shtetl-Optimized » Blog Archive » First they came for the Iranians

I’m sure there were weeks, in February or March 1933, when the educated, liberal Germans commiserated with each other over the latest outrages of their new Chancellor, but consoled themselves that at least none of it was going to affect them

Click to view the original at scottaaronson.com

Hasnain says:

Scott Aaronson is always on point.

"But when it comes to student visas, I can’t see that my feelings about the mullahs have anything to do with the matter. We’re talking about people who happen to have been born in Iran, who came to the US to do math and science. Would we rather have these young scientists here, filled with gratitude for the opportunities we’ve given them, or back in Iran filled with justified anger over our having expelled them?

To the Trump regime, I make one request: if you ever decide that it’s the policy of the US government to deport my PhD students, then deport me first. I’m practically begging you: come to my house, arrest me, revoke my citizenship, and tear up the awards I’ve accepted at the White House and the State Department. I’d consider that to be the greatest honor of my career.

And to those who cheered Trump’s campaign in the comments of this blog: go ahead, let me hear you defend this."

Posted on 2017-01-26T11:33:34+0000

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How to build the next Trello and sell it for $425 million or more – DisruptiveHQ

Atlassian bought Trello for $425 million. Because Trello was on trajectory to kill Atlassian.

Click to view the original at medium.com

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George Orwell’s 1984 Is Now the #1 Bestselling Book on Amazon

George Orwell's classic dystopian novel, 1984, has suddenly surged to the very top of the Amazon's bestseller list. Though first published in 1949, it's back with a vengeance. And George only has the new administration to thank. We'll have more on Orwell's 1984 tomorrow.

Click to view the original at openculture.com

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Unexpected Consequences of Self Driving Cars – Rodney Brooks

January 12, 2017 Unexpected Consequences of Self Driving Cars Many new technologies have unexpected impacts on the physical or social world in which we live. When the first IMPs for the fledgling ARPANET were being built starting in 1969 at BBN in Cambridge, MA, I think it safe to say that no one fo...

Click to view the original at rodneybrooks.com

Hasnain says:

Lots of interesting stuff.

However the flame section at the end is gold. It's too long to quote in its entirety but everyone should read it.

"My guess is that we will never see close to such high numbers of deaths involving driverless cars. We just will not find them acceptable, and instead we will delay adopting levels 4 and 5 autonomy, at the cost of more overall lives lost, rather than have autonomous driving systems cause many deaths at all. Rather than 35,000 annual deaths in the US it will not be acceptable unless it is a relatively tiny number. Ten deaths per year may be deemed too much, even though it could be viewed as minus 34,990 deaths. A very significant improvement over the current state of affairs.

It won’t be rational. But that is how it is going to unfold."

Posted on 2017-01-24T09:26:10+0000

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Western Union Admits Anti-Money Laundering Violations and Settles Consumer Fraud Charges, Forfeits $586 Million in Settlement with FTC and Justice Department | Federal Trade Commission

Company also agrees to implement anti-fraud program and enhanced compliance obligations in agreements with federal authorities For Release January 19, 2017 Tags: deceptive/misleading conduct Finance Bureau of Consumer Protection Midwest Region Consumer Protection Credit and Finance Payments and Bill...

Click to view the original at ftc.gov

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San Francisco Asks: Where Have All the Children Gone?

San Francisco has the lowest share of children of the country’s largest cities, a longstanding trend reinforced by a tech industry that skews young and single.

Click to view the original at nytimes.com

Hasnain says:

"There is one statistic that the city’s natives have heard too many times. San Francisco, population 865,000, has roughly the same number of dogs as children: 120,000. In many areas of the city, pet grooming shops seem more common than schools."

Posted on 2017-01-22T20:31:54+0000

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Why we should all have a basic income

It's like we live in a game of Monopoly but we're no longer collecting money for passing Go. A universal basic income would correct this, writes Scott Santens.

Click to view the original at weforum.org