19. May 2008 by admin.

Computer Science Values

Whenever an equal sign (=) is placed, the machine automatically discards previously stored values. This has monumental significance when the information is made public, because accessing entirely new commands, functions, and classes can be performed, not just changing a constant x from 5 to 6.

Traditional relationships between two objects is a “has a” connection. The new object-oriented design implements a “is a” relationship between two objects through inheritance. This is quite a breakthrough because hierarchical logic can replace linear A to B, AND/OR/NOR logic. An object can be two things simultaneously, on different levels.

A generous number of developments follow from an “is a” relationship. Nested classes become possible, which can be thought of as ideas within ideas. Inheritance can also occur, and combined with metamorphism, classes can become static or dynamic. Static polymorphism can be thought of as templates. Dynamic polymorphism can be thought up as dynamic, per-instance structure and behavior. Similarly, an intelligent being is able to apply inheritance in order to adapt to similar situations of infinite permutation.

Once inheritance is learned, we can re-classify functions as opposed to overloaded functions. Overloaded functions require multiple versions of functions. Redefining, however, can dynamically modify definitions with a single function. Perhaps this is why we are constantly redefining our models and conceptions of reality and the world. And perhaps we should, because a static model would only limit our performance and creativity. For example, “redefining progress” became one of the key themes in the 21^st century environmental movement.

Constructors, like classes, can be inherited. Copy constructors and destructors cannot be, showing the temporal value of these mechanisms. Assignment statements, of course, are also not inherited. The relationship between pointer and linked list is not an inheritance “is a” relationship, but rather a “has a” relationship. The relationship between a stack and list is inherited.

Empty spacetime is the ultimate expression of metamorphism. The empty grid of space has been scientifically discovered to be “not empty.” In empty space alone, elementary particles such as quarks and neutrinos, as well as unknown phenomenon, whiz to and fro. Perhaps, it is impossible to isolate nothing. If the universe is indeed one giant computer, then the values that are set to null or zero can always potentially change. Ancient Chinese philosophy reminds us that “from nothing came a myriad of things.”

Searching

In a traditional search, because the computer is unable to tell whether it has gone too far, in order to find the number 14, for example in a list of 6, 9, 12, 15, 20, after 12 is passed, the computer must backtrack from 15 in order to obtain the number 14. A doubly-linked list, however, is still advantageous because the search can leave the pointer anywhere, and does not have to go back to the beginning each time a search is called.

Innovative new algorithms have been developed by Google, Inc as well as Amazon.com and there are entire commercial industries dedicated to the development of searching. Google’s search engine is a remarkably efficient case because it uses parallel, distributive searching, where millions of users can search for relevant articles at the same time.

Neural Nets

Pointers and linked lists of various forms (linear, bi-directional, tree structure), can combine together to form a neural net. The human brain and all interconnected neurons function this way. The neurons act as individual nodes, and electrical impulses are sent, in both input and output, throughout the brain.

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16. May 2008 by admin.

The height of capitalism has already been reached. We are now in the days of decline for capitalism as we know it. Adam Smith and Karl Marx both foresaw the inevitable effects of accumulating capital.

“A capitals increase in any country, the profits which can be made by employing them necessarily diminish. It becomes gradually more and more difficult to find within the country a profitable method of employing any new capital.”

Adam Smith: Wealth of Nations, Volume I

A natural law is present, as the corporation accumulates capital, less capital is available to accumulate from the market. Although technically business is not a zero-sum game, and if anything, a two-way exchange, there is a tendency for profits to level off and diminish. Check the stocks of any major corporation and one will see this to effect. In order to increase profits, corporations must find “new spheres of production and channels of trade.” [1] A top electronics company can increase their production through research and development and their sales by broadening their product selections (moving into new fields of innovation such as GPS Units, Digital Photo Frames, Business Cell Phones), but even that in itself runs into natural barriers.

Competition also increases as time passes, given that the company does not have a monopoly over a certain industry. A double-bladed axe is present: If the company stays a monopoly, profits will decrease over time due to decreased effectiveness and competitiveness. If the company experiences competition, then part of the market profits will go to its competitors.

Nature truly takes away from the full and gives it to the empty, saws down the tall and mighty trees and gives chance for new saplings to grow, breaks down the hardest and the most rigid, and spares the soft and flexible, and smooths the sharp edges of massive canyons and mountains, while carving new crevices into the smooth.

The other alternative to capitalism seems to be government control of certain industries. Government control is different from a monopoly because there are subject to social approval. Sometimes government control is more flexible when dealing with consumers rather than a hard-pressed capitalist CEO. Also, the changing demands of the people and legislation subjects government industries to change. Thus it seems at this point, a mixed market is most desirable, compared to the robber-barons of the late 19th century or the large dot-com giants of the early 21st century. Privatized sectors of most industries, and government ownership of certain industries.

[1] Giovanni Arrighi: Adam Smith in Beijing

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14. May 2008 by admin.

“What type of government is best?” is perhaps a flawed statement. Considering the different forms of government, including constitutional monarchy, federalist republic, unitary republic, confederacy, Marxist socialism, and anarcho-socialism, what comes to mind is not the form, but the needs of the people. Some government will favor certain groups of individuals over other groups. Whether it be inborn traits (talent) or political dispositions (bias, opinions, worldviews), an isolated group of people will perform very differently under different governments. For example, if the person or group has a strong sense of individualism, or a strong sense of collectivism, he or they will certainly fit in differently in various forms of government. Depending on what traits the government values, such as intelligence, physical strength, rational ability, moral conduct, or respect of law, some individuals will prefer certain types of governments over others. Thus, good government should be tailored to the needs of the people, and the effective ruler can design a system where each group feels they have their own place in society.

Furthermore, the programme of the government is also important. Regardless of government structure or arrangement of people, the goals and agenda of the government is what ultimately gets political, economic, and social progress done; it is not a question of the type of regime, but rather the effectiveness which means most in the end. Political stability must come first, because even if the people are starving in a war, the unity must come first or else the country is no longer a country. A politically strong, not necessarily aggressive position, has the people in its best interest. A ruler of such a country will make a minimum of political enemies and a maximum of allies through diplomatic relations. Next, economic stability and growth must be created. Ideally a laissez-faire libertarian type of management, varying degrees of state control can be performed, depending on the situation, and still make conducive situations for growth. Finally, when all things are settled under the heavenly blue sky, social progress can be considered. The rights of the people, economic prosperity, universal education, and beautification of the cities can be worked towards.

The proper question, then, is “what type of government and goals is best for all parties involved?”

Similarly, this question applies also to the corporate structure of the 21st century. Many forms of corporations exist, including top-down hierarchical, pyramid-shaped, flat-end shaped, shareholding, non-shareholding, horizontally integrated, or vertically integrated. Regardless of organization type, the corporation must effectively put into use the different talents, contributions, and needs of the executives, employees, and customers. Notsomuch that employees or customers should fit the mold of the corporation or be fired or cease to transact business with, but the corporation must also actively fit the needs of its own people. In order to achieve this, corporation must find was to find people with exceptional talents it can use, as well as actively find the right market rather than attempting to have the customers fit the products and services of the corporation in a monopoly (e.g. Apple Inc.).

The goals of the corporation must be clear. Unity and harmonious work between executive and employees must be reached. Allies and rivals must be seen keenly. True long-term allies as well as true long-term rivals, both of which help the growth of the company, must be recognized from the crowd. Strong customer relations should be built, both in the community and elsewhere. Even when the industry is losing money in a depression, the strong bond between every person in the corporation and every person that the corporation interacts with must hold it together.

Once unity is reached, economic stability should be the next goal. Profits are still profits, and still essential for the survival of the corporation. If the company is making no net profits and losing all the money to consumers and customer service, it might as well close down, because it is, as they say, “mixing in the mud.” Such a scenario can occur if the business spends half its operations servicing customers and accepting returns. The corporation is virtually giving away money to customers. That is not only unethical, but also poor businessmanship. A true executive, then, will create proper conditions for growth that the lives of the employees will be improved over time.

Finally, once the corporation has achieved stability, other priorities can be considered, such as the social impact of the corporation, excellent customer service, setting up the workers for life (Japanese model of economics), building new company buildings by world-renowned architects, and sponsoring other organizations such as the Olympics.

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6. May 2008 by admin.

Deriving from the insight in Adam Smith in Beijing: Lineages of the Twenty-First Century by Giovanni Arrighi, I have formulated a general set of ideas for economic development.

The Western economic model for development is resource and capital intensive, whereas the Eastern model is labor intensive. However, if an emphasis on labor is going to be used, then generalization, not specialization, of labor should be employed. Thus, an alternate form of industrialization will completely develop in the distant future. Division of labor, then, is harmful towards growth of human potential.

“The man whose entire life is spent in performing a few simple operations, generally becomes as stupid and ignorant as it is possible for a human creature to become … [loses] the extensive interests of his country … incapable of vigor and perseverance”

It is a myth that Adam Smith encouraged the notion of division of labor, taking from the example he gave of the pin factory; Smith also indicated the negative effects of specialization. Coincidentally, American society as well as most international societies are geared towards a specialized focus in education. The competitiveness of the global economy demands the knowledge and skills required to make advances in biotechnology, microprocessor design, material science, and artificial intelligence. These are cutting-edge fields and skills, but they are difficult to use out-of-context. Thus, a comprehensive education is required.

An effective CEO is able to oversee production on all stages and participate with many talents and abilities. Likewise, the role of top advisors to the chief executive. On a smaller scale, family heads and members are expected to perform many tasks and require an all-encompassing knowledge of the industry. Generalization, not specialization, creates the flexibility needed to survive and adapt to changing conditions in the 21st century economy.

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6. May 2008 by admin.

“If time is money, space is also money.”

Interestingly enough, warehouse and storage buildings also cost a monthly rent or a fee per square foot of storage, just like any other enterprise in business. Even land and sustainable development can be worth money, and we exchange our wage, which stores a market value, so that we may gain time and space, and vice versa, that we put into strategic use time and space so that money is gained, as in business, or even created out of thin air, as in finance. Thus, perhaps a new definition of money is needed in the context of economic gain in a particular ecosystem.

Everything in spacetime can potentially be worth money. A single dimension, a line in the form of a road, can be a profitable enterprise. Extend that to a two dimensions, and a rectangular surface is created, in the form of land, which can be converted into a farm, with pastures and livestock. Add a third dimension, height, and buildings sprout from land, and trees shoot up from the ground. A business is born. Integrate a fourth dimension, time, and movement and life is born. The farm is alive, and the workers plowing, managers working on the Internet with customer service. Such a business can be profitable for ten years, which represents the flow of money into and out of this farm over time.

“Complexity cannot be avoided, but it can be managed.”

-S. Barkeshli

Complexity is the largest barrier to entry in a free market. Thus, an effective merchant is not only able to deal with the complexity, she is also able to simplify challenges for consumers. Simpleness in itself is a form of customer service, because simplicity used in a genuine fashion helps people get by.

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