test game

Mma gaming videos out on YouTube

The two parts of the Mathematica gaming video are stored here and here.

These videos show how the Mathematica gaming interface works and how easy it is to make an interactive application using just a few lines of Mma code.

"rain Google Columbus" analysis out on YouTube

The Analysis version of the "rain Google Columbus" research video video is stored here.

This video describes how to answer the following question using Mathematica: How many times did the Google stock price decline in the first half of 2009 on the same day as it rained in Columbus Ohio?

Hello Polymaths:

This video by Margaret Wertheim is about female handicraft (i.e. crotchet) and its applications to marine biology and advanced mathematics. Covering such broad topics in only 18 minutes inherently limits the depth:

- geometric complexity of coral
- geometry of crotchet
- history of hyperbolic geometry
- generation of life thru collective collaboration

I viewed this presentation as "hand-waving" to some degree. She does not teach hyperbolic geometry in this video. I would think you already need to know what it is to understand this material.

In contrast the collaboration and modeling aspects are fascinating.

The video is called The Mathematics of Coral.

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modeling organized human conflict (otherwise known as war)

Hello Polymaths:

This short TED video is about statistical modelling of a couple of the artifacts of an organized conflict. I have been working on an analysis of this type with other data (i.e. stock prices and weather).

Sean Gourley on the mathematics of war
http://www.ted.com/talks/sean_gourley_on_the_mathematics_of_war.html

It turns out that Mathematica has APIs to enable such analyses.

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the author of a new book about Grace Hopper

Hello Polymaths:

 

She is called the mother of the computer revolution (way before Hewlett & Packard).  I have been familiar with her for a long time. She was supposed to have famously said "it is easier to apologize than to ask for permission". This is one of my stock phrases (and approaches).

 

Sometimes I watch the Press Here show about technology. I usually catch it when football is coming on Sunday mornings.

 

So I was not completely surprised about the historical stuff they listed. But this interview with this guy is quite in depth because he talks about her:

 

- background
- non-technical skills
- personal demons
- impact on the author

 

Here is some further info on this:

 

- the interview from NBC Bay area (use this link and pick Episode 39 "Mint" Part 3)
- live interview with the author at the Commonwealth Club (in SF) on 28-Jan-2010
- his book is ordered, but not arrived yet at the SF Public Library

 

 

Regards..

 

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Hard Problems: The Road to the World's Toughest Math Problems

Hello Polymaths:

 

This documentary was shown on public television this evening.  They will probably broadcast it again if you keep your eye peeled. I did not know about it until I stumbled upon it.

 

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