Reason and realityHow our reasoning informs how we perceive realityInterpretation follows impression and is informed by reasons and biases, which are subjective. So, we have a tendency to find a reason or meaning. There is an inherent desire to make sense of the world, which forms our reality and consciousness.Categorization of interpretation and demarcation of concepts also…… Continue reading Reason and reality

Views from the NSA HQSatireNSA headquartersWe spent a day at the National Security Agency (NSA) conversing with the employees about their work.In the daily standup meeting, the manager asks, “Okay, anything new today?” “There were shootings in New Orleans — 5 people died, ” an informed employee adds. “Wasn’t that yesterday?” the manager questions. “No, that was Atlanta,…… Continue reading Views from the NSA HQ

Language Acquisition Is InnateHuman brains have structures that help learn and retain the first language in childhoodThe human brain has structures to learn languagesAs a result of evolution, human brains have developed nuanced language acquisition systems. There are innate facilities in the brain that expedite the learning of language in conjunction with external information. This innateness…… Continue reading Language Acquisition Is Innate

Genetic Algorithms to Detect CyberattacksAlgorithms mimicking principles of genetic reproduction are used to detect cyberattacks in large, complex networks. These algorithms import principles of reproduction, natural selection, and maintenance of diversity.The major attacks that affect a large number of computers in the world daily can be classified into four attacks — Probing, Denial of Service (DoS), User…… Continue reading Genetic Algorithms to Detect Cyberattacks

Dominance of ArbitrageArbitrage is an arbitrary, idiosyncratic inconsistency utilized to generate disproportionate value. It could be finding a gap in the market to implement ventures through a niche solution, or investing in currencies with increasing value. The non-existence of a particular economically profitable idea creates an opportunity to attract entrepreneurs.Modern economy values arbitrary sectors like…… Continue reading Dominance of Arbitrage

The gun industry capitalizes on fear and xenophobiaWalmart, probablyAmericans spend about 64 Billion USD on guns every year, and the annual cost of gun violence is estimated to be 280 Billion USD. More than 130,000 Americans are injured or killed annually using guns. There are more guns in America than people, and the country consumes…… Continue reading The gun industry capitalizes on fear and xenophobia

Deceptive Tribalism — Religion, Nationalism, and AstrologyDeceptive ideologies like religion, nationalism, and astrology provide the comfort of acceptance, but also feed false biases. These are constructions to make us feel a part of something bigger, which is a need we should forego. We shouldn’t rely on community acceptance to construct our self-esteem.A lack of belief is deemed…… Continue reading Deceptive Tribalism — Religion, Nationalism, and Astrology

Ego and manipulationIt is interesting how ego is expressed in a desire to control others. An ego is fed by power over others, but the ego is a mere coping mechanism. It helps establish a sense of security — that we matter in society. We realize we have little control in our lives so we try to…… Continue reading Ego and manipulation

How Music Recommendation Systems Like Spotify WorkA recommender system suggests personalized commodities, such as music or products, you may like. A good music recommender system, like Spotify, should be able to automatically detect preferences and generate playlists accordingly.Collaborative filtering is a popular technique of finding users with similar listening patterns and tastes as us and suggesting…… Continue reading How Music Recommendation Systems Like Spotify Work

The illusion of selfNeo, the one, in The MatrixExperience is a tango between the extrinsic and the intrinsic. Self drives the experience. As dynamic beings, our perceptions of self change with circumstance. Self is a product of biochemical states that lead to a version of consciousness. A sense of self is something we’re woven into, the threads…… Continue reading The illusion of self