Meanwhile: To all the humans still out there "Hi, I hope you are well!"
I thought I knew something about John von Neumann, but this book amazed my by revealing how little I really knew about him at all. He was the definition of a Polymath .. and a Nobel one at that, in many fields! So, hand on heart, I can thoroughly recommend this title (see below, I listened too it via Audible, but intend to buy the book too, so I can skim through the chapters again .. I cannot give a higher recommendation than that):
"The smartphones in our pockets and computers like brains. The vagaries of game theory and evolutionary biology. Self-replicating moon bases and nuclear weapons. All bear the fingerprints of one remarkable man: John von Neumann.
Born in Budapest at the turn of the century, von Neumann is one of the most influential scientists to have ever lived. His colleagues believed he had the fastest brain on the planet - bar none. He was instrumental in the Manhattan Project and helped formulate the bedrock of Cold War geopolitics and modern economic theory. He created the first ever programmable digital computer. He prophesied the potential of nanotechnology and, from his deathbed, expounded on the limits of brains and computers - and how they might be overcome."
It is also pitched at the general reader (so I didn't have that Stephen Hawkins Brief History of Time, "What does that mean?" - effect here on me).
How?
Right Click Start, then head to Settings > AppsSelect Apps & FeaturesFrom the Apps list, select WhatsApp and click Advanced FeaturesSelect the Reset ButtonOpen WhatsApp and check if it's working.
I am glad it was easy to do, but just in case I forget this is where I was told how to do it! (see below, thankfully there are some clever and helpful people in this world!)
Full title - The Creativity Code: How AI Is Learning to Write, Paint and Think, by Marcus di Sautoy (see below, for the sexy artwork that hints at robot domination, without having to show a robot. I listened to it via Audible rather than reading it, but in the end I bought a copy of the book as well, as there were sections in it you really needed to read IMHO - yes, like the ones that mentioned sums I could not do in my head!):
Then one long dark night (ok, yesterday), I was pondering (as in fuming silently to myself), then a little help tip (I was desperate and types a random series of pleading words into the" Help bar") came to my aid and by using the magical incantation of category:social is:unread in the search bar (and holding a lucky rabbit's foot) .. stop press .. I got it! (see below, you too can search and experiment):
And guess what. Yes. It was a totally unimportant email, from 2017 that was of no use to me, but I will sleep well tonight (in 2022)!
:)
https://www.humblebundle.com/stand-with-ukraine-bundle
There must be something for everybody here!
It looks legit: https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/18/22983137/humble-bundle-stand-with-ukraine-charity-bundle-price
The Blurb:
The violent and unlawful invasion in Ukraine is taking a tragic toll—displacing people, devastating families, and creating an urgent need for food, water, supplies, shelter, and safety. To help out how we can, we’ve joined forces with game creators, book publishers, and software makers around the globe for a bundle 100% dedicated to supporting the victims and refugees from Ukraine during this crisis.
The Stand With Ukraine bundle features over 120 pieces of content worth over $2,500, including:
100% of the proceeds will go to Razom for Ukraine, International Rescue Committee, International Medical Corps, and Direct Relief. Support vital humanitarian crisis relief efforts for the people of Ukraine today.
https://www.humblebundle.com/stand-with-ukraine-bundle
While rambling through the Web one day I found this:
"We recreate and analyze historical hoplite warfare including the battle of Leuktra by using the awesome new steam game "Totally Accurate Battle Simulator"! Game Trailer: ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?
https://www.
So I decided to play about ... with a lot of 28mm hoplies and complete a set of Warlord Games 28mm hoplites I had hidden in a box .. the result was a lot of lining up of 28mm hoplites in various formations (see below, Spartan hoplites four deep - seen enfilade):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
One to watch to remember why we code and not just program ;)
Despite my family trying to convert me to the Kindle I still manage to slip in "the hard stuff" trying my best to get the best of both worlds (see below):
I think there is a tenuous common thread of simulation between the two, one is about hidden connections between information and complex systems and the other is weaving a comparison between personal and national moments of crisis ;)