Funny thing this weekend in
Cluj-Napoca: I took part in a conference together with nearly all of the rest of
our 'gang' from
Timisoara (Marketing department colleagues). It was well-organized and interesting. No surprises, just interesting papers and presentations, good food and so on.
One thing speaks novels about the mechanism of
WOW!-ing your audience though: at the end of the programme, the organizers put on a sightseeing tour of the city. Often people go on these with low expectations--we were no exception. What followed completely enchanted me, wow!-ed me, delighted me:
Prof. Radu Ardevan (pictured) of UBB Cluj's Faculty of History and Philosophy is a true erudite as well as a wonderfully entertaining presenter of history. The only times I can recall such pleasure in listening to someone talk about historical sites were in England. These were exceptions to the rule too, because it's in no way easy to make history so fascinating. And to do it without becoming subjective in your presentation of facts, without colouring the story in any way, all the while sticking to scientific evidence, is a true marvel. It's the way history should be taught. Romanians reading this should understand what I am talking about...
Interesting tidbit on China's saving behaviour and salvation for the developed world
An observation in my
previous post on China is proving very significant: the Chinese savings rate is very high (over 30%, according to US News). That has a major impact, a recent
research (working) paper points out: while it was previously thought that the higher taxation needed to finance social benefits for an aging population would lead to capital shortages in the developed world, that outlook changes radically. (The point related to the costs of aging/demographic shift in general is open to debate, of course.) Enter China into the equation and the problem of savings/capital shortage is solved: the Chinese "saving behaviour, growth rate and fiscal policies are very different [...] If this continues to be the case, the model's long run looks much brighter. China eventually becomes the world's saver."
Scientist Places Timisoara, Romania on Bio-Inspired Computing Map
Today I took part in my friend's PhD defence ceremony. Lucian Prodan started working on bio-inspired computing in a project called "Embryonics" in Switzerland at EPFL (the world's most "international" university, according to the Times Higher Education supplement) and continued his research at UPT in Timisoara. Truly the scholar, he is also a family man and an awesome person to know.
As a layperson, to get some idea of what this whole bio-computer and Embryonics thing is about, you can have a look at the BioWall at Lausanne where visitors can interact with a sort of Beta-version of tomorrow’s bio-inspired computing platforms and see what makes them special. It’s art, but bio-inspired-computing-generated art.
What happens is that we’re rapidly reaching the limits of silicone chip manufacturing (the link is a wonderful post by an expert blogger) and the limits of Moore’s Law. Therefore we need to work out alternative arrangements if we are to continue evolving in the field, and the two broad areas from where scientists like Lucian are getting inspiration are living organisms and quantum physics.
The fact that this kind of work is taking place around us here, in an environment we often characterize as… well, opposite to civilized and highly educated, is an inspiration and a reason for great pride. It is not the rule, but exceptions should make for good beginnings.
Grapes & Ladders
Not even a good picture... but what I like is the fruit and the ladder in the space between us--grapes, hinting at symbolic pagan-like roots in fertility and nature, and the enabling upward steps, grounded yet linked to seemingly imaginary heavens.
Solutions to a changing world's problems
Imagine wings of destruction
Streaks of light so hot matter vanishes beneath them
Tearing at the world
Nothing left but the sea of light and darkness, then we shall
start again.
Is this our favourite scenario? Is it necessary? I think not, though I constantly hear advocates of “radical solutions” all around. It is easy to talk about extreme (ridiculous) so-called solutions when the problem, and the solution, is so close to home. Accept that failure is inherent and understand that you have to constantly learn and apply that knowledge. Change comes from within us, one person at a time. How many times do we have to say that? Does it matter that I’m listening to Mr. Manson at the moment?
Moonlit night: magical sea.
Funny thing this weekend in Cluj-Napoca: I took part in a conference together with nearly all of the rest of our 'gang' from Timisoara (Marketing department colleagues). It was well-organized and interesting. No surprises, just interesting papers and presentations, good food and so on.
