(no subject)

When I was an undergrad, I bumped into a new-at-the-time line of theory of people's hueristical errors in areas of probability in a series of studies by Kahneman and Tversky. At the time I was first fascinated by the failings, but then decided that in nature there was no real risk for which statistical analysis was an evolutionary advantage - and that the failings had no real-world applications. I was tempted to link the failings to gambling, but I thought learning theory and reinforcement patterns better suit that issue.

I've just been reading http://research.yale.edu/lawmeme/yjolt/files/20042005Issue/6_Taipale121804Fx.pdf#search='Technology,%20Security%20and%20Privacy:%20The%20Fear%20of%20Frankenstein'
as part of my privacy seminar, and found a later analysis of K&T's work by Cass Sunstein, who gives me this lovely quote about how statistics are ignored...but more importantly notes the effect of fear, particularly of the uncontrollable, in policy making. Short version - terrorism threats make people go nuts. This also applies to leftist nonsense such as reactionary environmentalism.
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I like the approach of addressing the problem broadly, rather than the facets we typically face. So the FOX right-wing machine is using the same technique as the leftist groups. I'm sure you already have your stance on the means-ends debate.

(no subject)

I don't know what I'm doing tonight. I might hit taint (gay alternative) at DC9 even though I'll know 1 or nobody there. I might hit the black kitty to see The Opposite Sex, though I don't really wanna see Ocean Blue at all. I might sit at home or in a quiet local place reading the Tao of Pooh.
But I do know that wherever I go I'll be drinking. I'll drink the specials in DC9, the super-size-me in the Black Cat, the Oatmeal Stout, Arrogant bastard, or purple haze in Dremo, or perhaps I'll run the blender at home and make bacardi girl-drinks. Alcohol is compulsory.
I've been fighting some mood issues which is confusing. I'm mostly done with school, the pressure is off, and the only thing driving me now is me. Somehow I have the time to spend with people but I keep choosing not to. I'm grumpy, still. I'm fighting depression and the gym really isn't helping. I'm considering picking up caffeine again, despite my successful quitting (mixers don't count).
The simple fact is that alcohol works. Sure it makes you feel like shit in the AM, sure it's a million calories that are impossible to burn off, sure you do stupid things you later regret, sure it makes you question which is the real you - sober, tipsy, or smashed, sure there's that whole little problem with being arrested and losing your job. Sure, all that. But when you start to feel that little tingle in your head, whether at home or out running wild...you know it's all worth it. Alcohol makes everything better.