When does 0.1 + 0.2 not equal 0.3? When you’re dealing with floating-point arithmetic.
Floating-point math is a complex thing to grok, but it’s important if you’re a programmer. Unfortunately, a lot of the explanations of this concept are obtuse and make your eyes glaze over. But here’s a fantastic guide that explains the important bits but in a way that everyone should be able to understand.
I was at a park and noticed a group off in one corner of the park. It was a martial arts class.
Of course I watched.
I’m not 100% sure what they were studying, but from the looks of the movements along with the clothing I suspect a form of ninjutsu.
They were practicing one-step sparring techniques. So teacher demonstrates technique, discusses aspects of it, then students pair off and practice the technique in a cooperative way.
Sounds familiar.
And as I watched, I saw good and bad. I saw a traditional martial art being taught, which is not a bad thing. I saw movements being taught that were unrealistic. For instance, opponent throws a right haymaker. The defense is to hard block with your lead arm (left arm in this case), then redirect their arm by moving your arm in a large counter-clockwise circle. The problem? First the meeting of force-with-force, which isn’t horrible, but then to try to change the direction of their movement to the total opposite direction using only the strength of your posterior deltoid vs. the whole of their body being behind that haymaker? I’m sorry, but I just don’t see it happening in a real situation. Furthermore, there was little footwork, and what there was tended to involve cross-stepping and putting yourself in twisted and positions of little balance.
However, I watched other techniques and saw some nice stuff. For instance, opponent comes with a right haymaker/straight-punch. You block with the lead arm in a sort of backfist-like movement meeting their forearm with your forearm, then you slide that left fist up to grab their lapel… now you’re inside and you can use the right to do all manner of things. I also saw some application of locks and pressure points for distraction to move then into sweeps and take downs.
So it was a mix.
I look upon it like a lot of traditional/classical martial arts. It’s not a bad thing. There’s much sound and good in it, and there are a lot of principles that are good to learn. However, to fight this way? I’m not sure. What I hope all students do, at least at the higher levels (once you get that black belt, at least), is to review the techniques you learn and question everything: the stances, the footwork, the kicks, the punches, the locks, the movements, the blocks, entries, exits, counters, reversals, attack, defense, everything. Find what is useful. That which doesn’t appear to be useful, see what it may be trying to teach — it may not be practical, but it may have good theoretical basis. Question everything.
The interesting thing? I had a feeling of really missing traditional martial arts study. 🙂
I heard good things about Blankenship’s internal arts practice. It seems to be just about doing and seeking enlightenment, instead of being rote. I could dig that.
I’m watching the news.
Lead story, the May 1 protests about Arizona’s SB 1070.
The story that immediately follows? About the creation of a national Latino heritage museum.
So, the first story is about a group of people not wanting to be singled out due to their racial profile. Then the second story is about the same group of people wanting to single themselves out due to their racial profile.
Last time I checked, you can’t have it both ways. You can’t just want it when it benefits you and not want it when it doesn’t benefit you. So, which way do you want it?
I didn’t like Slipknot at first, but after talking with a guy at a record store about them one day… I gave them a try.
I bought a copy of “Iowa” and was blown away.
Their prior albums? A little too nü-metal still for me, and even the later albums are a little more moody than I care for. But I still respect what they do. They put on a show, they have a lot of guys working together. They blend a lot of elements and it all works.
The opening track from “Iowa”, People = Shit
Tried a KFC Double Down on a whim last night.
Win.
Tasty, delicious, original recipie, win.
I’d like to give thanks to all the people that are pitching a fit about it. You gave KFC tons of free press and “buzz generation”. I’m sure their PR department thanks you as well.
How can I resist?
As for the last minute of the clip (obviously edited in by the video poster), I’ll just say this. CC may not be Steve Vai, but he’s making albums, up on stage, touring the world, getting all the groupies, and living the life. Meanwhile all the haters are sitting at home wishing they could be doing what he does. Rock on, CC.
I’ve got three kids. One of the worst things I can imagine for myself would be losing one, especially if that loss could have been prevented.
So the way to play is, I want my way. If I can’t have my way, I’ll get a law passed so I get my way. To hell if it tramples on the rights and freedoms of everyone else. And it just so happens I’m a legislator, so I’ll abuse the authority given to me by the people.
Wrong.
I think organ donation is A Good Thing™. I myself am a blood donor (and trying to get back to being more regular about it). That’s not what I have a problem with. Look folks… if people don’t like “opt out” policies for something as menial as websites signing us up for their mailing lists, do you really think we’re going to like “opt out” policies for something like our organs?
In the latest issue of the Tiger Valley newsletter, lead instructor T.J. Pilling recounts what should have been a routine SWAT execution of a warrant. Instead, it went wrong and had potential to go really wrong but thankfully did not.
I thought the final summary of the incident was worth repeating:
How did things go bad? The door was blocked, divert guy hesitated and adrenaline was pumping with everyone involved. The next thing is everyone wants to make up time, which, just like a match, can’t be done. Even the most basic of techniques, like checking your corners went out the window. It was lucky for everyone that the guy behind the door wasn’t armed, since he would have had the drop on the entry team, which missed him on the primary search. When things go bad, stick to the basics, slow down and do things by the book, you can’t catch up on time you already lost.
It’s hard to remember to stick to the basics and slow down, especially when the fur is flying. This is something I struggle with myself. But success comes in mastering and utilizing fundamentals, in all areas of life.
Are these lyrics from a heavy metal song? or a good old church hymn?
Unless you know the specific lyric, it’s actually scary. And funny.
This is what happens when you go off the teleprompter… you put your foot in your mouth.
The article says it best, so I’ll just leave it at that.
We’re not, we’re not trying to push financial reform because we begrudge success that’s fairly earned. I mean, I do think at a certain point you’ve made enough money. But, you know, part of the American way is, you know, you can just keep on making it if you’re providing a good product or providing good service. We don’t want people to stop, ah, fulfilling the core responsibilities of the financial system to help grow our economy.
Compare that to his remarks as prepared for delivery:
Now, we’re not doing this to punish these firms or begrudge success that’s fairly earned. We don’t want to stop them from fulfilling their responsibility to help grow our economy.
He should have stuck with the TelePrompter. The President doesn’t get to decide when people have “made enough money.” In fact, as the radio host notes, that’s a statist point of view. Furthermore, the responsibility of an entrepreneur isn’t to “grow our economy,” core or otherwise. It’s to grow his own economy. In a properly regulated capitalist system, the natural tension of self-interests create economic growth through innovation and efficient use of capital and resources.
Put simply, a free people work for themselves, not for the government. Barack Obama seems to have a problem understanding that.
