carpe decorum

Innies and Outies

Ad ... Rem said: It's fairly rare that I come across an article that has me howling and agreeing so heartily with the descriptions. This Atlantic Monthly article, entitled Caring for Your Introvert should be required reading for all.. Needless to say, this reflects the views of an introvert.

Which, of course, put me to thinking. There is the larger social question of living in a culture which explicitly prefers extroverts to introverts. (Oh yes, it does; just think how much we in the US assume talking problems out solves them and people who don't share willy-nilly are actually hiding something. To be fair, this also shows how much our sense of distinction between the public and private sphere has eroded.)

Back to topic. So, which am I? Like many folks I've taken the Myers-Briggs test — results not within a margin of error — but can't really remember the last time my score meant something, other than my trying to score a certain personality type. In an attempt at an honest reckoning (given the questions are either-or and not admitting of nuance or degree), it seems I am moderately extroverted. Today.

Extroverted qualities: Spending time with people does energize me most of the time, and I like the give-and-take of thoughtful conversation. A discussion which pushes ideas about and makes me rethink positions is exciting, whether because I learn new facts, look at the same ones in different ways or just gain a perspective. Others by introducing me to new experiences, activities have enriched my world immensely, from the food I like to places I've been to political positions to films I've seen. Someone else might find these alone, but I require people.

Introverted qualities: Running away from everyone and everything for a day or two is my idea of the best short-term holiday. Whether I take a trip or wander through a new neighborhood or curl up with a book, it doesn't matter. I'm a bit hidden from the world. Or taking a long hike (even with someone) and not really talking at all because there is a world to observe, to listen to, to feel, and the sound of words becomes deafening.

Conclusion: I seek balance. For example, I administer computers (long stretches of solitude pierced by bursts of intense people time).

A lively discussion about walking through life as someone who thinks aloud through shared conversations (an extrovert arguably) versus uttering completed thoughts (the introvert) has taken place between Jonathan Delacour and Elizabeth Lawley.

SARS

The CDC has posted a handy FAQ on SARS.

Ants and Computers

Adapting the ways in which insects share information, researchers used electronic agents to build a network from the bottom up, as reported on Slashdot. Not only did the agents create the network quickly, broken links were easily repaired. Frank Schweitzer, one of the researchers involved, has posted some of his research.

What a fun project! It'll be interesting to see what becomes of this and similar projects (using genetic pairing to solve engineering problems, for example).

Two of the Horsemen are Loose

The War Continues and the Post-Mortems Begin

• The postwar predictions start. Could a faltering dollar and global rebellion against its values presage the decline, and eventual fall, of the American empire, asks Mark Tran
• More to the point, what should be the measures of success for this war? Thomas Friedman outlines six: (1) have we occupied Bagdad? (2) have we removed Saddam Hussein? (3) can we explain the fierce resistance among some forces? (4) have we won the war and kept Iraq intact? (5) has a genuine Iraqi nationalist to lead emerged? and (6) is the new regime accepted as legitimate in the Arab world?

I liked it because Friedman was caught in the same surreal experience last week as I: surrounded by airport televisions alternatively broadcasting war and NCAA basketball. More importantly, whether his list is comprehensive, it gets at the heart of the matter: winning the peace. Without that penultimate goal, the efforts and sufferings of many will be wasted. Worse, without a long view, we are just setting ourselves up (and others of course) for more bloodshed down the road. I'd like to say I have every confidence in a good outcome. But until this administration spills a lot more detail about its plans for the future, it has to be judged by what we know, which is darned little. Too, the administration's blatant use of the war for wholly partisan purposes — the tax cut debate comes to mind — undermines (my) confidence in its judgment and motives.

More on Pneumonia

• SARS has caused 34 deaths out of 800 people stricken with the infection in China and 11 deaths in Hong Kong which reports 319 infections, according to Reuters. Singapore has quarantined over 800 people.
• The WHO's press briefing yesterday announced that both a paramyxo and corona virus have been identified as possible pathogens. (Coronaviruses cause about a third of common colds). Dr Klaus Stohr:

  What we are seeing actually are three hypotheses. The first hypothesis is that one of the viruses, for instance the corona virus, causes the disease, and that might be a new corona virus. The second hypothesis is that the paramyxo viruses cause the disease and if that was the case, it’s certainly also a new paramyxo virus. The third hypothesis is, very obvious, is that these two pathogens have to come together to cause this very severe outbreak. One of the viruses, for instance the corona virus, is known to live in immune cells, cells which are important for the defence, for the body defence against infection. So what one could hypothesize is that this corona virus destroys or at least diminishes the immunity in the patient so that the second virus has practically an open door to go in and to sicken the patient beyond what this virus would be able to do normally.

• The WHO is issuing advice on travel and as yet is not suggesting restrictions. At the briefing, Dr. David Heymann notes:

  We’ve done epidemiological studies which, to date, and that means to this very minute, have shown us that most if not all cases can be identified in a chain of transmission from the patient back somehow to a family member or to a contact directly with a hospital worker or with a hotel in Hong Kong.

• And finally, the mortality figure for this disease is 4%. Which is pretty worrisome for an unknown disease.

Ares the Blog

From John Robb: | Inside VC is rocking and rolling with its coverage of the war.

From Ad Rem .. Or Not: The Washington Post reports that a Virginia woman may have contracted the SARS virus. She is one of 13 patients US health officials are monitoring who might be infected (article).

Ares Unleashed

War has begun.

• Salon relays editorials from around the globe. We're not too popular.
• John Robb examines the Bush Doctrine.
• Also from John Robb: This is a very interesting article that may be the key to understanding the US strategy. It reflects my thinking on the issue in that it focuses on the right thing: what is the long term solution to the loose nuke problem?
• A description of the first strike
• More details on the weaponry used in the strike

Influenza

• A cumulative listing of known or suspected SARS cases from the WHO
• The offending virus behind SARSappears to be a new member of the paramyxoviridae family, along with mumps, croup, respiratory disease, and measles.
• Researchers caution in a recent New York Times (registration required) article that the paramyxovirus finding is likely but may be coincidental. The flu season brings lots of infections caused by paramyxoviruses.

Comix

Oh Slashdot has brought gloriously tempting news to my computer: reruns of Bloom County on the web for a mere ten clams at my comicspage. Yippee. It'll be interesting to see how the series held up. And some funny comics are mighty welcome these days.

Various and Sundry

In Debunking the Linux-Windows Market Share Myth Nicolas Petreley makes several important points:

1. All PCs with WIndows OS installed are counted, even if they are sitting as unsold inventory. An upgrade from one version to another appears to add to Windows market share, and not be counted as an offset.
2. Linux OS market share is calculated based on downloads and sales, and does not include inventory. Downloading several Linux distributions, but choosing only one is not captured in the market share.
3. Linux runs on non-PC platforms and tends to outperform Windows on Intel-based machines; by implication fewer Linux boxes are needed to run the same tasks as Windows servers, skewing market share ostensibly in WIndows' favor.
4. If a Windows OS is replaced by Linux, WIndows market share does not drop by one.
5. Tracking OS on machines is notoriously difficult at large corporations.
6. Developers appear to prefer Linux to Windows.

Old-fashioned Bio Warfare

It's a lucky time in some ways to live. We actually consider biological warfare something with which other humans threaten us, not the continual onslaught of pathogens. And a new one is on the warpath. See teh following for more:

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome: CDC Issues Health Alert About Atypical Pneumonia

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) - multi-country outbreak — Update 2

Balrog Redux

Balrog failed us, but the crossover cable arrived in time, and now, thanks to the trick of one-armed routing, we are back on the internet. With a dead Balrog. I am the assigned one to seek that which hath mortally wounded the Balrog. Or at least rendered it powerless. So check that power cord first. So it's off to Durham, with what I hope is an uneventful trip not involving ice storms, falling trees, exploding transformers and a distinct lack of heat in indoor places.

Ieckyd da!

Beannachtam na Femle Padraig! Sláinte! (Happy St. Patricks Day, Health)

And for St. Patrick, Ieckyd da! (Health in Welsh; St. Patrick was British, possibly Welsh).

Balrog Fades

Balrog, our beloved firewall, has gone crispy.We hope to wire around it; if not my week will change drastically, as I may be hopping on a plane to Durham shortly. Depends which of us draws the short straw. Hmm. Maybe I won't be celebrating St. Patrick's Day today (wasn't really planning to anyway). Guess we didn't have the luck of the Irish today. Unless that crossover cable shows up quickly.

Daffodils and Friday

Daffodils are pushing up, natch, are starting to show buds, the tulips are beginning to peek out, and it's light in the morning when the alarm goes off. Sunshine and flowers and even some warm days. What a wonderful tempting thing to say spring is on its merry way.

Freedom Wine

Yes, the French government can be annoying. Absolutely, the Iraq question is not one of their virtue trumping our (US) vice. Both countries have both good and questionable reasons for their officially declared positions. But renaming french fries "freedom fries" is sheer idiocy. The French, urh, freedom folk must be just trembling in their chaussures. Just think, we might start referring to Chirac as the "freedom" president!

Instead of renaming cafeteria food, perhaps this Congress should actually deign to join the democratic process by debating difficult issues: How about it begin by debating not just whether we go to war with Iraq, but if war is a must, how should we go to war and how do we win the peace? How we conduct the war and who our allies are matter a lot as to whether this will be war remembered for its peace or simply as a prelude to more bloodshed. Oh, and that other issue, North Korea ...

On the other hand, freedom fries have been a boon to comedy. Appropriately enough I shall go and drink a nice freedom red with those freedom fries.

That'll show 'em.

(everyone stick out your tongue, now)

Samwise

Samwise

Samwise knows how to pose for the camera. His exuberant, ridiculous self seems hardly possible from this dignified portrait. He is a golden retriever| chow chow collie mix. [The dog trainer based this on his muzzle and his bark. My thought: it explains the skinny legs (chows and goldens tend to have heavier set legs) and Sam's belief he is a lap dog. But it's all a guess.] Translation: he is high-energy, dog who loves to play with nearly any one or any dog, and who will charm to get his way. If charm fails — and it rarely does — he'll go for persistence and see how much he can get away with. Did I mention territorial? Or a tendency to wander off?

Nor Any Drop to Drink

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, the Earth, with its diverse and abundant life forms, including over six billion humans, is facing a serious water crisis. All the signs suggest that it is getting worse and will continue to do so, unless corrective action is taken. This crisis is one of water governance, essentially caused by the ways in which we mismanage water. ...

Yet of all the social and natural resource crises we humans face, the water crisis is the one that lies at the heart of our survival and that of our planet Earth.

Some sobering and worthwhile reading about managing necessities from the Executive Summary of Water for People Water for Life, the UN World Water Development Report.

In short, we have choices, and are not faced with an inevitable outcome: we can learn to husband resources well — and there is evidence showing we can.

A-suh-puh-ring

Spring is here, a-suh-puh-ring is here.
Life is skittles and life is beer.

It's nearly spring (10 days and counting)! The sun is out, the snow melted, mostly. And I'm humming a favorite song.

The Ends of Thinking

The internet is stunningly simply; it is a way for networks to talk to each other (the inter-network) and that's all. Its beauty and functionality derive from its technical structure. Doc Searls and David Weinberger lay out the 10 steps to understanding What the Internet Is and How to Stop Mistaking it for Something Else. A snippet:

All we need to do is pay attention to what the Internet really is. It's not hard. The Net isn't rocket science. It isn't even 6th grade science fair, when you get right down to it. We can end the tragedy of Repetitive Mistake Syndrome in our lifetimes — and save a few trillion dollars’ worth of dumb decisions — if we can just remember one simple fact: the Net is a world of ends. You're at one end, and everybody and everything else are at the other ends.

1. The Internet isn't complicated
2. The Internet isn't a thing. It's an agreement. ...

They illustrate the importance of knowing how something (the internet) works before commenting, a useful practice for computers, voting, science, thinking, living. The second virtue of the piece is it partakes of the principle that the best explanation for a phenomenon is the simplest which can explain the known facts.

While both points may be stunningly obvious, they are not applied nearly enough, as any number of scientific announcements show: fusion reactor, anti-gravity machine, human clone. Robert Park lists his seven warning signs of bogus science to help federal judges wind their way through scientific claims and counter-claims:

I have identified seven indicators that a scientific claim lies well outside the bounds of rational scientific discourse. Of course, they are only warning signs — even a claim with several of the signs could be legitimate.

None of this will lead by itself to a true answer, but surely the furtherance of informed debate will expand the knowledge we have individually and collectively further than mere opinion and hope masquerading as truth.

Water, Water Not Everywhere

The Washington Post reports on the UN releasing a mammoth analysis on falling freshwater reserves around the world.. For more on the report, see World Water Assessment Programme of the United Nations.

In the Attic

A clay jar holding a copper-encased iron rod may be the first known battery, reports the BBC. The concept works, there are about a dozen exemplars, the date is uncertain as is the use to which the batteries were put.

Grey Days and News

The Romans celebrated New Year's on March 1. Some of today's news:

• From Reuters:
  • Iraq to destroy missiles, Turkey rejects hosting US troops and
  • Bush rejects missile destruction, looks at post-Saddam Iraq and
  • North Korea accuses US of war preparations
• From Salon, a senior US diplomat resigns because of Iraq policy, saying:

  The policies we are now asked to advance are incompatible not only with American values but also with American interests. Our fervent pursuit of war with Iraq is driving us to squander the international legitimacy that has been America's most potent weapon of both offense and defense since the days of Woodrow Wilson. We have begun to dismantle the largest and most effective web of international relationships the world has ever known. Our current course will bring instability and danger, not security. ...

  We have a coalition still, a good one. The loyalty of many of our friends is impressive, a tribute to American moral capital built up over a century. But our closest allies are persuaded less that war is justified than that it would be perilous to allow the U.S. to drift into complete solipsism. Loyalty should be reciprocal. Why does our President condone the swaggering and contemptuous approach to our friends and allies this Administration is fostering, including among its most senior officials. Has ‘oderint dum metuant’ become our motto?

• Salon interviews Molly Ivins who thinks Bush is in over his head.

Happy New Year.