Date: Mon, 30 Dec 2002 18:37:55 -0800 From: Dave Hayes <dave@jetcafe.org> To: Terry Lambert <tlambert2@mindspring.com> Cc: Brad Knowles <brad.knowles@skynet.be>, Harry Tabak <htabak@quadtelecom.com>, dever@getaclue.net, freebsd-chat@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: Bystander shot by a spam filter. Message-ID: <200212310238.gBV2c0177895@hokkshideh2.jetcafe.org>
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Terry Lambert <tlambert2@mindspring.com> writes:
> Dave Hayes wrote:
>> > Why don't we start with your response to my other message,
>> > about systems engineering and emergent a complex behaviours
>> > that result from simple rule sets?
>>
>> Because the assumptions you call "systems engineering" and "emergent
>> behaviors" may not apply when dealing with a large space of humanity.
>
> Sure they do.
LOL. You can't prove that assertion, you don't have the means.
> Human behaviour, at least relative to groups, is both quantifiable
> and predictable.
I disagree, and here we meet the classic Lambert/Hayes impasse.
Welcome back!
>> > Are you arguing by omission that it's impossible to design
>> > such a system? If so, how do you address my example of the
>> > inability of people to deny the existance of gravity and
>> > inertia?
>>
>> Your analogy is arbitrary. People -do- deny the existence of both
>> those forces. Whether they are "right" or not depends on the circle
>> of people they are addressing. I certainly wouldn't address a PhD in
>> physics with this denial, I might address a group of new age
>> "spiritual" people that way.
>
> Yet a falling anvil from the top of the building will not respect
> their beliefs.
You'd be surprised. I've seen instances with my own eyes where the
laws of physics haven't held. I know I take great risk saying this,
because this is akin to telling a Christian that Jesus was just
another man...but that's my experience.
> Beliefs that contradict reality are unconvincing to reality
Even the belief that there is one and only one objective reality which
everyone shares whether they want to or not?
> You can't argue with the laws of physics (well, you can... but you
> will always lose; gotta love the laws of physics...).
When you can explain the magic of David Copperfield or David Blane,
I'll listen to this argument.
------
Dave Hayes - Consultant - Altadena CA, USA - dave@jetcafe.org
>>> The opinions expressed above are entirely my own <<<
"He who angers you conquers you."
--Elizabeth Kenny
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