IT’s an unsolvable problem: there is not some magical equilibrium in the middle that will make this work. IT’s about finding a balance. “There is No Algorithm for Truth – with Tom Scott” [18:00 – 18:15] (see also https://www.tomscott.com ) That quote comes from a presentation (apparently given in September 2019) — and the “IT”… Continue reading The Contexts of Algorithms
Tag: language
More about Modes and Levels of Literacy
I have mentioned before that it is wrong to contrast literacy with illiteracy (see e.g. “Literacy = ! { an on-off switch }“). Instead, I believe there are many modes and levels of literacy. Take, for example, language written on paper. If someone were to call a person who could read either cuneiform written on tablets… Continue reading More about Modes and Levels of Literacy
Supply, Demand, Natural Language & Free Markets — Some Preliminary Thoughts & Ideas
Many if not most — or even all? — (educated) people have probably heard of supply and demand before — and perhaps also that they are the basic building blocks of free markets. Likewise, many may be familiar with the expression “supply creates its own demand” (which is a sort of shorthand for views expressed… Continue reading Supply, Demand, Natural Language & Free Markets — Some Preliminary Thoughts & Ideas
Manufacturing Consent
Today I talked a friend of mine into watching one of Noam Chomsky’s documentary films (in this case “Requiem for an American Dream”). I have to say that Chomsky’s ideas have influenced my thinking far more than anything I ever thought would influence my thinking … and I also feel there is something unsettling about… Continue reading Manufacturing Consent
Literacy Study: The smug smile
I have been puzzling about this topic quite a bit — while the idea first came to me gradually, then in spurts, in the end what puzzled me most was how to frame it. There are probably innumerable approaches I could take — for example, how people sometimes talk about “reading a room”, “reading a… Continue reading Literacy Study: The smug smile
Information Retrieval & Algorithmic Search vs Visual Design & Brute Force
Yesterday I posted some feedback about recent changes in WordPress Reader (see “WordPress.COM Reader Design Feedback (about Featured Image & information usability)” [ search.tech.blog/2022/10/15/wordpress-com-reader-design-feedback-about-featured-image-information-usability ] ). My own feedback comes from my own reading habits, which are very text-based and also oriented towards natural language search (including algorithmic information retrieval) technology. I realize that most people… Continue reading Information Retrieval & Algorithmic Search vs Visual Design & Brute Force
Self, Words, The Word & Language Itself
Today I would like to tie together a few loose ends again, picking up one from last week, another from maybe a few months ago and perhaps a couple more along the way. Last week, I described an odd sort of dichotomy that can arise if someone views words separately from the persons who are… Continue reading Self, Words, The Word & Language Itself
Localization (or Localisation?) and Context: Das Gegenüber
Localization is a commonly used term to refer to translating content into other languages — but it’s almost never as simple as that. One of my German friends suggested I should write something for a German-speaking audience (alluding to some of my English language sites, such as this one or my indigena project). I felt… Continue reading Localization (or Localisation?) and Context: Das Gegenüber
Self Determination
Among the people I met up with in Porto last weekend (see chapter 21, “Social Business Regulation: Introduction & Socio BIZ Rule #1“) was a woman from Latvia who spoke really excellent English (probably because — as she mentioned in passing — she now lives in England). She noted that she feels it is wrong the… Continue reading Self Determination
Language & Community — Some More or Less Clearly Defined Definitions
I feel I need to make clear how I define some terms. Although I feel as though I use most terms in a very literal manner, I think some people misunderstand what I mean because these terms sometimes have connotations which differ significantly from the way the terms are (or “ought to be) understood in… Continue reading Language & Community — Some More or Less Clearly Defined Definitions
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