Rick Raw: Wolfram Alpha Launches–A Computational Knowledge Engine

By Rick Grant Commentary rickgrant01@comcast.net www.rickatnight.com

Stephen Wolfram, a highly acclaimed mathematician and astrophysicist, spent years putting together this search engine for scientists and lay-people. Oh, pardon moi, he says it’s not a "search engine" but a "computational knowledge engine." For lesser brains like yours and mine, it’s a giant number cruncher which coughs up solutions to formulas and any scientific information one is seeking. Example: "Alpha what is the formula for picking-up women?" Answer: S+Y+A+A+D=S" S(Say) Y(You) A(Are) A(A) D (Doctor)= S(Score)

This brain bank doesn’t just give you preprogrammed information like Google, but it compares statistics, solves problems, and builds charts based on online data supplied by the user. Call it a problem solver for scientists and other techies that need this type of information at their fingertips. For scientists in the field who are not able to log onto their supercomputers back at their universities, this will be a godsend.

Wolfram says that Alpha is a big advance for how well computers can think. In other words, it’s Google with a brain that can answer specific scientific questions. Moreover, it’s like having Stephen Wolfram available to answer your questions, not just reference already existing data. It’s the Oracle, on-line. Cue spacy music.

The brainiac behind this new computational knowledge engine, Stephen Wolfram, 50, published his first scientific paper at age 16. At 20, he earned his PhD and in 1981 he was the youngest recipient of the MacArthur Prize Fellowship.

Wolfram’s first key idea was to use computer experiments to study the behavior of simple computer programs known as cellular automata. In 1982, this research led him to make a series of startling discoveries about the origins of complexity. Wolfram’s further research laid the groundwork for the emerging field that Wolfram called "complex systems research."

One of Wolfram’s most important breakthroughs was his discovery of a number of fundamental connections between computation and nature, which led to his invention of the concept of computational irreducibility. This study led to the fledgling field of artificial intelligence that has mushroomed exponentially in recent times.

During the 1990s, Wolfram’s work led to a wide range of applications. He used his own ideas to develop a new randomness generation system and a new approach to computational fluid dynamics, which are now in widespread use. His academic pursuits were first sponsored by Caltech and then the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. This led to a professorship at the University of Illinois as Professor of Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science.

Indeed, Wolfram’s computational knowledge engine incorporates his discoveries in artificial intelligence. He views his Alpha engine as an advance in thinking machines. Wolfram’s work continues to influence the computer science community which see him as a pathfinder in thinking machines.

Wolfram Alpha is a serious scientific tool for anyone to use. Wolfram has always shared his discoveries with his colleagues in the scientific community. As users give him feedback, Wolfram will refine his engine to better use his concepts. The engine is like a computer science lab unto itself. Its future is unlimited and it will evolve like artificial life.

So, Wolfram wants to hear from users and he is soliciting ideas to greatly expand Alpha’s abilities. It’s the most exciting new development in the Internet’s history. Alpha is a thinking artificial entity in its infancy. It will grow into something even Wolfram hasn’t yet conceived.

Rick Raw: Harley–Rescuing Exotic Basenji from Heartless Lowlifes

By Rick Grant Commentary rickgrant01@comcast.net www.rickatnight.com

When an abandoned dog appeared outside my kitchen window for three days, I just couldn’t let the poor dog starve to death. I took action by going to the owners, a young couple living across the street.

Their heartless attitude shocked me. The loutish bastard had broken up with his girlfriend and taken up with another woman. She said, "We are not dog people." Indeed! Neither his ex-girlfriend nor the lowlife wanted the dog. They had cruelly abandoned the dog by not feeding it or giving it water. Hiding my anger, I told them I’d take the dog and they just shrugged. Her name is Harley.

So I put a leash on her and took her inside my apartment to see if she could get along with my other two dogs, Pepe (Chihuahua) and Jazz (Mixed breed). Happily, Harley bonded with Pepe and Jazz right away.

Now, officially I have a pack. Then I took Harley to my vet. She gave her the standard shots and tested her for heartworm, which is epidemic in Florida. It’s caused by a mosquito bite. The worms travel from the stomach to the heart.

Anyone with a dog in Florida should know that they need to give their dogs heartworm preventitive medication on a regular basis. It turned out Harley tested positive for heartworm and needed a series of expensive chemo-therapy treatments.

The good news is, we caught this insidious parasite in it’s early stages inside her stomach. If the worms get into her heart, she’ll die. Harley needs to be spayed as well. The previous owners were just too stupid and cruel to know how to care for the dog.

Although it would hurt me financially, I made the decision straightaway to save the dog. I researched the Harley’s breed and it turned out she’s an exotic Basenji, whose ancestry dates back to Egyptian times. The dogs now come from Africa and are bred here in America.

The people who abandoned Harley obviously didn’t know they had an expensive breed. Not that they cared! Of course, people like Harley’s former owners are clueless about the responsibilities of owning dogs. They just cast her aside without any conscience or feeling for the dog.

So many abandoned dogs and cats end up in shelters because their owners are irresponsible or fell victim to our economic collapse and couldn’t afford the vet bills to keep their pets. Owning pets is like having children, they have to be cared for, disciplined with calm assertive energy, (Thanks Cesar Millan) and loved.

Lately, in my apartment complex, not only do people abandon their dogs, I’ve been observing kids gone wild, without any parental supervision. I see toddlers running around late at night with no parents in sight. More disturbing, kids are in the pool after midnight. Where are the parents?

These degenerates have kids like they own dogs, with no sense of responsibility. Then when the negleted misfits get shot or abducted, they scream bloody murder. It’s not a racial issue but a lack of high functioning intelligence issue.

Yes, another four legged soul has come into our family. Our dogs live to ripe old ages and we adore them. All our dogs and cats who have passed away are remembered in a special photo shrine on top of our television.

Harley is an angel sent by God to brighten-up our lives. Pepe is already famous for being on NBC news about families going bankrupt. The calls we received from friends said they saw Pepe on TV. Funny, they didn’t mention us. So, Harley has a lot to live up to.

Rick Raw: Tiger Woods Makes Golf Look Way Too Easy–Life is Easy, Golf is Hard

By Rick Grant Commentary rickgrant01@comcast.net www.rickatnight.com

While watching the Player’s Championship last week, I reminisced about my frustrating years of playing golf. I grew up with an avid golfer–my father. He was a ranked amateur and as young as twelve, I caddied for him and learned the game. Dad started playing for the exercise and to relieve the stress of his business ownership.

Almost immediately, he caught the golf bug. Soon, golf had taken over his life and he was sneaking off early in the morning to get in 9 holes before going to the office. Although my dad and I didn’t get along, I admired his spirit and determination to become a great golfer. Over the years, on a good day, he shot par, and on a bad day, 80, with no handicap. It was good enough to enter amateur tournaments. Consistently shooting par golf was his lofty goal.

As for me, I was struggling to break 90. But for one who has never played, golf may look easy, but the reality of one’s first round is a rude awakening. There are so many subtle skills involved. Golf requires superior hand-eye coordination, an even disposition, and above all, the ability to not get frustrated or angry over mistakes. Developing a correct swing is paramount.

Once, my dad played a pro-am with Sam Snead and I caddied for my dad. Snead had the most technically and aesthetically beautiful swing of any golfer-- past or present. It was machine-like in its repeatability. His philosophy was to keep the ball in the middle of the fairway, even if it wasn’t hit long, and make every shot count. On a par 5, he could put his second shot on the green with a 3 wood. Today, Tiger Woods and other pros can hit 300 yards plus off the tee. Then they’re into their short game.

For years, I took lessons from a club pro. But, no matter how hard I tried, golf was an epic battle with my self-control and the golf course. In every round I played, the golf course won. One day, I decided enough is enough, life is too stressful, so I quit golf before I joined the Air Force.

Years later, when I was in the music business and a friend talked me into playing again. I bought some decent clubs and we went out to Hyde Park. Surprisingly, I did pretty well. I was still having serious swing problems and my hand-eye coordination was worse than before. I seemed to spend more time in the woods than on the fairways. And, if there was water hazard, my ball was a water seeking missile straight into the lake. I continued to play on and off, but I was so busy it was difficult to find the time for a round of golf.

Still, whether one is chasing bad shots or not, golf does take you mind off your worries. Hell, life is easy–golf is hard. Golf teaches you about yourself and your temperament. After embarrassing myself too many times on the golf course, I learned to control my anger and take a more relaxed attitude toward the game and life.

In today’s golf world, every pro golfer is chasing Tiger Woods. He raised the standards exponentially. On his Saturday round in the TCP, Tiger had a shot roll up near a tree. Incredibly, he switched to a left handed swing and reversed his club. He ended up with a bogey, but it could have been even worse. Alas, Tiger struggled and did not win. He still finished 5 under par.

The few times Tiger gets in the rough or woods, his bag of trick shots save him every time. From Friday to Saturday, he moved up to second place on the leader board. When Tiger is on the hunt for victory, he gets super hot. In contrast, other golfers fold under the pressure. Tiger is the undisputed best golfer in the sport for his extraordinary skill under pressure and his drive to win.

However, Tiger makes it look way too easy, it can be disheartening for young people to be inspired by his incredible ability. If a young person has the intrinsic talent, and great guidance from proven instructors, then they can strive to become pros. Beware of getting discouraged. Golf is a game of great skill and patience. It’s you against yourself and the golf course. The golf course usually wins.

Rick Raw: GM Killed Pontiac-- Rekindling Memories of My 1966 GTO

By Rick Grant Commentary rickgrant01@comcast.net www.rickatnight.com

In 1966 I was working for United Technologies Florida Research and Development Division, located out in the swamp off the B-line Highway west of Palm Beach. A good paying job and security meant I could buy a new car to go along with the small house I’d bought. It was, after all, the American Dream.

Pontiac had just come out with the GTO, now considered a classic muscle car. Back then, most all cars had big honking V-8s. Gas was cheap and fuel sucking two and four barrel carburetors were the norm.

There were six cylinder engines available on Chrysler’s line of cheaper cars like the Plymouth Valiant. But no self-respecting macho man would be caught dead in anything but a 427 cubic-inch V-8. Funny, years later, I owned a 1966 Plymouth Valiant with a slant six engine. The car had over 200,000 miles and I couldn’t kill it.

When I gazed upon that ballsy 1966 GTO in a magazine, it was love at first sight. I borrowed $2,300 from the UTC Credit Union and bought my dream car–the testosterone emitting Pontiac GTO. At the time, I was young and this Pontiac was my first new car.

Yes, I was making a decent salary and life was good. I had two kids, but the GTO was my special baby. I pampered that car and drove it all over the country. The quality was surprisingly good for that time when American car makers had a reputation for shoddy craftsmanship. Ford stood for: Fix or Return Daily!

American car manufacturers only got into quality as job one when the Japanese introduced the Toyota which was cheaper and anyone could see the difference in quality. The Japanese car makers also set the standards on safety. Again, American car makers only got into safety when they had to.

For American car companies reducing the appalling death rate on America’s highways was a lower priority than keeping costs down. Those money grubbing swine were earning obscene profits, but they could care less about quality or safety until the Japanese cut deeply into their sales.

Now, GM, swimming in red ink, pulled the plug on its Pontiac brand. In the 1960s marketing strategy, Chevrolet was aimed at the working stiff, Pontiac was for the sporty young crowd, Buick was for the middle class golfers, and Cadillac was for the well heeled or people who wanted to portray an image of being wealthy. The guy in the song didn’t drive his Caddy to the levee but his Chevy.

The decision to kill the Pontiac brand is part of GM’s new leaner meaner program to satisfy the government that they are taking drastic steps to avoid bankruptcy or a bailout. Saturn, Saab, and Hummer are also on the chopping block. Hummer was the worst idea since the Edsel.

Of course, GM was always much too big and bloated to compete with foreign manufacturers. BMW is one brand. Mercedes is one brand. All those GM brand divisions were archaic and bled the successful divisions of operating capital.

Pontiac was marketed as a performance brand which dates back to the late 1950s and early 1960s. Pontiacs had a wider wheel base and the ad slogan was "wide-track" which gave the car better cornering ability.

By far, the GTO was the most successful Pontiac ever built. It conjured up images of the LeMans GTO and piqued the imagination of young men who, like me, made the pilgrimage to Watkins Glen, N.Y for the United States Grand Prix for Formula One cars (now called Indy Cars). Now forty-three years later, the GTO is an expensive collector’s classic car.

In 2004, GM vice chairman reintroduced the rear-wheel Pontiac GTO imported from GM’s Australian division. The sales tanked and the G8, also a rear wheel four-door sedan, which was also imported from Australia, failed to capture the imagination of the car buying public.

Ah yes, now GM is reintroducing the Chevy Camero. It’s modern shape and pedigree are authentically awesome. But, like the reintroduction of the Pontiac GTO, the company is trying to resell nostalgia, which just doesn’t work.

People would rather look back with fond memories of the cars of their youth. There is no way to recapture that time in space. It’s gone forever. But when I look back and think of my 1966 GTO, I get goose bumps and think of how much simpler life was in that era. It’s like remembering an old girlfriend, my memories filters out the bad stuff, and I only remember the good things about her.