More research is leading me to more funny moments while reading papers. In a paper that seeks to explain an optimization technique called the Conjugate Gradient Method, there is a page that is blank except for a brief listing of keywords associated with the paper’s topics:
Keywords: conjugate gradient method, preconditioning, convergence analysis, agonizing pain
Here is the paper, should you desire to torture yourself.
While doing research for the final paper for my Artificial Intelligence course, I came across this citation in a paper I am studying:
In several applications, Tang and Fishwich [22] … and many other researchers have shown that ANNs perform better than
ARIMA models, specifically, for more irregular series and for multiple-period-ahead forecasting.
…
[22] Z. Tang and P. A. Fishwich, “Backpropagation neural nets as models for time series forecasting,” ORSA Journal on
Computing, vol. 5, no. 4, pp 374-385, 1993.
Tang and Fishwich. What an awesome name that would be for a new Adult Swim cartoon.
Geekery, as revealed by an instant messaging exchange with Josh:
josh: You know what’s better than Dune?
josh: Iron Maiden.
josh: You know what’s better than Iron Maiden?
josh: Iron Maiden having a song about Dune.
(Thanks, Chris).
I’ve had nothing interesting to post recently. The best I can offer at the moment is this strange statute I found in the LAW table of the Kentucky state legal case management system we’ve been working on:
ACQUIRING CONTROL OVER ANIMAL FACILITY W/O CONSENT
Interestingly, it is only a misdemeanor. And I’m not sure what the advantage is to gaining control of an animal facility. It doesn’t have nearly the same appeal as train robbing. Stealing a train FULL of animals, on the other hand… maybe THAT’S a felony.
Another interesting related statute:
REFUSAL TO LEAVE ANIMAL FACILITY
“Seriously; get OUT already! NO; FOR THE LAST TIME — YOU CAN’T HAVE A PUPPY!!!”
This is from a batch of interesting valentine cards saved by Kathryn’s grandmother. I think the cards are all from the 1930s and 1940s.
This one says:
"If you were born in the month of June, you will marry a widow with a ready made family of ten. This will save you all that trouble."
YIKES!!!
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!
Google Reader is awesome and all, but man, their error messages are quite useless sometimes:
Posted in computing, funny, meaningless, tech
The hilarious headlines keep on coming. Kathryn found this one today:
It makes me wonder… if more people practiced birth control, would there be less cockfighting?
Kathryn’s parents live in Hilton Head, and came across this hilarious bit of local news:
Deputy finds man punching shrub
Published: Monday, January 22nd, 2007
A 23-year-old Hilton Head Island man was charged with public disorderly conduct after a deputy observed him ‘in a physical confrontation with shrubs’ at 8:27 p.m. Saturday at Carolina First, 401 William Hilton Parkway, according to a Beaufort County Sheriff’s Report.
Responding to a complaint that a man tried to get into a stranger’s car, a deputy called over to the suspect, who was punching vegetation. The man then ran across the bank parking lot to kick one last bush before talking to police, reports said.
He reportedly smelled of alcohol and was taken to the Beaufort County Detention Center, where he is being held for prosecution, according to the jail’s online log.
I have always suspected that there is something peculiar about the construction of the foul-tasting energy bars Kathryn is fond of buying:
Lasting for one thousand years is an admirable feat. But I don’t think that will improve the flavor.
(My guess is it’s supposed to mean “May 30, 2007”.)