My recent thoughts in <400 words
See the podcast version above. This is a collaboration between me and Brian (a deep learning model). I read the start and end.
Animal breeding
- This week, I read about animal breeding while training some deep learning models to classify breeds of cats and dogs.
- Evolution created humans and wolves via natural selection over millions of years. In a way, evolution then accelerated using selective breeding - using the minds that it gave humans to turn wolves into over 360 distinct breeds in just 20,000 years.
- I was surprised by Pedigree organisations' strict "breed standards" to which animals must conform for their owners to be allowed to breed them.
- For example, the Kennel Club lists any white markings on the head or collar of the Afghan Hound as "highly undesirable",1 and a Curly Coated Retriever should have a "degree of elegance" and "may be aloof".2 In contrast, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever should have a "great love of water".3 (I wonder if dog shows test this love of water by throwing Chesapeakes into pools).
Bigger die slower
- Roughly speaking, the larger the organisation, the longer it can be doing a bad job before it dies. This idea reminds me of some of the massive container ships I saw in Hamburg. Some of the container ships have so much momentum that they need 3 km to stop.
- Religious organisations depend on followers as their fuel. Before the Church of England was separated from the Catholic church in 1534, the Church was well-fueled: 1 in 50 of all men in England were church employees.
- In contrast, the Church of England's statistics in 2019 show that around 1% of the UK population attend church regularly. The fuel for this organisation is nearly empty.
- Another example is the Roman Empire, which was so large and socially embedded that its decline took hundreds of years. The Eastern Roman Empire (headquartered in modern day Istanbul) declined so slowly that it was probably barely perceptible, with successive civilisations describing themselves as Romans.
Marketing Yeezy dating
- I recommend this article about how someone who couldn't code built a viral dating app called "Yeezy Dating". It is a fun description of how to market an app.
- Harry Dry describes his intricate product research process:
"I jump out of bed and start writing down ideas. Dating is a good starting spot. It’s funny and simple. Now I just need something controversial.
Brexit Dating, Harry Potter Dating, Kanye West Dating. Yes Kanye West, I’m a fan. I know the audience. How about — KanyeWestDating.com. Doesn't pop. Maybe Yeezy.Dating. Bingo! Add to Basket."
Outro
- I was interested to read about how Google recently produced a "time crystal" that violates the second law of thermodynamics. The time crystal is able to forever cycle between states without losing energy.
- I hope that you are having a great week :)
Tom
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breed-standards/gundog/retriever-curly-coated/
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breed-standards/gundog/retriever-curly-coated/
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breed-standards/gundog/retriever-chesapeake-bay/
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