def my_cmd(val=None): if val is None: val = [] --- Python has its share of warts, for example, changing the default value of `val` from `None` to `[]` will make the value of `val` shared between all instances. Python got one thing right, which is the indentation sensitive syntax.

The unfortunate thing is that what they want could have been easily accomplished by requiring smaller p values, and also effect sizes (or the confidence intervals). Instead, it seems that the consensus is on using bayesian tools, and the standard ways of using the bayesian equivalents of t-tests[1] typically requires a smaller number of samples than frequentist methods depending on their prior. [1] http://www.sumsar.net/blog/201...

What you don't get, is if this succeeds, what is to prevent our employers from insisting that each of us wear it while we work? If your argument is that we will somehow restrict it to cops, what differentiates cops from other government employees (facing similar flak - either for not working full time, or inefficiency and such) Is raising the bar on cops worth it to lose this freedom? You may want to read this short story which has such a thing as its premise. http://marshallbrain.com/manna...

Sci-Am is not an innocent bystander. The wired article claims that it is one of the partners of Sci-Am network (I dont know how they got that information.).

I had the same reasons as you have, though in my case, it was a disillusionment due to solving the same problems over and over again, with the solid knowledge that the kind of problems asked of me would be very similar in future too. I started with a bachelor's, and stayed in the industry working at one of the large behemoths for 10 years. When I realised that I am getting disillusioned, I took my masters via one of the universities offering remote campus, which gave me some confidence that I actually liked what I was planning to do. Once my masters was complete, I resigned, and got into a university for my Ph.D. in my chosen field. I am on my third year now, to hopefully finish in another three. I hope to either join a research institution or stay with academics as a professor after completion. What I can offer you advice is that, be sure of what you want, and where you want it. Life in gradschool is very different from life in the industry, with different demands. I particularly feel that a Ph.D. feels like working in a startup, with you on the look out for opportunities, and once realized, having to move very fast to do the research before it is taken up by others.

Did you know that similar to the previous study, another effect found was that expert programmers rarely if ever look at code comments. On the other hand, novices spent majority of their time on comments if they are available instead of looking at the code. I can find the citation a little later since I don't have access to my bib db right now.