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Comment You're talking about solving... (Score 1) 519

The game of economics. Go solve something simple first, like Chess or Go. When you fail, realize that modern economies are many orders of magnitude more complex, and it is simply impossible to bring enough computing power to bear to "solve" economics. And I mean impossible, with a capital I. The number of calculations required to solve economics on a fully atomistic transactional basis is not within the realm of possibility, now or ever. You have two choices: 1. Gross simplification/abstraction, whereby you can achieve global solutions that introduce tremendous inefficiency. 2. Distributed calculations that divided up the problem into very small sections, and local solutions by autonomous decision makers. The process is very efficient, but may result in unexpected global results. We call the first: "Socialism" We call the second: "Capitalism"

Comment Re: My wife watches "Shark Tank" all the time . . (Score 1) 103

Reliable 5:1 success stories are very difficult to find. Many businesses with sound business models, good people, and in the right place at the right time fail. That being said, there are funds that to try to only pick winners; they invest in groceries (the new chains in Chicago, Mariano's and Fresh Thyme were created this way), rental equipment companies, niche manufacturers, etc... of course, they make the founders co-invest, and really prefer businesses that already have a proven business model. This tends to be less exciting than the billions VCs invest in wannabe Unicorns, and as such aren't really newsworthy events. Past the VC stage, this kind of investing is called "Community Banking". Probably effects more of our lives than tech Unicorns.

Comment This is stupid. (Score 1) 1052

Economies are not static. This will cause shortages, which drive up prices. There will be inevitable, and endless, arguments as to how much basic income is enough. The value will slowly, inevitably be ratcheted up, and country-wide economic failure will occur in one of three ways: 1. Basic income increases exceed the government's ability to pay. Borrowing ensues, followed by printing money. Imported goods become scarce. Rate of increase speeds up, or system is dismantled. If rate of increase speeds up, economic collapse, hyperinflation. See Venezuela. 2. Basic income does not exceed government's ability to pay, but value continues to increase. The opportunity cost of work continues to increase, and work force participation drops. Drop in workforce participation cause demand to drop in the market, driving deflation, as newly funemployed people accept their safe, but poorer and easier lifestyle. Deflation further increases the opportunity cost of working. Positive feedback loop; government is restricted to either printing money (pump priming) or cutting basic income (riots! Fury!). Pump priming causes stagflation; this is the best case scenario. Deflationary cycle drives collapse of business, great depression 2. 3. Basic income causes massive immigration spike, especially in countries with land borders. Unplanned increases in basic income budget drive #1 in both directions; a) massive increases in gross budget, and b) shortages in goods as production struggles to keep up. The common answer to these arguments is, "But we will be in the singularity! Supply will be unlimited for all goods! Labor is irrelevant to productivity!" Forgetting how ridiculous that sounds on face, consider the economic consequences. If the food, or energy supply is truly unlimited, or nearly so, then they can be made virtually free (see gas subsidies in GCC countries dropping the rates to $0.05/ liter). When the essentials are available in unlimited supply, there isn't a need for a basic income. A few hours of work a month, or charity, or family will be sufficient to purchase all you need. So, in any scenario, singularity or no, immigration or no, deflation or inflation, a basic income is doomed to failure. Really, a basic income is just a reboot of socialism (academic socialism, not welfare capitalism) in clothing of modern economics, with the spin that upcoming productivity enhancements shall make "to each according to his need" work now, this time, finally.

Comment Re: Have they thought this through? (Score 1) 164

I made an estimation error. The problem is more severe. A 5% phase imbalance will cause a large amperage increase, and a 50% temperature rise compared to normal operation. Motors should be run within 2% of balanced. Again, loss of phase will destroy the motor very rapidly if it isn't shut down by safety or over current systems immediately.

Comment Re: Have they thought this through? (Score 1) 164

No. Assuming the motors are standard 3 phase motors, even a small phase imbalance dramatically increases the amperage draw. I am not a nuclear plant engineer, but I've worked with guys who used to be, and I'm certain the motors in question are 3 phase. Loss of a phase, or a significant voltage imbalance (~20%) will cause a major amperage spike on the other two. Motor power output will be reduced, and the load will probably increase, and the motor will hit an adjusted locked rotor torque quickly. Over current protection will kick in, or, the wires will melt (or burn), or the motor windings will fail. Loss of phase is an immediate shutdown situation, either through safety systems (required by code), or if bypassed, rapid failure of the wiring systems.

Comment 50 mini pcs (Score 1) 197

Sounds like a nightmare to maintain. At any given time, a handful with just be displaying error messages. You see this in airports, hospitals and conference centers all the time. If it is mostly displaying browser stuff, use an esignage solution. Chromecasts+Greenscreen(a Groupon project) sounds like a good fit. There are also lots of companies that sell a turnkey solution. Ideally, the boxes should be small and really robust. When one fails, a hardware swap with no or minimal software configuration is essential. One can envision netboot or thin client solutions with a management app installed on top, but why bother with that if you really are only looking for something very close to esignage.

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Thus mathematics may be defined as the subject in which we never know what we are talking about, nor whether what we are saying is true. -- Bertrand Russell

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