Howard Greenstein's Website

Month: March 2004

  • XRay Vision!

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    Howard
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    The days of dull, grey concrete could be about to end. A Hungarian architect has combined the world’s most popular building material with optical fiber from Schott to create a new type of concrete that transmits light. Optics.org. Gives a whole new meaning to “Concrete Jungle” architecture.

  • American Express Insecurity

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    Howard
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    “In theory there’s no difference between theory and practice. But in practice, there is.” – Attributed to Jan L.A. Van De Snepschent If you have an Amex card, you may earn “Membership Rewards.” This is a marketing loyalty program where you can theoretically turn in points for theoretical goods or services. This is all in…

  • Me, Al Franken

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    Howard
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    Back in the early 80’s, Al Franken did a bit on Saturday Night Live, about the 80’s being the “Al Franken Decade.” I always liked this bit, and would imitate his manerism of saying “Me, Al Franken.” Example: People are going to stop thinking about themselves and start thinking about me, Al Franken. That’s right.…

  • The Dunbar Number as a Limit to Group Sizes

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    Howard
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    Christopher Allen looks at the Sizes of groups in a fascinating article which I’ve chopped into interesting chunks, below. Read the whole thing: The Dunbar Number as a Limit to Group Sizes Lately I’ve been noticing the spread of a meme regarding “Dunbar’s Number” of 150 that I believe is misunderstanding of his ideas….This all…

  • Martha, Martha, Martha…

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    Howard
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    Like the Brady Bunch’s Jan, I wonder if there isn’t anything else important in the world to discuss.