Month: August 2017

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Neural Networks

When I was in university, many years ago, AI was a big hype. Or so it seemed to me back then.
I obviously took AI classes, implemented Backgammon heuristics in LISP and lost the competition we had.
One of the projects (or was it a seminar) i did was to implement Neural networks to identify text from a small pixelated images.

Quite certain I still have a print-out of the code at my parents house, but I doubt if it make me proud readying it now.

And why do I write about this?

As I am taking the Deep Learning Specialization in Coursera, I implement Neural Networks in Python and in one hour of coding I achieve more than several weeks of coding, trial and error more than 20 years ago.

 

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Not a Bonsai

Have a tiny pomegranate tree in a plant pot in my garden.

A very small tree with small leaf, small flowers and fruit. As we don’t really handle it correctly, it is just a tiny tree, not a Bonsai. Now I wish I knew how to do it right.

 

pomegranate

pomegranate

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Business card holder, Cordovan

First time working with Cordovan leather, and what a fabulous leather it is.

Purchased online from Leathermania  (payment via Amazon) and what a wonderful leather it is.

Made in Japan by Shinki Hikaku , in Himeji, Hyogo. An area that has many tanneries and good leather companies.
As it is rather small (and expensive), decided to make a business card holder. The Cordovan was used for the exterior and main pocket.

Result is quite good, I could improve the side and how it closes, but overall the result is great.

 

 

 

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Suspense book – Grasshopper by Isaka Kotaro

His new book AX is in the best selling list, so I thought I might as well try reading Japanese suspense books.

Started with Grasshopper (グラスホッパー）　which tells the story of Suzuki, Semi (蝉, Cicada) and Kujira (鯨, Whale).

Kujira kills people by “convincing” them to commit suicide, Semi kills people with a knife and Suzuki entered this world to avenge the murder of his wife.

As expected, story and literary value is not satisfying, but I keep on reading. Partially to learn words and situations I am still not familiar with (crime and police), partially because I keep waiting for something to happen

 

 

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Unthinking, Overthinking

A good article by the Economist 1843 Magazine on overthinking .

I think most of us experienced it in our lives and I often see it around me.

It does not mean that research and knowledge are not necessary, but at some point the load and amount of data make it difficult for us to make decisions.  Contrary to Deep Learning/Machine Learning that more data can be helpful (usually), I guess the human brain has limitations on processing.

Can be as simple as deciding “Which coffee machine to use at the office”, researching all options, quality, pricing, or which hotel is the best for a family trip.
Today’s life and data on the internet provides us too much information. Some good, some bad, some intentionally manipulated by marketing companies and we need to find a way to make educated decision but not “overloaded, overthought” decisions .