An Inspiration 11:20 pm

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My tutor, without the bow tie, David Miller.

Popper & Miller.

Sir Karl Popper.

The inductive reasoning we use everyday should be discarded. What we should adhere to, is not on the insistence of justification but rather the strength of falsification, if we should try even seek the truth of theories. That is Popper.





To begin with, we shouldn't even worry about which theories to choose from when dealing with the pragmatic problem of induction, for there is hardly any recourse to scientific theories to do practical things (eg. technology). Physics laws don't teach us how to build bridges, but rather tells us what not to do (falsifies) for the bridge to theoretically not crumble. It is not scientists but engineers, using their problem-solving ability, not scientific theories, that builds a bridge that stands. Therefore we don't need theories to take practical action. That is Miller.





Popper is an inspiring smart man, one whom my module currently covers. His clarity in thought and writing is terribly impressive. Miller is his protege, continuing his mentor's work in falsifiability, defending it vigorously, and a reputable name in academia. And he is my tutor.





I am blessed, to have such a learned tutor; one who does not 'know' what induction is. I wonder how life might change for me if I don't employ inductive reasoning.











Uncle T

Sigh..... 12:49 am

Just a couple of days back, I was elated when Guofeng told me my floorball stick arrived. Yes, the Floorball exco were very sweet and bought me a stick. Eternally grateful.

Since coming down with fever last week and missed training, I was looking forward to training today; a chance to relive the exhilaration playing the game and using my new stick.

After all the 'fiddling' with the stick in my room for the past couple of days, I headed down for training; and badly sprained my ankle during drills. I didn't even get to play games today; this time was a bad sprain.

What can I say. Can't even walk now. Hobbliing boy am I.

With a swollen ankle, hungry, but Louis Armstrong as company this evening, I'll try to ignore the throbbing and try write my essay. Can you imagine that, having a brand new module in my final term at school, impeding revision.

Oh boy. Jazz, in the bittersweet blues of life, is my best bet now.



Uncle T

Reuters-Thomson Merger 4:48 pm

- Canadian financial data provider Thomson buys out Reuters for $17b
- Creates worl'd biggest financial news & data firm, leapfrogging US-based Bloomberg
- Expected annual savings fr merger: $250m
- Thomson's interests: law, tax & scientific research
- Thomson, Reuters, BLoomberg: compete in "terminal" mkt: providing news & financial data to banks, traders & brokerages
- In Apr 2007: Bllomberg 33%, REuters 23%, Thomson 11%
- Thomson-Reuters to list in London & Toronoto
- EStimated revenue of $12b, having 49000 employees

- Reputation of Reuters at stack: known for its neutrality
- For 150years, Reuters has had reputation for independence, where no ind can own 15% or more of the company
- Thomson now owns 53%. Journalists unhappy.
- REuters general news may be sidelined for financial news
- REuters boss Tom Glover will head firm

Uncle T

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Uncle T

Final Night...finally 4:11 pm

It is finally the last night of our production "Endorian Dreams". I say 'finally' with a sigh of relief no doubt, but does not in any way connotate that I have long for it to end. In fact, it seems all too surreal that the family that I have been heading for the past 2 terms is slowly disappearing.

It has been a special experience producing this, with Prin, my wonderful family, with special mention going out to the secretary and treasurer, and not forgetting AL and Jasmin.

Yet, there is no time to get nostalgic. There is still much that lies ahead; examicitis, packing up, feeding Squirrel, King Lear, travelling, going home, readjusting to home... So much more. Eventuality just chugs on, regardless of your preparations.

But in the meanwhile, please let me bask in some smoke of reminiscence, some shades of nostalgia. Thank you Endora, thank you.

We had 5000 of these postcards across campus.

The Production Family that held the fort, with Jia Wei taking the photo. Silly boy.

Uncle T