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Dave Bacon is a theoretical ski bum who is also a pseudo professor. His research is on quantum computing, his scientific passions extend to everything in physics, mathematics, computer science and beyond, and his personal pleasures include making wine, playing poker, skiing, camping, and daydreaming (although not all of those at the same time.)
Nothing he says on this blog should be construed as having anything to do with his employer or his dog.
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The use of Occam's razor on this website is strickly prohibited.
Cows are well approximated by a sphere.
January 30, 2009
Category: Extralusionary Intelligence
Like many an arrogant kid before me, when I graduate from high school in my podunk hometown (no, it wasn't marshy, and I say podunk with all the warm feelings of a idyllic childhood), I was filled with confidence that...
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Posted by Dave Bacon at 12:49 PM • 38 Comments •
January 28, 2009
Category: Finance
Via Alea: the CME trading simulation game. If only it were this easy: I suspect that in the real world, doing the opposite of what I did would be required to actually make money :)...
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Posted by Dave Bacon at 8:33 PM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
January 26, 2009
January 22, 2009
Category: Go Ahead, Waste Your Time
Part three in my continuing pedantic slow-as-molasses walk through Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell. List of posts here: introduction, ch 1, ch 2. SPOILER ALERT: Dude, I can't talk about the book without giving away what the...
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Posted by Dave Bacon at 8:54 PM • 8 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
January 20, 2009
Category: Politics
My favorite line from today's inauguration speech: In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has...
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Posted by Dave Bacon at 1:18 PM • 12 Comments •
January 19, 2009
Category: Mathematics
From a crazy model to a concrete question: is there a nice mathematical structure hidden here?...
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Posted by Dave Bacon at 12:38 PM • 22 Comments •
January 16, 2009
Category: Self: Meet Center. Center: Meet Self.
Method for using Ecto and LaTeXiT....
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Posted by Dave Bacon at 6:38 PM • 8 Comments •
Category: Physics
The Perimeter Scholars Institute is a Masters level course designed to prepare students for cutting-edge research in theoretical physics. It looks pretty cool with some outstanding lecturers. The application deadline is February 1. All accepted students will be fully supported....
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Posted by Dave Bacon at 4:00 PM • 4 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Quantum Computing
The last day of QIP in Santa Fe. Also note that Joe has posted some nice notes on additivity on his blog: part I and part II. Oh, and QIP next year will be in Zurich, and QIP the year...
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Posted by Dave Bacon at 11:38 AM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
January 15, 2009
Category: Go Ahead, Waste Your Time
Stuff learned while at QIP....
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Posted by Dave Bacon at 4:51 PM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks