Blog #5

http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2010/02/the-mathematics-of-clumpy-crime.html


The article “The Mathematics of Clumsy Crime” talks about a mathematical model; designed by mathematician Andrea Bertozzi of the University of California, Los Angeles; that describes and examines with close detail causes for criminal hotspots. At first I thought that such a model was not possible, because even though we regularly apply math and numbers in our daily lives (such as counting money), and even though numbers can describe situations and complicated physical phenomena (such as physics, chemistry, etc.) I never thought numbers or a mathematical formula could be used to describe, analyze and predict human behavior. However as weird as it may seem they did not only try the model out in San Fernando Valley with positive results, but the author goes over the main and most interesting points of the model, and they do coincide with the way a normal human being would behave. Some of these points are that criminal hot spots form when previous crimes attract more criminals to a neighborhood and that a house’s attractiveness increases if criminals have hit homes nearby. If many houses from the same neighborhood have been hit by criminals the whole area becomes provoking to criminals and a hot spot forms.
This means that his model is supported by good number (mathematical) theory, San Francisco Valley try-out, and thorough reason and explanation of every step and assumption on his model. This may be a new step for society. This model may prove that human behavior can be modeled by formulas and mathematical models. It may take time for us to get used to it and to completely understand it, but that is totally comprehendible. At first it was hard for humans to comprehend that the movement of objects, the basics of sound, light, temperature, etc. could be simplified by mathematical formulas, even though nowadays we take all these discoveries for granted.
This model can also tremendously help police agencies to combat crime in a more effective way. The most effective police agency is not the one that stops criminals after they commit crimes but before. And that is what this model will allow agencies all over the world to do (to certain extent). Mathematicians all over the world should take this model as an example, and try to model different types of human behavior (maybe suicidal behaviors, among others) which will significantly help society for the future.

Blog #4

http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2009/12/08-02.html
This article talks about a new scientific discovery that can lead to a new, cheap, and flexible source of power. The discovery is the use of nanotubes on photocopy paper in batteries and other energy-storing devices. What’s important in the setup is the way the materials are organized for paper to polarize and become highly conductive. Paper batteries can store up to 7.5 Watt-hours per kilogram, which is a formidable number, considering how cheap and flexible this type of battery would be.
The idea of using a new material for batteries (that would make them lightweight, flexible, and cheap at the same time) is not totally new and has previously been explored and closely analyzed by researchers. However previous research was done with cellulose (the same starting material used to make paper) and plastic which both proved to be inefficient for the needs of the battery. Even though these materials have a sturdy structure, they could easily split apart if flexed which would then destroy the whole concept of the battery. Researchers then realized that paper had the perfect structure (sturdy and flexible).
This concept is totally innovative. Now that researchers found out that nanotubes and paper-fibers hold tight and can be used for batteries “enables engineers to make batteries in almost any shape”. This would tremendously help towards the future, because we could adapt batteries size, and shape depending on the machine or object we need it for.
In a more general sense, I really enjoyed reading over this article. I had the feeling that everything I was reading was important and would eventually be a positive contribution towards modern scientific society. I make strong emphasis in this, because most of the times I feel that research papers investigate topics that are not relevant for society and that not vital for envisioning and working towards the future. Researches tend to ramble and explain in very close detail things that are unnecessary. Unlike other research papers, I strongly felt (as I said before) that this paper makes very strong and positive contributions to how technology will change because it improves one of the most important topics in our modern world, sources of energy.

Respondse to Polymers are Forever

I enjoyed this article because it helped me to better understand how human actions effect the environment and that, even though many of the effects may not be immediately noticed by the masses, they do have serious and sometimes irreversible consequences.
Even while at first the article seemed repetitive, almost as if the author was overreacting, after further analysis of the facts and statistics the author puts forth in the article I appreciated his point to a greater degree and realized how serious this problem is. It also made me understand that in society we do need people who overreact and make a big deal about our environment. Even though I’m not an environmentalist I do agree with their ideas and feel that they contribute to the balance we have in society. If no one worries about our environment then we would never know how our actions really affect it.

Technological Literacy of U.S. Population Not Well-Assessed (Blog 2)

http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=11691

This article points out that technological understanding, also known as technological literacy, is an issue that is not well assessed in America or around the world. The author, Michelle Strikowsky, points out how agencies and companies have always conducted tests and surveys regarding people’s opinion and attitude towards technology, but have never conducted a single well-designed test on how well people understand technology.

I personally agree with the idea this article proposes. The level to which we take advantage of recent technological advances can only be proportional to our level of understanding of technology, which brings up our next question: How can we make sure that everyone understands recent technological advances, or at least knows how to address this problem if there is no reliable data in this area? Not only should we do diagnoses and tests on how much the average person understands about technology, but cultural and social backgrounds should also be taken into account. “People from different cultures and social backgrounds experience technology in different ways” says Strikowsky, and if these factors are not taken into account then technology would only benefit a few and selective group of people.

Essentially, Strikowsky argues that the collection of data on technological literacy by government on all levels (as well as by the private sector) could allow provide data with which to reform teachers education, reform the technological education, and give a strong basis upon which to judge the level to which people in general truly understand technology.

Homework Assignment Feb 01

1. Write a mini-blog about the reading and what you appreciated or found interesting therein.

2. Also discuss whether you found the notation system I asked you to use helpful.




This article talks about society’s approach towards reading nowadays as compared to in the past. It shows the effects and positive consequences of reading not only in your daily life (such as work, productivity, etc.) but also in your brain. I totally agree with this article, because even though whether or not a person reads will not exclusively determine if his success in life, it surely plays a very important role. The author also points out that even though for some people reading has been made more accessible because of technology (web newspapers, blogs, etc.), in general, computers and the advent of television have significantly decreased the amount of time that an average persons spends reading. What I liked the most out of the article is that all the facts and examples that the author gives really puts into perspective how staggering the situation currently is, and that we need to work fast to find a solution for this emerging problem.

Regarding the notation system we had to use, I personally didn’t like it. The main reason is that I think that, with experience and practice, each individual finds the methods that are most productive for him personally in terms of note-taking and comprehension. Thus, trying to adjust to such a system which is not optimal for the performer decreases productivity.

Why Industrial Engineering?

Since I was a kid I have looked at life in a very logical and objective way, just as a scientist or engineer. My parents, industrial engineers whom I have always admired, have always influenced the way I think. Because of this I have always wanted to be an engineer, but it wasn’t until junior year at high school until I had to come to a decision about what I would study in the future. I started analyzing what subjects appealed to me or disinterested me, and it didn’t take me long to realize that all the subjects that I liked (math, physics, chemistry, etc.) were science-related subjects and that my career should likely be oriented towards science and engineering.

Even though my initial interest in engineering came from subjects such as math and sciences, I have learned that, contrary to common belief, engineering isn’t only about learning calculus or science. Instead engineering is about learning new ways in which to apply your knowledge to real-life scenarios such as industrial or corporate problems. My goals and areas of interest in engineering aren’t headed towards discovering new mathematical formulas, or developing new physics or chemistry experiments, they’re headed towards learning how to become a successful businessman, and I think that as an engineer I will be provided all the tools to be able to achieve this goal. This is why I chose to become an industrial engineer. I will be able to appreciate and learn the best from two different worlds. Experience in the world of engineering will give me the tools I need to be able to be a better businessman in a way few other businessmen will be capable of. In the other world, the business world, I will be able to better learn how to apply my knowledge of engineering in different ways so as to more deeply understand the fundamental issues of the company I work for and optimize its production.