So here is the thing, I argue that if you build a big enough model, a big enough computer, and a good enough simulator, you can probably simulate the universe in its entirety. I think this is possible because I currently think that there is no fundamental random process in the universe (i.e. if you can account for everything, you can predict anything). Actually, there is still argument amongst physicists of whether properties in quantum mechanics appear random because of unknown hidden variables (i.e. randomness does not exist) or because there exists something that is fundamentally random in the universe. .. but let’s skip this for now.

Anyway, let’s get to the cool part.

Imagine that we can build a *huge* simulator that can account for everything and predict (read: compute) anything.  This simulator would be able to replay everything from the moment of the big bang, to the formation of Earth, to the rise of human beings, to the conversations you have with your friends, to me typing this post now. Surely this is an amazing simulator.

Now imagine that you have access to this simulator. Not only that, but being the curious person you are, you use it to fast-forward and play events in the future. So the simulator will tell you what events will happen in the future. So you look at the simulator and it will tell you what I will eat tomorrow, what will life look like in the future, where will your children, .. everything. It will tell you everything. Again, this is an awesome possum simulator.

Now the mind-bending part.

If you look at that simulator to see you future, will your future moves happen because you want to do them or because the simulator told you to do them? For example, if the simulator told me to eat pizza tomorrow, will I eat pizza tomorrow because I want to, or because the simulator told me to? Remember, I can’t trick that program because it would have already accounted for me trying to trick it. So the minute you look at your future you don’t know whether you would have acted that way because you wanted to or because the program told you to.

For example, assume you have been a good person all your life, but the simulator told you that you will become a thief. Would that happen because you would have “naturally” became a thief, or because the simulator told you so?

Luckily (and unfortunately) it currently doesn’t look like we can ever build such a simulator because it has to also account for itself as part of the universe, so it has to be as big as itself plus the universe in which it resides (you see the problem).

For the computer scientists in the crowd, would such a simulator be able to solve the halting problem?

The video picture quality is not good, but that is not important.

Figaro … Figaro … Figaro …

(it is hard to read, but the printout on the shirt says “made in Jordan in the second line after the L)

So here is the deal: I wanted to create a graphical map of the relationship between all the blogs on Qwaider Planet. More specifically, i wanted to represent each blog with a dot on a map, and draw a line between two blogs if one of them reads the other or links to it. So the end result will be like one of those Internet maps, but localized only for QP.

First, and without further adieu, here is a high-level readership map of all the blogs on QP.

Click on the image for a larger version.

The process was almost entirely automatic. On a high level, i retrieved the most recent posts of all the bloggers via their RSS/Atom feeds. Then iterated over all of them and parsed out comments by other bloggers on QP and the links to them.

Unfortunately it was not that easy. There were many complications that i had to get around. However, i will leave that for another post (or via email to those who might be interested).

Anyway, the picture above of QP as a whole makes sense. There are many bloggers who heavily communicate with many other bloggers; these represent the black blob at the center. Also, there are a few fringe blogs that communicate with less people on QP; these represent the few spikes that only have a few lines (edges) to the other blogs (nodes).

I created a large detailed picture with all the blogs, but it was 90 MB in size, and it crashed the program when i tried to compress it. Here is a link to it if you would like to give it a shot.

I also created a cooler individualized set of graphs of which bloggers read a certain blog, and the relationship between them. So for example, here are a couple of graphs for the blogs that have been recently linked to from my blog and the relationship between them. Again, the edges (lines) represent links.

Click on the images for a larger version.

I also expanded that to show all the blogs that i have had any sort of interaction with. So not only those that are linked to from my blog, but also those on which i had posted a comment on, but i have no recent link or comment from them on my blog.

Click on the image for a larger version.

Finally, i created the readership graphs for many of you!   Check them out, i think they are pretty interesting. Here are the maps for Qwaider and Maioush, Hani, KJ, Garfan, Batoul, Nizar, Jad Madi, 360 East, Black Iris, 7aki Fadi, Hreega, Moey, Kinzi, Mimi Cooks, Jessyz. and Mayyasi. I hope you like them. Again, each graph shows which blogs have recently commented on your blog, and what are the relations between them. If you want your own graph, please let me know and i will generate it and send it to you.

Chances are that you have heard, read, or watched something about the current American presidential campaign. Of course, the candidates are pandering to the public and promising to work on many of America’s pressing issues. The current economic and health crises are focusing most of the talking points on domestic issues –such as taxes, health plans, economy, energy, reform ..etc– with the occasional mention of foreign policy.

Yet, unsurprisingly, Israel was mentioned in every single presidential debate, in the vice presidential debate, in most of the rally speeches, and in most of the interviews. It is almost a domestic issue.The candidates agree on this one: Israel is America’s closest ally in the Middle East; America will always have unwavering support of Israel; America will ensure Israel’s security ..etc. Sarah Palin repeated three times in one of her interviews that “[the USA] should never second guess Israel” [video here]. Heck, even Joe the Plumber is stumping for Israel expressing his worries if Obama becomes the president. Really ? It made its way to the speech of Joe the Plumber ?!!

But don’t be discouraged my friends. Today the Palestinians got their first mention in this campaign since the AIPAC speeches in the democratic primaries. Nonetheless, it came as a form of an attack from the Good Ol’ Party. Woooo, Obama has ties to the “radical Palestinian” Rashid Khalidi.

I haven’t heard of Khalidi before today. But from what i could gather online about him, he is an American born in New York of Palestinian decent. He studied at Yale and Oxford universities, and he is a professor and the current director of the Middle East Institute at the prestigious Columbia University. He is a member of the Board of Sponsors of The Palestine-Israel Journal, and frequently publishes scholarly articles about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The “controversy” about him in the American medium stems from him sometimes criticizing the actions of Israel and expressing differing views about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the difficulties in realizing the two-state solution. Now he is being (apparently falsely) tied to the PLO and then to Obama! This thing came to light because of an LA Times newspaper article saying that there exists a tape of Obama in a dinner which Khalidi attended, but the paper refuses to release that tape because it would violate source confidentiality or whatever. What grabbed my attention is this response quote from McCain:

“I Guarantee you, if there was a tape with me and Sarah Palin and some Neo-Nazi or one of those you think that tape would be made public ?”

So let me get this straight, criticizing some of Israel’s actions or having differing views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict than the acceptable American-Israeli view is now equatable with neo-Nazism !!!

Cheer up American-Palestinians and Palestinians around the world, here is your first mention in the American presidential campaign. You have become an attack piece that Palin will probably go touting around. And remember please, don’t you ever dare to criticize any action of Israel or show anything but complete support of Israel’s view of the conflict, or else, you will be a neo-Nazi!

Anyway, to show you how information technology is being used in this campaign, I did some Googling to learn about this Khalidi character, and i saw this ad:

(try this yourself)

To know why this ad is important, check out the trend of people searching for Khalidi and notice the recent spike:

So … yeah … we finally got a mention in this race .. yaay!!

Yup! A delicious assortment of delicious Levantine pastries and an awesome traditional Ramadany dessert. I haven’t had pastries since last year! And i’ve been drooling over some good Samboosak for the past 3 months or so. Ahh, i can’t wait!

عشنا وشفنا. صار الواحد يستنى المعجنات بالبريد.

“It turns out the human body is not affected by magnetic fields; it is affected by electric fields. So what we are doing is transmitting energy using the magnetic field not the electric field.”

Although this is very cool, and its applications are endless. Personally, i would not use such a thing unless it went heavy rigorous testing for saftey and was analyzed for its effects on the human body (both in the short term and in the long term). However, it is a cool thing nonetheless. Soon, cords will be looked at as primitive tools of the past

This airplane was caught in “cross winds” so that is why it is drifting sideways:

This one has a severe case of cross winds and a bunch of other stuff:

This is just one risky / stupid takeoff

This one catches you by surprise:

Finally, this one is just plain stupid. He is asking for it

Part 1

Part 2

The scene at the end was very moving. This video is actually the second part of a three part series that is available here.

Al-Jazeera English, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making, and continuing to make, these amazing programs. I wish that someday you will be allowed on American cable.

P.S: I realize i have been talking about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict quite a bit lately, but you know, it is the time for remembrance. To my new readers, i would like to point out that i do also talk about other subjects and issues of (possibly) lesser value/importance.

]]> http://www.za3tar.net/2008/05/13/a-must-watch-short-documentary/feed/ 7 http://www.za3tar.net/2008/05/01/blog-about-palestine-day/ http://www.za3tar.net/2008/05/01/blog-about-palestine-day/#comments Thu, 01 May 2008 07:52:43 +0000 za3tar http://www.za3tar.net/?p=225 ***UPDATE #1:*** A Facebook event for this initiative has been created. Please join the event and pass the message on to your friends (more info here).

***UPDATE #2:*** A list of possible topics to write about can be found (here and here).

***UPDATE #3:*** A small list of bloggers who are participating in the event is published here.

***UPDATE #4:*** A sample harvest list of blog posts contributed to this event has been published here.

Dear all,

May 15th of this year is the 60th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba –which marked the beginning of the modern age Palestinian plight and suffering. This date is remembered annually on local, regional, and global levels.

I am certain that many in the blogosphere will dedicate some posts to commemorate this tragic event. However, inspired by the success of the “Blog About Jordan Day” initiative, i would like to start a formal initiative to encourage everybody to dedicate one post on Thursday, May 15th, to talk about Palestine or the Palestinian Experience.

There are no restrictions on what you can write, or the language that you can use. Really, anything that talks about Palestine, or the Palestinians; in the past, present, or future; political, social, economical, or any other aspect is welcomed. The goal of this event will be to share thoughts, and raise awareness about the Palestinian situation. Hopefully, with everyone’s support, this will be such a spectacular event that it will catch the eye of the mainstream media (specially that the Palestinian situation is inadequately and incorrectly represented in most of the western media outlets).

FAQ:

• Do I have to be Palestinian / Arab to participate ?
  No, everybody is welcomed to join in on this effort.
• Does it have to represent the Palestinian point of view (or be a positive article) ?
  No, you are free, and encouraged, to write whatever you want.
• Does it have to be about the Nakba precisely ?
  No, you can talk about the history of the Palestinian plight, current internal and external affairs, or outlooks for possible future resolutions to this conflict and how do you think can we achieve and maintain peace.
• Does it have to be a political article ?
  No, you are free to talk about any aspect of the Palestinian life inside and outside Palestine. You are free to talk about whatever you want.

I would appreciate it if you could help me spread the word about this event. For your convenience, i have created some simple counters and banners for this event. You can find their code below:

Thank you in advance for your help and support.

**UPDATE:** Thanks to Qwaider for mentioning that blogs *hosted* on WordPress.com (and possibly other engines) might face some trouble embedding JavaScript code as is done above. If this is the case for you, you can use the following image banners below:

<a href="http://www.za3tar.net/2008/05/01/blog-about-palestine-day/"><img id="countdownimage" src="http://files.za3tar.net/pal-day-08/buttons/pal-day-en.jpg" border="0" alt="Blog About Palestine Day" style="background-color:#000"></a>

<a href="http://www.za3tar.net/2008/05/01/blog-about-palestine-day/"><img id="countdownimage" src="http://files.za3tar.net/pal-day-08/buttons/pal-day-ar.jpg" border="0" alt="Blog About Palestine Day" style="background-color:#000"></a>

<a href="http://www.za3tar.net/2008/05/01/blog-about-palestine-day/"><img id="countdownimage" src="http://files.za3tar.net/pal-day-08/buttons/pal-day-en-big.jpg" border="0" alt="Blog About Palestine Day" style="background-color:#000"></a>

<a href="http://www.za3tar.net/2008/05/01/blog-about-palestine-day/"><img id="countdownimage" src="http://files.za3tar.net/pal-day-08/buttons/pal-day-ar-big.jpg" border="0" alt="Blog About Palestine Day" style="background-color:#000"></a>

Never the less, this was one of my favorite commercials. It is really nice and really moving. …. just imagine if all of these experts were talking to you (well, with today’s technology they kinda are)

As an added bonus, here is another one with Mohammad Ali

Note: the file might take a little while to load the images in the black boxes from flickr.

تنزيلات ؟! … آه قصدك ديسكاونت…. هاهاها رهيبة

Here is another picture of this amazing tower:

Picture of the year finalists are here.

I saw this picture on a couple of blogs (first here, then here), so i tried to identify some of the characters portrayed. So i decided to tag them and see if i can identify them with the help of the community. Here is a scaled down version of the picture, click it to see it full scale (~750 KB in size). The original untagged picture can be found here. High resolution versions of the original picture here and here (thanks Isam). Qwaider also applied the numbered tags to the higher resolution version, many thanks!

A hi-res tagged version can be found here. (~1.1 MB)

Here is a list of the people that i have figured out so far, if you know of more, please let me know and i will add them to this list.

If you recognize somebody that is not included in the table above, or if you believe there is a mistake somewhere, please leave me a comment, and i will add him/her to the list. … tell your friends to jump in on that too

► By Hayfa, many thanks.

► By Dave, many thanks.

► By Bettina, many thanks.

► By Isam, many thanks.

► By BamBam, many thanks.

► By Ola, many thanks.

► By Upendra Samaranayake, many thanks.

► By Qwaider قويدر, many thanks.

► By Fred Chan, many thanks.

► By Burak, many thanks.

► By Egl, many thanks.

► By Fez, many thanks.

► By Shaughn, many thanks.

► By Pamela, many thanks.

► By Eliana, many thanks.

► By WhtFalcon, many thanks.

► By Dave (July 21 2008), many thanks.

► By Naghme, many thanks.

► By RS, many thanks.

► By Pegazus, many thanks.

► By Zach, many thanks.

With thanks to Monica for her correction.

This infamous video is from District 13, and all the stunts were real! No wires, or CGI … all real !!

This second video gets really interesting after the second minute mark.

It is finally here !! The latest distro of openSuSE was released today. openSuSE 10.3 is jam-packed with features (and the GUI is artsy as well )
More on that here…

I have more of these if anybody is interested. I also don’t mind you using them, but please let me know if you do.

Do you dare to try it out ??

These guys deserve to have their website visited, and their product bought !!