On security / Something fun

Another day in MIT has passed. Quite a busy one: first 3 hours of "human side of technology" (mostly discussing how to manage talented, but socially nonconformant persons), then 2 hours on how to write resumees, 2.5 hours on creativity, and finally doing assignments and design tasks for 4 hours. Fortunately Biju gave Robbie, Kumar, and me a lift home. It was then 10.30pm, now it is 11pm. I spent 30 minutes preparing for tomorrow's system architecture class. It will be fun again. This all is fun, but in a slightly masochistic way - if everyone would work this hard in the industry, we could kick 66% of the workerd away.

Socialization happens really fast. I think eveyone has already made many friends, most of us have some semi-static roles (or disguises). It is good that the "human side of technology" (which used to be called "organizatorial processes") is right now in the beginning. We are our own guinea pigs!

On security

This country seems to be obsessed about security, but nobody ever defines the term "security". So, let me try. "Security" comes from "secure". The opposite of "secure" is, well, "dangerous". Thus, make enhancing security means, by and large, removing danger. But danger of what? I would say danger of premature, unnatural death. Therefore, all invesments in security should be measured in terms of number of avoided premature deaths per dollar.

So far, terrorists have killed approximately 3000 persons in USA. After 9/11 at least 150000 persons have been killed in road traffic in USA. Some 50000 have been killed in shootings. According to CIA statistics, quoted by Kristof in NY Times, some 60000 babies have died just because of the inefficiences etc of the US medical system (compared to e.g Singapore). The list of uncessary, avoidable deaths is much longer, but this may be enough. So, is waging "the war on terrorism" the most efficient way to increase security?

Another thing is, as some former chief of homeland security pointed out in the radio last night, that the "security measures" defined and implemented by the Bush administration are basicly doing what the terrorists, e.g. bin-Laden, have wished for. The society is closing, becoming a police state. The same problem was real in Europe in 1970s, but the Europeans found ways to deal with terrorism and still keep their societies open and uphold the principles of fair trials etc. The former chief has written a book about this. The title of the book is something like "USA 10 years from now". Read it and send me a summary.

Just wondering. Now I am too tired to even wonder.

Something fun

How many pages does it take to define the process for making and baking cookies? See the story of the military way to find out. And give it a try!

Alun perin julkaistu kuukausikoosteessa "Blogs January 2005".