Blog/April 2017/Apr 28th - Revision history

Ron at 06:49, 5 May 2017

2017-05-05T06:49:49Z

Ron at 07:14, 28 April 2017

2017-04-28T07:14:35Z

Ron at 07:13, 28 April 2017

2017-04-28T07:13:46Z

Ron: Created page with " {{blog}} '''April 28th''' It was a week full of work, B”H, and little else. So I apologize if this week’s blog..."

2017-04-28T06:47:10Z

Created page with " {{blog}} '''April 28th''' It was a week full of work, B”H, and little else. So I apologize if this week’s blog..."

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{{blog}}

'''April 28th'''

It was a week full of work, B”H, and little else. So I apologize if this week’s blog gets a bit technical and political. You’ll forgive me, won’t you?

As mentioned last week, I’ve been enhancing the cryptographic repertoire in 8th. The enhancements center around three things: adding more crypto options, “hardening” 8th’s use of crypto, and adding more crypto abilities. The last one is particularly interesting, I think.

Here’s one thing I was working on: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamir%27s_Secret_Sharing SSSS]. That’s “Shamir’s Secret Sharing Scheme”. What that is, is really cool: it provides a method of splitting a “secret” amongst a group of ''X'' people such that any ''Y'' of them (but not fewer than ''Y'') can reconstitute the secret. It’s a provably secure method. That is, it is absolutely impossible (no matter how much computation is used) to reconstitute the secret with fewer than Y pieces of it. What’s the idea behind it?

The idea is incredibly simple, actually. Any “polynomial of degree ''N''” can be uniquely determined by ''N+1'' points. So a line, which is a “polynomial of degree 1”, is determined precisely by any two distinct points on it. But a single point on the line can lie on an ''infinity'' of other lines. So one point cannot determine a line, nor does it leak any information about what potential line is desired. This is, in short, the idea behind the SSSS algorithm. Of course, the technical implementation is a bit more involved than the simple explanation. Anyway, 8th now includes this feature, which was requested by users.

''Jew Haiku'':<blockquote>
Cryptography is<br>
Lots of math and proofs and stuff<br>
Do not “roll your own”!

</blockquote>

Sundry and various:
* In the information-security world, it doesn’t pay to [https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/04/punching-holes-in-nomx-the-worlds-most-secure-communications-protocol/ make ridiculous claims]
* Bad fat? [http://www.independent.ie/life/health-wellbeing/healthy-eating/popular-belief-that-saturated-fat-clogs-up-arteries-is-a-myth-experts-say-35655440.html Not so fast…]
* Public use of math skills in Oregon [https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2017-04-26/man-fined-500-for-criticizing-traffic-cameras-with-math may result in a fine]
* Furry feet? You might be [https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/04/new-analysis-relocates-the-hobbit-on-the-human-family-tree/ related to hobbits]

Those of us who raised kids in the ‘90s (or who grew up then) remember [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Nye_the_Science_Guy Bill Nye the Science Guy] fondly. For the rest of you: the man had a “science show for kids” which was somewhat educational, quirky, and entertaining. But in recent years, “Good Bill Nye” has morphed into [http://www.nationalreview.com/article/447086/bill-nye-scientism-guy-propagandist-left-wing-politics “Shrieking Propagandist Bill Nye”]. The change is not one for the better.

He started out innocently enough, debunking wild claims by creationists and like-minded folks. But as the years progressed, his progressive creds became more and more pronounced. Now, his new show is called “Bill Nye Saves the World” (''sic''). You can search for it on YouTube if you want; it’s so cringey and bereft of beneficial content that I won’t link it here.

Here’s the problem: he puts himself forth as a representative of “the science community”, but he’s not a scientist — he’s a mechanical engineer by training, and a TV personality/comic entertainer by profession. He most recently made statements in favor of [http://www.unapologeticallyamerican.com/bill-nye-wtf/ jailing people] who are sceptical of “anthropogenic climate change”. Seriously.

I believe very strongly in “freedom of speech”; so strongly, in fact, that I don’t believe there should be “hate speech” laws at all. So you might figure that I am appalled at the statements and behavior coming from Mr. “Science Guy”. I am even more appalled at the recent spate of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Berkeley_protests riots at Berkeley], whose purpose was the quashing of opposing viewpoints and the stultification of free-speech. That, at a university which made its name in the ‘60s over “free-speech protests”. It doesn’t bode well for the world’s most powerful nation when it’s “guaranteed” right of free-speech is no longer guaranteed.

Last night we went to a lecture given by [https://knesset.gov.il/mk/eng/mk_eng.asp?mk_individual_id_t=955 MK Yehuda Glick] and hosted by our ''shul''. You may know Glick as a “troublemaker” or an “extremist”. You may know he’s an advocate for Jews ascending the Temple Mount. You may remember the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yehuda_Glick#Assassination_attempt assassination attempt] which nearly took his life. The man we heard didn’t sound extreme — in fact, in response to a question from the audience he responded that it “made him very happy” that Muslims pray on the Temple Mount, to the One God; in his view, that’s confirmation of our prophet’s words, [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt1056.htm#7 “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples”] (Isa 56:7). Interesting and entertaining man, Glick.

This coming Tuesday is [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(Israel) Israel’s 69th birthday], and will be celebrated around the country by massive barbecues. As they do every year, the Central Bureau of Statistics [http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/228763 released figures] related to the country’s population growth and demographic makeup. So: as of the moment, Israel’s population is about 75% Jewish and 25% not-Jewish. Surprisingly (to me), amongst the Jewish population, those who identify as “secular” or “not religious” are distinctly a minority at 44%. Likewise amongst the non-Jewish population, a mere 21% are “not at all religious”. Don’t know about you, but I find that interesting.

This ''shabbat'' we’re down to the sub-nuclear two. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEy6MGu3bIA Just the two of us] will have:
<br>
(perhaps) chicken soup,
baked salmon,
baked chicken with shallots and wine sauce,
roasted veggies,
various [http://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/collection/recipe-terms-salatim/ ''salatim''],
and spice cake.

Until next time,<br>
''shabbat shalom''!

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 I believe very strongly in “freedom of speech”; so strongly, in fact, that I don’t believe there should be “hate speech” laws at all.  So you might figure that I am appalled at the statements and behavior coming from Mr. “Science Guy”.  I am even more appalled at the recent spate of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Berkeley_protests riots at Berkeley], whose purpose was the quashing of opposing viewpoints and the stultification of free-speech.  That, at a university which made its name in the ‘60s over “free-speech protests”.  It doesn’t bode well for the world’s most powerful nation when its “guaranteed” right of free-speech is no longer guaranteed.
-Last night we went to a lecture given by [https://knesset.gov.il/mk/eng/mk_eng.asp?mk_individual_id_t=955 MK Yehuda Glick] and hosted by our ''shul''.  You may know Glick as a “troublemaker” or an “extremist”.  You may know he’s an advocate for Jews ascending the Temple Mount. You may remember the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yehuda_Glick#Assassination_attempt assassination attempt] which nearly took his life.  The man we heard didn’t sound extreme — in fact, in response to a question from the audience he responded that it “made him very happy” that Muslims pray on the Temple Mount, to the One God; in his view, that’s confirmation of our prophet’s words, [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt1056.htm#7 “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples”] (Isa 56:7).  Interesting and entertaining man, Glick.
+Last night we went to a lecture given by [https://knesset.gov.il/mk/eng/mk_eng.asp?mk_individual_id_t=955 MK Yehuda Glick] and hosted by our ''shul''.  You may know Glick as a “troublemaker” or an “extremist”.  You may know he’s an advocate for Jews ascending the Temple Mount. You may remember the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yehuda_Glick#Assassination_attempt assassination attempt] which nearly took his life.  The man we heard didn’t sound extreme — in fact, to a question from the audience he responded that it “made him very happy” that Muslims pray on the Temple Mount, to the One God; in his view, that’s confirmation of our prophet’s words, [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt1056.htm#7 “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples”] (Isa 56:7).  Interesting and entertaining man, Glick.
 This coming Tuesday is [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(Israel) Israel’s 69th birthday], and will be celebrated around the country by massive barbecues.  As they do every year, the Central Bureau of Statistics [http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/228763 released figures] related to the country’s population growth and demographic makeup.  So: as of the moment, Israel’s population is about 75% Jewish and 25% not-Jewish.  Surprisingly (to me), amongst the Jewish population, those who identify as “secular” or “not religious” are distinctly a minority at 44%.  Likewise amongst the non-Jewish population, a mere 21% are “not at all religious”.  Don’t know about you, but I find that interesting.

@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 Here’s the problem: he puts himself forth as a representative of “the science community”, but he’s not a scientist — he’s a mechanical engineer by training, and a TV personality/comic entertainer by profession.  He most recently made statements in favor of [http://www.unapologeticallyamerican.com/bill-nye-wtf/ jailing people] who are sceptical of “anthropogenic climate change”. Seriously.
-I believe very strongly in “freedom of speech”; so strongly, in fact, that I don’t believe there should be “hate speech” laws at all.  So you might figure that I am appalled at the statements and behavior coming from Mr. “Science Guy”.  I am even more appalled at the recent spate of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Berkeley_protests riots at Berkeley], whose purpose was the quashing of opposing viewpoints and the stultification of free-speech.  That, at a university which made its name in the ‘60s over “free-speech protests”.  It doesn’t bode well for the world’s most powerful nation when it’s “guaranteed” right of free-speech is no longer guaranteed.
+I believe very strongly in “freedom of speech”; so strongly, in fact, that I don’t believe there should be “hate speech” laws at all.  So you might figure that I am appalled at the statements and behavior coming from Mr. “Science Guy”.  I am even more appalled at the recent spate of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Berkeley_protests riots at Berkeley], whose purpose was the quashing of opposing viewpoints and the stultification of free-speech.  That, at a university which made its name in the ‘60s over “free-speech protests”.  It doesn’t bode well for the world’s most powerful nation when its “guaranteed” right of free-speech is no longer guaranteed.
 Last night we went to a lecture given by [https://knesset.gov.il/mk/eng/mk_eng.asp?mk_individual_id_t=955 MK Yehuda Glick] and hosted by our ''shul''.  You may know Glick as a “troublemaker” or an “extremist”.  You may know he’s an advocate for Jews ascending the Temple Mount. You may remember the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yehuda_Glick#Assassination_attempt assassination attempt] which nearly took his life.  The man we heard didn’t sound extreme — in fact, in response to a question from the audience he responded that it “made him very happy” that Muslims pray on the Temple Mount, to the One God; in his view, that’s confirmation of our prophet’s words, [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt1056.htm#7 “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples”] (Isa 56:7).  Interesting and entertaining man, Glick.