Via Kottke, we learn of the best and worst paradox, eponym of computer scientist and physicist Edward Fredkin, known for advances in deterministic, reversible programming in the tradition of Konrad Zuse and experiments with cellular automata, which proffers that the more attractive two alternatives seem, the harder it can be to choose between them—no matter that, in the same degree, the choice can only matter less. Though unclear what the context was for the formulation of Fredkin’s Paradox—probably frustration over coding architecture—it explains why nothing seems to get done with the most time and effort going to decisions of least consequence, and whilst an intuitive solution would be to match each point in planning with the importance of the decision (see also) but that leads to a further spiral and vicious cycle with the optimisation of the optimisation and so on ad infinitum.
synchronoptica
one year ago: a cinematic lexicon of infrequent words (with synchronoptica) plus Cyberstress! (1997)
two years ago: a storied gay bar in Seattle, the Great White Way, an unavailable lecture by Grace Hopper plus assorted links to revisit
three years ago: a Talking Heads’ album, molecule of the month, social summarisations plus Marie Antoinette
four years ago: Dr Spock’s baby book plus assorted links worth the revisit
five years ago: the coat of arms of Black County, Fortress Kronoberg, roadside attractions in Gรถtaland plus camping in Vadstena
six years ago: filmmaker Kenneth Anger
