Sunday, March 17, 2013

Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality - Eliezer Yudkowsky

I picked up this book thinking that either its an alternate plot or its trying to rationalize or use science to show how things in Harry Potter books are possible or not possible and how its not all magic. I am sorry I laid eyes on this book. It does talk about an alternate plot, one where Harry's adopted parents love him, but very soon writer's total lack of creativity shows up making the book unbearable. Writer has tried to sell the book by sensationalizing - 10 year olds plotting crimes and how to get away from that, it made me sick. There is no sense of time in the book, 2 people or 2 objects argue same senseless points till end of world and time does not pass. Everything is completely over-analyzed scientifically to the point that you want to pull your hair out.
Final conclusion - stay away from the book if you value your time.

Saturday, March 09, 2013

12km day - conquered the hills

... ok, not exactly hills, but some parts with some upward inclination which we won't even consider a hill back in Seattle.
Today was 12km (7.5miles) day. After last weekend's tiring 9km, I was not sure we can do this, and this time I wanted to add the "hills" that Zurich marathon course has. So off we went, starting @10:10 from Tiffenbrunnen. The day was perfect, perfect temp around 8C, partly cloudly, could not ask for a better running day. We started slow, making sure everyone is together which was a really good thing. After everyone else left, we decided to speed things up a bit and face the dreaded hill. So we ran a bit faster and kms went by fast, and soon we were at the point of return. hmm, no real hills, what happened. Last year when I was cheering runners there looked like a terrible hill. We had gone through all of that and still going strong! I am sure it was the effect of slow start that gave time to warm up. All the statements about for best time start slow, make second half faster are true afterall. Quite pleased with the run today, looking forward to a strong 15km later.