Boundary Threshholding

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Today we consider investment lessons from the field of software design.  And, in particular a parallel between stock market decision matrices and software decision-making related to voice response devices such as Alexa and Siri.

I know, sounds a little bit “out there” but (trust me, it is) it’s actually how modern engineering works.

Clever generalization of solutions. You take a simple problem in one field and then translate it to a solution in another through (an application of TRIZ) and come up via our Substitution method of innovation, with a new way of considering a problem.

Which circles us back to financial engineering.  And the “What the hell was that all about Friday with Job lies out the ying-yang?”

After a few headlines, of course. Since we need to keep our wits about us despite rancor in the wings.

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35 thoughts on “Boundary Threshholding”

  2. George:

    Over time, for those patient enough, given sound rationale, we are all right. Egor is crazy patient. On connecting dots … most is noise. I don’t much care what fundamental item causes charts to run true. They always do (providing enough time passes). On charts? The lines draw themselves.

    Some market metrics are gone, or castrated? Ex: the Vix. It used to be a reliable indicator to watch. Enter -0- DTE (zero day to expiration) options. The kewl kids are short term bettors. Red / Black? Ends today.

    https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/%5EVIX?p=^VIX&.tsrc=fin-srch

    The SPX broke overhead resistance yesterday. Does it matter? Sure. But, it depends. Fine point -or- crayon? Methinks fine point but, that’s injecting mathematical precision into something that’s … messy. Higher highs await as do lower gaps (which We, the Royal We, expect to fill pronto). TBD.

    ATL: S wind is kicking up snotty conditions. Sustained 20s with gusts to 40. I’m off to add another ginormous tarp to E Scow (outside) then work on a DN Iceboat (inside, go figure) for a bit (unless it gets windy). DN: I forecast an expensive mainsheet with chance of halyard. Also TBD.

    Go Army? Go Navy? I like both. Go Military.
    Egor

  3. Likely, the Alexas have on-board indeendent “clocks.” Most computational devices do. These three clocks are NOT phase-locked. (“Gen-Locked” in the video world, so all generated video frames from multiple cameras begin at the upper left — so to speak — and progress to scan together, locked perfectly in tempo.

    So the Alexas “open mike windows” will drift relative to each other — sometimes both (in the case of two) CONGRUENT, and sometimes not. With three, it’s even more unpredictable.

    So, I predict your “don’t hears” come and go. The clocks are accurate, but not exact and “together.” (phase locked) Sometimes they add up, somtimes they cancel out. The drift would be slow — maybe a Hz or less for the word-window’s duration: drifting in and out of “coincidence” a couple of times a second — give or take.

    How’d I do?

    • Actually pretty insightful and useful. Which is why the “klingon effect” comes and goes, as well. You can find the clock drift in the mux chip specs, but you’re right it’s not like a rock-bound am broadcast xmtr for stability. and it may be “adjustable” by component values, so in least-cost engineering, say +/- 20 pct?

      • “Value Engineering” for mass production usually yeilds cheap components and procedures. Such items are cheaply made, and lack many/most/all “Good Engineering” components and procedures.

        Ya get what ya pay for.

        Example: electric blankets (mostly all) have cheesy thermostats with no by-passing for RFI. They make all the AM and shortwave radios nearby useless from the buzzy static.

        FCC and others have put some pressure on manufacturers to include at least basic filters and by-passing — but a cheapskate manufacturer will skip good practice if he can make a quarter cent more on each of zillions of units. It’s a never-ending battle.

        It’s why car companies want to drop convntional radios from E-vehicles. The motor control circitry and numerous (unflitered) computers create a mash of RFI that savagely interferes with conventional radios. (Besides, “radio” is free; while satellite service at more immune bands can be RENTED for an additional beak-dip.)

        It’s all a Business Model.

        • I wrote a Value Engineering teaching machine course for Morton Thiokol around ’67 or so.

          I have wondered if it affected the O-ring design…

        • Your mention of the satellite radios made me think. I bought my truck 4 years ago used. The previous owner sold it at 16K miles less than a year from the purchase date due to a job loss, so says the dealer. And no I don’t believe a word any of them say, The point I am making is a few weeks ago Diana and I were driving home from the city one night and she was playing with the radio that I rarely turn on. I don’t like that song change….I don’t like that song…change…. I don’t like that song until she finally found one. If she wasn’t so beautiful and would slug me if I said anything it would drive me nuts. Anyway the screen said it was SiriusXM. I paid cash for the truck and after several attempts to sell it to me I never subscribed for anything so now everytime I get in the truck I am going to think about who the poor schmuck is paying for that.

        • IIRC electric blankets generated little or no RFI when they used a bi-metallic strip as their thermostat. They cost a lot less then, too…

        • @Jim in MO

          SiriusXM periodically runs “free weekends,” “free weeks,” and sometimes “free months,” as a promo. I’m not sure how this works, because the only place I’ve heard them advertise a freebie is on SiriusXM (“Tell all your friends XM is free next weekend…”)

          It is also possible to hack the receivers. They are tranceivers, but never transmit unless SXM polls them.

          Check back next month, to see if you’re getting a freebie or listening on someone else’s nickel…

    • The music of the Charlie Brown specials always, ALWAYS makes me happy and takes me back to that time. My uncle was an elementary teacher in LA who had kids of the Hollywood stars go through his classes and made several school plays based on Charles Schultz’ characters and won some awards on those plays. Having kids of talented people like that elevated his work considerably as you might imagine. If that one piece was all I could play on the piano I’d be a happy guy for sure!

      Thanks.

      • While I’m strutting my 60 years in broadcasting taste, check out the Rick Wakeman “Made in Cuba” concert. You won’t be sorry…
        https://youtu.be/cerr-luJFpE

        Worth watching to see how he masters multiple keyboards…

        Search for the Paino Sessions with Ahmad Jamal, too. Whole different vibe than Wakeman of course. Where Wakeman has mastered (since Yes) the use of orchestral synths, Jamal just drips casual – off-hand – mastery of the 88s.

      • I gotz and play “Its your greatest hits, CHARLIE BROWN! on iQPianoDisc -installed in Yamaha P22 piano, all the time..

        10 tracks –
        Linus&Lucy
        Great Pumpkin Waltz
        Red Barron
        Baseball Theme
        Christmas Time Is Here
        Oh, GoodGrief
        Skating
        You’re In Love, Charlie Brown
        O Tannenbaum
        Charlie Brown Theme

        Love it – a real pick me up when I hear it playing in the house.

        • For some reason I never thought about downloading and then playing the music on my Yamaha Digital Piano. That piano does stuff that is way beyond “my” capabilities but if there are pre-arranged pieces I can have automatically play on it that would be FABULOUS. (yep … it can be an entire orchestra with all of the instruments it supports)

          I guess I needed another Rabbit Hole to go down since I don’t have enough shit to do in life!!! LOL

  5. George I am not sure what this really means but the old saying if this is true bend over real far, put your head between your legs and kiss it goodbye sounds about right. Will some survive, Yes but it will be a struggle and even the best prepared will not last long without the help of good reliable neighbors. As we say Pray if you got em.

    12 Of The Largest Banks In The US Shock People
    https://www.healththoroughfare.com/disease-medicine/12-of-the-largest-banks-in-the-us-shock-people/69869

    Twelve of the largest banks in the United States have formally notified their credit card providers that they will cease requiring their services effective midnight on Thursday, December 14th.

    Has any one tried Crock pot Roast?
    Can be found on internet.
    Special meat loaf is my own. If wanted can send you instructions.
    Making homemade biscuits now. Heaven. You tube lessons
    How about some banana pudding? Special recipe!
    Just shoot me an email and I will send all 3.

    • lol lol You mean take the congress position.. when you suggest bending over and stick your head up your ass..

    • share.. I love meat loaf.. what I can say is don’t ever try Dr. Oz’s.. his meat loaf recipe sucks.. we tried it once.

      • Meatloaf

        1lb lean ground meat
        1 box cornbread stuffing
        1 egg
        parsley
        paprika
        salt
        pepper (I use red) southern thing!
        Italian seasonings

        mixing bowl
        mix all ingredients in bowl according to directions.
        I use rubber gloves to keep the hand washing down.
        rip a big sheet of aluminum foil bigger than a 9×12 pan.
        spray foil with olive oil
        Put meat on aluminum foil as big as 9×12 pan

        use rolling pin to roll out meat to ¼ add shredded cheese , any and several that you like over 1/3
        spread black olives over 1/3
        pick up end with cheese and olives and start a roll
        pack ends so melted cheese stays in.
        spread tomato paste over top
        sprinkle rosemary on top.
        cook @ 350 for 25 min then remove.

        If you don’t want tomato paste hard cook meatloaf about half way then put tomato paste on with rosemary sprinkle.
        cook another 10-15 minutes or till done as you like take out of oven let rest for 5-10 minutes slice as desired and serve along with the sides you like. I experimented with seasonings till I found the combo I liked and family would eat.

        Wash bowl while waiting for meatloaf to cook.
        Enjoy
        Substitutions encouraged to your likes and tastes.
        Not fancy but very good.

        • Crock pot roast:
          hoagie rolls or equivalent
          2lb roast
          1pkg dry ranch dressing mix
          1 pkg onion soup mix
          2 cups beef broth/ we use Orrington farms broth from the mart place. You can use whatever is handy.
          mix broth, ranch, onion pkg together in 2 cups warm water

          Garlic inserted as needed or not.
          Brown roast in skillet with oil, sesame or other
          season salt or just salt careful as soup mix has lots of sodium

          after roast is browned place in crock pot and pour gravy liquid into crock pot
          cook on high for ??? 7 hrs or so
          take roast out and shred and return to crock pot on LOW
          till dinner time.

          Cut rolls higher towards top add italian cheese or substitute toast rolls
          take roll add roast and some gravy and enjoy

          Second night bake some potatoes and heat roast put over potatoes.
          Third night roast beef sandwiches? Or your imagination.
          This will feed two people for a week. Have cooked roast whole for 5-8 hrs without messing it up.

          Southern banana pudding.
          Nilla wafers/ Jacks cookies are no longer available
          french vanilla pudding
          cool whip
          bananas
          Sweeted condensed milk.
          Make pudding according to directions with SCM using regular milk to make up difference
          When ready mix pudding with cool whip
          when ready place layer of cookies at bottom of pan
          layer of sliced banana
          layer of mixed pudding / cool whip
          repeat till used up.
          Cookies can be placed around edge of pan
          crush some cookies as topping of pudding
          Size of bowl/pan depends on number of people
          If you feel lucky you can preheat oven to 350 deg
          place nilla wafers on cookie sheet and try to crisp them up, Like Jack’s. Be very very careful not to burn cookies.

  7. Hi George,

    I thought metoprolol lowers your heart rate? They put me on that when I had Graves Disease for that reason. I am certainly not a doctor but that seems like it would make your problem worse not better.

    • My cardiologist told me it does both (speed.slow) depending on condition. Speeds up slow, slows down too fast. I gotta go with his take on it but w/o the lithium…

      • Who youse kidding Gpops ?

        Everyone knows Ure like that frosty chick in Frozen..cold hearted..you know whats her nuts…Elsa!

        Where for art thou Bitcoin ? Be thee Currency-Money or Asset ?

        YES

        Do write some moar, when you understand Scarcity & Verification. You do know its soon to be 2024 and you aint in Kansas, right ????

  8. “Meantime, shouldn’t the US House be drug tested? They expect govt. employees to be – and they themselves are what?”

    lol lol lol I went for a do toss appointment.. he was required to do a morals and ethics class… he was complaining about being required to take it.. I laughed and said dam they need to make everyone in the administration take that…then had to listen to a half hour lecture on how honorable the perv is lol.. poor kids being picked on you know lol lol..
    I did ask your name doesn’t start with a C or mark by perchance lol lol..

  9. “Who do you think?
    Hunter Biden rips ‘motherf—ers,’ casts himself as victim while claiming Republicans trying to ‘kill me’.
    Impeachable crookery is what it’s looking like. Imagine that – and without orange hair”

    consider that for a moment look at what’s been alleged and what has been uncovered..then consider how old is Joe.. how is his health.. his dementia.. from every observation its getting worse. I personally believe that he won’t ever have to be incarcerated his decline is to noticeable once it all comes out those that think they will be protected know they won’t be..
    heads of agencies all acting as if they are accepting and compliant to the activities that have been alleged to have been involved in.. just to protect the integrity of someone who is appearing daily to be more corrupt than anyone ever suspected illegal activities that hung on much worse high crimes..
    as professionals they know that there will come a time when they will have to make the choice as the evidence comes out.. they have a choice either save their own ass or face being dragged down the rabbit hole of deceit and shame only to face the same charges that will all will come up on their alleged activities….
    https://pjmedia.com/paula-bolyard/2022/05/31/another-historic-biden-first-black-staffers-leaving-white-house-in-droves-n1602221
    what is that old saying..
    https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/like-rats-fleeing-a-sinking-ship-history
    at what point will the heads of agencies decide its time to make a choice rather than sink with them and become a Statistic of their own actions and the alleged crimes.
    Or come clean and at least toss the kid and the uncle under the wheels of the bus. if it was me the kid and brother would be tossed .. one way to save face And possibly keep their positions..
    once it becomes obvious will they want to face those same alleged criminal activities for covering over the evidense to make it vanish or toss the perv kid and uncle under the bus to save big J..or go down with them.the problems the agency heads had was the kid and brother didn’t stop..
    I think once the people that’s been served Subpoenas start showing up and answering questions.. the decision will have to be made. go down with the ship or jump ship and expose the truth and evidence.. I believe an instant memory refreshed moment will happen.
    we will see…

    • the show must go on!

      Not to worry too much Loobster..as Ms. T-Swizzle was recently quoted as saying regards kanye&kimee,

      “Trash takes itself out, every time”

      We are witnessing the Trash take its self out.

      .. takes awhile, as everyone knows with kids and getting them to do their chores..

  10. “Let me be clear to any corporation that hasn’t brought their prices back down even as inflation has come down: It’s time to stop the price gouging,” Biden tweeted. “Give American consumers a break.”

    I am curious.. How do you lower costs if prices are going up.. my only option is buy less.. spend less… around here.. they are raising wages.. but lowering the hours they work because their costs are increasing as well.. the wife is semi retired now.. but half of the staff quit because wages aren’t going up.. and costs are.. the owner of that business isn’t making a dime I personally am surprised he hasn’t put the facility up for sale yet…. I don’t even have to look at the books.. Joe doesn’t understand this.. mostly because he has never had a real world job or had to worry about the real cost of living.. someone has been giving them money from the very beginning..

    • Didn’t Nixon, or was it Carter, try price freezes too? That always ends badly. NO one on Capitol Hill understands the reason behind inflation. That would mean they’d have to admit to screwing the pooch and the American people.

      • Nixon, continued by Ford and Carter.

        Price controls always create shortages. As it becomes impossible to sustain a business that’s running on red ink, the business will either switch production to something less-regulated or cease its existence altogether. Products which that business produces or furnishes will become scarce and in some cases, unavailable, at any price.

        This is also how cuts of meat like “chuck steak” and “eye of round” came about. Richard Nixon created them using price controls on retail beef products. When “chuck roast” became controlled, butchers started cutting the center-cut portion in ¾” slices instead of 1½ -2″ slices, thus “chuck steak” was born, and because it wasn’t specifically identified as being controlled, it bore no price controls.

        Reagan lifted most price controls, to “unstagflate” the economy and get it moving again. This was a wonderful thing for produced goods, but a horrible thing for the financial sector, because it required that business be conducted by folks who have morals and integrity — two virtues bankers and investment managers (and insurance people) find singularly lacking…

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