Comments for Applied Abstractions http://appliedabstractions.com Espen Andersen's take on technology, strategy, and many other things Thu, 24 May 2012 19:52:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ Comment on Paul Fussell video interview by Paul Fussell in memoriam | Applied Abstractions http://appliedabstractions.com/2007/09/23/paul-fussell-video-interview/#comment-942 Thu, 24 May 2012 19:52:42 +0000 http://appliedabstractions.wordpress.com/2007/09/23/paul-fussell-video-interview/#comment-942 [...] His autobiography, Doing Battle: The Making of a Skeptic is very interesting – here is a video interview where he talks about it. Of his more essayistic and humorous work, Class: A Guide Through the [...]

]]> Comment on The banality of an attention-seeking killer by Espen http://appliedabstractions.com/2012/04/16/the-banality-of-an-attention-seeking-killer/#comment-918 Tue, 17 Apr 2012 02:34:59 +0000 https://appliedabstractions.wordpress.com/?p=1238#comment-918 Vaughan,
thanks. This case is so disturbing, it is just plain painful to anyone inclined to analyze it. I have long been a proponent of increased immigration to Norway – we need the best brains we can get – and the primitive nature of the ideology of this guy runs counter to every iota of analytic capability I have and every fiber of emotion of my body. A primitive part of me wants to hit him over the head with a tire iron, the analytic part of me tells me that the court case and the rather dignified way it is conducted is the best recourse. I am rather proud of my country and the response to this particular form of terror – it show a reserve and a determination not to have its values corrupted by events, no matter how populistic, that is quite admirable. At the same time, I am extremely happy that the events where not caused by some Islamic or otherwise foreign terror group – that would trigger responses that are much less charitable.
May we have the ability to maintain our cool and our focus on the important issues when the next case comes up, perhaps not so clear cut.

]]> Comment on The banality of an attention-seeking killer by Vaughan Merlyn http://appliedabstractions.com/2012/04/16/the-banality-of-an-attention-seeking-killer/#comment-917 Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:17:15 +0000 https://appliedabstractions.wordpress.com/?p=1238#comment-917 Espen, we appreciate your perspective and taking the time to share it. Whether legally sane or not, the world seems to be increasingly populated by maniacs eager to kill innocent victims to make some kind of personal or political statement.

It will be interesting to see how the Norwegian society and legal system deal with this trial and with the larger issues Breivik was trying to raise. And certainly welcome that we can see those through your sane and eloquent eyes!

]]> Comment on Wheels… by Ledig leilighet og bil i Boston fra august | Tversover http://appliedabstractions.com/2009/02/09/wheels/#comment-914 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:34:34 +0000 http://appliedabstractions.wordpress.com/2009/02/09/wheels/#comment-914 [...] i Massachusetts (www.virtualeas.com). Jeg er litt interessert i gamle biler (har en veteran-Mercedes jeg kjøpte her for noen år siden), og kjenner verkstedet personlig. European Auto Solutions har [...]

]]> Comment on Things to do in Boston by Espen http://appliedabstractions.com/2012/04/06/things-to-do-in-boston/#comment-913 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:30:18 +0000 https://appliedabstractions.wordpress.com/?p=1230#comment-913 JP Licks… have never been there myself, but there are other great icecream parlors around. I guess I’ll have to give it a try this weekend and see whether it should be included!

]]> Comment on Things to do in Boston by Carl F http://appliedabstractions.com/2012/04/06/things-to-do-in-boston/#comment-912 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 07:24:08 +0000 https://appliedabstractions.wordpress.com/?p=1230#comment-912 Espen – where is JP Licks? When I studied at Brandeis I always visited JP Licks when I went in to Boston. I personally believe that JP Licks is a must (but its your list). Take care!

]]> Comment on Best scanner I ever had by Lily http://appliedabstractions.com/2012/04/11/best-scanner-i-ever-had/#comment-911 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 04:13:54 +0000 https://appliedabstractions.wordpress.com/?p=1235#comment-911 I have the equivalent model for Mac and it’s equally amazing!

]]> Comment on Best scanner I ever had by David Croson (@ProfDC) http://appliedabstractions.com/2012/04/11/best-scanner-i-ever-had/#comment-910 Wed, 11 Apr 2012 23:14:05 +0000 https://appliedabstractions.wordpress.com/?p=1235#comment-910 I concur. I’ve bought three ScanSnaps!

]]> Comment on Things to do in Boston by Favorite things Boston | Applied Abstractions http://appliedabstractions.com/2012/04/06/things-to-do-in-boston/#comment-905 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 22:04:40 +0000 https://appliedabstractions.wordpress.com/?p=1230#comment-905 [...] This is outdated – there is a new post here: Things to do in Boston. [...]

]]> Comment on High-intensity low-intensity war analysis by The dangerously bloodless war | Applied Abstractions http://appliedabstractions.com/2007/05/28/high-intensity-low-intensity-war-analysis/#comment-892 Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:35:58 +0000 http://appliedabstractions.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/high-intensity-low-intensity-war-analysis/#comment-892 [...] War is not what it used to be. Both the implicit trends and explicit strategy has gone from large-army movements – the invasion of Iraq may be the last large-scale invasion we will see for quite a while – to smaller-unit conflict management and “surgical” actions, such as the raid on Osama bin Laden. This is partially a result of technological evolution (advanced weapons demand much training, making conscripted soldiers, who become civilians just as they have learned how to operate them), partially a change in warfare – more and more conflicts are asymmetric, with urban or rural guerillas facing a traditional military force, hiding among the civilians and forcing the regular army to either be ruthless or to win hearts and minds. [...]

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