asymptotes

I began my graduate studies in computer science in 2003. After 3 years of part time study, I started groping for a thesis topic in Artificial Intelligence (AI). The experience was fun (and torturing- I had to change topics 3 times, but it was still fun… and torturing). I learned a couple of things along the way. I outline these things in this article. 1.Error feedback leads to perfection Neural Networks (NN) is an AI technique that mimics how a brain learns through billions of neurons and their interactions with each other. One of the most popular training (or learning) method for Neural Networks rely on informing other (digital) neurons about the error levels of the current output of the network. This is called the Back Propagation Algorithm. Lesson Many times we dread facing our faults, whether we discover them ourselves or others inform us about them. But come to think of it, knowing about our faults is one of the best ways to improve. I...

Being a commentary on The Lord of the Rings. A portion of this article appeared in the Young Blood section of The Philippine Daily Inquirer on January 1, 2004 under the title: Lord of the Rings: Not Just Fantasy. "Above all shadows rides the Sun.” -J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings THE EPIC TRILOGY The Lord of the Rings will draw to a close with the showing of its last segment, The Return of the King. The past two installments have left the viewers fascinated and terrified with the discovery of realms beautiful and dreadful, characters admirable and detestable, tales delightful and mournful, set in a land called Middle Earth. Fantasy and Reality Fantasy, escape from reality, many would say. But this is not how J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of this epic trilogy, envisioned it to be. Tolkien saw fantasy as a plunge into reality rather than an escape from it. Fantasy provides the writer a greater degree of freedom to emphasize certain asp...

I reminisce the good times I had with him in high school: studying together, playing pranks on our classmates, making fun of our teachers,  singing old-fashioned songs . Those were great times I will always recall with fondness. I lost contact with him after college. I wished I could still see him, talk to him, laugh with him. But I never had the chance to talk to him or laugh with him again. I was, however, able to see him one last time. He was lying in a coffin.   I was shocked: struck at the fact that someone so intelligent and with so much potential could die at a very young age; stunned that this someone is actually my friend. Unbidden, a question spontaneously arose in my mind: "When will it be my turn? "    I then picture my own death. I lay in coma in a hospital. Around me were people who loved me and people I loved. I drew my last breath and passed into the twilight. A vigil was held for me. My family, friends and acquaintances came to pay me their l...