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| Sam Wormley |
 Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:41 pm |
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Global terrorism follows a power law (Feb 10)
http://physicsweb.org/article/news/9/2/6
Extreme acts of terrorism could be more common than we think according
to two research students at the University of New Mexico in the US.
Aaron Clauset and Maxwell Young have found that the frequency and
severity of terrorist attacks - defined as the number of deaths plus the
number of injuries - are related by a power law. The results suggest
that we could witness another act of terrorism comparable with that on
September 11, 2001 within seven years (arXiv.org/abs/physics/0502014). |
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| Nick |
| Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 12:17 am |
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That's right listen to the socialist
universities. Thats where the left
wings can easily brainwash our
children. Or don't you know that Sam?
You're nuttier than a fruitcakes sam.
What causes terrorism is cowardice. Give into a bully
and what do you get for it?
Half of america really don't love
america. They justify our enemies
resolve by catering to them.
So whose the real enemy sam? |
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| Alex |
| Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 4:57 am |
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As people with a scientific outlook we should study, formulate theories
and look to events for disproof of theories. If we want to end
terrorism we should look to models like the South African or
British/Irish experience. It turns out that people who are the enemy
are often not all bad even if they have been active terrorists (cf:
Gerry Adams), sometimes people who have been vilified are saintly
(Mandela) and can forgive where you or I would be twisted with hate.
Best Wishes
Alex Green |
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| Androcles |
| Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 6:57 am |
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"Alex" <dralexgreen@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1108115843.309623.141590@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
[quote:dcdb4339b3]As people with a scientific outlook we should study, formulate
theories
and look to events for disproof of theories. If we want to end
terrorism we should look to models like the South African or
British/Irish experience. It turns out that people who are the enemy
are often not all bad even if they have been active terrorists (cf:
Gerry Adams), sometimes people who have been vilified are saintly
(Mandela) and can forgive where you or I would be twisted with hate.
Best Wishes
Alex Green
[/quote:dcdb4339b3]
I have a theory that bright green flying elephants lay eggs.
What events are you going to look at to disprove it?
I think the burden of proof is upon the claimant, nobody has
a duty to disprove a theory.
Anyone that accepts a theory on the grounds that almost everyone else
thinks it must be valid isn't doing themselves or the scientific
community
any justice.
Science is not a democracy, it is advanced by individuals ("kings" if
you like) and your political views are really off-topic for this
newsgroup anyway.
Androcles. |
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| robert j. kolker |
| Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 7:08 am |
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Sam Wormley wrote:
[quote:263e35e3f9]Global terrorism follows a power law (Feb 10)
http://physicsweb.org/article/news/9/2/6
Extreme acts of terrorism could be more common than we think according
to two research students at the University of New Mexico in the US.
Aaron Clauset and Maxwell Young have found that the frequency and
severity of terrorist attacks - defined as the number of deaths plus the
number of injuries - are related by a power law. The results suggest
that we could witness another act of terrorism comparable with that on
September 11, 2001 within seven years (arXiv.org/abs/physics/0502014).
[/quote:263e35e3f9]
Only if we do not do something to protect our selves. How about nuking
the Islamic World so that it glows blue in the dark. The Qaba in Meccah
is not a shrine. It is an aiming point. Refer to Uncle Al's target list.
Bob Kolker |
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| Rene Tschaggelar |
| Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 9:51 am |
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Sam Wormley wrote:
[quote:444477424d]Global terrorism follows a power law (Feb 10)
http://physicsweb.org/article/news/9/2/6
Extreme acts of terrorism could be more common than we think according
to two research students at the University of New Mexico in the US.
Aaron Clauset and Maxwell Young have found that the frequency and
severity of terrorist attacks - defined as the number of deaths plus the
number of injuries - are related by a power law. The results suggest
that we could witness another act of terrorism comparable with that on
September 11, 2001 within seven years (arXiv.org/abs/physics/0502014).
[/quote:444477424d]
Oh, two students figured a high probability. wow.
And it it doesn't happen - failed, no degree ?
Rene |
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| Mark Fergerson |
| Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 10:34 am |
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Sam Wormley wrote:
[quote:38a21dc27b]Global terrorism follows a power law (Feb 10)
http://physicsweb.org/article/news/9/2/6
Extreme acts of terrorism could be more common than we think according
to two research students at the University of New Mexico in the US.
Aaron Clauset and Maxwell Young have found that the frequency and
severity of terrorist attacks - defined as the number of deaths plus the
number of injuries - are related by a power law. The results suggest
that we could witness another act of terrorism comparable with that on
September 11, 2001 within seven years (arXiv.org/abs/physics/0502014).
[/quote:38a21dc27b]
So they found a pattern to past attacks. Were they by chance looking
for such a pattern?
Taking their premise to its logical conclusion, terrorists do not
plan their efforts to get specific results at specific times depending
on specific political currents, but rather slavishly follow a "grand
plan" governed by a power law that ignores inputs like the statements
and actions of those they want to influence by terrorist acts. Hence,
it's dead simple to predict their actions and prevent them.
So, if the student can't demonstrate that their power law makes such
predictions, do they graduate?
Mark L. Fergerson |
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