> it's worth pointing out that binary search (or low-level implementation variants) is the best only if you know nothing about the data beyond the fact that it is sorted / monotonic
Also if you do not learn anything about the data while performing the binary search, no? Like, if you are constantly below the estimate, you could gess that the distribution is biases toward large values and adjust your guess based on this prediction.
It's not possible to learn anything about other elements when performing binary search, _except_ the only thing there is to learn: if the target is before or after the recently compared element.
If we would guess that there is a bias in the distribution based on recently seen elements, the guess is at least as likely to be wrong as it is to be right. And if we guess incorrectly, in the worst case, the algorithm degrades to a linear scan.
Unless we have prior knowledge. For example: if there is a particular distribution, or if we know we're dealing with integers without any repetition (i.e. each element is strictly greater than the previous one), etc.
> It's not possible to learn anything about other elements when performing binary search, _except_ the only thing there is to learn: if the target is before or after the recently compared element.
You have another piece of information, you don't only know if the element was before or after the compared element. You can also know the delta between what you looked at and what you're looking for. And you also have the delta from the previous item you looked at.
> Disregarding genuine differences between cultures and intentially treating those cultures as identical is racist.
Just for the record, I don't think that's a widely used definition for "racism".
Also, the linked article does not really support the view that he was "disregarding genuine differences"; if anything, his prejudice made him see differences where there were none (or misattribute traits that he notice on some individual to a whole population). The article speak about his contempt for the gaelic language though, which I guess is what annoys you the most? But then the article also states that he changed his mind on that.
The article you linked goes to great lengths about Orwell's alleged scotophobia. I don't see how particularly hating scotts supports "intentially treating those cultures as identical". If that was true, then Orwell would equally hate all scots and englishmen.
Also, what's the downside of treating different cultures identical, aside from potentially offending people? As opposed to other kind of racism, where other people are treated as lesser subhumans that ultimately led to slavery. Why are both casually referred to racism when the other has more far-reaching consequences.
If he was an entirely rational being I would agree, but he clearly wasn't and he did hold both views that Scottish identity isn't worth anything and Scots are essentially identical to the English.
Let's be serious, I'm not saying Orwell would be out enslaving Scots given the chance, but saying Scottish culture IS English culture is intentionally erasing a culture and is a racist statement, not unlike the common view that all of Africa is culturally homogenous.
I really find this amazing, gives you the feeling that learning the ideograms would be enough to get the gist of most texts. Quite bright yet simple hack.
I wish HN would feature more projects like this one instead of wtv is currently on the first page.
Yea this actually has been going viral when I posted it on Instagram. Maybe I'll need to post this on HN in a different time or wait for someone else to organically post it :)
Even if 100% of owners choose to pay someone else to do it, they are still benefiting from the user-serviceable standard.
First, anything serviceable by the owner is also accessible to a local garage or independent repair shop. That means a competitive market for those owners, rather that being stuck paying extra to a local monopoly or to a rent-seeking manufacturer.
Second, it makes long-term repairability of the product much easier, things don't just suddenly become irreparable because the manufacturer closed down their "unlock codes for trusted affiliates" site. Their asset retains more of its value.
There are things which provide value even when nobody uses them.
Option 3: "Engineers have discussed this at length and all agree that the only justifications for this design are based in extremely short-term thinking."
Also if you do not learn anything about the data while performing the binary search, no? Like, if you are constantly below the estimate, you could gess that the distribution is biases toward large values and adjust your guess based on this prediction.
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