On 02-Sep-05 Sean O'Riordain wrote: > I can't lay my hands n it at the moment - its around here somewhere, > but in "Numerical Methods That Work" by Forman Acton, the author > points out that "the result of computation should be insight, not > numbers".... > > ps. an excellent book if you haven't seen it. > https://enterprise.maa.org/ecomtpro/Timssnet/products/TNT_products.cfm > > cheers, > Sean
No doubt you're correct -- but I associate it with Richard Hamming (title page of "Numerical Methods for Scientists and Engineers" as I recall -- yes, for me too "it's around here somewhere" -- another really excellent book) where he words it: "The purpose of computing is insight, not numbers." to which he adds: "The purpose of computing numbers is not yet in sight." By the way, the Washington Post/Minneapolis Star Tribune article is somewhat reminiscent of a short (15 min) broadcast on BBC Radio 4 back on October 18 2004 15:45-16:00 called "Microsoft Powerpoint and the Decline of Civilisation" which explores similar themes and also frequently quotes Tufte. Unfortunately it lapsed for ever from "Listen Again" after the statutory week, so I can't point you to a replay. (However, I have carefully preserved the cassette recording I made). We are not, of course, going Off Topic here. If, in R, you can not indefinitely extend a tangent, then it's time to extend R. (Oh dear, I feel a fortune coming on ... ) Best wishes to all, Ted. > On 02/09/05, Achim Zeileis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> On Fri, 2 Sep 2005 12:27:45 -0500 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >> >> > >> > > -----Original Message----- >> > > From: ... Robert Baer >> > > Sent: Friday, September 02, 2005 11:30 AM >> > .... >> > > .... It is wrong to blame ANY tool for our own shortcomings! >> > >> > Surely a fortune! >> >> thx, added to the devel-version of fortunes. >> >> But allow me one remark: Although the above is certainly true, there >> are >> computational tools that help us better to realize or avoid our own >> shortcomings whereas others will make it harder to arrive at the right >> conclusions. >> I agree that PowerPoint cannot be blamed for the crash of the space >> shuttle, but I also see the point that the way presentations are >> generated in PowerPoint (or graphics in Excel) can easily tempt people >> into producing presentations/graphics that conceal what is important. >> This is certainly not an excuse, but I think some criticism (even >> if phrased a bit provocatively) should be allowed. >> >> just my EUR 0.02. >> Z >> >> > David L. Reiner >> > >> > ______________________________________________ >> > R-help@stat.math.ethz.ch mailing list >> > https://stat.ethz.ch/mailman/listinfo/r-help >> > PLEASE do read the posting guide! >> > http://www.R-project.org/posting-guide.html >> > >> >> ______________________________________________ >> R-help@stat.math.ethz.ch mailing list >> https://stat.ethz.ch/mailman/listinfo/r-help >> PLEASE do read the posting guide! >> http://www.R-project.org/posting-guide.html >> > > ______________________________________________ > R-help@stat.math.ethz.ch mailing list > https://stat.ethz.ch/mailman/listinfo/r-help > PLEASE do read the posting guide! > http://www.R-project.org/posting-guide.html -------------------------------------------------------------------- E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Fax-to-email: +44 (0)870 094 0861 Date: 03-Sep-05 Time: 01:00:24 ------------------------------ XFMail ------------------------------ ______________________________________________ R-help@stat.math.ethz.ch mailing list https://stat.ethz.ch/mailman/listinfo/r-help PLEASE do read the posting guide! http://www.R-project.org/posting-guide.html