AliSaket

@AliSaket@mander.xyz

• ⁨Comment⁩ on ⁨Breaking functions down to their constituent parts is nice and all, but this is a step too far.⁩ ⁨⁨6⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago⁩:

  Basically the assumption is that the signal x(t) is equal to 0 for all t < 0 and that the integral converges. And what is a bit counter-intuitive: Laplace transformations can be regarded as generalizations of Fourier transformations, since the variable s is not only imaginary but fully complex. But yeah… I would have to brush up on it again, before explaining it as well. It’s… been a while.

• ⁨Comment⁩ on ⁨Breaking functions down to their constituent parts is nice and all, but this is a step too far.⁩ ⁨⁨6⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago⁩:

  I was at the intersection between mechanical and electrical engineering as well as computer science. And worked in/with (electric) mobility, agriculture, medical/rehabilitation tech., solar energy, energy grid, construction and building tech. As well as some very limited stuff with economics. And I intentionally chose my study courses to be able to work in multiple areas and inter-disciplinary. My latest work is more on the business and management side of things and less technical, though.

  What are you studying and what direction are you hoping to head in?

• ⁨Comment⁩ on ⁨Breaking functions down to their constituent parts is nice and all, but this is a step too far.⁩ ⁨⁨6⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago⁩:

  Basically two things: 1. Complicated operations in the time domain like convolutions become simple operations in the frequency domain. 2. It is way easier to handle complex numbers and do analysis with them than with explicit frequencies to the point where some things like stability and robustness can be judged by simple geometry (e.g. are the eigenvalues within the unit circle) or the sign of the imaginary part.

• ⁨Comment⁩ on ⁨Breaking functions down to their constituent parts is nice and all, but this is a step too far.⁩ ⁨⁨6⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago⁩:

  It seems simpler than the Fourier transform, until you realize that the s is a complex number.

  Oh, look at that hornet’s nest. I wonder what happens if I poke it

  As someone who worked with system modelling, analysis and control for years… I do think the Laplace transform is easier to work with 🙈🏃‍♂️

• ⁨Comment⁩ on ⁨In the US, is this actually the moment past the point of no return?⁩ ⁨⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago⁩:

  You seem absolutely sure that this will materialize and that its implication means that you have no scope of action. Again, with enough institutionalists in important positions, even if he tries, it would be difficult for him to actually get rid of federal, let alone local and state elections. What is much more likely is that he will make it easier to skew or how he might call it “rig” elections. You know, like voter suppression and gerrymandering on steroids. So what I’ve written still holds: On a local and state level (or even federal level), pressure your elected officials and organize around the protection of voting rights. Be an active part of the legislative process. Democracy isn’t making a cross every four years. And she’s calling on all of us.

  Sidenote: For everything that man says, you can find a clip of him saying the absolute opposite. So watch what he and his lackeys do, not

• ⁨Comment⁩ on ⁨In the US, is this actually the moment past the point of no return?⁩ ⁨⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago⁩:

  Outside perspective: It doesn’t have to be. It is the moment democracy, its values and its people are tested. The path towards open dictatorship and/or fascism is not set in stone. What is clear is that some setbacks, even catastrophic setbacks, are unavoidable. But as a whole the free-fall can be avoided and you can bounce back from setbacks, even if it takes time. This is actually somewhat universal, since it’s not only the U.S. which is sliding more and more towards fascistic or anti-democratic tendencies. It’s just that, like with so many other things, everything does seem to be bigger in the U.S. (and Texas).

  Although I’m sure a lot are feeling economic pain and/or are generally under stress and uncertainty (IIRC 50% of households struggle to make an unplanned $1000 expense), and I don’t expect it to get better under the new administration, the U.S. is still a federated system. If you look at what affects your daily lives directly, a lot more is done on a local and state level, than on the federal level.

  From where I’m standing, organizing with like-minded people in your community around issues is the most promising way to go. Unfortunately the issues are back to basics issues like human rights and democratic principles, but that’s where we are. This entails more than just protesting, but actively pressuring elected officials around legislation proposals. Suggest ballot measures (find out how such a measure gets to the ballot in the first place, because it’s very different depending on where you are). And of course having people run for office and for the others to support them to get in, and get the anti-democratic forces out, once it is time. Don’t succumb to the nationalization of local elections. People can be reached way better and more directly on the local level, when they can see it directly affecting their lives and talking to the people responsible directly than for anything happening in Washington D.C. Counter the anti-democracy spewing media outlets with true alternatives (maybe there’s an entrepreneurial-minded person wanting to found a cooperative media outlet).

  It sounds like a lot to do. But you are more, than you think. Even the disillusioned might be good allies. Take yes for an answer. And more people than you might expect have been part of ‘the struggle’ for a long time. Welcome them. And yes: Coordinate with and support other local actions.

  Another view on what will happen with the federal institutions: Although Trump will put more loyalists than ever in powerful stations, there will remain many (even among the loyalists) who profit from the system’s status quo. This includes the Supreme Court justices and ironically corporate goons. So in furthering their own advantage, they might resist things leading to an overall degradation. Of course they will go along with and actively lobby for anything that gives them more power at the expense of the general populace, but that is already the case. Again, if you make unlikely allies on single issues: Take yes for an answer.

  Bottom line: Democracy and basic rights are ideas, made by humans. And they can only survive, as long as we believe in and fight for them. Always keep the belief, always keep on fighting. If you hit your head and fall down: Get back up. As the saying goes: This is a marathon, not a sprint. All the best!