stopping time

19Nov07

There is an expression in probability theory that I’m not qualified to explain with perfect accuracy: “stopping time”. It is used to describe the uncertain length of a gambler’s sojourn at the roulette table when he is determined to double his money; stopping time arrives when either the target is reached or the gambler runs out of money.

In a way, a blog’s lifespan might be defined by such a period. How long to devote to it? Is there a target audience or revenue to make it worthwhile before interest or ideas run out? Perhaps too, the offline period (as the Knackered Hack has just experienced) might be defined by stopping time… each day goes by… the reader checks… no new updates. When will it reappear?

I haven’t found many intermittent blogs, but I think the concept has merit. The problem is that they are bound to be less discoverable as they will be less aggressively part of the so-called “conversation”. We really should prize those who write only when they have something to say.

The reason for this blog’s absence is more deeply personal, and starting again was akin to that feeling in a marathon when Continue reading ’stopping time’

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  • @jayprich still investigating. Stochastic duel was coined by my father-in-law, the archetypal mad professor. Google tells us what he can't. 2 days ago
  • Great Bloomberg (cough/spit) podcast w Nassim Taleb http://bit.ly/4ESMPf Especially like his description of increasing complexity of life 1 week ago
  • @jayprich I think I once did Twickenham to Fleet St in that sort of time, maybe just a bit slower. Must be similar distance? 1 week ago
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