X-Message-Number: 26924
Date: Sat, 3 Sep 2005 09:32:46 -0400
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: Umpteenth Yvan

For Yvan:

I was not citing a scientific paper because I was giving my THOUGHTS
as someone who has actually worked on and programmed parallel computers.
Nor have I changed my position on this issue. The real question, it
looks to me, is that of just how important the timing differences
between parallel computers and single sequential computers turn out to
be. My personal experience and that of those I've met who also 
program parallel computers suggests to me that timing is very important
and a full understanding of computing won't be reached until we look
at timing in the same depth as we look at other attributes of computers.
         
It matters a lot, and can even become a matter of life and death,
just how fast our computer solves a problem. Running from a tiger
gives an example, but even in science it matters a lot whether or not
we must wait a year compared to an hour for an answer to our question.

If you wish to ignore timing, then you're welcome to do so. Your work
will then verge on uselessness even for understanding how brains
work. But go ahead. I can hardly stop you.

            Best wishes and long long life for all,

                Thomas Donaldson

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