So, my posting has nothing to do with usability. Sorry 'bout that. Sometimes it is nice to let people know that a real person, or real people, are here at WebWord. I think it is nice to add some humanity once in a while; a touch of personality.

One of the most interesting things that happened was that three people behind me in the race were also originally from Owego (they were together). The went to Owego Free Academy (OFA) and grew up there. In fact, two out of the three people still live in Owego. Wow, small world.

I've been thinking about the "small world" phenomenon all day. Obviously the world has not shrunk yet at the same time, our technology, particularly our communication and transporation technology, have made it possible to meet people we know in distant locations. I think that is the most obvious part of the "small world" phenomenon. The more interesting part deals with the mathematics. It is mathematically puzzling that I would see people I know from Owego. It is just a little town in upstate New York. For example, less than 200 people graduate from OFA per year. I guess I am impressed by the "magic" of coincidences. Then again, I shouldn't be that impressed. Why? Here is something I often think about:

"How many people must be in a room for the odds to be better than even that one of them shares your birthday? The answer is 253. Now change the question to how many people must there be for the odds to be better than even that at least two of them share the same birthday? The answer is surprisingly low: 23."
- Birthday Attack

Life is much more regular and predictable than most people realize. Coincidences are just that: Things that happen at the same time. Not that rare, actually. Still, the situations are interesting and fun. Our minds are social, not mathematical. It is easier to feel like something magical happened versus mentally calculating that the liklihood of the situation is feasible.

That's all for now. Usability news will kick in again tomorrow.

Posted by: John S. Rhodes on September 1, 2002 11:02 PM

 

I'm confused. It took you 2 hours and 9 minutes to run a 13.1 mile marathon. That's 0.10 miles per minute.

Then it took you 9 hours to travel from Virginia Beach, Virginia to Owego, New York. Assuming you planned your running route online through one of the many map services using GDT, Inc's map data, (such as maps.yahoo.com), you likely had 545 miles to run. That's about 1 mile per minute! You must be in fantastic shape, John.

I don't mean to cast dispersions on your physical ability. I genuinely believe you ran home. I believe you have six-pack abs and buns of steal.

My problem is that some dummy is going to claim you flew home on a plane. Well, that's 370 miles as the crow flies. That would mean 0.69 miles per minute. We know John ran 0.11 miles per minute in the marathon. Do you expect me to believe a jet only flies 0.69 miles per minute? Yeah, right. I bet even the crow flies faster.

Posted by: Jack on September 1, 2002 11:15 PM

 

Congrats on completing the half marathon! I was planning to run the R'N'R myself, but was sidelined due to a stress fracture. Maybe next year!

Posted by: Nick Bradbury on September 2, 2002 08:06 AM

 

This doesn't pertain to usability rather, calculating splits. Not to challenge Jack's split calculation, but according to the Runner's World pace calculator, 13.1 miles in 2hrs 9 min equates to a 9:51 min/mile pace. Go to runnersworld.com if you want to calculate your pace for other races/distances.

Posted by: Sue on September 3, 2002 09:27 AM

 

Sue, thanks for doing the math. Perhaps Jack was smoking something before he decided to do the calculations? ;-)

Posted by: John S. Rhodes on September 3, 2002 09:46 AM

 

Jack was calculating miles per minute, not minutes per mile.

usability -?- people are busy, math is painful, use the most common mathematical equivalent.

Posted by: sean on September 3, 2002 07:51 PM