Social Analysis and Modeling for Python

[Cameron Laird]

On Thu, Sep 30, 2004 at 10:42:25AM -0400, Bishara Gabriel wrote:
> Envelope-to: claird at lairds.us
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> Disposition-Notification-To: Bishara Gabriel <bgabriel at cloudthunder.com>
> From: Bishara Gabriel <bgabriel at cloudthunder.com>
> Reply-To: python-list at python.org
> To: Cameron Laird <claird at lairds.us>, python-list at python.org
> Subject: Re: Social Analysis and Modeling for Python
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> Cameron Laird wrote:
> 
> >In article <mailman.4096.1096482802.5135.python-list at python.org>,
> >Bishara Gabriel  <bgabriel at cloudthunder.com> wrote:
> > 
> >
> >>Latest Revision of Social Analysis and Modeling in Python:
> >>http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~bgabriel/Social_Analysis_&_Modeling_in_Python.pdf
> >>   
> >>
> >
> >Recognition of SimPy greatly comforts me.
> >
> > 
> >
> Glad to hear it.  That was Tim's fantastic suggestion.
> 
> >Is your thesis that OOP is good for social sciences in contrast to other
> >sciences, or as with other sciences?  If the latter--as I believe--than you
> >need to alert readers to Python's existing record of success in serving the
> >sciences (see, for example, the recent SciPy Conference).
> >
> > 
> >
> Not in contrast, no.  Excellent suggestions, we shall incorporate them 
> immediately.
> 
> >I don't like formulations such as "one-to-one correlation between their
> >theoretical model and the Python equivalent."  It says both too little and 
> >too much.  If this were my proposal, I'd aim for the far more powerful,
> >"this project demonstrates Python's suitability as a vehicle which
> >simultaneously expresses a theoretical model in a way researchers
> >understand, and calculates the consequences of that model with a speed
> >and reliability humans don't match."
> >
> > 
> >
> Noted, you can expect the modification to be made immediately.
> 
> >Do you realize how ambitious your "Proposal Specifics" sound?  How many
> >hours do you estimate these seven achievements will require?  What are
> >the "loadings" of your Project Manager and Chief Consultant?
> >
> > 
> >
> The majority of the work will be carried out by the project manager (I) 
> and a team of 10 interested and well skilled students.  Ambitious our 
> project is indeed, yet we are confident in our abilities.
> 
> >For you, is "theoretical economics" inherently and comprehensively
> >Marxian, or are you claiming expertise only in that part of it which is
> >Marxian?
> > 
> >
> I do not attempt to conflate theoretical economics with Marxism.  
> Indeed, Marxian class analysis will be our entry-point because it is an 
> area of particular expertise and thus allows for us to add to that realm 
> in an immensely significant manner.  As our tools and materials intend 
> to reflect the broad applicability of Python in the social science we 
> will work with academics in those other fields to insure support for the 
> specifics their research.

I understand better.  Thank you.