Pre-crime in the real world

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In Philip K. Dick's story (and the Tom Cruise film), mutants with precognitive abilities predict that someone will commit a crime, so the police can arrest them and prevent them from committing the crime.

In the real world, a computer program uses an algorithm to predict crime. Police in Santa Cruz, California are actually using it to prevent burglaries and car break-ins.

The heart of the program is the belief that criminals often commit a second or third crime in the same location and the same time as a first successful crime. For example, if a burglar is successful breaking into a home at 2 p.m. in a certain neighborhood because no

one is home, the criminal will use that experience to do it again to another house in the same neighborhood around the same time.

In the case of Santa Cruz, on California’s central coast and home to a University of California campus, that would be about four days later.

The algorithm knows this because Mohler has fed eight years of data on crimes in Santa Cruz into the algorithm.

http://www.clusterflock.org/2011/09/unlike-philip-k-dicks-novel-the-minority-report-or-the-film-inspired-by-the-novel-the-program-relies-on-algorithms-and-not-mutants-to-predict-the-likelihood-of-something-happening.html

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Natural health products

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I have joined a new affiliate program to help me make a few bucks and provide my readers with some awesome natural health products.

Please check it out:

The Natural News Store

Thank you so much!

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The Arranger -- book review & giveaway

One commenter on this post will receive a free ebook (pdf) copy of the novel The Arranger by L.J. Sellers.

L.J. Sellers writes thrillers in a sparse journalistic style. In fact,they are too sparse for my taste. I want to see more description of the setting, as well as more character development. That having been said, these novels keep me riveted from page one to the end.

I recently reviewed Sellers' Secrets to Die For, with basically the same criticism. The Arranger creates suspense and maintains it, but I still want more depth.

The story begins with Lara, an emergency medical technician, explaining to a woman how she can get her husband treated at an emergency room, despite the fact that he does not have a "med card". Perhaps this is a British thing, but to my American sensibilities, it sounds futuristic. Our emergency rooms treat anybody who walks, crawls or is carried in.

Nope, it isn't a British thing, since it takes place among the Sequoias, i.e. the redwood forest, which can be only California or Florida-0 I was wrong -- it's Oregon. I'm confused, but the story carries me along as Lara gets shot at, chased by a large dog and generally attacked. This seems strange and surreal.

She is taking part in the Gauntlet, whatever that is, running around taking care of emergency medical problems with a variety of futuristic bandages and such. Her van is equipped with a computer that has Internet access. She doesn't have a partner, which is odd. I'm not an expert, but I do know that paramedics never work solo.

Sure enough, the conflict keeps me reading, the tension never eases, and yet I hate being so confused. Things need to be explained. This poor reader is floundering.

The Arranger is good, but not as good as Secrets to Die For.

Three out of five stars. Recommended, but not Sellers' best effort.

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This review is part of Nurture Book Tourz

September 7th – Mason C. @ Thoughts in Progress - May giveaway One (1) eBook Copy

September 7th – Christina I. @ Middle of the Road Reviews - May giveaway One (1) Print Copy

September 8th – April R. @ My Book Addiction and More - May giveaway One (1) Print Copy

September 8th – Sue F. @ Books, Books, The Magical Fruit - May giveaway One (1) eBook Copy

September 9th – Laurie J. @ Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews - May giveaway One (1) Print Copy
September 12th – Aparajita B. @ Le’ Grande Codex - May giveaway One (1) eBook Copy

September 12th – Jaidis S. @ Juniper Grove


FOR THE COMPLETE SCHEDULE, HERE IS THE

Link to the author's tour page: http://nurtureyourbooks.com/vbtblog/?p=1757

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Here are some more useful links:

Where you can find & follow L.J. Sellers:

Author Website

Author Blog

Twitter

Facebook Page

Facebook Profile

Goodreads Profile

Buy the BOOK at:

Amazon.com

Amazon.ca


Amazon.co.uk


Author Blog

Independent Bookstores (by request)

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And remember, one commenter on this post will receive a free pdf of the novel The Arranger by L.J. Sellers.

8-)

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What I'm reading now

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I have a number things to read every day, but books are still my first love.

Here's what I'm focused (more or less) on at the moment:

Stargazer by Miguel Conner, a novel about a vampire with a conscience living in a post-apocalyptic world. This is my favorite novel at the moment.

A Flickering Reality by F. David Peat, an exploration of -- well, as the subtitle says, "Cinema and the nature of reality" -- it mentions Philip K. Dick. This book interests me because I have studied film and taught several film classes.

The Arranger by L.J. Sellers, a detective / thriller novel written in journalistic style, fast-paced and exciting.

Reviews will eventually appear on this blog.

What are YOU reading? Any recommendations?

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Neil Diamond still going strong - and still inspiring

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When I was a teenager and feeling worthless and hopeless, Neil Diamond's music saved what little sanity I had left.  This particular song was playing on the radio several times a day.  "I am, I said"

And at age 70, he is still going strong with that wonderful voice and his marvelous songs.

I remember being at school and doing my work while the radio played this and other Neil Diamond songs.

The spiritual quality of his music still touches my heart and my soul.

Sample of PKD handwriting

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Thought this might interest fans of Phil:

Back to school coupons - site support links

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Please help support this site (and my books) by taking advantage of one or more of these coupons from my Linkshare affiliate account.  You will save some $. Thank you so much! 


Save $1 off $10 of your favorite books, music, movies, & video games when you use coupon code STRIVE on checkout at www.alibris.com. This offer expires September 30, 2011.


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Save $2 off $20 of your favorite books, music, movies, & video games when you use coupon code LEARN on checkout at www.alibris.com. This offer expires September 30, 2011.


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Back to School Specials! Cell Phone Chargers, Spare Batteries, Bluetooths - Up To 80% Off!!


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BACK TO SCHOOL SALE! Save up to 45%: Pre-K to Post-Grad: Thousands of New Items!


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THANK YOU!


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