[From Bill Powers (930902.2130 MDT)]
Avery Andrews (930903.0920) --
I love your systems analysis of the university workings. Note
that a systems analysis isn't necessarily a control system
analysis: independently acting entities can interact in lots of
ways that have nothing to do with control theory: positive
feedback, for example. The longer you blow off the class, the
more reluctant you become to show up because the Dean's wrath
grows with every day of your absence.
Your suggestion of combining Prolog and analog modeling of this
situation is ingenious, whether or not you meant it flippantly.
It's probably doable, by someone who understands both modes of
modeling. I notice, however, that in your sketch of how the model
would be constructed, you end up with a model of the Dean and a
model of Andrews, but I didn't see any model of The University
mentioned.
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Best,
Bill P.