Domus Publica question

[Kazuaki Shimazaki]

http://www.domuspublica.net/index.php?m ... PAGE_id=34

It is interesting to note, then, that the total investment in the Corporate Sector by both classes of sponsors is not less than 2.35 quintillion credits, or equivalent to approximately 60 million Imperial Star Destroyers. In those years seeing a 360% return on investment (ROI), using the arithmetic formula ROI = (V_f - V_i)/V_i, where V_f is the final sum and V_i is the initial investment, the Corporate Sector Authority would see a gross profit of 869.5 quintillion credits and a ROI of 846 quintillion credits

Could anyone explain to me how a mere 360% ROI could turn 2.35 quintillion all the way to 846 quintillion within a year?

[Connor MacLeod]

http://www.domuspublica.net/index.php?m ... PAGE_id=34

It is interesting to note, then, that the total investment in the Corporate Sector by both classes of sponsors is not less than 2.35 quintillion credits, or equivalent to approximately 60 million Imperial Star Destroyers. In those years seeing a 360% return on investment (ROI), using the arithmetic formula ROI = (V_f - V_i)/V_i, where V_f is the final sum and V_i is the initial investment, the Corporate Sector Authority would see a gross profit of 869.5 quintillion credits and a ROI of 846 quintillion credits

Could anyone explain to me how a mere 360% ROI could turn 2.35 quintillion all the way to 846 quintillion within a year?

He made a mistake. Big fucking deal. Its not as if mistakes in math don't happen to people or something.

(and for that matter, why are you bringing this up publicly? Wouldn't it have been more appropriate to have pmed or emailed him about this and allowed him to make a public correction? Or do you just enjoy being a dick in general?

[Stofsk]

What is the problem? How is he being a dick for pointing out an error on Publius' site? Publius often asks for comments and criticisms from us, and Kaz provided one.

How the fuck is it implied or stated that Kaz was making fun of Publius or relishing in the error?

[Lonestar]

Didn't Publius get a shout-out from Saxton in the back of the ROTS ICS?

[Publius]

I am indeed mortified at the severity of my error. I sincerely apologize for having published an article containing so serious a mathematical error, which reflects poorly on myself and on my methodology; I should have caught the error during proofreading the article. I suppose it would be possible to demonstrate more effectively that a linguist ought not play at mathematics, but I genuinely do not see how one might go about doing so. I have removed the "A Billion Here, a Billion There..." series until I have time to correct the errors. Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention.

[Connor MacLeod]

What is the problem? How is he being a dick for pointing out an error on Publius' site? Publius often asks for comments and criticisms from us, and Kaz provided one.

How the fuck is it implied or stated that Kaz was making fun of Publius or relishing in the error?

Ah, but he doesn't come out and say its an error now does he? And why did he not contact Publius directly about it? Its not as if the public forum is the only means of contacting him.

If I find an error on Curtis' site (or Brian's, or Mike's or Wayne's) I don't blab about it in public, I bring it up to his attention personally.

[Kazuaki Shimazaki]

(and for that matter, why are you bringing this up publicly? Wouldn't it have been more appropriate to have pmed or emailed him about this and allowed him to make a public correction? Or do you just enjoy being a dick in general?

1) IIRC, the last time someone thought Saxton made a mistake (about the SPHA-Ts IIRC), it was brought up publicly.
2) Even though I was pretty sure, a similar problem seems to be in the entire series, so it can't have been one slip on a calculator. I genuinely thought, however unlikely, I may have somehow misunderstood the formula or the entire concept of ROI. There is no sarcasm. I was honestly waiting for someone to set me straight on the whole concept, however idiotic that might sound.
3) I don't mince words. If I'm 100.0% sure it was an error, the title would have reflected it. Period.
4) If I was sure it was an error, I might actually have PMed him quietly instead. It was because of the uncertainty left in my mind that I did it publicly.
5) I have the greatest respect for Publius and also the greatest love of his articles, which bring up the true wealth of the Empire to the common people. There was absolutely no contempt or any other negative connotation involved.
6) When I first started STvsSW, in my immaturity, I actually bothered to write flames to people I don't find respect for (like authors of Trek-wank FanFics). Now, if I comment on something, no matter how negative the commentary might be, it is because I already like whatever was written and genuinely want to make it better (at least in a way I would think is better).

[Connor MacLeod]

1) IIRC, the last time someone thought Saxton made a mistake (about the SPHA-Ts IIRC), it was brought up publicly.

You mean the one that started when Curtis first posted the SPHA-T entry? If they called it a mistake openly (particularily in the fashion you did) and didn't bother to contact him privately, then yes, I would see a problem with that. (particularily worse in Curtis' case, since he doesn't exactly parrticipate in these discussions.)

2) Even though I was pretty sure, a similar problem seems to be in the entire series, so it can't have been one slip on a calculator. I genuinely thought, however unlikely, I may have somehow misunderstood the formula or the entire concept of ROI. There is no sarcasm. I was honestly waiting for someone to set me straight on the whole concept, however idiotic that might sound.

I repeat, it fucking happens, especially when math isnt your strong suit. It recurs throughout his other essays because he didn't catch it. (As an example: Ever taken an accounting class? One slip up in your calculations at some point can screw up everything later on, and force you to go back and check every little detail by hand.)

I can say with certainty that I've made similar slipups and not caught them until later on, forcing me to go back and redo the work.

3) I don't mince words. If I'm 100.0% sure it was an error, the title would have reflected it. Period.

Then you say "I'm not sure, but I think its an error." You don't ask a question that makes you come across as a complete asshole, even if it was "accidental". If for no other reason than its really EASY to take things the wrong way online from mere text (lacking body language and verbal tones and whatnot.)

4) If I was sure it was an error, I might actually have PMed him quietly instead. It was because of the uncertainty left in my mind that I did it publicly.

The error in his math isn't even that hard to figure out once you notice it. (And you had to have noticed the "error" in the math to even mention it.) So again, why the hell did you not just come out and say "I think there's an error in your math?"

5) I have the greatest respect for Publius and also the greatest love of his articles, which bring up the true wealth of the Empire to the common people. There was absolutely no contempt or any other negative connotation involved.

6) When I first started STvsSW, in my immaturity, I actually bothered to write flames to people I don't find respect for (like authors of Trek-wank FanFics). Now, if I comment on something, no matter how negative the commentary might be, it is because I already like whatever was written and genuinely want to make it better (at least in a way I would think is better).

Maybe you should look at what you wrote, because it looks (and sounds) to me as if he's rather embarassed by what you (publicly) brought up. In fact, If i were you, I'd apologize for how I phrased it, if not for bringing it up publicly in this manner.

[Kazuaki Shimazaki]

OK, it seems obvious the way I handled this situation rubbed some people the wrong way. Which brings up the possibility I may indeed have accidentally embarassed Publius. I'd have to admit the thought of severe embarassment never occurred to me before. In fact, I might well be more mortified than him.

So I sincerely and publicly apologize for any possible embarassment this thread might have caused for Publius, a producer of the finests essays on the politics of the Empire I've seen. I assure him once again there was no intent of contempt or humiliation in any respect - in the phrasing or otherwise.

I also humbly ask that, should he have felt embarassed, about his preference of notification method, should it (however unlikely), I find another mistake or point of discussion. Should I PM him? Bring it up in the internal Domus Publica forum? Or just like this?

Please accept my apology.

(And if anybody gets rubbed by this apology, I'm sorry to say I really stink at writing these things. So please forgive me!)

[Publius]

No illusions, no regrets, dear sir, for if the truth shall kill a man, then let him die. You were right to bring the matter to my attention, and I am currently working on correcting the error. In general, if you would like something clarified, I may be reached via private message or e-mail (my e-mail address is on the site's front page), but a thread is equally efficacious. Thank you for your concern, both to you and to Connor MacLeod; now that the matter has been brought to my attention, there need be no further difficulties on my account.

[Ender]

Please accept my apology.

(And if anybody gets rubbed by this apology, I'm sorry to say I really stink at writing these things. So please forgive me!)

Only if you apologize for your lame apology.

[Darth Fanboy]

Well I have been of the mind that Domus Publica should have a stickyfied thread in this forum. But since i'm no mod thats not my decision to make. It'd be a lot more convenient for Pubilus' to post updates there also. Heck it wouldn't even need to be stickied.

[Jason von Evil]

The Corporate Sector has Warren Buffet working for them?

[Spanky The Dolphin]

Hey Publius, I just wanted to use this thread to let you know about a small typo in your Sic Transit Gloria essays, in that you typed Part III at the top of Part II.