Well, an entire year has gone by under the pall of COVID-19 with no clear end in sight.  It is curious to note that back in April 2020, the powers that be were projecting a return to normalcy by June of that year.  Here we are, charging into May of 2021 and the only light perceivable on the horizon is the current, wide-spread availability of a vaccines of limited efficacy.  Much like the housing crash of 2008 and the wild fire debacles in California, the only thing that is clear is that reality has a way of humbling us and our attempts at control. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that the powers that be will actually take time to reflect on that.  At least life goes on and summer is only 7 weeks away.

Speaking of life, let’s say a few words about our columns.

Much like a fruit ripening upon the vine until it is sweet, occasionally ideas take time to mature.  This month’s Aristotle2Digital provides some much-needed clarity on the determination problems in the category theory of sets.  Finding a rich harvest there, the post then extends the discussion to the companion viewpoint – the choice problem.

It’s important for the functioning of a free society that individuals are rewarded for both their good ideas their hard work and industry bringing these ideas to life.  The patent system looks to provide that protection but every system has its flaws.  This month’s Common Cents looks at one such flaw and the man who exploited it to great fortune but only a small fame (or infamy).

From its modest roots in the industrial revolution to its prominent position in fields as diverse as statistics and image processing, no modern concept seems to be more universal and yet as poorly understood as entropy.  This month’s Under The Hood begins multi-part investigation on this most slippery of physical concepts.