| Theory of cliodynamics uses science to predict history, sees violence erupt in cycles Aug 3rd 2012, 00:55  Ever get the feeling that you've seen it all before? University of Connecticut researcher Peter Turchin has, and he (along with Russian partners Sergey Nefedov and Andrey Korotayev) has even crafted an entire scientific theory around the idea. Cliodynamics, as it's called, works on the view that broad trends of history occur in predictable patterns based on common factors like government strength, population size and social inequality. The surprise to Turchin is that violence outside of wars, at least in the US, triggers roughly every 50 years like clockwork: people rebel against a social crisis, but their children stay out of the fray and lead to the conditions that ultimately trigger another outbreak, like the 1970s civil rights and peace movements. Don't set your watch to cliodynamics just yet. Many historians are still skeptical, and even supporters note that one-off events or major wars fall through the cracks. If the theory pans out, however, science could be used to help governments do the right thing before they're made to do it at gunpoint. [Image credit: Steve Wilson, Flickr] Filed under: Science Theory of cliodynamics uses science to predict history, sees violence erupt in cycles originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 20:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink |  Nature | Email this | Comments | | Judge rules against Apple in Kodak patent dispute, cites disruption to next week's auction Aug 3rd 2012, 00:02  Is this Kodak's moment? It's sure shaping up to be, as Bloomberg reports the once prominent imaging company has just earned a slight, though significant courtroom victory against Apple. At stake is the ownership of ten patents related to digital imaging, two of which have been deemed incontestable by a Manhattan bankruptcy judge due to Cupertino's late stage ownership filing. Citing potential disruptions to next Wednesday's auction, Judge Gropper ruled against Apple's claims, while also striking down Kodak's request for a summary judgment on the eight remaining IPs and leaving the door open for further dispute. So, though it may seem like the Rochester-based company is finally out of the woods, this certainly isn't the end of its woes -- Apple has now filed counterclaims and is seeking a transfer of the case to district court. And if the House that Steve built's legal track record is any indication, it's not going down without an interminable fight. Filed under: Digital Cameras Judge rules against Apple in Kodak patent dispute, cites disruption to next week's auction originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 20:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Bloomberg | Email this | Comments | |
