The following arXiv paper includes a rigorous definition of insecure:
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arXiv:0705.3273
Date: Wed, 23 May 2007 00:46:24 GMT (5kb)
Title: Birkhoff billiards are insecure
Authors: Serge Tabachnikov
Categories: math.DG math.DS
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We prove that every compact plane billiard, bounded by a smooth curve, is
insecure: there exist pairs of points $A,B$ such that no finite set of points
can block all billiard trajectories from $A$ to $B$.
\\ ( http://arxiv.org/abs/0705.3273 , 5kb)
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No wonder I like to study compact planar billiards! They're insecure -- just like me.
You know Mason, you're to hot to be so isecure, so loosen up :)
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that you (Mason) think you're insecure, as I've never thought that about you. You always have an air of certainty, in yourself and your knowledge and skills that I respect.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious, are there particular things you feel insecure about, or is it just an overall comment?
Oh yeah, and if Katiya says you're a hottie, i'd listen. :)
Z: This was an overall comment. I feel that way on occasion academically (I still sometimes doubt myself when things are going wrong, even with a decent number of past successes by this point) and somewhat more often socially. I actually did this particular post as a joke because I was amused by seeing a rigorous definition of insecurity. [I'm not feeling that insecure at the moment, but if one does the whole Woody Allen thing, then one can remain insecure no matter how well things are going. :) ] I've actually been much more comfortable the last few months -- basically just about everything in my life has been working out very well for a while and that obviously helps a lot. Anyway, I guess maybe a short version is to say that I feel more insecurity than I typically show though I show this to some more than others.
ReplyDeleteI always listen to what Katiya says. (Then I typically do what I want anyway, but that's another issue... but she got me to send a Mother's Day card, which took a fair bit of convincing.) I'm not sure about the loosening up thing -- that's not exactly my expertise.