Ask InquilineKea anything

[gunnsenior08]

<p>How can you really tell if a college is right for you? i dont mean stats and majors and campus and what not. i mean like the people. how do you know if they are your kind of people? how can you tell if you will be able to really live at the place? how can you tell you’re not getting stuck with crazy people or something? any tips for when i go to visit? anything i can look for from home if i can’t manage a visit?</p>

[pramirez184]

<p>why havent you answered umleasedfury’s questions? you said you would answer anything</p>

[gunnsenior08]

<p>maybe the person left?</p>

<p>can anyone else answer my question?</p>

[fizix2]

<p>Why aren’t you answering our obviously silly questions?</p>

[fizix2]

<p>is perl a language for n00bs?
i have exactly 222 posts! – is this not exciting?
do you mostly talk to your parents and real-life friends through the internet?
why do you like archiving everything? do you actually go back and look through them often?</p>

[UnleashedFury]

<p>That reminds me, I’ve been trying to learn python lately, but have found little time.</p>

<p>Could you explain the intricacies of python for me?</p>

[snoopyiscool]

<p>Inq,</p>

<p>Could you tell me why some “people” are so hard to read?</p>

[InquilineKea]

<p>

How can you really tell if a college is right for you? i dont mean stats and majors and campus and what not. i mean like the people. how do you know if they are your kind of people? how can you tell if you will be able to really live at the place? how can you tell you’re not getting stuck with crazy people or something? any tips for when i go to visit? anything i can look for from home if i can’t manage a visit?

</p>

<p>It’s hard to say, really. After all, the social scenes that you visit in a college visit are probably hardly representative of the variation in social scenes in college environments (and since nearly all colleges are larger than you average high school, you’ll never get adequate exposure to the variation in social scenes that you’ll witness in college). But it seems that most people still seem to find a niche within their respective college (most people who are relatively social and have some non-academic interests, that is).</p>

<p>

why havent you answered umleasedfury’s questions? you said you would answer anything

</p>

<p>With discretion - his questions were copied and pasted from some website. Now I realize the word “anything” is vague here - “anything” within the not-unlimited time should be more precise, so I won’t answer random questions copied and pasted. :p</p>

<p>

Why aren’t you answering our obviously silly questions?

</p>

<p>I don’t like posting too much - it clogs up the CC search (when I look for my old posts). :p</p>

<p>“is perl a language for n00bs?”</p>

<p>I have no authority on that matter. ^<em>^ Most fields are n00b fields from the perspective of other fields anyhow. ^</em>^</p>

<p>“i have exactly 222 posts! – is this not exciting?”</p>

<p>Not if the mods delete one of your posts. :p</p>

<p>“do you mostly talk to your parents and real-life friends through the internet?”</p>

<p>preferably I would but no I don’t.</p>

<p>“why do you like archiving everything? do you actually go back and look through them often?”</p>

<p>Occasionally yes. But the main reason is - how can I tell what’s relevant for me 5 years from now? Wouldn’t it be safer to just save everything so that I then can select from what’s relevant for me 5 years from now?</p>

<p>Other points: I want to archive everything I wrote when I was a teenager so that I can more easily empathize with teenagers in the future. (after all, I know how I felt and thought when I was 12/13/14/15/16/etc).</p>

<p>“Could you explain the intricacies of python for me?”</p>

<p>Sorry, no knowledge of python. Additionally, the question itself is imprecise. Imprecise questions are best redirected towards a site like Wikipedia or one of its external links.</p>

<p>“Could you tell me why some “people” are so hard to read?”</p>

<p>Hard to read when you’re talking to them? Or reading their writing? I think it’s because people have different connotations for their words and phrases. Not radically different connotations - otherwise language would be useless - but there is a lot of misunderstanding and misconstruement because behind every block of text, there is both social and psychological context. And since you can never fully grasp the context behind such text - you can never fully grasp what the other person is really getting at.</p>

[snoopyiscool]

<p>Inq,</p>

<p>Would you be mad if I made an Ask Snoop thread?</p>

[InquilineKea]

<p>No. Trademarks shouldn’t belong to memes that are easily dreamed up.</p>

[mj93]

<p>Can you give me a hint as to how you’re critiquing my story? :)</p>

[InquilineKea]

<p>

Can you give me a hint as to how you’re critiquing my story?

</p>

<p>Haha, okay, so I read it. So now it’s lying in my subconscious while i read other things. Then I’ll start to critique it, lay in my subconscious, and then finally issue the final verdict. :)</p>

[Faelivrin]

<p>How old are you? (I’m new on here, so I’m not as acquainted with you as others appear to be)</p>

[mj93]

<p>Sounds like a good technique.</p>

<p>What are your top five favorite names for a terrorist organization?</p>

[InquilineKea]

<p>Hey mj93, I don’t think I used exogenous/endogenous right the first time around. I just analyzed the words again. </p>

<p>Here is my analysis (with a lot of examples):</p>

<p>===</p>

<p>endogenous vs. exogenous</p>

<p>====
arising from within/arising from without.</p>

<p>endogenous </p>

<p>The question about “<code>endogenous”’ variables, or variables that arise from within, is, “</code>how are they endogenous?”’ Are they deductively derived from within an axiomatic system (through which such variables are endogenous to the axiomatic system?) If so, the problem is that the axiomatic system is usually closed to itself. This was the problem with my SimAnt definition, since it assumed a closed system (such closed systems are programmed top-down, so to speak). There are factors that are internal to the model, but we usually do not use the word “<code>endogenous”’ to describe the model. Rather, we usually say that the model/system contains these “</code>objects”’ but we don’t use the word endogenous. The problem with SimAnt is that it does not interact with an outside environment so it is senseless to apply the endogenous/exogenous distinction. </p>

<p>The word endogenous usually refers to factors that influence a variable in a system contained within a larger system. We have a smaller system, which has variables that can be measured. Say, the smaller system is the human body and the larger system is the world around the human body. Then we want to measure cholesterol levels within the human body. Those levels can be influenced by endogenous factors arising within the human body (factors that the body produces), and exogenous factors arising from outside the human body. The body makes a lot of its own cholesterol (endogenous factors that influence the variable cholesterol levels), and it also takes in dietary cholesterol from foods that have cholesterol (exogenous factors that influence the variable cholesterol). </p>

<p>The problem is that the word endogenous isn’t always precise. For example, "<code>When our bodies produce the cholesterol, it is known as endogenous cholesterol. But when we eat the cholesterol as a component part of our diet, that cholesterol is referred to as exogenous cholesterol. "</code> The problem is, that our bodies can produce cholesterol, but this cholesterol is produced due to the body’s ingestion of other molecules, such as saturated fat. But if we come with the precise definition of “`factors that influence a variable”', then the immediate factors that influence the variable are dietary cholesterol and cholesterol made by body cells (which is indirectly influenced by saturated fat consumption). So at least we can use the endogenous/exogenous distinction with respect to bodily cholesterol, even if most endogenous processes are nt purely endogenous.

Similarly, we can talk about endogenous processes on the Earth (as contained in a larger system - the universe). Then earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are said to be endogenous proceeses since they mostly arise from energy that come from within the Earth. This isn't ALWAYS precise though, since gravitational influences from other bodies can influence endogenous processes from within the Earth (in fact, exogenous factors and huge tidal forces explain Io's infamous volcanos). Meanwhile, exogenous processes that influence a variable on the Earth (we can say that the variable is "`geological activity on the Earth"' include meteorite bombardments, tidal influences from other planets, and solar flux. It is true, though, that most, if not all, endogenous processes are not completely exogenous, for the system of Earth itself really comes from exogenous factors. But it is a way to conceptualize systems in ways humans can understand. </p>

<h1>Here is another example from a free economics textbook:</h1>

<p>Preston McAfee:</p>

<p>

“`It is straightforward to verify that house prices increase in the population N and
the commuting time parameter \lambda, as one would expect”’

[quote] "`As constructed, a quadrupling of population approximately doubles the price of land in the central city. This probably understates the change, since a doubling of the population would likely increase road congestion, increasing \lambda and further increasing the price</p>

<p>“`Second, people have distinct preferences, and the disutility of commuting,
as well as the value of increased space, vary with the individual. Third,
congestion levels are generally endogenous – the more people that live between
two points, the greater the traffic density and consequently the lower the level of
\lambda. The first two problems arise because of the simplistic nature of consumer
preferences embedded in the model, while the third is an equilibrium issue
requiring consideration of transportation choices.
This model can readily be extended to incorporate different types of people,
different housing sizes, and endogenous congestion. To illustrate such
generalizations, consider making the housing size endogenous. Suppose
preferences are represented by the utility function:”’

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I think we can say here that endogenous congestion is congestion that arises from people who live within the city, even if such an immediate endogenous factor is not precisely 100% endogenous, since it is influenced by smaller exogenous variables (like the weather outside ON whether the people decide to commute or not). Nonetheless, the weather outside can be called an exogenous variable even if it influences endogenous variables since the exogenous variables usually change in ways different from endogenous variables. </p>

<p>So usually endogenous and exogenous variables both influence a 3rd variable that we desire to measure. So in a sense, the desired variable has properties that influence such variable, and those properties are endogenous and exogenous properties.</p>

[InquilineKea]

<p>Now let’s try a sakky quote
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/archive/index.php/t-9848-p-27.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/archive/index.php/t-9848-p-27.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

sakky
03-14-2007, 10:15 AM
That’s right, race. In particular, asian race. There was a study a while back stating that with the same GPA and MCAT score(can’t remember the exact numbers), an african american applicant has an 80% chance of getting admitted, hispanic has 50% chance, caucasian has 12% chance, and asian has 5% chance. My numbers may be off a bit but you get the gist.</p>

<p>Any comments?</p>

<p>I have a simple comment - that the effect of race might itself also be endogenous to the model. While I don’t want to get into racial stereotyping, let’s face it, Asian students tend to study hard, and also be extremely grade conscience, and that fact means that any school with a high percentage of Asians will, frankly, tend to be more competitive/cutthroat when it comes to grades.</p>

<p>Furthermore, let’s be honest, a lot of Asians are not exactly the most social people in the world. And as we know, much of the college experience is sociological in nature. When you’re surrounded by antisocial people who prefer to do nothing but study, then you will tend to also become antisocial and do nothing else but study. Sociologically speaking, people tend to copy what they see around them. Yet that sort of attitude will hurt you if you later apply to med-school.</p>

<p>Hence, I would argue that ceteris paribus, perhaps you should prefer a school of the same level of prestige that has fewer Asians. Many people say that MIT secretly stands for “Made in Taiwan” because of all the Asians there. Yet if the presence of Asians are a contributing factor, I would say that that factor is largely an endogenous part of the model.</p>

<p>However, I can also offer you evidence that perhaps Asians aren’t the problem. Race-based affirmative action has been illegal in all California public universities ever since the passage of Prop 209 11 years ago. So, by law, the UC medical schools are not allowed to practice race-based affirmative action. Yet the evidence shows that Princeton premeds get into UC med-schools with lower grades and equivalent MCAT scores than Berkeley premeds, despite the fact that a far higher percentage of Berkeley premeds are Asians, compared to Princeton premeds.</p>

<p>For example, in 2006, of the 544 applicants to AMCAS med-schools who did their undergrad at Berkeley (whether they are now graduating seniors or Berkeley alumni), a whopping 344, or 63% of them are Asian. The percentage of Asian Princeton premeds is not listed, but I’m quite sure that it’s not 63%. Yet even when you look at the UC med-schools, who by law are not supposed to use race as an admissions factor, you see that Princeton premeds seem to have a significantly easier time getting admitted.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/2006/masian.htm[/url]”>http://www.aamc.org/data/facts/2006/masian.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Hence, it seems to me that even in this case, the effect of race is not a strong exogenous factor (although the endogeneities above are probably still at play).

</p>

<p>Here, there are factors endogenous to many Asian students that may influence the variable we see: acceptance rates to medical schools. Sakky believes that it is not overt discrimination per se, but those factors that Asian students disproportionately share (antisocialness) that influence their unusually low acceptance rates outside of the exogenous factor of race (affirmative action). Of course, those factors endogenous to Asian students are influenced by exogenous factors (it’s a sort of positive feedback, as increased antisocialness could stem from those policies per se). But we still call those factors endogenous since sakky believes that the immediate influence of race on admissions is that Asian antisocialness is what causes their lower acceptance rates.</p>

<p>The other problem is, what of the variable “strength of students applying?” (which obviously influences admissons rates). After all, the attitudes that many Asian students have influences the “strength of students applying”, if more of the weak/mediocre students among them apply, for example. Then it would be an endogenous variable. But on the other hand, it would be an exogenous variable (which in turn influences the variable "acceptance rate among Asian kids) if the “strength of students applying” was caused by, say, discrimination by society. </p>

<p>It’s not easy to define, that’s what we can say. Usually though the differences are so marked that there we can usually apply the label, even though labels are labels that can never be perfectly descriptive.</p>

<p>==</p>

<p>more examples:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=4564901&highlight=endogenous#post4564901[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=4564901&highlight=endogenous#post4564901&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=4564630&highlight=endogenous#post4564630[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=4564630&highlight=endogenous#post4564630&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=4130648&highlight=endogenous#post4130648[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=4130648&highlight=endogenous#post4130648&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=4113181&highlight=endogenous#post4113181[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=4113181&highlight=endogenous#post4113181&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=4007506&highlight=endogenous#post4007506[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=4007506&highlight=endogenous#post4007506&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=3739140&highlight=endogenous#post3739140[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=3739140&highlight=endogenous#post3739140&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=3739140&highlight=endogenous#post3739140[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=3739140&highlight=endogenous#post3739140&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=3637865&highlight=endogenous#post3637865[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=3637865&highlight=endogenous#post3637865&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=3582305&highlight=endogenous#post3582305[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=3582305&highlight=endogenous#post3582305&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=3564499&highlight=endogenous#post3564499[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=3564499&highlight=endogenous#post3564499&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=3471412&highlight=endogenous#post3471412[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=3471412&highlight=endogenous#post3471412&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=3164242&highlight=endogenous#post3164242[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=3164242&highlight=endogenous#post3164242&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

[qswerier43]

<p>what’s ur motivation in answering these questions…which at times are nothing more than sheer attacks. ;)</p>

[blondie888]

<p>HOw much time do you spend on CC daily?</p>

[qswerier43]

<p>I think that question has already been asked. :p</p>

[kyler242]

<p>

Quote:
How far do you think Michigan will fall in the rankings considering they just lost to I-AA Appalachian State?
chances are not particularly far

</p>

<p>^LOL, InquilineKea, I hope your answers to the other questions in this thread are better than this one</p>

<p>Last Week: Michigan ranked #5
This Week: Michigan not ranked </p>

<p>Largest tumble in AP Top 25 Poll history!</p>