The Vietnamese Computer Scientist Who Made Toy Story Possible

Post by kevinsync » Tue, May 21, 2024, 3:09 PM UTC

Post by nohuck13 » Tue, May 21, 2024, 3:14 PM UTC

byteknight wrote: post #21

stareatgoats wrote: post #4

Tremendous story, a well researched personal destiny as well as an introduction to the geopolitics of the last century. One takeaway is how obviously poisonous substances (Agent Orange) were sprayed over large swathes of land in Vietnam and elsewhere for military tactical purposes, causing medical conditions of varying severity for 3 out of 4 million people affected in Vietnam. It was heavily criticized at the time,…

Not taking away from the stats, but that stat is weirdly worded. > 3 out of 4 million people affected in vietnam Are there only 4 million total people? Were 4 million affected and 3 million a subset of effect? Are they trying to say 3 in 4?

Post by lupire » Tue, May 21, 2024, 3:55 PM UTC

vidarh wrote: post #13

squaresmile wrote: post #11

> Nevertheless, our close examination of his publications removes the ambiguity. The cover of his dissertation clearly delineates his family name from his compound given name, and in his final publication, he listed his last name as “Bui.” The preponderance of evidence suggests that he was Dr. Bùi, but the scientific literature misidentifies him as Dr. Phong. > This also suggests that “Phong shading” is a misnomer, b…

> please please please use my given name. I assume, and please correct me if I misrepresent your reason, that you're referring to the fact that most Vietnamese have last names from a very small pool? For those unaware: The 10 most common last names in Vietnam makes up 85% of the population, and nearly half Nguyen alone. I looked it up and Bùi is far less common, but still represents 11% of the population... For compa…

Post by nytesky » Tue, May 21, 2024, 4:10 PM UTC

Post by caminante » Tue, May 21, 2024, 4:41 PM UTC

dclowd9901 wrote: post #27

samatman wrote: post #25

I find it rather distasteful that the author chose to drag in an unsupported theory about Phong's tragic illness and death. The school cited was several miles from the closest of the three locations mentioned (Tan Son Nhut), and the military wasn't spraying Saigon. Is it possible he was heavily exposed during the two years when that would have been possible? Many things are possible, of course. Is there any evidence…

It _is_ a bit damning that he died, though, of an ailment that is primarily the outcome of the _carcinogens the US was willingly dumping as an assault on the country_. I mean, it’s not a smoking gun, but does that really matter?