stochastic tax and auction

Currently, I’m immersed in two mechanism design projects, both intricately involving the integration of stochastic processes within their frameworks. This reminds me of a comic that resonates humorously with my work: An economist’s playful daydream or a mathematician’s practical joke, it’s a scenario where certainty is the only casualty and the pursuit of fairness takes a probabilistic turn. Prepare for a world where the accountants are the gamblers, and the odds are your tax bracket....

January 31, 2024

a spoonful of sugar

in every job that must be done, there is an element of fun…

January 30, 2024

toolkit for data analysis🌙

I have taken courses in mathematical statistics, high-dimensional statistics, machine learning, deep learning, and several optimization courses. Additionally, I am registered for an econometrics course next semester😱. So, like currently, it’s a stage where I have laid a strong theoretical foundation and possess a mastery of Python and R in data analysis, but my hands-on experience in tackling real-world problems is almost non-existent. After all, the datasets we used in class assignments are primarily toy examples that are cleaned, checked, and designed for specific tasks....

January 29, 2024

a sonatine to share

I’ve been a little bit overwhelmed today. So, here’s a music recommendation. SANCAN: Sonatine for Flute and Piano: I. Moderato [composer]: Pierre Sancan [artist]: Emmanuel Pahud, Eric Le Sage. [album]: Paris Jan. 20, 1998. Parlophone Records Limited. The opening 45 seconds of this piece are like a fog-draped dream. The piano strikes raindrops of notes on a misty, ethereal dreamscape, like cobblestoned street under the soft glow of a solitary streetlamp....

January 28, 2024

banana bargain🍌

There’s a carnival of groceries at the heart of the town, lively, a bit chaotic, and full of fruit stands. Each one offers a variety of fruits that seem similar but are unique in their quality and price. I was looking for a specific local banana🍌, known for being budget-friendly yet deliciously sweet when ripe. I wandered from stall to stall, asking for it, but had no luck. The vendors kept steering me towards a different type of banana, claiming it was better – but it just wasn’t what I wanted....

January 27, 2024

stars and struggles

Cracking Down on Induced Positive Reviews - Dianping’s Firm Stance.

January 26, 2024

elegance in every note🎵: Apple Music Classical out now

Overwhelmed by cues from ads, editor’s picks, and various nudges, I finally caved and downloaded the new Apple Music Classical app. Though it was released on March 28, 2023, its recent intensive marketing push has really put it in the spotlight. Reflecting on my use of the app, it’s clear that it has significantly improved the classical music listening experience, making it more professional, smooth, and enjoyable. huh? another music app?...

January 25, 2024

Dali, Yunan (2024)

up on the mountain down by the sea

January 24, 2024

altitude sickness

According to Better Heath Channel Mountain climbers are at risk of developing altitude sickness (also known as mountain sickness), which may be harmful or even fatal if its onset is ignored. It is caused by gaining altitude too rapidly, which doesn’t allow the body enough time to adjust to reduced oxygen and changes in air pressure, and causes hypobaric hypoxia (a lack of oxygen reaching the tissues of the body)....

January 23, 2024

the rating paradox

In our digitally inter-connected era, platforms like Dianpin and Yelp have become integral to our decision-making process for choosing restaurants, hotels, and entertainment. These online rating platforms are revolutionizing the demand pattern hence revenue stream of service providers. Basically, ratings platforms are to provision information. Service providers, from local bistros to boutique hotels, register themselves on these platforms. Consumers then rate these services, often accompanied by comments and photos. These ratings are the lifeblood of these platforms, determining how businesses are ranked and recommended to new users searching for, say, “nearby hotpot restaurants....

January 22, 2024