My #AdventofCode solutions, using #julialang
https://brendanhalpin.net/blog/posts/advent/

I just completed "Ceres Search" - Day 4 - Advent of Code 2024 #AdventOfCode https://adventofcode.com/2024/day/4

Part 2 is concise/unreadable:

function itsX(i,j)
Set([data[i-1][j-1], data[i+1][j+1]]) ==
Set([data[i-1][j+1], data[i+1][j-1]]) ==
Set(['M','S'])
end

println("X-MASes: $(sum([itsX(i,j) for i in 2:nlines-1 for j in 2:ncols-1 if data[i][j] == 'A']))")

#julialang

Apparently, in the bad place Vogon Musk has cancelled time-stamps on tweets. Presumably because of this image:

John Quiggin being optimistic about AI's demand for electricity, but getting a bashing from commentators for downplaying Y2K.

https://crookedtimber.org/2024/11/30/the-ai-boom-in-electricity-demand-a-multiply-recycled-myth/#comments

Looking at the election data #GE24 and the question of ballot position, I discover the FG and FF candidate surnames come significantly earlier in the alphabet, on average, than other parties.

Practically 30% of their candidates have names in the A-C range, vs 23.5% overall.

SF and independents are fairly low too.

I really can't think why this might be.

Having a productive morning working through my to-do list.

Not actually doing anything but there is satisfaction in ticking off thing I've already done, and scheduling for later what can be postponed.