☛ How Bayesian inference works

Bayesian inference is a way to get sharper predictions from your data. It’s particularly useful when you don’t have as much data as you would like and want to juice every last bit of predictive strength from it.

Although it is sometimes described with reverence, Bayesian inference isn’t magic or mystical. And even though the math under the hood can get dense, the concepts behind it are completely accessible. In brief, Bayesian inference lets you draw stronger conclusions from your data by folding in what you already know about the answer.

An excellent, simple introduction to Bayesian inference. This uses practical examples and an abundance of visual guides: especially useful if you don’t have an extensive math background.


Music: lyrics for Daniken, from Rupam Islam’s Notun Niyom

Rupam Islam is out with a new solo album, Notun Niyom. Continuing with tradition, here are the lyrics to Daniken from this album. (Notun Niyom is available to listen on Spotify!)

Song: Daniken
Album: Notun Niyom

gobeshona-tona tomake manaye
amar agroho sotto janaye

gobeshona-tona tomake manaye
amar agroho sotto janaye
gobeshona tumi koro e-niye
phola-phol pele diyo janiye

chola-chol kori kolpona te
abhijan tai na-hanyate
maddhom mon ar lekhoni
lupto danar shonjiboni

icche-ra shob kobita paray
bhabchi-bhabbo gondho choray
tomar icche bhobisshoter
sondhan dey notun pother

bole cholo jai se-pothe haati
eta mohakash-jaaner maati
control-e thak khoka-o-khuku
shokti utsho surjo-tuku

promaner tumi upashok tai
amar shopne tomakei chai
juktir jaale amar hridoy
obohele kore nile tumi joy

tumi ki nijeke byartho bhabo?
tomake ami e-gaan shonabo
aaloker goti amar gaane
chhutbe notun surjo-taane

tumi ki nijeke byartho bhabo?
tomake ami e-gaan shonabo
aaloker goti amar gaane
chhutbe notun surjo-taane

he-prachin, he-probin
he-aadim mohakash
lukiye rekhecho
bhule jawa itihaash

smriti-te tobu kaar
protiddhoni shunte pai
probashi aakashi
se ki kono… debota-i?

tomar totto bhaota hole
chok-choke kono rangta hole
chaota-ke ami beshechi bhalo
rangta amar rong pheralo

bhaota gaiche prithibir gaan
rangta ghochalo rashtro-nishan
aami prothagoto dhormo-bihin
aami gaai Lennon-er Imagine

moha purushera tader juuge
chole-asha rewaj-er hujuge
bhondo akkha peyei thaaken
Jesus Christ-o krush-e jhulechen

ekdin tumi patta pabe
tomar totto proman hobe
shopno sophol hobe amar-o
tokhon amay khujte paro

ekdin tumi patta pabe
tomar totto proman hobe
shopno sophol hobe amar-o
tokhon amay khujte paro

he-prachin, he-probin
he-aadim mohakash
lukiye rekhecho
bhule jawa itihaash

smriti-te tobu kaar
protiddhoni shunte pai
probashi aakashi
se ki kono… debota-i?

debota-i?


Music: lyrics for Haowaay Pa, from Rupam Islam’s Notun Niyom

From Rupam Islam’s new solo album Notun Niyom, here are the lyrics to Haowaay Pa. (Notun Niyom is available to listen on Spotify!)

(P.S.: I really don’t like the spelling ‘haowaay’, so: here’s ‘Hawaye Pa’ by Rupam Islam.)

Song: Hawaye Pa
Album: Notun Niyom

phirbo na, ami phirbo na
shunechi je daak nishachori-r

phirbo na, ami phirbo na
shunechi je daak nishachori-r
karnish bohu-tol, halka chokher jol
tar cheye halka sarir

jibon amar kache ekhono lukiye achhe
jibon ki somoyer daash
hawaye pa, amar hawaye pa
ar batashe amar biswas

jibon amar kache ekhono lukiye achhe
jibon ki somoyer daash
hawaye pa, amar hawaye pa
ar batashe amar…

arekbar, hya arekbar
ghum ar tondrar shima-rekhaye
dekhi nishachori tumi eshe dakcho jemon kore
megh brishti ke deke jaye

arekbar, hya arekbar
ghum ar tondrar shima-rekhaye
dekhi nishachori tumi eshe dakcho jemon kore
megh brishti ke phire chaye

nishachori tumi eto akorshoniyo
je shudhu tomar prorochonaye
hawaye pa, amar hawaye pa
dilam hawaye pa nirdidhaye

jibon amar kache ekhono lukiye achhe
jibon ki somoyer daash
hawaye pa, amar hawaye pa
ar batashe amar biswas

jibon amar kache ekhono lukiye achhe
jibon ki somoyer… daash
hawaye pa, amar hawaye pa
ar batashe amar…



☛ Recent ISRO satellite launch carried special imaging constellation

From the website of the company ‘Planet’, published the same day the ISRO satellites were launched:

Today Planet successfully launched 88 Dove satellites to orbit — the largest satellite constellation ever to reach orbit. This is not just a launch (or a world record, for that matter!); for our team this is a major milestone. With these satellites in orbit, Planet will reach its Mission 1: the ability to image all of Earth’s landmass every day.

This constellation therefore formed the majority (88 of 104 satellites launched) of the payload carried by the last ISRO launch. As of this launch, Planet is operating 149 satellites in Earth orbit — this is no mean feat.

Also, an interesting side note: ISRO’s previous largest payload that I referred to in my last post — 20 satellites launched in June 2016 — also seems to be for this same company:

This is our 15th launch of Dove satellites and second aboard India’s PSLV. The launch of Flock 3p comes off the successful launch of Flock 2p on the PSLV in June 2016