There’s nothing magical about a computer algorithm. It’s what you make it. Garbage in, garbage out.
The mathematical formula doesn’t take into account certain factors. For example, convention wisdom has been that Obama needs a white man as a running mate, because a ticket of him and a woman or another minority would be too much change for middle America.
And how do you program in the intangibles, i.e. Hillary Clinton could be a strong running mate, but you have to subtract points because of Bill Clinton, for example.
REPEAT AND FREQUENCY DRIVE SALES UP 140% Affinnova Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2007 Results WALTHAM, MA – February 12, 2008 – Affinnova Inc. today announced financial results for the quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. “The effectiveness of our optimization technology is the foundation of our continuing growth,” said Waleed Al-Atraqchi, President and CEO of Affinnova. “Our client base is expanding and importantly our frequency of use is accelerating as clients realize improved innovation outcomes. This momentum along with the additions we have made to our talent base and the new product launches we have planned will help enable a repeat performance in 2008.” Second Half Highlights Affinnova grew sales for the second half ended December 31, 2007 by 123% compared to the second half of 2006, an increase of 33% compared with to the first half of 2007. Sales for fiscal year 2007 grew 140% compared to fiscal year 2006. Growth was largely driven by repeat from new clients and increased frequency of use within existing clients. Such sales represented 68% of total sales in the second half of 2007 compared to 49% in the first half of 2007. In addition, growth came from current multinational clients incorporating Affinnova solutions in countries outside the United States. Such sales represented 20% of total sales in the second half of 2007. About Affinnova Inc. Affinnova is the global leader in optimization technology for marketing innovation. We pioneered the use of evolutionary algorithms in the development and marketing of consumer products, services, and online assets. Our patented IDDEA® optimization technology evolves concepts based on collective consumer choice until only the fittest concepts survive. IDDEA® delivers “Top Concepts” (ideas, designs, or web pages) every time, consistently outperforming any alternative approach. The company’s service and software solutions have been adopted by a growing list of Fortune 500 companies. Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, Affinnova is privately-held. For more information about Affinnova, visit www.affinnova.com.And they do have a list of top clients: P&G, WALMART, Coca-Cola etc. But the real genius here is pimping themselves in the midst of an election. It works, and the existence of this thread is proof! Do I believe their results? Oh hell no. But they did throw out something guaranteed to cause a stir, and in the ad biz, that's GOLD.
How retarded. Nevermind that the Powell was chosen ... the computer came up with the same candidate for BOTH parties?
Need to adjust the algorithm. Perhaps it was biased by a researcher with a crush on Colin Powell.
H
Did the algorithm tell this reporter that Colin Powell was the former secretary of state under President George H.W. Bush? Or is that just a cunning anagram for James Baker?
Just off the top of my head:
1) Do they “balance” the ticket? Does the ticket *need* to be “balanced”?
2) Will they bring in critical swing States?
3) Will they bring in the base?
4) Will they bring in swing voters?
5) Will they bring in disgruntled opposition voters?
6) Will they make a good fund raiser?
7) Are they known to the public?
8) What are their negatives? Background check?
9) What about their spouse?
10) Have they attacked the candidate in past?
11) Are they of the candidates faction?
12) What lobbies back them? Oppose them?
13) How will the other side attack them?
14) How do they respond to attacks?
15) Do they want the job? Does their spouse back them?
16) Have they written controversial material?
In McCain’s position my first choice would likely be J.C. Watts. If nothing else, wishbone quarterback is a harder job than president: you KNOW the guy can deal with pressure.
No sale.
The perfect VP choice for McCain (IMHO) would be retired General Peter Pace USMC, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, a more courageous, dignified, and honest leader of men you would be hard pressed to find, and he would be a fantastic presidential candidate in 2012 should McCain’s health become an issue preventing him from running for a second term.
Not in this lifetime, as far as all the interviews I’ve seen with Powell’s wife!!! I like him, but he’s too close to RINO status than I like, unfortunately.
This is not an algorithm. I’m not even sure it qualifies as a heuristic. A WAG, perhaps.
Well, not that it needs said, but anyone that has heard Powell speak knows he speaks very well and says absolutely nothing of substance.
I guess that is good for a VP...
The programmer that came up with the algorithm should be flogged.
With the ever expanding list of black politicians having problems with the Law, Corruption, Bribes, Women, Drugs, etc, etc, — I’m not aware of a single black POLITICIAN above the city council or state legislature level who has earned national attention on the basis of performance.
Are there any out there who should be noted?
Personally, I have known and can think of many blacks more competent to be in a position of national trust that Powell - but none of them are politicians.....