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  Department of Computer Science and Engineering
  Box 1045
  One Brookings Drive
  Washington University in St. Louis
  St. Louis, MO 63130 USA
  314.935.6102(msg) 314.935.7302(fax)
  r.p.loui@gmail.com

  Full CV in pdf
  Short Non-academic CV in pdf

urls stl sch


Ronald P. Loui
Associate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering






  • Professor Loui is officially on sabbatical from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008. Currently he is consulting for Cycorp in Austin, TX, on loan to the Heart and Vascular Institute at Cleveland Clinic.

  • Email is r.p.loui, gmail.com. Please note that loui@cs.wustl.edu, loui@cse.wustl.edu, and loui@ai.wustl.edu will become increasingly unreliable!



  • Pragmatics Mantra (Part One) for Programmers
    1. Easy is not wrong.
    2. Program by saying simple, normal things.
    3. Cleanliness is all we ask of syntax and semantics.
    4. More programming theory does not make better programmers.
    5. Don't let old/compiler people tell you what language to use.
    6. Maximize independence: strong fences make good components.
    7. You can't use a namespace if everyone else has used it as their sewer.
    8. If there is already a way of doing something, do not invent a harder way.
    9. Listen to people who program, not to people who want to tell you how to program.
    10. Ask not what a programming language can do; ask what a programming language can do for you.
    (see also the Project Management Advice for students in CS436S Software Engineering Workshop ...)



  • Some Obama images: St. Louis campaigner Jen Haro got me close enough in May to remind him he signed my fifth grade yearbook; Some presidential signatures with Obama's mixed in; The New York Times keeps printing our class photo without my permission(!) -- I am in the front row on the left; A letter from Harvard Law School in 1990; Our AI and Law conference home page showing Obama as the banquet speaker (he was supposed to speak in the Dred Scott courtroom, but his schedule forced us to substitute Harvard's constitutional law professor and Director of JFK School of Government, Fred Schauer).

                                           



    
    From BObama@XXXXX.XXXX Sat Nov 11 20:04 CST 2000
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            for ; Sat, 11 Nov 2000 20:04:37 -0600 (CST)
    From: BObama@XXXXX.XXXX
    Received: from BObama@XXXXX.XXXX
            by imo-d09.mx.XXXXX.XXXX (mail_out_v28.32.) id a.16.4c4cae2 (24899)
             for ; Sat, 11 Nov 2000 21:04:05 -0500 (EST)
    Message-ID: <16.4c4cae2.273f5495@XXXXX.XXXX>
    Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2000 21:04:05 EST
    Subject: Re: 
    To: loui@cs.wustl.edu
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    Ron:
    
    Great to hear from you!  My students told me you were in town; had I known, I 
    would have made a point of coming to the discussion.
    
    As for the banquet, I'm flattered by the request.  Two concerns.  First, the 
    end of May is typically the end of our legislative session, which means that 
    I may be tied up in Springfield during the banquet.  I won't know the 
    specific schedule for the year for another month probably.  Of course, St. 
    Louis is only an hour and a half from Springfield, so if I am in session, but 
    the banquet is during down time for us, I'd be happy to come down.
    
    The other concern is whether you really want to hear from a constitutional 
    lawyer who is still trying to figure out all these rapid developments in 
    technology.
    
    Anyway, once you guys have a date, why don't you contact my assistant, 
    Jennifer Mason, at senobama@XXXXX.XXXX, and we'll see what we can work out.
    
    Your work sounds fascinating, and I look forward to hearing more about.
    
    Barry
    
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    From Punahou79@aol.com Sun Jan 28 00:43 CST 2001
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    From: Punahou79@aol.com
    Received: from Punahou79@aol.com
            by imo-r17.mx.aol.com (mail_out_v29.5.) id c.fc.1945d07 (24901);
            Sun, 28 Jan 2001 01:41:00 -0500 (EST)
    Message-ID: 
    Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2001 01:40:59 EST
    Subject: Spring 2001 Bulletin: Class of 1979 Notes
    MIME-Version: 1.0
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    Class Notes for 1979
    
    Saved as Microsoft Word 6.0
    Notes submitted for the Spring 2001 issue
    
    ... Ronald Loui rece= ntly=20 visited the University of Chicago law school
    and asked if anyone knew of the= =20 Chicago-based state legislator Barack
    Obama.=C2=A0 Ronald reports, =E2=80= =9Cthe students=20 not only knew
    him because he is teaching constitutional law there, but=20 declared
    that Barry was very popular, and a future nationally electable=20
    candidate.=C2=A0 Republican and democrat law students both felt this
    way!  ...  Thanks for all the news.=C2=A0 T= hat=E2=80=99s all for=20
    now.=C2=A0 Until next time, keep those letters and e-mail coming!=C2=A0
    Take= Care,=20 Mitch (E-mail: Punahou79@aol.com)
    
    
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    From BObama@XXXXX.XXXX Thu Feb 15 00:22 CST 2001
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            for ; Thu, 15 Feb 2001 00:22:31 -0600 (CST)
    From: BObama@XXXXX.XXXX
    Received: from BObama@XXXXX.XXXX
            by imo-r07.mx.XXXXX.XXXX (mail_out_v29.5.) id a.35.10c5780c (18407)
             for ; Thu, 15 Feb 2001 01:21:47 -0500 (EST)
    Message-ID: <35.10c5780c.27bccf7b@XXXXX.XXXX>
    Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2001 01:21:47 EST
    Subject: Re: formal invitation
    To: loui@cs.wustl.edu
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    Dear Ronald:
    
    Thanks so much for the invitation.  It appears that I am in Springfield for 
    session on May 23, which means that I can almost certainly serve as speaker.  
    I must offer the caveat, however, that I do not control the legislative 
    schedule (we are in the minority in Illinois) and so there is a slim but real 
    chance that at the last minute I would have to cancel (say a NN% chance).  If 
    you are willing to take the chance, with a possible back-up in mind, then 
    I'll be honored to speak.
    
    Let me know.  Hope you're doing well.
    
    Barack (Barry)
    
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    From "XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX" 
    X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.7 [en] (Win98; I)
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    To: "R. Prescott Loui" 
    References: <200102192058.OAA07483@siesta.cs.wustl.edu>
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    i will.  just fill me in on the details and thanks again!
    
    "R. Prescott Loui" wrote:
    
    > so you will volunteer to man a desk and also to help us get senator
    > obama from springfield illinois to st. louis, mo?  i will pair you
    > with a wash u law student so the burden is not so great.
    >
    > barry obama is a future national candidate.  he's a good person to meet.
    
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    From BObama@XXXXX.XXXX Sat May 12 00:37 CDT 2001
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            for ; Sat, 12 May 2001 00:37:22 -0500 (CDT)
    From: BObama@XXXXX.XXXX
    Received: from BObama@XXXXX.XXXX
            by imo-m05.mx.XXXXX.XXXX (mail_out_v30.10.) id a.78.14960890 (4262)
             for ; Sat, 12 May 2001 01:36:31 -0400 (EDT)
    Message-ID: <78.14960890.282e25df@XXXXX.XXXX>
    Date: Sat, 12 May 2001 01:36:31 EDT
    Subject: Re: conference banquet
    To: loui@cs.wustl.edu
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    Ronald:
    
    I just got back from Springfield, so I apologize for not getting back to you 
    sooner.  Unfortunately, I just found out last week that we will be in session 
    on May 21st, and that we will be running through a full calender of votes.  
    Although there is a slim possibility that I would get out of Springfield in 
    time to get down to St. Louis for the banquet, it is more likely that we are 
    working through the early evening.
    
    I know I warned you about this possibility, but I still feel badly, I hope 
    that you had a contingency plan in place.  If I find out that anything has 
    changed while I am in Springfield this week, I will let you know.  In the 
    meantime, I do hope that my absence will be a mere blip in a successful 
    event, and still hope to see you in the near future.  If you want to call me 
    in Springfield, the number is XXX XXX XXX8.
    
    Regards,
    
    Barack
    
    
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    From BObama@XXXXX.XXXX Sat May 12 00:41 CDT 2001
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            for ; Sat, 12 May 2001 00:41:01 -0500 (CDT)
    From: BObama@XXXXX.XXXX
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             for ; Sat, 12 May 2001 01:40:14 -0400 (EDT)
    Message-ID: <24.135f0a01.282e26be@XXXXX.XXXX>
    Date: Sat, 12 May 2001 01:40:14 EDT
    Subject: Re: conference banquet
    To: loui@cs.wustl.edu
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    Ronald:
    
    Just wanted to make a correction on last email: the session days run through 
    the week of the 21st, and not just the 21st, ergo the problem on Wed.
    
    Barack
    
    
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    From BObama@XXXXX.XXXX Sun May 13 22:45 CDT 2001
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    From: BObama@XXXXX.XXXX
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             for ; Sun, 13 May 2001 23:45:12 -0400 (EDT)
    Message-ID: <3a.14ddaa61.2830aec8@XXXXX.XXXX>
    Date: Sun, 13 May 2001 23:45:12 EDT
    Subject: Re: conference banquet
    To: loui@cs.wustl.edu
    MIME-Version: 1.0
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    Ron:
    
    Thanks for the understanding.  If session lets out in time, I will still try 
    to come down, even if I'm not officially speaking.
    
    Congratulations on your elections.  The start of a promising future!
    
    Regards,
    
    Barack
    
    P.S. If I do miss you in May, please be sure to contact me if you have any 
    plans to come to Chicago.
    
    
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    From fred_schauer@Harvard.Edu Tue May 15 08:01 CDT 2001
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            for ; Tue, 15 May 2001 08:01:18 -0500 (CDT)
    From: fred_schauer@Harvard.Edu
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    Subject: Re: icail 2001
    To: loui@cs.wustl.edu
    X-Mailer: Lotus Notes Release 5.0.4  June 8, 2000
    Message-ID: 
    Date: Tue, 15 May 2001 09:02:51 -0400
    X-MIMETrack: Serialize by Router on KSGMTA/KSG(Release 5.0.3 |March 21, 2000) at 05/15/2001
     09:03:48 AM
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    I'm really old-fashioned.  No AV equipment necessary at all.
    
    See you in a few days.
    
    Fred
    
    
    
    Professor Schauer lecturing in place of Barack Obama in the Old
    Courthouse where Abraham Lincoln argued for the rights of the rail over
    the riverboat, and Dred Scott argued his right to be freed from slavery.
    
    (Actually we wanted Senator Obama in the Old Courthouse first, then
    shifted him to banquet speaker, suggesting as topic how technology could
    help democratize access to the law and to government.  Emeritus Dean
    Dorsey Ellis of the Law School was the actual replacement banquet speaker.)
    
    

  • 2007 Presidential Campaign Contributions BY Self-Reported Occupation and Employer

  • Wikipedia Punahou School People (Short List) snapshot and current version
  • Wikipedia Punahou School People (Long List) snapshot and current version


  • Recently teaching:

    • CSE100 (Computing Tools, Fall and Spring)
    • CSE104 (Web Development, Fall)
    • CSE513A (Graduate AI Programming Project, Fall)
    • CSE547T (Formal Languages and Automata, Spring)

  • Visitor hosting in 2006:

    Ben Goertzel (3/3)
    David Goldberg (3/4)
    Lotfi Zadeh (4/21)




  • I am still finefacefotos at flickr.com
    (not finefacephotos!)




    Some of Melissa Clark's (MCLARK) stuff on ebay under the seller id collageart1013 (each ORIGINAL under $10):






    more more more more more
    <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>
    <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>

    Welcome back to U.S. Army Reserve Sergeant Jennie Clark from Djibouti & Kuwait with her Army Commendation Medal, and to U.S. Army Reserve Sergeant Thomas Clark from Afghanistan with his Bronze Star.


    Jennie is re-deploying to Iraq this month.




    
    A proposed technology article for a journalist friend who was
    looking to move up at the WSJ in 1998 (as solicited by his
    father, our friend and colleague, Prof. Judea Pearl):
    

    loui@csesh /home/ai/loui> ls -l wtext/wsj -rw------- 1 loui faculty 1710 Apr 9 1998 wtext/wsj loui@csesh /home/ai/loui> cat wtext/wsj

    WALL STREET JOURNAL (proposed article)

    (in-depth interest column)

    A Vindication of John Maynard Keynes: Computer Programs that Reason Disputationally

    by Danny Pearl

    A computer program for a new form of reasoning has come to life in the artificial intelligence laboratory of Washington University in St. Louis. It is the second program of its kind: an earlier program, called OSCAR, came on-line in Arizona last year.

    These programs embody "defeasible" reasoning, or reasoning based on rules that can be defeated by other rules, or by opposing lines of argument based on more rules.

    While defeasible reasoning does not allow significantly more intelligent behavior to be manifest by computers today, it does open the gates for better computer reasoning about decision, analogy, policy, and law.

    The latest program is the work of students in Professor Ronald Loui's research group: Guillermo Simari, Adam Costello, and Karl Stiefvater. Its existence represents some six years of programming effort.

    "Actually the philosophy of this approach to reasoning dates to a dispute John Maynard Keynes had with Bertrand Russell in Cambridge early in this century, " says Loui. "Keynes submitted his dissertation saying that logic should be based on argument, on what judges and lawyers do in a dispute. This offended Bertrand Russell, who had been working on logic as a foundation of mathematics and had already become quite powerful. In mathematics, a proof is a proof no matter what anyone else has to say. In a dispute, an argument survives only when there is no effective counterargument.

    "Keynes was banished from philosophy and economists are forever grateful."

    ...

    (Danny Pearl actually never received this proposed, unfinished text)