Linearity is actually relative to the algebra you are using. Xor is not linear in real arithmetic but it is in GF(2). This is useful because some of the algorit

Linearity is actually relative to the algebra you are using. Xor is not linear in real arithmetic but it is in GF(2). This is useful because some of the algorithms work across many algebras, and are useful for different problems. Eg, the tropical algebra. But you are quite correct about the AI winter.