Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Category: General Cogitation Page 32 of 40

Soapbox: Rioting is Irresponsible and Foolish

By

On April 3, 2012

In General Cogitation, Soapbox

First, congrats to UK for beating Kansas. I was happy to see Kansas lose since they were responsible for taking Purdue out of the tournament. However, I was sad to see the fan response in Lexington. Rioting is not celebrating! I don’t understand the rationale behind burning of public or private property to symbolize joy and euphoria (unfortunately the rioting in Lexington took a step for the worse when someone was shot – though not critically).

What the hell, people?!?

I was at Purdue in 1999 when the students rioted because the men’s basketball team advanced to the Elite Eight. The students ignited a bonfire that burned so hot it literally melted the blacktop; a scar remained until the university ripped up the road and repaved it. Our tuition went up 12% the year following that riot, and yet somehow everyone was alright with that because it happened twice the two years after that. I like to see my school do well just as much as the next guy, but I didn’t want a tuition increase to pay for the damage caused by the reckless and deviate behaviors of the other students.

Here’s an intelligent thought: how about we find a less destructive way of showing our pride in our school and athletes? I cannot fathom how looting fraternities to burn couches, or tipping over dumpsters to burn garbage demonstrates even a shred of school pride (or dignity). It’s disgraceful and unsportsmanlike.

/end soapbox

Soapbox: Discussing Politics Is Getting Insufferable

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On March 28, 2012

In General Cogitation, Soapbox

When I was in high school I rarely cared about politics. I was neither republican or democrat. It wasn’t until college that I started to pay more attention and began forming my own opinions and which party those opinions better aligned with. In fact, there were even times when I enjoyed discussing politics with friends and family. I also thought it was great to see younger people becoming more politically involved.

Lately, however, I find myself trying to avoid talking politics to anyone. Passion is often a good thing, but I think passion can be blinding and I think that is what is happening in politics. I think, in some ways, we are in the midst of a civil war; a civil war fought with words and opinions instead of guns and bullets. There have been a few times lately when I have read something a friend posted on Facebook or Google+ that just almost got me extremely riled up. Almost to the point where I wanted to mute their posts or remove them from my Friends list, in fact there have been a couple times when I have already done that.

I’m reaching the point where I don’t care anymore. I don’t want to fight with my friends (or family) just because they hold a different opinion (this isn’t something that happens to all my friends of opposing opinions, its about those that often express their opinion colorfully). I think my new stance is that I won’t allow any of the idiots in Washington (regardless of party) to form a rift between me and my friends.

I will be “Unliking” any politically oriented group on Facebook and hiding any post that I feel is too extreme.

I’m not picking a side.

I’m not fighting this civil war.

/end soapbox

Humor Helps

By

On March 1, 2012

In General Cogitation, Programming

As I have said in the past, I have been in the software development industry for nearly 10 years now. Currently I am working for a consulting firm which means I am often placed at various clients around the city in need of Enterprise Microsoft Solutions. I have worked for some pretty big clients and I have talked to some pretty important people at those clients. I have learned a very important and undeniable truth, humor helps.

I will not deny that it’s more important to be serious when its appropriate. You should not crack jokes in front of a Vice-President, CEO or any other high ranking personnel. However, I think its also important to allow the lighter side of your personality to come through and I believe this for two reasons: building rapport and dealing with stress.

It’s rare when I leave a client that I don’t have well over a dozen people coming to me to say farewell. I know one of my strengths is building a good rapport with everyone. I believe its my humor that helps build these relationship. How many times is it suggested that a joke be used as an ice-breaker? Humor is a natural ice-breaker, it helps quell nervous behavior. Granted I don’t walk into a client the first day and start making jokes, I think its important to warm up to people first and find out what kind of humor is appropriate. The wrong kind of humor will have the opposite effect.

Every workplace will go through periods of high stress. It’s inevitable. The curse of professionalism is the better you are at your job the more work you are expected to do in a shorter period of time. If you are going to survive the day you need to have a way to let go of the stress. When I notice my team is really stressed out, that is usually when I increase the jests. Similar to ice-breakers, the humor quells the nerves and helps relieve the tension, even if its only temporary. I say its far better to laugh in the face of stress instead of wanting to hang yourself.

Remember, humor is a tool and just like any tool, if used improperly can cause more harm then good. If you joke too much then people won’t take you seriously. If you say the wrong thing, make the wrong joke, that can have an even greater adverse affect. This is why I take some time to get to know the people I am working with first.

Cheers!

Soapbox: Proper Grammar

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On February 22, 2012

In General Cogitation, Soapbox

Poor grammar is a pet peeve of mine. When I hear someone use a double negative or butcher sentence structure it’s like nails on a chalkboard to me. Gamers are some of the worst offenders, which is often why I leave global channels in WoW.

I know that I do not have perfect grammar. I know someone could probably go through every one of my blog posts and nit pick dozens of grammar errors, but there is a difference between subtle grammar violations and a blatant disregard for the English language. How you speak and how you write can have a huge impact on your success in life. I’m sure there is statistical proof out there that links job placement to how articulate the person was in the interview. Poor vocabulary and poor grammar can be devastating to your professional career.

This morning there was a guy on the elevator talking on his cell phone and I herd him say “I’m glad you wasn’t there…” … WEREN’T!!! I seriously almost said something but that would have been rude. I’m sorry but using the wrong tense of a word just makes you sound ignorant. “Ain’t no” and ain’t got no” are, by far, the worst phrases anyone could utter. I literally cringe when I hear someone use either of those phrases. I don’t care if “ain’t” has been added to the Oxford dictionary, it still isn’t a real word and to use it in a context that creates a double negative just makes you sound belligerent.

Folks, there are 40,000 – 50,000 chinese characters and 26 letters in our alphabet. Comparatively speaking, the English language is not that difficult. If you want to be taken seriously then please try to sound intelligent.

/end soapbox

Cheers!

Ending the Dry Spell, Hopefully

By

On February 11, 2012

In General Cogitation

Greetings all! It has been a while since I have posted anything on my blog. Life, as we all know, sometimes gets a little crazy. There was a curve ball or two thrown my way and, honestly, the news lately has just been atrocious. Assaults on various freedoms, bickering among party members, and this whole thing with Iran scares the shit out of me. But I’m not here to talk politics, I hate blogging about politics. I hate election years.

At any rate, I hope to be back in the saddle again immediately. I do like to blog and while I know not many people read my blogs, sometimes it can be extremely motivating when I find out people are reading. In fact, just before the “fit hit the shan” I found out that I had inspired a friend of mine to start his own blog. So I encourage you to visit Captain Light’s blog. I added it as a Suggested Link. He like to talk about movies, wrestling and various other topics. I’m extremely excited that I have motivated someone else to write more. Writing is great exercise for the brain, it helps you organize your thoughts and enhance your grammar and vocabulary.

All right, enough babble; time to start generating new post ideas.

Cheers!

Soapbox: Programming Is NOT For Everyone

By

On January 13, 2012

In Programming, Soapbox

I read an article on CNN where the author seems to think that Americans should learn to write computer code just as they learn to read and write. In fact the guy has started an online “academy” to teach people how to write code … For Free!! I’m sorry but I completely disagree with what this guy wants to do. The ability to write software is far too advanced of a skill to compare it to learning to read. In fact it’s insulting to suggest that programming is that simple. I obtained a four year degree to learn to develop software; granted a four year degree isn’t necessarily required, but thats only if you have a gifted background in computers and/or programming.

I do agree with the guy on one of the points. It would be a benefit, as a software developer, if people understood what went into developing a piece of software. If that were the only reason to offer this academy then I wouldn’t have a problem. Sadly that isn’t the case. Any putz can participate in the online tutorials and suddenly they are “qualified” to write software. The concept, in my opinion, is absolutely ludicrous and frightening.

I appreciate the authors concern that America is losing its competitive advantage but the last thing we need is a bunch of hillbillies thinking they can write robust and effective code. I hate to sound like an elitist but if a company is in need of a competent programmer, and they have to choose between someone with a four year degree and someone who took an online tutorial … Who do you think will get the job?

/end soapbox

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