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5 Responses to “Living in Exponential Times”

1. 1
   nhgjb@megalink.net Says:
   February 6th, 2009 at 3:39 pm

   Our country is being overtaken today by politicians. They first will rob the treasury, that’s going on now, then attack the food supply. Yes we are being conquered by our trusted politicians. Where were they when we screamed that our jobs were being exported??? Not a peep. Company after company was closing, but not a peep. These companyies, some in business for 130 years or more, they could weather the storm for that many years but because of NAFTA, our heritage, and generations of family-owned businesses were forced out of business because of blind leadership. But you still don’t hear a peep. They are like alcoholics–they wont admit that this was a major mistake, and besides how can you fix generations of family sweat and investments lost because the people elected to protect and defend our way of life failed us so badly. May God Help Us. February 6, 2009

2. 2
   richardconnamacher Says:
   February 10th, 2009 at 5:07 pm

   That’s the difference between technology and theory. Technology becomes outdated, but theory stays current for decades, sometimes centuries.

   If schools teach current technology, then what they teach will be outdated before their students graduate. But if they teach the theory behind technology, students are well prepared for any change in technology that comes at them. Take spaceflight: the technology required to travel in space was first developed in the 1950s, and advanced rapidly in the decades since. But the laws of physics they rely on have remained largely unchanged since Newton published the Laws of Motion in 1687.

   I studied computer science in the mid 90s, and was trained in theory rather than in the current buzzwords of the time. And guess what? It takes me only a few moments to learn any new language or system that the computer industry can throw at me, because while the specifics change, the principals behind them don’t.

3. 3
   Bob-O-Rama Says:
   March 3rd, 2009 at 12:06 pm

   Richard,

   The issue is that no employer looking for an Ajax expert is going to hire you when you say “Well I know NEAT3/VS assembly language on a circa 1972 NCR 8600 Criterion Mainframe – so I can easily learn Axaj.” Nomatter how true that is. They will hire some kid who knows Ajax. And that kid will live in India making 10% of your salary. So heck why not hire 4 of them as spares.

   You remember the joke:

   What do you call a 40 year old engineer?
   I don’t know, what DO you call a 40 year old engineer?
   Exactly!

   I agree with the point you make, completely. And being in technology means life long learning and skill acquisition on that foundation. But its a moot point. I opened the sunday paper’s classified ads section. There were 3 full pages of forclosure notices, and exactly 3 professional help wanted ads. That is the “Principia” you should read.

   But I do wish you good luck in this craptastic job market, hopefully neither of us will have to test your theory.

4. 4
   wehaase Says:
   March 11th, 2009 at 11:35 pm

   Perot charts- video Living in Exponential times

   You can not have a problem if you do not have an objective or an expected result. We do not spend enough time discussing objectives and results. Problem solving is much like reading a map; First find out where you are, know where you want to go, know where you have been or you might just wind up back where you started. Then choose a path and resources to get you where you want to be.

   I think both richardconnamacher (theory) and bob-o-rama (process) have valid points. I believe what is missing is the human/moral/integrity/honor aspect of societies structure and beliefs. You can teach a child to shoot a gun (process-bob-o-rama) but what about understanding the results (theory/beliefs-richardconnamacher).

   The human species is the premier user of symbols. We need to concentrate on the meaning and use of symbols. In reality that is what the video is all about. Are the symbols used to communicate, educate, manipulate, control, etc.? It has been said that those who control the meaning of symbols control the people.

   The other part of the equation is that the objective/result must be measurable.
   Each individual has two worlds, that which is inside us, hot & cold, which is not measurable; and that which is outside us, temperature, which is measurable. That which is inside us requires agreement, while that which is outside us requires a benchmark. Let us establish our benchmarks before we attempt to put the pieces together.

   Science without religion is lame. religion without science is blind.
   Albert Einstein

   What’s it all about Alfie?
   Joss Stone

5. 5
   seedobecome Says:
   March 29th, 2009 at 8:07 am

   If only we could make TV boring and control “entertainment” via cost we might inspire the beautiful and stylish to grow a brain. Or… maybe we could make TV and entertainment, dare I say, educational thereby ignoring the massive marketing of superficial standards. Nahhh… I’m dreaming. America’s foundation IS marketing.
   P.T. Barnum and Dale Carnegie were truly geniuses.

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