Sparking My Brain

It's really hard for me to constantly write creative things on this blog. It just seems that I either don't have enough time, or it just isn't high enough on my priority list. I would really like to write more interesting things, but alas, uneventful posts like these are what I usually get.

I like writing about (what I consider) interesting topics because I like the idea that whenever someone reads my post, they are going to read it and interpret the topic at hand with their own perspective on it. When/if they reply, they are going to talk about the topic, but with their own spin on things. I like the type of conversation that gets spurred through pure curiosity, it just seems that much more real.

I guess that's why I like talking about more philosophical type things. It allows the participants more freedom to talk about how they feel rather than just spewing recycled information as if they were a book trying to prove it's value. I find when talking about more non-concrete topics, people don't tend to be as egoistic in manner. No one knows, its just about talking from experience. It's kind of like putting a puzzle together that you know will never be finished. In the end, its not going to be a masterpiece to hang on the wall, but it will still be really fucking cool doing it. I guess in a way, it feels almost like art. Is there an art to philosophizing?

I just wish more people were open to talking about these type of topics. Nowadays it just seems like everyone wants to talk about concrete things: Did you see that football game? How did your project turn out? Etc. If I try to spark something having to do with the future of religion, in what direction is the internet moving, or how emotions affect the typical human, people just think I'm a fucking loon most of the time. Sure, they might answer in a half hearted way and then change the topic, but no real conversation ever takes place. I do realize that you can't just go around talking about abstract things all the time, but being open to these topics never hurts anyone.

What the hell am I rambling on about? God, I DO sound like a loon...

The Fountain

I just saw the Fountain, thanks to Eric, and I have to say, it was badass as hell. Definitely a MUST SEE movie. This is the first time that I haven't felt ripped off when the movie ended when seeing a film in the theatre. I would venture to say that it is one of my top 5 movies of all time, if not higher. Make the time to see it, you will not be disappointed.

This movie was seriously a trip. The movie starts out kind of slow and confusing, but near the end I felt like I was peaking on something. I have never had a movie do this to me, it was the strangest feeling. The music was amazing as well. Before I go on being a fanboy for too long, here's a song from the movie to listen to. (link might be slow)

First Time HDR

Anyone every do any HDR photos? Take a look on Flickr if you don't know what HDR pictures look like. I just happened to be browsing the photos when I noticed HDR can produce some REALLY amazing pictures. Above is a shitty HDR picture, this is what you aim NOT to do. But alas, it is my first (using an end table as my tripod). I don't know what it is about HDR photos, I think is the sharpness and contrast of colors that I like so much about them. An example HDR photo below. Look almost cartoonish? I like it though.

Parable of Two Programmers

Read here.

I don't know this parable just kind of pisses me off for some reason. I feel that although Charles DID slack off for bit, he STILL got the project done within the time constraints. I guess it's a matter of whether or not the company expects RESULTS or MOTIVATION. Personally, if I was running a company, I would want the results. I am the one making the quotas, if the employees can produce what I ask (and then some), who am I to judge their ethic? If I feel like they can do more, they will get more workload. I wouldn't penalize them for my perceptions of their work ethic.

On the other hand, you have Alan's team who completed the project, but didn't fulfill the requirements completely. They not only failed to meet the expectations, but they cost the company 2 extra employee's salaries in the process. Looking at the two stories side by side, this is just unacceptable. But Alan's boss would never know that. "The more you know", eh? (Flashback to the early 90's NBC ensues)

Obviously, I am making a lot of my decisions from a stance of relativity between the two stories, but taking that into account, I feel that my opinion still stands. Reading this parable did however, give me some alternative constructive(?) thinking in the aspect of being aware of other's realities, because that's what is at the core of this story. If your higher up THINKS you're excelling at what you do, I guess that's all that matters. Opinions? I know you do.

PS: Who knows if he was playing Space Invaders anyway? I mean let's be serious, it could have been Tetris for all they know. And that would have COMPLETELY changed the situation. ;)

Education: Science, Engineering

This is a pretty simple, yet well thought out article on why the engineering field is less than satisfactory in most cases. Check it.

This is Some CRAZY Shit!

Just in from the Exponent, we have breaking news: "Pot makes you CRAZY". Oh how the Exponent makes me laugh. :)

PS: For those interested, the article was about psychosis and how marijuana might(?) be a precursor for it later in life. The few sources they used were complete shit, thus making this article a huge pile of steaming manure. Boiler up... or something to that extent.