Again, I doubt that anyone I know is reading this. Maybe I should rephrase that and say: other than a search bot, I don't think anyone will ever read this.
Regardless, I thought that having a web "presence" is important. When looking for work we can be anonymous characters, unless we are already known in the industry.
Now with google, pipl.com, facebook, etc. it is possible to look up people like a term in a dictionary. About 5 years ago, I thought it was important to be "alive" on the web, one's name on a numerous projects, publications etc.
I totally disagree. It is best to not be "on the Internet" and keep a private life. Recreating the public sphere by making a life private will not enhance the quality of my life. Maybe just somebody who want to market something!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Learning something new
Lately I have been back on the craze of using my computer for something creative, rather than just consuming the work of others.
There are tons of programs with student or trial periods if I just want to get an idea of what it is like to make 3D structures, multi-layered images or plenty of things I have yet to think about.
A problem remains in the time that I am willing to spend on being able to draw or paint with a good old pencil. Software packages will come and go, however the ability to draw is one that I will have to cultivate!
There are tons of programs with student or trial periods if I just want to get an idea of what it is like to make 3D structures, multi-layered images or plenty of things I have yet to think about.
A problem remains in the time that I am willing to spend on being able to draw or paint with a good old pencil. Software packages will come and go, however the ability to draw is one that I will have to cultivate!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Electronic junk and clutter
It is inevitable : more devices come out, not performing much better than what you already have, but there is strange desire to acquire that latest thing.
iPhone, portable Internet, music, hmmm... I see little reason to continuously communicate what I am doing in life.
Nevertheless, I have come to adore high resolution screens, the trackpoint and decent keyboards, and computer silence. It seems that the basics of computing are not going to change any time soon.
Looking at Intel's Ultrabook, - thin, light and powerful. Well I cannot say that portability is the most important requirement. Heck I would love to be able to bring two laptops with me whenever I travel. I will just in case I have a problem with one, I can use the other.
That being said, I have to find a way to kick my electronic consumption habit. Being satisfied with what I have is not that difficult.
iPhone, portable Internet, music, hmmm... I see little reason to continuously communicate what I am doing in life.
Nevertheless, I have come to adore high resolution screens, the trackpoint and decent keyboards, and computer silence. It seems that the basics of computing are not going to change any time soon.
Looking at Intel's Ultrabook, - thin, light and powerful. Well I cannot say that portability is the most important requirement. Heck I would love to be able to bring two laptops with me whenever I travel. I will just in case I have a problem with one, I can use the other.
That being said, I have to find a way to kick my electronic consumption habit. Being satisfied with what I have is not that difficult.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Exist to work!
When you find yourself doing something everyday, it is obvious that you will have to learn how to write about it such that other people can understand what you are talking about. Unfortunately, when a job search is one of the most uninteresting jobs in the world : you have to justify to someone that you are worth something, but it just so happens that you are being used for one reason or another.
There is a wide gamut of reasons why you may choose to leave a job. Leaving education is also a problem, but often very justifiable when it is not something you particularly like. Introducing the word career into my vocabulary is still a foreign concept, but I may have to do so if I don't want to continue wandering around. My expectations about work have become progressively more realistic, however I should consider doing something that I will not loathe. Why do I have the impression that people loathe their work?
Unfortunately, I am north american and my sense of culture is thin. Work is what defines who I am and why I should exist. Based on the literature on the job search, we are not encouraged to think about the real consequences or need of whatever we do. Great minds make useless things and bad decisions.
There is a wide gamut of reasons why you may choose to leave a job. Leaving education is also a problem, but often very justifiable when it is not something you particularly like. Introducing the word career into my vocabulary is still a foreign concept, but I may have to do so if I don't want to continue wandering around. My expectations about work have become progressively more realistic, however I should consider doing something that I will not loathe. Why do I have the impression that people loathe their work?
Unfortunately, I am north american and my sense of culture is thin. Work is what defines who I am and why I should exist. Based on the literature on the job search, we are not encouraged to think about the real consequences or need of whatever we do. Great minds make useless things and bad decisions.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
When Social Networking is not for you...
I am currently looking for work. If are one the readers of this blog, it may be of no surprise that you do not have much of an idea who I am. It would not take that much sniffing around to find out who I am, but being anonymous is one of those strange luxuries of living in a big city where nobody, other than friends, family, work colleagues and your chosen social groups, know you.
I just read the article "Online presence is underused for job hunters"
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/SciTech/20110508/OTT_technow1_110508/
while I am not on any of the social networking services, I find it really difficult to justify to myself the creation of an online profile. If my previous employers and colleagues think I am dead, it wouldn't really bother me.
A name is built from accomplishments, whether it be publications, projects, participation to a range of activities. Not a generic profile. I cannot even think if I have been photographed more than 3 times in the past 3 years.
As for building an online ever shifting persona, just for the purpose of looking for work, it seems really late to start. Social networking is so 2007.
I just read the article "Online presence is underused for job hunters"
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/SciTech/20110508/OTT_technow1_110508/
while I am not on any of the social networking services, I find it really difficult to justify to myself the creation of an online profile. If my previous employers and colleagues think I am dead, it wouldn't really bother me.
A name is built from accomplishments, whether it be publications, projects, participation to a range of activities. Not a generic profile. I cannot even think if I have been photographed more than 3 times in the past 3 years.
As for building an online ever shifting persona, just for the purpose of looking for work, it seems really late to start. Social networking is so 2007.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Elections, terror, furor and just plain ignorance
there are only a few weeks left in the federal elections. I'm not sure where the excitement should stem from, but change is probably the largest factor that we should be looking forward to.
I recall in 2005, when Stephen Harper came to power, there was a weak sense of optimism that a strong government can make some positive changes. Over time, my attitude became progressively negative towards policies that continue military actions internationally,continued cuts to education and healthcare and surely enough a policy of fear and crime where we can justify investments into prisons and increase police force. Regarding last, the, there is undoubtedly a role for police in any society, however the tone, whether it be in health or in crime, prevention is always key. With improved opportunities, better education a stronger sense of community the incentives to do criminal activity are greatly reduced.
Another hot topic of the selections were corporate tax cuts. Considering that corporate taxes do not invite foreign corporate investment, the lack of a skilled workforce, political stability, and a motivated workforce, much greater factors in the development of an economy. Places where peak on any trumps over environmental concerns are not places where industry can be assured long-term prosperity.
One of the key challenges in discussing the elections, or any other topic, is the possibility of having conversations as opposed to a monologue like in this case here.sometimes I wonder if politics are less about the main goal of determining what is best for society as opposed to short-term gains and claims of celebrity of a political campaign. In a more positive light,I believe politicians make that balance of public figures who have the real responsibility of researching and representing ideas and policies which would benefit the whole society as opposed to a few who already are in power.
I recall in 2005, when Stephen Harper came to power, there was a weak sense of optimism that a strong government can make some positive changes. Over time, my attitude became progressively negative towards policies that continue military actions internationally,continued cuts to education and healthcare and surely enough a policy of fear and crime where we can justify investments into prisons and increase police force. Regarding last, the, there is undoubtedly a role for police in any society, however the tone, whether it be in health or in crime, prevention is always key. With improved opportunities, better education a stronger sense of community the incentives to do criminal activity are greatly reduced.
Another hot topic of the selections were corporate tax cuts. Considering that corporate taxes do not invite foreign corporate investment, the lack of a skilled workforce, political stability, and a motivated workforce, much greater factors in the development of an economy. Places where peak on any trumps over environmental concerns are not places where industry can be assured long-term prosperity.
One of the key challenges in discussing the elections, or any other topic, is the possibility of having conversations as opposed to a monologue like in this case here.sometimes I wonder if politics are less about the main goal of determining what is best for society as opposed to short-term gains and claims of celebrity of a political campaign. In a more positive light,I believe politicians make that balance of public figures who have the real responsibility of researching and representing ideas and policies which would benefit the whole society as opposed to a few who already are in power.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
the right, and the stereotype.
What does the Leaders' debate mean to everyday Canadians?
The issues at hand, whether they be healthcare, the economy spending, the principles of democracy, federalism, or crime, are some of the few elements that really define how the leaders performed in the debate. Personally, and according to the commentaries of different analysts, how leaders express themselves, their enthusiasm, how reserved or excited, their use of language, and how they interacted with the camera or one another, illustrates that there are number of other factors that demonstrate that the leaders' debate is not so much about the issues. A few weeks earlier I heard a brief report on how people from distinct cultures and countries can choose quite accurately the will winters of election simply based on their photograph. That does indicate that there are some characteristics that we are |programmed| to accept or support.
The issues at hand, whether they be healthcare, the economy spending, the principles of democracy, federalism, or crime, are some of the few elements that really define how the leaders performed in the debate. Personally, and according to the commentaries of different analysts, how leaders express themselves, their enthusiasm, how reserved or excited, their use of language, and how they interacted with the camera or one another, illustrates that there are number of other factors that demonstrate that the leaders' debate is not so much about the issues. A few weeks earlier I heard a brief report on how people from distinct cultures and countries can choose quite accurately the will winters of election simply based on their photograph. That does indicate that there are some characteristics that we are |programmed| to accept or support.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)