Engineering Studies, Careers, and Transitions

Month: April 2017

Visions and Iceland

Dave Ramsey has many Biblical quotes scattered throughout his talks, and regardless of faith status there is one that is broadly applicable worth pondering. Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) states:

Where there is no vision, the people perish…

Now, a religious scholar would say this verse is not intended to be applied as it will be here, so if we want a more modern sage (R. Reagan), let’s try

To grasp and hold a vision, that is the very essence of successful leadership…

So if the essence of leadership is to provide that vision, let’s talk about Iceland.

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How does Iceland provide a vision that other nations could adopt?

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Citation Utilization

Citations and reference lists may not be one of those first tasks students eagerly seize upon in their assignments. Which is curious, since they add value on many levels. It can be a signal of carelessness when one reads a paper that uses too few references, too many, or presents them in unsophisticated formats.

Seeeeeexxxy because reasons

It is useful to review why citations are valuable, what standard you might prefer and the reasons for it, and why moderate use of them can enhance your writing and reputation.

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Minimising Interfaces

Let’s talk about Parking.

Parking is difficult. Ideally one would walk or bike to a grocery store, get some sun, get exercise, save on fuel. But when we do drive to a store, parking lots are a mixed hell of crowded stalls, uncertain pedestrian/vehicle interactions, stray shopping carts, and other threats to one’s peace of mind. They always drive me crazy, and I for one would rather park far away and walk, rather than be the person that makes a few laps around the aisles looking for a closer spot.

There’s something else I prefer to do at any sort of parking structure, and it puzzles me that in general people make other choices and leave this opportunity available. That is to park at a location where the number of car-neighbors is minimised. These spots are often free at the end of the lot, even though there are cars in the middle sections.

Hassle-free disembarkation

Finding an island or pillar to park next to reduces the chance of door dings or getting side scraped, being parked in, and just all the other hassles in dealing with the Sartrean hell that is asphalt and other people.  It’s well worth an extra couple meters to decrease that stress.

How is this generalizable to other issues engineers face?

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