It turns out that Mike Rowe is an eagle scout – suitably known for glamorizing hard work and “dirty jobs” – or maybe better-yet, for recalibrating the U.S. notion of what a “good job” is. There was a good interview with him in the eagle scout magazine, the Eagletter (Fall 2009):
Key points
- Troop: 16 (Maryland)
- Eagle Project: worked for Maryland School for the Blind (multiple disability unit)
- Web Site: http://www.mikeroweWORKS.com
- Quote: “I hope to make a case for hard work and skilled labor by challenging the notion that a four-year degree is the only path to a worthwhile career.”
(above information was courtesy of the Eagletter, Fall 2009)
Join NESA
If you’re an Eagle Scout and aren’t in-the-loop with the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA), go to their site and update your information! http://www.nesa.org
I’m still reflecting on, and relating relating things to, the harmonic (and I realized, redundant) universe. Here I’ll maintain a list of very pertinent literature as I discover it. On one side of the coin, maybe I should be concerned for having worked in tautology. But on the other side- even a seemingly negative result could be useful. So, I’m mulling this idea over. It seems there should be much agreement in the literature, because that’s the nature of redundancy. Read more…
The Foundational Questions Institute’s first essay contest received its last submissions today. The topic was “The Nature of Time.” Now the public can view our essays and vote!
If you’d like to download and keep all the essays on your own computer, download this archive: FQXi Nature-of-Time Essay Archive 2008
I devoted time in the last few months to develop some concepts for a submission. Then, over the Thanksgiving weekend, I wrote the essay. Kristin was working, and the research building was largely shut down. So, my somewhat hastily-constructed essay is also available at the FQXi site. The self-study and writing of the essay provided an amazing experience. Attempting to clarify time and its mechanism and effects really brought a sense of satisfaction through all the critical thinking and breadth of physics review I undertook.
After so many years in school, I now feel as if I reached a crucial moment where I was set free to apply my own methods to the questions of the world. Now that I have achieved a sort of scientific and intellectual catharsis- and tentatively answered some long-bothersome questions- I return this week to my applied research feeling refreshed.
John Walker seems to be an amazing guy. I just happened upon his site, and let’s just say, well, for a start, that he invented [pioneered?] AutoCAD. Whoah. OK, that software that I first heard about back when my family had a Windows 3.1 computer [and I was using the much cheaper TurboCAD]. And today, literally today, I’m using AutoDesk AutoCAD 2009 to design microscale patterns for a photolithographic mask plate. “Bravo,” and “thank you” to this guy.
A side note: AutoCAD is actually so cool that it supports scripting in numerous ways. I remember an architect (“Mr. MacNeil” when I was in Middle School) explained to me that there was a LISP programming interface for AutoCAD. Well, LISP and Scheme can be very cumbersome to use, so I opted for the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) route. This is very convenient. I was able, using the “Application” object and “Drawing” object, to automatically generate massive interdigital transducer (IDT) structures according to exact mathematical formulations. (See graphic below with 125 comb-like finger pairs).
Alright, utility and appreciation aside, John Walker has a very interesting web site. I figure after inventing [pioneering] AutoCAD and collecting some serious profits (from engineers like me or institutions like Georgia Tech), he has plenty of resources to pursue physics, history, and basement tinkering. Here are just some of my favorites from his website:
[I made updates to this post following a comment from an anonymous commenter from a supposed-competitor, IntelliCAD. Apparently John Walker didn't "invent" the software, but I also doubt he bought it in anything remotely resembling what AutoDesk/AutoCAD are today. Furthermore, I wouldn't fault Mr. Walker at all for having the vision to purchase and globalize a very worthy software product. This sounds a bit like the Microsoft story. However, if John claims to invent something which he purportedly did not, then that is a concern. Regardless, I hope people will check out his site and at least feel inspired by his authentic tinkering and creativity.]
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
Psalm 19, New Living Translation
I’ve been curious how many people have thought thought the “Helluva Engineer” line of the Ramblin’ Wreck song was some kind of sacrilege. Science and engineering have brought to me a wonderful appreciation of life and all of creation. It’s nice we say a prayer of thanks for our food. But meanwhile there’s more! I have food to eat (okay, also appreciate the microwave which made it hot), I am able to eat, garner nutrients, be satisfied, know when I need to eat, and on and on. I’ll respectfully say, “Our God is a helluva engineer!”
