Tag: thought

Futile European Revolution 29th May

Posted on by bobdvb

Today I saw on Facebook a campaign for “European Revolution” on 29th May 2011 seemingly started by some Greeks, I saw this and thought how stupid this is. Thus here is my response, I thought about posting it on their wall but realised they would probably just divert some of their negative energies at me causing me grief, but I trust it is safer to put it on a website that almost no one reads (mine):

Clearly a group of people with too much time on your hands. The power for real change isn’t in protesting, it is in acting in a positive way: it is about producing, it is about helping your country to recover. You are the government, the people have the power already. You blame the economic and political forces? What have you been doing that lets these forces control your lives? The answer is: Nothing. Politics is of the people, you and your families vote for the politicians. If there is corruption then you let it happen by not paying enough attention to your representatives. If the economic forces have controlled your life then you have forgotten that by earning money you, as the people, are in control. The way you spend your money determines the fate of the economy and the nation. You might think that your money is less important than the money of big business but then you are underselling your own importance. If you campaign for a positive change in spending, and if you are in the right, then you *can* make a difference.

 

Of course some will attack me for saying this, but I have seen what these protests achieve: Nothing. Because they are nothing but a forum for violence by anarchists who want to feel ‘something’ in their lives through this violence.

The Greek people in particular need to take responsibility for their national situation.  You are not victims, you are complicit in the situation.

 

Article on Housing

Posted on by bobdvb

Following a posting by my brother about mortgages and negative equity I thought it was time to publish an article that I have been sitting on for some months. Why I didn’t put it up here earlier is beyond me, but I also thought that someone might like to actually take this up.

Read it, comment on it, share it!

The article is about how you can build a housing project in not only an ecologically sustainable way but in a way which is also economically sustainable. It might not be vastly profitable from a capitalistic point of view but it is sustainable and has room to make some money. You can find it here.

Democracy and authority

Posted on by bobdvb

I always believed that democracy is the right political system for culturally advanced societies. That countries under democracy may not deserve it hence not apply it as it was originally intended. The abuse became a right and the rudeness and lack of self-respect became a privilege.We don’t seem to appreciate and honour the legacy that was passed to us.We believe that democracy equals freedom without limits while democracy’s limit is where the freedom of others begin. Respect for others and realisation of our position and responsibilities seems to go amiss. Oligarchic systems could be ideal for those who lost their way to true democracy. However, there is always a risk presenting itself when power, once again, is abused. This can take its toll on the wider public and its freedom. Those who lack manners, unfortunately, are seen as rebellious “idols” making their way to the top faster than ever before.  Those who speak faster than their head can think are admired. Constructive thinking and words of reason are rare. True debate with open mind without insulting your counterpart does not exist.

Have we ever thought what do we really contribute to our society? What do we have to offer? Do we really have anything to offer apart from a list of newly coined words? Have we ever considered that our modest personal knowledge could be greater if it was ever shared with the world? Knowledge of better value for the next generations that could be enhanced and grow. Self-destruction reigns where individual thought and self reasoning is non-existent. Corruption takes a few individuals to happen, growth needs many.

 I was sent this wonderful mail and I was reminded that people can only be as great as their words.  

“Η Δημοκρατία μας αυτοκαταστρέφεται διότι κατεχράσθη το δικαίωμα της ελευθερίας και της ισότητας, διότι έμαθε τους πολίτες να θεωρούν την αυθάδεια ως δικαίωμα, την παρανομία ως ελευθερία, την αναίδεια του λόγου ως ισότητα και την αναρχία ως ευδαιμονία.”  Ισοκράτης (436 π.Χ-338 π.Χ.)

 

New HTC Touch HD

Posted on by bobdvb

Well, after the disaster that was the HTC Touch Diamond I had a while ago, I decided I needed to call Orange and sort out my phones. I had been fancying an iPhone but I was loathed to move to O2 for it. I had been tracking the news around Orange because they were rumored to be selling the iPhone this year. But it being the end of November and there not being a press release in sight I decided just to call them and see what I could blackmail them in to providing.

I had seen the HTC Touch HD and thought, being the most expensive phone in the residential section I thought I should try it. I spoke to the nice lady at upgrades, she said she wasn’t authorised give me that for free and I should speak to “retentions”. I was duely transfered and speaking to the crack team; I mentioned that I wanted a good upgrade or an extreme downgrad. I asked about the HTC Touch HD and said I was looking for something like an iPhone. They said I had to pay £50 for it, I don’t normally pay for phone upgrades, however they offered me a halving of my line rental. So, I am now paying £22 per month for 1200 minutes, 900 texts, unlimited internet and I got a top of the line phone.Win!

The HTC Touch HD is much better than the Diamond, it is faster (although the processor is the same), it has a better display (a large 480×800 touch display) and all in all despite it’s relative weight it feels good to the touch. I was at a PR event last night for our company where our PR agency invited a group of journalists and we were discussing such devices. I bought out my phone and the considered opinion was that it was quite nice.

I think it won’t be going back and I can be quite happy with what I have.

 

Tempering creativity for a better end?

Posted on by bobdvb

I was just replying to a potential supplier, one who's products I think are so amazing that I won't say their name because it will give away my plans (they only have one product at the moment). I really want to use their product, desperately, it seems that their current product doesn't quite meet all my needs, but roll on 2008/9 and they might be ready. But their product is so useful that I've found many other uses for it in my product range, damn. I lamented to my liason:

 "Oh, how I wish I had a free hand with my work sometimes, what havoc and beauty I would inflict on the world of technology."

I was going to continue my lamenting, but I thought that was enough for a suppliers sensibilities. But I wondered, if I prove myself with a killer product/feature, perhaps I could get some indulgance with future crazy ideas, they'ed have to work out for the first couple of times, but I think they would.

 Does the tempering provided by my commercial colleagues make a better product or does it restrict my creativity? For surely pretty much all that I, as a technologist do is think creatively? Now I rationalise and I think perhaps the tempering is good for business, but perhaps not so good for the world in general? Shouldn't I be let off my leash from time to time?