Aug 04, 2010

Update: Jan 2017

Oops, I did it again and the art of navigation

Once again, I did it again.

Having clicked too quickly on my posting, it automatically refreshed, only to leave me staring blindly at my previous post; without all the goodness that I had spent the last twenty minutes churning out. Great. Perfect day.

So, let’s start afresh and talk about something more spontaneous for a bit. Initially, my topic had been on the new “secret document” that the Attorney-General’s office was trying to distance itself from; that in short stank of “nanny state” and data-mining under legal pretexts. Instead, I have decided to talk about something less driven and fluffier in nature.

Namely, my partner and my new obsession on owning a car and driving down the coast for a light backpacking trip.

And yet, car technology is just so vastly complex and for me at the very least, almost incomprehensible at present. Still, poring through the catalogues, what I believe would suffice in a decent second-hand car would be an RACV-approved car that has been fully checked for functionality with approval-ratings; a trusted brand (personally, I like the Honda Jazz and smaller-sized cars, but that’s just me); and of course a trusty navigation system somewhat along the lines of a Garmin or even my trusty iPhone maps (although that would mean that one person would need to constantly keep an eye on its direction to navigate effectively).

And, on the topic of navigating, a family of four, together with their trusted mutt was stranded for three nights in an offbeat road (Darling River Road), whilst traveling via Brisbane-Perth. The reason for them being trapped? Because they followed the lovingly hypnotic voice of their navigator system, and conveniently ignored all signage that referred to the words “closed roads” and “do not enter”.

Obviously, when technology is involved, robots should be more in sync to reality than we humans are, right? If you follow directions, and never ask, one cannot possibly go wrong, can they?

Despite having been rescued, this family would probably all but forget the day, that their robotic mate led them very much astray. I know when I start driving (once I pass, in October!), that would be one practical joke, I would hate to play on myself.

Credits: Image Source- eckiller.com

Aug 28, 2010

Update: Jan 2017

Dumping down or trading up: Technical skills 101

Recently, I was engaged in conversation with a friend who was an engineer-turned-lawyer. She spoke of how back as a student, while studying mechanical engineering, trips to the workshop were more of a rarity than a need. In fact, practical experience was lamentably limited.

Of course, this doesn’t apply to all. There are definitely engineers, lawyers and media studies professionals who enjoy what they are doing. But, with technological advances that speed up the initial pondering and thinking process, fundamentals are often thrown out the window. Would you need to know how to build a car from scratch when these days, vehicles are built to last longer and function better? Or, how about building your own roof thatch and fixing your hot water system? Basic science or simply a phone call away from ordering a new one?

This brings us to the point: What exactly are we supposed to take away from our degrees or further education?

Throughout the transitional phase from my initial studies for my degree to my current postgraduate arrangement, I have met plenty of friends–Australian-born Chinese and even local Aussies–who have passed the vote of confidence that studies are not essential. Or rather, what you take away from university may never translate into real-world skills.

Clint Steele, a senior lecturer in Engineering Design (at Swinburne University), noted that overtime, students are enrolling in classes which they previously would not have thought of. (Read his article @smh.com) on the economic situation that prompts us where to bank our educational dollar.

This drills home an issue. Are we studying for the sake of studying? Or are we doing so for the passion of it all? Would drilling and welding be second nature, or is it something that has to be pursued due to its lucrative pay packet?

Cars and equipment are built to last longer these days, where perhaps car repairs are less commonplace. Greasing one’s palm picking up skills from good ol’ dad these days just doesn’t cut it. And yet I remember a time when I would follow Dad around, being his little helper as he fiddled with the car’s radiator and took apart the old radio set.

Technical skills have a high reputation here in Australia. And yet, it seems students have forgotten that at the end of their formal education, the real world would not be half as forgiving of errors and fumblings. Nowadays, technology seem to come in a box, complete with a 100-page manual. Studying has become simplified. Who would have thought that mounting a solar panel or fixing a blocked drain pipe could be easily done simply by searching online for Wiki answers?

Of course, for more difficult tasks, the professionals should be called in. But, without being fully immersed or interested in welding pipes and scaling scaffolds to inspect a site, an educational certificate is akin to a piece of paper with gold-gilded words. Nothing more than that. Perhaps it’s best to rethink what studies would be beneficial in all aspects: Economically, psychologically (your own mental health), and conducive.

Counting a list of friends and the number of changes made during their educationalal lifespan, it seems that in Australia, or at least among the batch of people I associate with, there’s greater flexibility and freedom of choice. That would perhaps mean that they are actively engaging with what they studied and not simply committing to the motions of having to get it over and done with.

Why would I say this?

In terms of being able to reelect or simply take on another subject to change courses, I’ve met friends who have restudied over a period of five years, in order to change their degree pursuits.

Here’re a few examples as listed below:

• 1) Male who studied an Engineering degree -> changed to media (in Brisbane). Currently pursuing a Masters in Business (in Melbourne). And has never worked other than for his parent’s company.

• Currently working as a marketing co-ordinator. Female whose initial degree was in Media.
  
• Engineering degree. Female who is currently studying a diploma in Law.

• Information technology degree. Female and male, both studying a condensed one-year Masters in Business & Info Tech. Current fees cost as much as A$40,000.

• Chemical Engineering degree. Female currently studying a Masters in Nursing. Never worked before.

• Engineering degree -> Architecture degree (Melbourne). Male who suspended the degree before continuing it in Sydney after a few years of work.

• Female who did a Mechanical Engineering degree-> Law degree.

What this shows is that students these days are not pursuing their interests. And without this passion, often and sadly true, loyalty toward one’s company becomes dilluted. They proceed to where the highest pay is being offered. Hence, most first-time job seekers would potentially hold down their first few jobs for a year or two.

Of course, this isn’t a blanket observation, but rather that we do seek education to better our chances in life. And yet, at what price? For myself, I must say that I am grateful my supportive family allowed me to make my own choices.

Studies should not be that complex. Yet, it should not be so simplified that all you need to do is commit to paper and wing it when life throws you a fast ball. Perhaps educational standards should be revisited to allow students to have more hands-on, real-life experiences. Technology may have advanced, but not to the point of making professionals forget the very basics.

Comp-lify, as I would like to call it. But hey, real life was never meant to be easy.

Photo credits: rlv.zcache.com, siliconhell.com

Repost: AustraliaGadget Girl by marielwong | Mar 02, 2011 (13:31)- cnetasia.com. Updated Nov 2016

It has been 5 years since I returned back from Melbourne. I must say that changes are aplenty even as I speak. Got married, had 2 wonderful kids and a little reminiscent on my life back there.

Simpler times.

From the subjects of my Masters altering to unbelievable lengths (‘This subject is inapplicable, thank you for applying. Goodbye.’), to the newfound plague at home that comes in the embodied form of a diminutive mouse; Melbourne never seemed more fun. Firstly, my Body Corporation who hence hold me bound to my contract by the following measures.

Stipulation 1– ‘Do not ask thy neighbours of the condition of this area before you move in, therefore, the tenant is contractually bound to accept all forms of creatures that move into the neighbourhood; friendly or menacing in nature.’
Stipulation 2– ‘Under pressure of petition, we will and have chosen to ignore the cries of all tenants alike, hence what makes you more important then them?’
Stipulation 3- ‘A mouse you say? Well, what makes you think that we can do better then to offer tenants healthy suggestions to put wads of cotton soaked with peppermint essence that would promptly scare the wits out of any proper mouse living in this vicinity?’
Stipulation 4– ‘In view of all complaints, from the invasion of the cockroach buddies to the leaking roof fiasco; our Body Corporation would like to extend the following apologies and would like you to note that requests for baits, knives and peppermint essence is no longer applicable. From the 28th of Feb 2011, we are officially broke and would require a 3 months’ deposit from all tenants. Thank you and have a great day ahead’.

Image Source: http://xenophilius.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/800px-computer_mouse_trap.jpg

My issues aside, for the greater good of Melbourne; where as of yesterday, there were many lucky people who received a bountiful amount of money, without having to work for it. Where as seen from our local paper, there is but a sentence that suits this situation to a T.

‘The long arms of the law, will catch up with you’.

As bitter as that might sound, and yes, I did not head out yesterday to massively draw money from all the faulty Commonwealth ATMs around the city, the fact stands. They know who you are, and they will track you down, one by one. Well, at least that’s what the newspapers are pimping it to be. Although, as far as we can see, one things for sure. How can you track someone if the account they are drawing from does not belong to them, or worse, if the camera mounted upon the ATMs are duds? Of course, these are just prepositions and should not be taken seriously, but I would love to read in the newspaper and see the following.

‘Error in ATMs was nothing but a publicity stunt to get more Australians, to buy into the Commonwealth banks’ Unit Trust accounts’.

Which, as we know, is not going to happen. Although, speaking about publicity stunts, as the deadline draws for the launch of the iPad 2 and iPhone 5, what viral marketing would they utilize this time; where ‘Oops, I was too drunk that I left my only prototype of the iPhone 4 in the laps of that pretty girl,’ is not exactly going to work this time. Still, one can but hope that the world is fair, and all the money overdrawn from accounts that don’t belong to these people who profited in yesterday’s fiasco would be safely returned. Mostly, because I am a Commonwealth bank user. If not, I am moving off to another bank and awaiting for the next time a city wide meltdown of all ATMs alike would happen, draw all the cash and say, ‘Ha Ha! In your face!’ Immature I am sure, but hey, tell that to the mouse that has settled into my homely abbot, where despite how vigilant I clean and upkeep this one-bedroom facade of a loving home; it just isn’t enough to make my unwanted guest move out.

To this, I say the world is flat.