Scott Adams draws the truth

Two recent Dilbert cartoons speak the truth...

 

 

JMS on Failure

J. Michael Straczynski discusses failure and then answers lots of interesting questions at his Julius Schwartz Lecture, which is viewable on MIT TechTV.  Warning it is a long video (approx 2 hours).

 

Power of Corporate Apathy

I just stumbled upon Ron Avitzur's story of Graphing Calculator on the mac.  He and a fellow former Apple contractor continued to sneak into Apple's main offices for months after being fired to complete a project for the PowerPC back in 1993 & 1994.  I would like to work on something so interesting that I'd be willing to work for free to ensure it is completed.

Ron's comments on the power in corporate relationships is interesting when you don't have real authority in a company:

I view the events as an experiment in subverting power structures. I had none of the traditional power over others that is inherent to the structure of corporations and bureaucracies. I had neither budget nor headcount. I answered to no one, and no one had to do anything I asked. Dozens of people collaborated spontaneously, motivated by loyalty, friendship, or the love of craftsmanship. We were hackers, creating something for the sheer joy of making it work.

His comments on corporate bureaucracy unfortunately ring true:

The people in charge of the PowerPC project, upon which the company's future depended, couldn't get us badges without a purchase order. They couldn't get a purchase order without a signed contract. They couldn't get a contract without approval from Legal, and if Legal heard the truth, we'd be escorted out of the building.

This story was presented by Ron at Google in 2006 (embedded below), it is essentially the same story from the web site with more background information.  The "power of corporate apathy" comes from the video.  It is one attribute of a corporation that allowed for these hackers to develop something for so long without being kicked out of the Apple campus.

 

Squirrel

Saw Pixar's new movie Up yesterday.  In 3D.  The 3D was used well, not as gimmicky as other 3D movies I've seen.

And I thing the reason for the 3D working so well in Up was it complimented a great story.  I still think The Incredibles is my favourite Pixar movie, but Up is a very close second.

One little part of Up that cracked me up was how the dog's were imbued with personalities that I've seen in real dogs.  Some friends and I often provide commentary on what we think their dogs are thinking (does this make us crazy?).  Now we have the tangential "squirrel" to throw into the dog's commentary, or as we don't have squirrel's down under, maybe it will be "possum".

 

Rain, rain, go away...

I was riding home from dinner at my sister's when rain hit; rather furiously. So I've retreated to the train system to get home.

 Earlier I shot some photos with my phone. I hope the captured just how strong the wind & rain is.

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Wet Friday Night

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