Oh well, even though it's late, it's better late than never!
Free writing :
Ah, free writing! How I enjoy it! Although confined to the linguistical limitations of it's kind, I still find the freedom of expression if offers a gift of.. ingenuous humane neccesity of expression over the development of humanoids on this particular planet (Yes, I think my cousin might be an ape!). Marvelling in this brilliant invention of mankind, we, as readers and writes, have to ask ourselves-
(Dirty Harry) One question.. do I feel lucky? Well, do ya? Punk?
Oh, definitely. language, as I view it is an engineering marvel. Look at this thing, it's all over the place! It's up, it's down. It's all around you, look around! If you really cared, look under that seat you're sitting on right now. See there? Mine reads Perry. What about yours?
"But how is this language shenanigan even a form of engineering?" some argue hotly. "It wasn't designed by a specific somebody," as they might argue, "and what's more, it's differrent all over the place! There's no congruency! It's simply a vague form of expression which we humans just happen to use the most!"
Really?
Brushing my indignation away for a moment, let us look into what this 'language' is all about.
What is 'language' anyways? Og pummeling his brother Tog with a big club(Translation : You ate my share too?!) could be a form of language if we consider it's very basic function;
To message.
In our case above, the message "Don't" has been clearly delivered to our friend Tog here, who is weeping his pain away in the dingy corner of his cave. To message is the foremost and basic function of language, and the capability of language expanded as more and more messages had to be delivered to different people in differeng places, different time, and eventually, to a seller on Ebay in China who tried to scam me on a deal just yesterday. As language began to develop, it gained additonal functions which were varients of the original purpose. What would Tog to if he wanted to remind himself to beat up Og one day? Address a message to himself. What would Og do to boast about his victory over his brother to his favorite maiden? Address a message to her. What would a dying person do if he/she wanted to leave a message for those who would be born in the future? Address a message to the future. This was a procedure that took a very, very long time to grow, die out, and trim itself out to what we see as 'language' today. All of us are participants in this gigantic engineering project to develop a system capable of representing and delivering the human intellect across the restraits of time and borders. This is a global project, where not only the inhabitants of one group, ethnic, country nor continent is the limit of participants, but the entire globe itself.
But engineers seem to be an exception, no?
Directed Writing (as a continuum of Free writing)
Quick Planning
1.Particular importance which communication holds for Engineers
2.Modes of communication available
3.Suggestions of optimal communication.
Language, in where we communicate with each other, holds quite a significance not only to all humans but engineers in particular. Seeing that language itself is one big engineered product, it could be said that it is an engineer's duty to appreciate and understand such an aspect of language and thus utilize it with a deeper understanding of the system than any other. However, Engineering involves very specific figures and meaning, and if any of the information is misdirected or misinterpreted in the process of being transfered from one place or time to another,the implications are greater than they would have been in any other environment or line of work. Since human error is always present in amy line of profession involving human interaction, this can be attributed to why communicaion holds the paramount importance it does in Engineering.
An engineer may utilize the following types of communication in his/her carreer. They are as following; Digital communication, Analog communication. Digital Communication emcompasses all information relevant to engineering that is sent from one processor to another, regardless of space and time thanks to it's abundance, speed of transaction, longetivity of information depending on the nature of storage medium, and perhaps most important of all, accuracy thanks to the computing power computers possess in comparison to a that of a humans in terms of calculations per unit of time. Analog communication involves Verbal Communication and Written Communication (exerpt from starr.blogspot.com). Both are prone to human error, such as limitations in terms of memory as well as clarity of information which may occur when the factions communicating use different languages or systems compared to another, as well as limitation by space and time. However, they also allow for human correction and clarification through repeated discussions and communication. It should be noted, however, that this is also prone to human error, which is the fundamental underlying flaw in Analog Communication.
Suggestions for optimal communications would be to utilize the best of both of both communications available. Communication should be conducted in a proper fashion which allows for the accuracy and speed of Digital communication as well as the rectifying/self-feedback nature of Analog Communication to be utilized at the same time. Through the utilization of both strengths, coupled with undelayed, concise but all-inclusive decisions from engineers, proper communication should become one of the many cornerstones upon which the engineering legacy of humanity should rest upon.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
My 'Connection' experience.
To be truly honest, we connect with people all the time. We talk with them, we open doors for them... Hey! Even giving somebody a stern look qualifies as establishing some sort of connection, right?
Unfortunately, We can't have all that we want in life, any my definition of 'Connection' is one of them too. People who are very concerned with the business aspect of their lives (not to imply that there is even a single person who does not think about their business aspects in life,) have tried with disturbing enthusiasm and excitement to drill this definition inside my head. This is what I have gleaned from all that argument around me.
"A 'Connection' is a link between one and another, quite possibly multiple individuals who seek out to gain any sort of benefit by establishing and maintaining a relationship."
Well said, Mr.Engineer. Think about it, don't we all? I could befriend a guy who is very good at math not because I don't necessarily love him as a person, but as a person who can help me out of tough spots on that homework that's due some thirty minutes later. I could befriend a person on Facebook, (in lack of a better word, since 'befriending' somebody on Facebook usually means another click the 'befriendee' has to execute and no more.) just because I think I could get her to go out with me... er, someday.
In this materialistic world where the survival of the fittest still takes an important role in the survivalability of each and every individual, I think to be 'fit' means to amass the largest quantity of materials one could possibly acquire with his/her own ability. This so called material can be anything, from a coin to a word of useful advice on raiding that drug-dealer hangout. Connecting with other people is an odd but efficient method of creating resources, allowing for a win-win situation for both ends of the line. It creates a relatively great potential of earning something while losing almost nothing, and thus can be seen as a way to multiply the sources and materials one may have in his/her arsenal.
Alright, enough with the rant. Now that I have my newly defined meaning of 'Connecting', let us spare a bit of time in recalling a not-too-long-ago experience in 'Connecting' with my RA.
My RA is in his third year in UIUC,and is a MCB Major with a minor in Chemistry. As awesome as that sounds, I could see just how much of a toll the it was taking on the friendly face when I sat facing him on the dining table at lunch.
"You look half dead, Hani, what on earth happened?" I asked, somewhat mildly stricken and amused by the ominous marks of fatigue on his visage. "Nothing much," he replied. "Just stayed up till 5, doing an assignment." I cringed as I put the glass of watery orange juice down from my lips. Not being an MCB major nor wanting to be pecky, I refrained from asking what the assignment was about. Hani's half closed eyelids drifted from one food to the next on his plate, then closed as he slumped back on his seat. I took this momentary pause to think of a topic which I might be able to connect with him. I had just the right topic. "You took MCB 150, right?" I inquired, and Hani gave an affirmative nod, wrenching his eyelids open with some effort. "I took the first exam of the year for it just yesterday, and to be frank.." I sighed, shrugging my shoulders, "I don't think I exactly rap..e.... er, did exactly too well on the exam."
Hani was looking at me. Half an eyelid open, sure, but looking nonetheless. "Yeah, the first exam is always the hardest," Hani commented, "It's because nobody knows how to properly study for them.." He leaned forward, and I pressed on. "Can you give me any advice? I'm not sure if my method's working out well or not." I asked, and for the next ten minutes, I was told secrets so deep and profound to the point where I'm reluctant to openly share the knowledge on here in fear that it will be widely adopted by students; you may call me selfish if you want, but I will be forever reluctant to reveal the secret know-hows of an MCB major. Not without his consent, at least.
It was time for both of us to leave the table, and I offered to take his plate in return for his advice. "No-- no,no,no" he protested as he pulled back the dish I was trying to pull away from him. "It's fine, I'll do it." he grinned. "Gotta suck it up, y'know." And with that, he took his leave from the dining hall.
And so ended my short meeting with my RA. It's not as if it was my first time meeting him in person, and in reality I am quite close to him before this event as you can tell by the way I went on with the conversation.
In this relationship, I have strengthened the bond which I previously had, from that of a student - RA relationship to a Freshman - Junior relationship, (or more accurately, to that of a senpai-kouhai relationship)
So in this relationship, I have gained something my retaining and managing my relationship. Furthermore, I have a deeper insight into the study methods which I may be able to employ in the near future and what's more is that I am now interested in the position of an RA myself.
Unfortunately, We can't have all that we want in life, any my definition of 'Connection' is one of them too. People who are very concerned with the business aspect of their lives (not to imply that there is even a single person who does not think about their business aspects in life,) have tried with disturbing enthusiasm and excitement to drill this definition inside my head. This is what I have gleaned from all that argument around me.
"A 'Connection' is a link between one and another, quite possibly multiple individuals who seek out to gain any sort of benefit by establishing and maintaining a relationship."
Well said, Mr.Engineer. Think about it, don't we all? I could befriend a guy who is very good at math not because I don't necessarily love him as a person, but as a person who can help me out of tough spots on that homework that's due some thirty minutes later. I could befriend a person on Facebook, (in lack of a better word, since 'befriending' somebody on Facebook usually means another click the 'befriendee' has to execute and no more.) just because I think I could get her to go out with me... er, someday.
In this materialistic world where the survival of the fittest still takes an important role in the survivalability of each and every individual, I think to be 'fit' means to amass the largest quantity of materials one could possibly acquire with his/her own ability. This so called material can be anything, from a coin to a word of useful advice on raiding that drug-dealer hangout. Connecting with other people is an odd but efficient method of creating resources, allowing for a win-win situation for both ends of the line. It creates a relatively great potential of earning something while losing almost nothing, and thus can be seen as a way to multiply the sources and materials one may have in his/her arsenal.
Alright, enough with the rant. Now that I have my newly defined meaning of 'Connecting', let us spare a bit of time in recalling a not-too-long-ago experience in 'Connecting' with my RA.
My RA is in his third year in UIUC,and is a MCB Major with a minor in Chemistry. As awesome as that sounds, I could see just how much of a toll the it was taking on the friendly face when I sat facing him on the dining table at lunch.
"You look half dead, Hani, what on earth happened?" I asked, somewhat mildly stricken and amused by the ominous marks of fatigue on his visage. "Nothing much," he replied. "Just stayed up till 5, doing an assignment." I cringed as I put the glass of watery orange juice down from my lips. Not being an MCB major nor wanting to be pecky, I refrained from asking what the assignment was about. Hani's half closed eyelids drifted from one food to the next on his plate, then closed as he slumped back on his seat. I took this momentary pause to think of a topic which I might be able to connect with him. I had just the right topic. "You took MCB 150, right?" I inquired, and Hani gave an affirmative nod, wrenching his eyelids open with some effort. "I took the first exam of the year for it just yesterday, and to be frank.." I sighed, shrugging my shoulders, "I don't think I exactly rap..e.... er, did exactly too well on the exam."
Hani was looking at me. Half an eyelid open, sure, but looking nonetheless. "Yeah, the first exam is always the hardest," Hani commented, "It's because nobody knows how to properly study for them.." He leaned forward, and I pressed on. "Can you give me any advice? I'm not sure if my method's working out well or not." I asked, and for the next ten minutes, I was told secrets so deep and profound to the point where I'm reluctant to openly share the knowledge on here in fear that it will be widely adopted by students; you may call me selfish if you want, but I will be forever reluctant to reveal the secret know-hows of an MCB major. Not without his consent, at least.
It was time for both of us to leave the table, and I offered to take his plate in return for his advice. "No-- no,no,no" he protested as he pulled back the dish I was trying to pull away from him. "It's fine, I'll do it." he grinned. "Gotta suck it up, y'know." And with that, he took his leave from the dining hall.
And so ended my short meeting with my RA. It's not as if it was my first time meeting him in person, and in reality I am quite close to him before this event as you can tell by the way I went on with the conversation.
In this relationship, I have strengthened the bond which I previously had, from that of a student - RA relationship to a Freshman - Junior relationship, (or more accurately, to that of a senpai-kouhai relationship)
So in this relationship, I have gained something my retaining and managing my relationship. Furthermore, I have a deeper insight into the study methods which I may be able to employ in the near future and what's more is that I am now interested in the position of an RA myself.
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