Foundry Strikes at the Core

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douggreen 12/5/2012 | 3:21:10 AM

re: Foundry Strikes at the Core RJM,

I don't know why you would call what I describe detachment. Perhaps I am not communicating effectively.

It is fine to want a 10,000 square foot house. It is not fine to think that you NEED that house to the point that you feel that you have no choices in life. The ability to seperate our needs from our wants allows us to pursue the things we truely want, not the things that our culture tells us that we have to have.

I understand the real dangers of contentment without ambition. The ability to strive to make ourselves better, while still understanding how to be happy in the state we are in... it's a very delicate balance. It's the contentment that makes the striving a joy rather than an obligation.

Getting back to idealism versus realism...I think we would agree that a blend of idealism and realism is most healthy. A pure idealist may be totally ineffective because he/she is waiting for some great outcome that has no chance of occuring. A fatalist believes that things are bad and nothing can be done, and seeks no solution. I see myself as someone who recognizes that some things won't work (usually because I've tried them 5 times before), and looks in other directions to find a solution.

So, I am not advocating that we just throw up our hands and say that the telecom infrastructure can't be fixed. I will tend to poke holes in obvious solutions that I think stand very little chance of working because they keep smart people from looking for unobvious solutions that will work (does that make sense?).

On the flip side, I am not dumb enough to think that I am always right. I appreciate those like you who challenge me to help me see beyond my own experience.

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rjmcmahon 12/5/2012 | 3:21:09 AM

re: Foundry Strikes at the Core I don't know why you would call what I describe detachment.

I thought I read that you viewed our industry with a bit of detachment. That concerned me because our industry is a critical component to the health of our society at large.

The ability to seperate our needs from our wants allows us to pursue the things we truely want, not the things that our culture tells us that we have to have.

I think we all struggle with transposing needs and wants. I believe real broadband, provided at the most cost effective price possible, is a societal need and not a want. SBC CEO Whitacre thinks differently. And he's got much power and the establishment behind him. Public opinion is ignorant on the topic so is easily manipulated by propaganda. So what does one do?

I understand the real dangers of contentment without ambition.

I see this a bit differently. I see contentment as an emotion about the past. I'm ambivalent about ambition but I understand that many people use it to drive themselves. The emotions which I believe can motivate the future include faith, trust, confidence, hope, and optimism. I perceive those in your posts as well.

I see myself as someone who recognizes that some things won't work (usually because I've tried them 5 times before), and looks in other directions to find a solution.

I respect that a lot.

Nobody has tried municipal broadband on a scale that would attract retail providers of services. So nobody knows if it would work or not. I don't think a computer simulation could figure it out either. We need the real thing to answer the question.

I am not dumb enough to think that I am always right. I appreciate those like you who challenge me to help me see beyond my own experience.

Well thanks. I appreciate and respect our dialogue as well.

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CogswellCogs 12/5/2012 | 3:21:09 AM

re: Foundry Strikes at the Core rj, I completely disagree with the premise that hypocrites are in fact the nobler class of people as stated by the cognitive scientist on your referenced site. In the case of the UN, despite their lofty pronouncements, there is little to no interest in spreading democracy or freedom to oppressed peoples, in getting to the bottom of their multiple internal scandals, or in supporting nearly ANYTHING that the US proposes. I am sick and tired of a largely US-funded, anti-American organization that thumbs its nose at US laws, criticizes us at every turn, and works against our interests no matter what the issue. This same group then slaps themselves on the backs, congratulates themselves on a job well done, and enjoys the fruits of the sacrifices made by Americans in keeping the country in which their spy-haven is based safe and free, all the while lining their pockets with various ill-gotten gains. Not very noble in my book.

As I read the page in Wikipedia, I also detected a not-too subtle political viewpoint beneath the surface. I found one of the comments posted on the page quite interesting:

I also note that the examples of political figures listed, with the exception of Gary Hart for whom no offense is listed, are all conservative Republicans. Airing out ones own political agenda on a supposedly unbiased knowledge database... another example of hypocrisy?

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rjmcmahon 12/5/2012 | 3:21:08 AM

re: Foundry Strikes at the Core As I read the page in Wikipedia, I also detected a not-too subtle political viewpoint beneath the surface.

Wikipedia is supposed to strive for a neutral point of view, though it's not perfect. You can participate and voice your opinions on the site. I haven't done it and I don't know the details.

With all due respect Cogs, I think you have a strong political nature about you. I've kinda given up on the republican vs. the democrat thing myself. It is a game that doesn't get most of us very far and doesn't seem like the best use of our energies. (Kinda like a war of religions in a way.)

I'm not arguing for the UN one way or the other. I really don't know much about the institution other than the "noble people" don't pay their NYC parking tickets. I do like some of the information posted on their UNDP site though. It gives me a better world view than lets say FOX or MSNBC. I'm sure there are better sites out there.

PS. I noticed you didn't mentioned the RBOC hypocrisy. Do you have an equally strong opinion on that?

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rjmcmahon 12/5/2012 | 3:20:41 AM

re: Foundry Strikes at the Core Getting back to idealism versus realism...I think we would agree that a blend of idealism and realism is most healthy.

Doug; I finally found the post I was looking for written by hemmingway1 a three years back. I think this post describes the realism our industry needs.

Rather than realistic, I think you are instead being 'reasonable.' There is a big difference. I am reminded of a quote:

"A reasonable man adapts himself to suit his environment. An unreasonable man persists in attempting to adapt his environment to suit himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
--George Bernard Shaw

The entire post is very good. It can be found at

http://www.lightreading.com/bo...

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