Monster Noodle

WARNING!!! Jargonistic Technobable Ahead…

If you have been in or around the Information Technology industry for more than a few years you are certainly aware of how the industry has changed. In essence, the IT community has gone from being the answer to the problem to the problem without a good answer. It’s really amazing to me how closely the development of IT from one generation to the next has matched the different generations of Star Trek.

V1.0: The first generation of IT folks were a little scary. This was a generation of wildly talented free spirits that truly did go “where no man has gone before. Ok, so they were generally a little socially backward for their day. Now everyone’s a geek. It’s hard to miss the parallels between the first gen. IT group and initial Star Trek seasons. Lots of genius level non-conformists doing things that had never been done. Kirk was running around challenging the gods much in the same way that this generation challenged the suits. Kirk always won, and so did they. Ahhh…the glory days.

 

 

V2.0: The second generation of IT folks were a little more mainstream. Hey, isn’t that a lot like the Second Generation of Star Trek? During this time, IT began to be taken seriously by the suits and applied to business functions. Even though the suits were still afraid of the crew, they began to realize that they could wow their bosses with new shiny toys. Everyone was happy.

 

 

V3.0: Anyone home? Hello?!?!. Now you’re in syndication. After years of Jr. suits selling impossible projects to their big suit bosses, the great big suits now believe that IT is a cost that must be managed. After the second generation of IT flourished, so many “would be” techies rushed to get into this field that this generation has become a commodity. Oh sure, you have a few tricks up your sleeve and a lot of content to pull from but you’re stuck on Deep Sleep Nine. There are a million other shows just like you so you’re pretty much nothing special. Sorry you missed the bus.

Does this mean that the great voyage “to boldly go where no man has gone before” is over? Hardly. There will always be dreamers that are pushing the envelope. What it does mean is that the IT profession as a whole has become domesticated. It’s tame, safe and about as exciting as a priceline.com commercial.  

So, what’s next for IT? I found an extremely good article about the nature of the changing IT scene. It’s not brand new and it will require you to control your ADD for a few minutes but this is great reading material if you find yourself in the minefield of modern IT. 

 

Until next time, happy blogging.

 

Megadisclaimer: Take nothing at face value. Everything on this blog is for entertainment purposes. It won’t change the world, or even your opinion in most cases. If you believe everything that you read stop reading now!

Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Enterprise are all registered trademarks of CBS Paramount Television. No copyright infringement is intended through the display of content on this site. All copyrighted material is included under “fair use” principles. This site is also in no way affiliated with or endorsed by CBS Paramount Television.

written by Lochshen \\ tags: Information, it, Star Trek

Over the course of the past decade or so I have noticed a trend while driving. I spend a lot of time at traffic lights. There seems to be a new one every few months at places that simply don’t need them.

New traffic lights are often implemented as a way to reduce congestion and increase safety. In the majority of cases this is probably true but in many cases, an additional traffic light only serves as a new source of “fine revenue” for the local government. When coupled with a camera system, the amount of revenue generated can be substantial over time.

Excessive traffic lights often have several negative effects that are not well considered.

Excessive traffic lights cost money that can be better utilized elsewhere. Each one of these little annoyances represents a cost that is ultimately passed on to the tax payer. A traffic study, light system, programming and control mechanism can quickly turn into a bundle of cash. It is not unheard of for the entire process of adding new lights to run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, that’s before considering maintenance and continual electrical costs.

Excessive traffic lights cost more in fuel. An excellent article was written by the Telegraph that explains some of the hidden costs of waiting in traffic for a light to change. As the cost of fuel continues upward, the placement and timing of traffic lights will have a greater impact on dollars wasted in traffic.

Excessive traffic lights cause more wear and tear on a vehicle. Stop and go traffic wreaks havoc on an automobile. Virtually every moving part of the car is adversely affected by constant stopping and accelerating. There is a reason that “highway miles” are prominently listed when a used vehicle is sold.

Excessive traffic lights cost time. Like there are not enough things to get done in a day without spending more time sitting in front of a red light. Time spent in traffic is lost time.  

Excessive traffic lights are frustrating as !#$%. Often what used to be a pleasant drive has turned into a game of jockeying for position at a traffic light. In some cases, another traffic light only serves to cause more accidents by promoting competition. No one likes to be stuck behind a traffic light that is only a few hundred feet away from the last one.

Of course it would be irresponsible to advocate removing every traffic light on the road. Many serve a necessary purpose in keeping the bad driver from making irrational decisions while driving. However, the reality is that the negative impacts of excessive or poorly timed systems are often higher than traffic planners consider. 

In the end, traffic lights serve the same purpose that laws serve, to serve you. Just like laws, when one no longer serves the common interests of it’s people it’s time to reconsider it’s value.

 

Until next time, happy blogging.

 

Megadisclaimer: Take nothing at face value. Everything on this blog is for entertainment purposes. It won’t change the world, or even your opinion in most cases. If you believe everything that you read stop reading now!

 

written by Lochshen \\ tags: cars, driving, political commentary