How far is a day's march?
... for, say, 20 people?
... who are trained for it and have high morale?
... and large backbacks?
What if they are making a road as they go?
... out of packed sand?
... out of other material?
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Monday, July 30, 2018
There are, of course, also rooms for those who barely pray; the barracks at the top of the insulae.
There are, of course, also rooms for those who barely pray; the barracks at the top of the insulae. Because the necromancers value people, and don't put them in fucking cages.
Within towns and cities of the necromancers of the Convocation of Malqort, the Faithful may live in the insulae...
Within towns and cities of the necromancers of the Convocation of Malqort, the Faithful may live in the insulae tenements.
These are six floors. The lower the floor, the larger the rooms and the better the plumbing. Service merits access to these. The first hours are generally in prayer, and just 2 hours a week gives access to the double dorms; at 4 you can sleep in a single room. All believers have access to food, health care, education, and clothing.
Access to the best rooms in the insulae require 100 hours/week, and these are 2,000 square feet; the 100 hours can come from any comibnation of people living in the space.~40 hours/week gives access to an 800 square foot space.
Basically: while with additional service you and yours have better access to resources, even minimal service to the Church ensures a person or family can live safely within the Convocation.
This is never dependent on ancestry, and is access to anyone who Prays. Because the necromancers aren't monsters, and don't put children in fucking cages for being from a different city.
These are six floors. The lower the floor, the larger the rooms and the better the plumbing. Service merits access to these. The first hours are generally in prayer, and just 2 hours a week gives access to the double dorms; at 4 you can sleep in a single room. All believers have access to food, health care, education, and clothing.
Access to the best rooms in the insulae require 100 hours/week, and these are 2,000 square feet; the 100 hours can come from any comibnation of people living in the space.~40 hours/week gives access to an 800 square foot space.
Basically: while with additional service you and yours have better access to resources, even minimal service to the Church ensures a person or family can live safely within the Convocation.
This is never dependent on ancestry, and is access to anyone who Prays. Because the necromancers aren't monsters, and don't put children in fucking cages for being from a different city.
Within the city builders of The Convocation of Malqort, there are three types of forts:
Within the city builders of The Convocation of Malqort, there are three types of forts:
1. Towers
2. Camps
3. Forts
A tower is three stories tall, with space for livestock, people, and supplies. The roof is a watch tower. The entire thing is about 20 meters on a side. Generally, 20 people live here and there's room for 100. These are built each day's march from each other along the Road. This easily controls an area out to 100 meters.
A Camp starts with a Tower, built another story tall and with out buildings. There's a fence at 100 meters, and the Tower is now four stories. Generally, 100 people live here and there's room for 500. These are built at intersections of Roads. This easily controls an area out to 500 meters.
A Fort is built from a Camp. The inner Tower has another floor, and there is specialization in each quadrant. Generally, 500 people live here and there's room for 2,500. These are only built at strategically important zones, and often include a Naval component. This easly controls an area out to 2,500 meters.
These are each essentially military camps, used to project forward power of the Convocation. Towns and Cities send out groups of ~20 people and ~20 Lifeless to build roads, towers, and Camps. Building a Fort is a bigger deal, and often is used as the nuclear of larger towns and cities.
Towns are much more organic, and usually include Insulae, bathouses, and other specialty locations designed to keep a population healthy.
1. Towers
2. Camps
3. Forts
A tower is three stories tall, with space for livestock, people, and supplies. The roof is a watch tower. The entire thing is about 20 meters on a side. Generally, 20 people live here and there's room for 100. These are built each day's march from each other along the Road. This easily controls an area out to 100 meters.
A Camp starts with a Tower, built another story tall and with out buildings. There's a fence at 100 meters, and the Tower is now four stories. Generally, 100 people live here and there's room for 500. These are built at intersections of Roads. This easily controls an area out to 500 meters.
A Fort is built from a Camp. The inner Tower has another floor, and there is specialization in each quadrant. Generally, 500 people live here and there's room for 2,500. These are only built at strategically important zones, and often include a Naval component. This easly controls an area out to 2,500 meters.
These are each essentially military camps, used to project forward power of the Convocation. Towns and Cities send out groups of ~20 people and ~20 Lifeless to build roads, towers, and Camps. Building a Fort is a bigger deal, and often is used as the nuclear of larger towns and cities.
Towns are much more organic, and usually include Insulae, bathouses, and other specialty locations designed to keep a population healthy.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Cycle 36.
Cycle 36.
There are eleven of us left.
We finally have enough food, and bathrooms that don't stink to high heaven. Those go into a drainage ditch, which we're about to build into a machine to produce fertilizer. That's next to our two coal power plants. The air near there is unbreathable.
Our plants are up high, producing never quite enough food.
We're running out of algae. All of the algae terraniums are out. The exhaust from the coal plants is spreading.
We're going to die. It's a question of will we run out of air, food, or die from sickness.
Bubbles is very stressed out, and there's never enough time on the arm chair. Our immune systems are fine, but many of us are sick.
There are eleven of us left.
We finally have enough food, and bathrooms that don't stink to high heaven. Those go into a drainage ditch, which we're about to build into a machine to produce fertilizer. That's next to our two coal power plants. The air near there is unbreathable.
Our plants are up high, producing never quite enough food.
We're running out of algae. All of the algae terraniums are out. The exhaust from the coal plants is spreading.
We're going to die. It's a question of will we run out of air, food, or die from sickness.
Bubbles is very stressed out, and there's never enough time on the arm chair. Our immune systems are fine, but many of us are sick.
On the freedom of being scheduled.
On the freedom of being scheduled.
At Camp Quest, every minute the kids are awake is designated to some activities, transition, or down time.
Someone else cooks. You eat what they cook.
Someone else schedules. You go where they tell you, when they tell you.
Someone else assigns your cabin. You sleep where they tell you.
Which means: You are free to do the job in front of you. The primary job I had was playing with children, and being free not to worry about when the next thing was happening, or what I needed to do before it was amazing.
I don't think I've had that since I was a kid.
Adult camp is much less structured. Work is less structured (we need to get X done by Y date is about as close as it gets for me).
I realized that I am constantly worrying about what's next, about when to go to the next event, about what's going to get done and how.
I wonder if I can rework my life's activities to have that freedom, where the person who assigns the time and whens is, of course, me but me when I focus on it.
At Camp Quest, every minute the kids are awake is designated to some activities, transition, or down time.
Someone else cooks. You eat what they cook.
Someone else schedules. You go where they tell you, when they tell you.
Someone else assigns your cabin. You sleep where they tell you.
Which means: You are free to do the job in front of you. The primary job I had was playing with children, and being free not to worry about when the next thing was happening, or what I needed to do before it was amazing.
I don't think I've had that since I was a kid.
Adult camp is much less structured. Work is less structured (we need to get X done by Y date is about as close as it gets for me).
I realized that I am constantly worrying about what's next, about when to go to the next event, about what's going to get done and how.
I wonder if I can rework my life's activities to have that freedom, where the person who assigns the time and whens is, of course, me but me when I focus on it.
Monday, July 23, 2018
Video games!
Video games!
I have borrowed a laptop, and an playing oxygen not included because of +tony
Here's a brief synopsis.
First try: how do I make a shitter? Ok, got one. Now I need food... Food requires power. Power requires metal.....
Where's the fucking metal,?
Second try: I've got metal! I'll use this oxygen rich location as a bridge...
Oh shoot, my guys are unable to get to the base. What happened?
Ohhhhhh, the bridge made of oxygen dissolved....
On my third try. I've got four guys. Air, water, food, and power all look ok. I am rearranging sleeping arrangements so they must go by the washstand.
I just got the first agriculture research, and can now do something with all that waste they produced.
How will they die?
I have borrowed a laptop, and an playing oxygen not included because of +tony
Here's a brief synopsis.
First try: how do I make a shitter? Ok, got one. Now I need food... Food requires power. Power requires metal.....
Where's the fucking metal,?
Second try: I've got metal! I'll use this oxygen rich location as a bridge...
Oh shoot, my guys are unable to get to the base. What happened?
Ohhhhhh, the bridge made of oxygen dissolved....
On my third try. I've got four guys. Air, water, food, and power all look ok. I am rearranging sleeping arrangements so they must go by the washstand.
I just got the first agriculture research, and can now do something with all that waste they produced.
How will they die?
I spent the last week volunteering at a kid's sleepaway camp.
I spent the last week volunteering at a kid's sleepaway camp. Camp Quest: It's Beyond Belief. (www.campquest.org). This was for kids aged 8 to 18.
And to be clear: Anything I say below is my own opinions, not reflective of CQ, and certainly not Camp Quest Chesapeake. I am neither competent nor entitled to speak for those organizations. This is just me, reminiscing and thinking in public. The same thing I do regarding all the cons I go to. It helps me with Con Drop.
Me and my camp partner had six eleven year old boys. We slept in the same room as them, got them up, lead them around to activities, ate in the same place, etc. We weren't in all their activities, but were around them 12 hours a day + 8 hours sleep.
Camp Question is for free-thinking children. Here's a conversation that mostly happened:
Other Cabin Counselor: Our assignment is to come up with a replacement for the golden rule. Any ideas:
--- fart jokes-
Boy 1: How about this: Take what you need, give away what you don't.
Me: ... Do you know what communism is?
Boy 1: Nope!
Boy 2: How about
They talked for a while, settling on something pretty good. I was really surprised to here a kid give such a delightful instantiation of communism. And without prompting.
And another conversation that mostly happened:
Boy 1: Do you believe in God?
Me: Not particularly. Do you?
Boy 1: No. I am an atheist.
Boy 2: Me, too.
Boy 3: What does atheist mean?
Boy 1: An atheist is someone who doesn't believe in god.
Boy 4: I don't think I am that.
Me: All those positions are great. :::wipes away some tears::
Here's another one:
Boy 1: We should be paid to be here.
Me: That's really interesting. I think you'll find that is a morally bankrupt position, but I'm interested to know more..
Other Cabin Counselor: Yeah. What's with that?
Boy 2: We don't get to play X-box, and have to clean and you guys are paid.
OCC: HAH
Me: HAHAHA. You first?
OCC: We're not paid. It's all volunteers. I took a week off work, and a flight from Seattle.
Me: I quit a job. I am unemployed this week to do Camp Quest.
Boy 3: ...
Boy 4: ...
Boy 5: ...
Boy 6: ...
Boy 1: ... Why?
OCC: Because this is important.
Me: Hanging out with you guys is a Good Thing.
The real answer to that is super complicated. I want to help people become better people. I want to practice being a servant leader. I want to be, as best I can, a positive role model displaying non-toxic forms of masculinity. I want to produce a better world. This may be more effective than protesting this administration.
We followed the Rule of Three: All groups that include kids always have at least three people, one of whom is an adult. This is both a Very Good Thing, and an incredibly exhausting thing. You are always cognizant of how many people you can see, and looking for groups of two about to splinter off. I had a couple minor violations of this, which I informed management of immediately.
The kids know about The Rule of Three. They understand it is for safety. Management was fantastic at carefully wording this.
Management was really well done. Also volunteers. The 20+ of us cabin counselors all reported to the Head Counselor. If everyone brought him the same amount of stuff I did, then that's a really hard job. And the eleven year old boys had fewer problems than many other groups,
We were encouraged to take breaks, and I certainly did. After Tuesday, I realized that being in the pool with the kids was really hard, so I stopped. Went and looked after the kids who didn't want to be in the pool, essentially engaging in conversation and reading. My eleven year olds were all in the pool, so this was a good time to spend with other adults.
We also had a lodge completely off limits to kids, except for rare cases. We could curse in here, and be around adults. It's where I took every shower. Hooray!
Here's a rough story.
There were a couple of kids with behavioral issues. I'd talked to one, and he was essentially doing what his dad said to do. This was maybe Thursday. I told him that the way he did it wasn't OK, and if he did it again I'd call the Camp Director. Immediately.
At that moment, I had an obvious realization: the kids are not responsible for their actions. Their parents are, and the most important thing we're doing is providing better models for the kids. And putting the ones with issues around ones with fewer issues, hoping that it all comes out well.
So, last day. We're handing kids back to parents. Everything is bittersweet. Then I hear a fist on a door: BANG BANG BANG. It's someone banging on the bathroom door. I look up, and it's some parent I don't recognize.
The kid with the behavioral issue comes out of the bathroom. Crying. His dad grabs him by the shoulder, and pulls him out. He cries harder. Now I'm crying.
They get a little bit separated in the melee of kids. I get over to the kid, and hug him goodbye. I tell him that he'as awesome and I love him. My shirt is wet with his tears, his hair wet with mine. I let him go.
ok, I'm crying now. End of post.
And to be clear: Anything I say below is my own opinions, not reflective of CQ, and certainly not Camp Quest Chesapeake. I am neither competent nor entitled to speak for those organizations. This is just me, reminiscing and thinking in public. The same thing I do regarding all the cons I go to. It helps me with Con Drop.
Me and my camp partner had six eleven year old boys. We slept in the same room as them, got them up, lead them around to activities, ate in the same place, etc. We weren't in all their activities, but were around them 12 hours a day + 8 hours sleep.
Camp Question is for free-thinking children. Here's a conversation that mostly happened:
Other Cabin Counselor: Our assignment is to come up with a replacement for the golden rule. Any ideas:
--- fart jokes
Boy 1: How about this: Take what you need, give away what you don't.
Me: ... Do you know what communism is?
Boy 1: Nope!
Boy 2: How about
They talked for a while, settling on something pretty good. I was really surprised to here a kid give such a delightful instantiation of communism. And without prompting.
And another conversation that mostly happened:
Boy 1: Do you believe in God?
Me: Not particularly. Do you?
Boy 1: No. I am an atheist.
Boy 2: Me, too.
Boy 3: What does atheist mean?
Boy 1: An atheist is someone who doesn't believe in god.
Boy 4: I don't think I am that.
Me: All those positions are great. :::wipes away some tears::
Here's another one:
Boy 1: We should be paid to be here.
Me: That's really interesting. I think you'll find that is a morally bankrupt position, but I'm interested to know more..
Other Cabin Counselor: Yeah. What's with that?
Boy 2: We don't get to play X-box, and have to clean and you guys are paid.
OCC: HAH
Me: HAHAHA. You first?
OCC: We're not paid. It's all volunteers. I took a week off work, and a flight from Seattle.
Me: I quit a job. I am unemployed this week to do Camp Quest.
Boy 3: ...
Boy 4: ...
Boy 5: ...
Boy 6: ...
Boy 1: ... Why?
OCC: Because this is important.
Me: Hanging out with you guys is a Good Thing.
The real answer to that is super complicated. I want to help people become better people. I want to practice being a servant leader. I want to be, as best I can, a positive role model displaying non-toxic forms of masculinity. I want to produce a better world. This may be more effective than protesting this administration.
We followed the Rule of Three: All groups that include kids always have at least three people, one of whom is an adult. This is both a Very Good Thing, and an incredibly exhausting thing. You are always cognizant of how many people you can see, and looking for groups of two about to splinter off. I had a couple minor violations of this, which I informed management of immediately.
The kids know about The Rule of Three. They understand it is for safety. Management was fantastic at carefully wording this.
Management was really well done. Also volunteers. The 20+ of us cabin counselors all reported to the Head Counselor. If everyone brought him the same amount of stuff I did, then that's a really hard job. And the eleven year old boys had fewer problems than many other groups,
We were encouraged to take breaks, and I certainly did. After Tuesday, I realized that being in the pool with the kids was really hard, so I stopped. Went and looked after the kids who didn't want to be in the pool, essentially engaging in conversation and reading. My eleven year olds were all in the pool, so this was a good time to spend with other adults.
We also had a lodge completely off limits to kids, except for rare cases. We could curse in here, and be around adults. It's where I took every shower. Hooray!
Here's a rough story.
There were a couple of kids with behavioral issues. I'd talked to one, and he was essentially doing what his dad said to do. This was maybe Thursday. I told him that the way he did it wasn't OK, and if he did it again I'd call the Camp Director. Immediately.
At that moment, I had an obvious realization: the kids are not responsible for their actions. Their parents are, and the most important thing we're doing is providing better models for the kids. And putting the ones with issues around ones with fewer issues, hoping that it all comes out well.
So, last day. We're handing kids back to parents. Everything is bittersweet. Then I hear a fist on a door: BANG BANG BANG. It's someone banging on the bathroom door. I look up, and it's some parent I don't recognize.
The kid with the behavioral issue comes out of the bathroom. Crying. His dad grabs him by the shoulder, and pulls him out. He cries harder. Now I'm crying.
They get a little bit separated in the melee of kids. I get over to the kid, and hug him goodbye. I tell him that he'as awesome and I love him. My shirt is wet with his tears, his hair wet with mine. I let him go.
ok, I'm crying now. End of post.
Friday, July 13, 2018
For the next two weeks, I am a free man.
For the next two weeks, I am a free man.
I am free from economic obligations.
I am free to continue obligations of my own choosing.
This will be the longest period of economic free I have had since grad school.
What am I going to do with this?
Tomorrow, I wake up super early and head down south of Richmond to volunteer at a week long youth Camp. While there, I plan to practice good habits: exercise, temperance, listening first to understand, leadership by example.
Waking up early to make rent is a chore.
Waking up early to do a job you dislike and that may actively make the world a worse plan to make rent is a travesty.
Waking up early to honor a commitment you have chosen to make: freedom
The following week, plan is:
Wake up as per usual, go for a run. Then shower and breakfast. Practice that habit.
With any luck, go to NYC to see a show and some friends.
After that, hope is for the new positive habits to solidify. And to like my new job.
We shall see.
I am free from economic obligations.
I am free to continue obligations of my own choosing.
This will be the longest period of economic free I have had since grad school.
What am I going to do with this?
Tomorrow, I wake up super early and head down south of Richmond to volunteer at a week long youth Camp. While there, I plan to practice good habits: exercise, temperance, listening first to understand, leadership by example.
Waking up early to make rent is a chore.
Waking up early to do a job you dislike and that may actively make the world a worse plan to make rent is a travesty.
Waking up early to honor a commitment you have chosen to make: freedom
The following week, plan is:
Wake up as per usual, go for a run. Then shower and breakfast. Practice that habit.
With any luck, go to NYC to see a show and some friends.
After that, hope is for the new positive habits to solidify. And to like my new job.
We shall see.
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Two more days. Almost.
Two more days. Almost.
This is not a good work environment for me. And I doubt for anyone.
This is not a good work environment for me. And I doubt for anyone.
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
I am enjoying The Disposessed
I am enjoying The Disposessed
Which is GREAT, as I was real worried I just didn't like Ursula K Le Guin.
Turns out, this novel is about things I care about: competing economic / social models, rather than some strange and 70s view on gender.
Anyway: I am enjoying it immensely.
Note: I just finished a 1,200 page tome by a certain well known epic fantasiest, and perhaps part of my enjoyment is that this is not that.
Which is GREAT, as I was real worried I just didn't like Ursula K Le Guin.
Turns out, this novel is about things I care about: competing economic / social models, rather than some strange and 70s view on gender.
Anyway: I am enjoying it immensely.
Note: I just finished a 1,200 page tome by a certain well known epic fantasiest, and perhaps part of my enjoyment is that this is not that.
NATO would be a bargain at 10x the cost.
NATO would be a bargain at 10x the cost.
Any world leader who says otherwise is a Russian plant.
Any world leader who says otherwise is a Russian plant.
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
I put in one weeks notice.
I put in one weeks notice.
I feel kinda bad about it.
But, it is legit for health reasons: I was having precursers to panic attacks.
Time to get out.
I feel kinda bad about it.
But, it is legit for health reasons: I was having precursers to panic attacks.
Time to get out.
Monday, July 9, 2018
Reminder to white dude's like myself: Sometimes, shut the fuck up.
Reminder to white dude's like myself: Sometimes, shut the fuck up.
Sometimes, and as you can:
-- Donate. You maybe make 21 cents more on the dollar.
-- Cheer for others. They get shouted down more easily than you.
-- Remember: What's important is people, not victory points. Definitely not your victory points.
-- Listen first to understand.
If you have developed an ability to argue, debate, hold a position, and to be persuasive, use it for good measure: Against assholes, on the side of justice.
Don't:
-- Hold money ransom for particular actions. That's patriarchy bullshit.
-- Take up more than your share of spotlight on someone else's space.
-- Use your abilities against less privilege persons in an attempt to win points.
-- Listen only to respond.
There are dragons (and nazis) out there. Don't be one of them.
Sometimes, and as you can:
-- Donate. You maybe make 21 cents more on the dollar.
-- Cheer for others. They get shouted down more easily than you.
-- Remember: What's important is people, not victory points. Definitely not your victory points.
-- Listen first to understand.
If you have developed an ability to argue, debate, hold a position, and to be persuasive, use it for good measure: Against assholes, on the side of justice.
Don't:
-- Hold money ransom for particular actions. That's patriarchy bullshit.
-- Take up more than your share of spotlight on someone else's space.
-- Use your abilities against less privilege persons in an attempt to win points.
-- Listen only to respond.
There are dragons (and nazis) out there. Don't be one of them.
I want to complain about a movie.
I want to complain about a movie.
Another Earth. We watched half, and I read the Wikipedia after.
This starts off well: super smart teenage woman gets accepted to mit just as a second Earth is identified on telescopes.
Then she gets in a car crash and kills a kid. She goes to jail. We ship forward four years.
She gets a job cleaning, and goes to the house if the man whose kid she killed. She cleans his house, and makes him sandwiches. Actual sandwiches are made.
He gets better because by cleaning she has helped his depression. They have sex.
This is when we stop watching.
Notice how there's not a lot about the other Earth? They spend maybe ten minutes on it, and spend longer with get taking to the magical person of color who also cleans.
Apparently she then wins the chance to go to the other Earth, and gives it to him because his family night be alive there.
At every step it ignored her pain and priorities to make his center. Her only worth came from cleaning, sex, and making sandwiches. Not being a genuis, which the movie treats as unimportant.
Another Earth. We watched half, and I read the Wikipedia after.
This starts off well: super smart teenage woman gets accepted to mit just as a second Earth is identified on telescopes.
Then she gets in a car crash and kills a kid. She goes to jail. We ship forward four years.
She gets a job cleaning, and goes to the house if the man whose kid she killed. She cleans his house, and makes him sandwiches. Actual sandwiches are made.
He gets better because by cleaning she has helped his depression. They have sex.
This is when we stop watching.
Notice how there's not a lot about the other Earth? They spend maybe ten minutes on it, and spend longer with get taking to the magical person of color who also cleans.
Apparently she then wins the chance to go to the other Earth, and gives it to him because his family night be alive there.
At every step it ignored her pain and priorities to make his center. Her only worth came from cleaning, sex, and making sandwiches. Not being a genuis, which the movie treats as unimportant.
Sunday, July 8, 2018
The last several weeks have been difficult on exercise:
The last several weeks have been difficult on exercise:
-- Nerdly
-- Vacation
-- Job search
I went for a run today, outside! Not great timing and some technical problems, but that's all ok!
In a few weeks, I'm starting a new job. The commute is shorter, and I think I can arrange things such that I have 30 minutes to an hour each morning for exercise.
If I can do a mile or two each morning, that'll feel fantastic.
-- Nerdly
-- Vacation
-- Job search
I went for a run today, outside! Not great timing and some technical problems, but that's all ok!
In a few weeks, I'm starting a new job. The commute is shorter, and I think I can arrange things such that I have 30 minutes to an hour each morning for exercise.
If I can do a mile or two each morning, that'll feel fantastic.
Friday, July 6, 2018
Stats on my job hunt:
Stats on my job hunt:
-- Applied to nearly 200 jobs, mostly through Linkedn's easy apply system. This made it a matter of a minute or two per.
-- Talked to dozens of recruiters.
-- I never heard back from any of the proprietary career systems. Craigslist, yes. But, taleo talent network bullshit? Nope.
-- Turned down several possibilities to distance or client. I don't wanna work for ICE, and I don't wanna have a terrible commute.
-- I had to make a spreadsheet to keep track of all the recruiters and possibilities.
-- I had maybe a half dozen second round phone screens
-- Scheduled four in persons, had two. One I cancelled, and one I need to cancel this weekend.
-- Interviewed for the wrong job once
-- First in-person interview resulted in an offer.
-- Offer letter obtained within 4 weeks of starting search
-- Negotiated the offer up 3%. This is lower than I am currently making, but more than sufficient for my needs.
Some thoughts on this madness:
-- Yes, I am a very privileged person. That's not this topic.
-- The labor market is tight in the area. We've got like a 2% unemployment rate, and this is what that looks like.
-- The bullshit proprietary systems are, in fact, bullshit.
-- Ladders is bullshit. LinkedIn is quite good. My job offer came from glassdoor, but the version of my resume they sent was unreadable.
-- "scrum master" is a valuable role, and a great thing to have on a resume. Scrum master plus analytic skills is crazy unicorn shit.
-- If you are thinking about looking for a job: now is the time.
-- The response rate is still pretty low: call it 10% merited a human response. Of those as much as 40% were leading to an interview. Of the interviews I had, 50% lead to an offer.
-- This suggests, ballpark, 10% * 40% * 50%, which is 2%. Granted, that list is a crazy low N, but this suggests sending out at least 50 applications.
I'm happy to talk about this. It's been crazy.
-- Applied to nearly 200 jobs, mostly through Linkedn's easy apply system. This made it a matter of a minute or two per.
-- Talked to dozens of recruiters.
-- I never heard back from any of the proprietary career systems. Craigslist, yes. But, taleo talent network bullshit? Nope.
-- Turned down several possibilities to distance or client. I don't wanna work for ICE, and I don't wanna have a terrible commute.
-- I had to make a spreadsheet to keep track of all the recruiters and possibilities.
-- I had maybe a half dozen second round phone screens
-- Scheduled four in persons, had two. One I cancelled, and one I need to cancel this weekend.
-- Interviewed for the wrong job once
-- First in-person interview resulted in an offer.
-- Offer letter obtained within 4 weeks of starting search
-- Negotiated the offer up 3%. This is lower than I am currently making, but more than sufficient for my needs.
Some thoughts on this madness:
-- Yes, I am a very privileged person. That's not this topic.
-- The labor market is tight in the area. We've got like a 2% unemployment rate, and this is what that looks like.
-- The bullshit proprietary systems are, in fact, bullshit.
-- Ladders is bullshit. LinkedIn is quite good. My job offer came from glassdoor, but the version of my resume they sent was unreadable.
-- "scrum master" is a valuable role, and a great thing to have on a resume. Scrum master plus analytic skills is crazy unicorn shit.
-- If you are thinking about looking for a job: now is the time.
-- The response rate is still pretty low: call it 10% merited a human response. Of those as much as 40% were leading to an interview. Of the interviews I had, 50% lead to an offer.
-- This suggests, ballpark, 10% * 40% * 50%, which is 2%. Granted, that list is a crazy low N, but this suggests sending out at least 50 applications.
I'm happy to talk about this. It's been crazy.
Thursday, July 5, 2018
My dearest internet
My dearest internet,
I'm about to buy a budget gaming laptop!
It will probably be one of these:
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/new-dell-g5-15-gaming-laptop/spd/g-series-15-5587-laptop
Please explain to me the differences in terms of what games I could play and other such non-technical terminology.
So, for example: Don't say "one has an I5 and one has an i7". I can read that, and do not know why I should care.
But, you can say: solid state drives are FAST, and that'll make your experience tremendously better.
Thanks, internet!
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/new-dell-g5-15-gaming-laptop/spd/g-series-15-5587-laptop
I'm about to buy a budget gaming laptop!
It will probably be one of these:
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/new-dell-g5-15-gaming-laptop/spd/g-series-15-5587-laptop
Please explain to me the differences in terms of what games I could play and other such non-technical terminology.
So, for example: Don't say "one has an I5 and one has an i7". I can read that, and do not know why I should care.
But, you can say: solid state drives are FAST, and that'll make your experience tremendously better.
Thanks, internet!
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/new-dell-g5-15-gaming-laptop/spd/g-series-15-5587-laptop
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Why the Linda problem matters
Why the Linda problem matters
The Linda problem, or the Conjunction fallacy, is designed to lead you to a cognitive error.
It's a really common error, and there's no shame in making it! I did.
Here's what it does:
- Give a bunch of information to prime your monkey brain to think about one thing
- Ask a question that has nothing to do with the information provided.
Here's why this is important:
-- Thought experiments give practice in a safe space to make the error.
-- You are then free to practice introspection, or to make another common mistake and blame the question.
-- Life is filled (FILLED) with times you are given information that has nothing to do with a decision you need to make. In the Real World, this is often done sneakily and tricky to manipulate you to making decisions that are good for someone else, not for you.
-- When done on behalf of companies, there's another special word for this: marketing. When we're tricked by companies, we (and others) lose money.
-- When done on behalf of governments, we have a special word for this: propaganda. When we're tricked by propaganda, people die.
-- By thinking about these errors and by knowing that we are likely to suffer them, we can do that hardest of cognitive tasks: belief revision.
In summary: problems like the Linda problem let you practice hard cognitive tasks.
The Linda problem, or the Conjunction fallacy, is designed to lead you to a cognitive error.
It's a really common error, and there's no shame in making it! I did.
Here's what it does:
- Give a bunch of information to prime your monkey brain to think about one thing
- Ask a question that has nothing to do with the information provided.
Here's why this is important:
-- Thought experiments give practice in a safe space to make the error.
-- You are then free to practice introspection, or to make another common mistake and blame the question.
-- Life is filled (FILLED) with times you are given information that has nothing to do with a decision you need to make. In the Real World, this is often done sneakily and tricky to manipulate you to making decisions that are good for someone else, not for you.
-- When done on behalf of companies, there's another special word for this: marketing. When we're tricked by companies, we (and others) lose money.
-- When done on behalf of governments, we have a special word for this: propaganda. When we're tricked by propaganda, people die.
-- By thinking about these errors and by knowing that we are likely to suffer them, we can do that hardest of cognitive tasks: belief revision.
In summary: problems like the Linda problem let you practice hard cognitive tasks.
DAY IN THE LIFE OF JOE THE CONSERVATIVE
Originally shared by JP NOYES
DAY IN THE LIFE OF JOE THE CONSERVATIVE
"Joe gets up at 6 a.m. and fills his coffee pot with water to prepare his morning coffee. The water is clean and good, because some tree-hugging liberal fought for minimum water-quality standards.
With his first swallow of coffee, he takes his daily medication. His medications are safe to take, because some stupid commie liberal fought to ensure their safety and that they work as advertised.
All but $10 of his medications are paid for by his employer's medical plan, because some liberal union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance - now Joe gets it too.
He prepares his morning breakfast: bacon and eggs. Joe's bacon is safe to eat, because some girly-man liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry.
In the morning shower, Joe reaches for his shampoo. His bottle is properly labeled with each ingredient and its amount in the total contents, because some crybaby liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body.
Joe dresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean, because some environmentalist wacko liberal fought for laws to stop industries from polluting our air.
He walks to the subway station for his government-subsidized ride to work. It saves him considerable money in parking and transportation fees, because some fancy-pants liberal fought for affordable public transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor.
Joe begins his work day. He has a good job with excellent pay, medical benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation, because some lazy liberal union members fought and died for these working standards.
Joe's employer pays for these standards, because Joe's employer doesn't want his employees to call the union.
If Joe is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed, he'll get worker's compensation or an unemployment check, because some stupid liberal didn't think he should lose his home, because of his temporary misfortune.
It's noontime and Joe needs to make a bank deposit so he can pay some bills. Joe's deposit is federally insured, because some godless liberal wanted to protect Joe's money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the Great Depression.
Joe has to pay his insured mortgage and his below-market student loan, because some elitist liberal decided that Joe and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money over his lifetime.
Joe is home from work. He plans to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country. He gets in his car for the drive. His car is among the safest in the world, because some America-hating liberal fought for car
safety standards.
He arrives at his boyhood home. His was the third generation to live in the house financed by Farmers' Home Administration, because bankers didn't want to make rural loans.
The house didn't have electricity until some big-government liberal stuck his nose where it didn't belong and demanded rural electrification.
He is happy to see his father, who is now retired. His father lives on Social Security and a union pension, because some wine-drinking, cheese-eating liberal made sure he could take care of himself so Joe wouldn't have to.
Joe gets back in his car for the ride home, and turns on a radio talk show. The radio host keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives are good. He doesn't mention that the beloved Conservatives have fought against every protection and benefit Joe has enjoyed throughout his day.
Joe agrees: "We don't need those big-government liberals ruining our lives! After all, I'm a self-made man who believes everyone should take care of themselves, just like I have."
This is well said..and explains why I get so frustrated with people.
DAY IN THE LIFE OF JOE THE CONSERVATIVE
"Joe gets up at 6 a.m. and fills his coffee pot with water to prepare his morning coffee. The water is clean and good, because some tree-hugging liberal fought for minimum water-quality standards.
With his first swallow of coffee, he takes his daily medication. His medications are safe to take, because some stupid commie liberal fought to ensure their safety and that they work as advertised.
All but $10 of his medications are paid for by his employer's medical plan, because some liberal union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance - now Joe gets it too.
He prepares his morning breakfast: bacon and eggs. Joe's bacon is safe to eat, because some girly-man liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry.
In the morning shower, Joe reaches for his shampoo. His bottle is properly labeled with each ingredient and its amount in the total contents, because some crybaby liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body.
Joe dresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean, because some environmentalist wacko liberal fought for laws to stop industries from polluting our air.
He walks to the subway station for his government-subsidized ride to work. It saves him considerable money in parking and transportation fees, because some fancy-pants liberal fought for affordable public transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor.
Joe begins his work day. He has a good job with excellent pay, medical benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation, because some lazy liberal union members fought and died for these working standards.
Joe's employer pays for these standards, because Joe's employer doesn't want his employees to call the union.
If Joe is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed, he'll get worker's compensation or an unemployment check, because some stupid liberal didn't think he should lose his home, because of his temporary misfortune.
It's noontime and Joe needs to make a bank deposit so he can pay some bills. Joe's deposit is federally insured, because some godless liberal wanted to protect Joe's money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the Great Depression.
Joe has to pay his insured mortgage and his below-market student loan, because some elitist liberal decided that Joe and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money over his lifetime.
Joe is home from work. He plans to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country. He gets in his car for the drive. His car is among the safest in the world, because some America-hating liberal fought for car
safety standards.
He arrives at his boyhood home. His was the third generation to live in the house financed by Farmers' Home Administration, because bankers didn't want to make rural loans.
The house didn't have electricity until some big-government liberal stuck his nose where it didn't belong and demanded rural electrification.
He is happy to see his father, who is now retired. His father lives on Social Security and a union pension, because some wine-drinking, cheese-eating liberal made sure he could take care of himself so Joe wouldn't have to.
Joe gets back in his car for the ride home, and turns on a radio talk show. The radio host keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives are good. He doesn't mention that the beloved Conservatives have fought against every protection and benefit Joe has enjoyed throughout his day.
Joe agrees: "We don't need those big-government liberals ruining our lives! After all, I'm a self-made man who believes everyone should take care of themselves, just like I have."
This is well said..and explains why I get so frustrated with people.
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Had another two phone screens today.
Had another two phone screens today.
Company I first interviewed with is doing a background search, which is nonsense but whatever.
Company I had my second interview with hasn't gotten back since we got our wires crossed on what job.
Got an in person later this week. I'm not super interested, but it'd work for a short time.
Another one next week, which is more interesting work and I'd get to work downtown for once.
Turned a couple down -- one too far away, one was working with ICE.
If the first place will make an offer, I can cancel some of the upcoming.
Company I first interviewed with is doing a background search, which is nonsense but whatever.
Company I had my second interview with hasn't gotten back since we got our wires crossed on what job.
Got an in person later this week. I'm not super interested, but it'd work for a short time.
Another one next week, which is more interesting work and I'd get to work downtown for once.
Turned a couple down -- one too far away, one was working with ICE.
If the first place will make an offer, I can cancel some of the upcoming.
Monday, July 2, 2018
"Try that a different way", an explanation
"Try that a different way", an explanation
In two threads today I said this.
Here's what I mean: your contributions matter to me, and your comment needs revising. This is probably because you punched down, and your comment could hurt others. I am hopeful that with this kind feedback you will fix it so I do not need to actively moderate.
I would only say this to people who I like, who I think got a little caught up in something strong and did not register what impact their words might have.
In two threads today I said this.
Here's what I mean: your contributions matter to me, and your comment needs revising. This is probably because you punched down, and your comment could hurt others. I am hopeful that with this kind feedback you will fix it so I do not need to actively moderate.
I would only say this to people who I like, who I think got a little caught up in something strong and did not register what impact their words might have.
Linda is 31 years old, single, outspoken, and very bright.
Linda is 31 years old, single, outspoken, and very bright. She majored in philosophy. As a student, she was deeply concerned with issues of discrimination and social justice, and also participated in anti-nuclear demonstrations.
Which is more probable?
Note: Please answer BEFORE checking the comments.
Comments: Spoilers completely permitted.
Which is more probable?
Note: Please answer BEFORE checking the comments.
Comments: Spoilers completely permitted.
Interesting to me: people are bad at this sort of conditional probability.
Interesting to me: people are bad at this sort of conditional probability.
That is: to know the percent of Democrats who are white is hard. You need to either have good sampling of Democrats, or you need to solve a fairly complicated distribution, as you need to think about the case rate and how race affects party affiliation. That's practically baysean.
Instead, ask: what percent of whites are Democrats?
That is a tremendously easier question.
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/democrats-are-wrong-about-republicans-republicans-are-wrong-about-democrats/
That is: to know the percent of Democrats who are white is hard. You need to either have good sampling of Democrats, or you need to solve a fairly complicated distribution, as you need to think about the case rate and how race affects party affiliation. That's practically baysean.
Instead, ask: what percent of whites are Democrats?
That is a tremendously easier question.
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/democrats-are-wrong-about-republicans-republicans-are-wrong-about-democrats/
Sunday, July 1, 2018
When you return to Town from the Dungeon, you may want to:
When you return to Town from the Dungeon, you may want to:
-- Get cleaned up
-- Get patched up
-- Visit friends and family
-- Respond to changes while you were in the dungeon
If you are itenerant or your group doesn't have an HQ, this is a bit more expensive.
-- Platinum: a day in the finest bath house
-- Gold: A private bath, with scented soaps
-- Silver: access to a semi-private shower.
-- Copper: a quick wash off with water that's mostly clean
Once you are clean, consider getting patched up. In about a day:
-- Platinum: Services of a clerical hospital that can mend bones
-- Gold: Services of a cleric who can heal cuts.
-- Silver: services of a cleric who can heal bruises.
-- Copper: Enough bad gin to stay drunk enough for a day until your bruises feel better.
If you don't have your own facilities, then you'll have to pay or rely on charity. There's no safety net, and no government to protect you.
If you want to invest into a bath house or a bath house, consider:
-- In a common small town, most people are laborers. If a town has a thousand people, about a thousand are laborers.
-- Fewer are merchants, and there may be a single aristocracy household. Call it a hundred merchants, and ten aristocrats.
-- The laborers don't have much disposable income, but the merchants and aristocrats do.
Consider some options:
-- Use your wealth to hire laborers and distribute wealth
-- Use your strength of arms to kick out the aristocrats and replace them
-- Lead the laborers to overthrow the aristocracy and cast off the chains of oppression.
-- Get cleaned up
-- Get patched up
-- Visit friends and family
-- Respond to changes while you were in the dungeon
If you are itenerant or your group doesn't have an HQ, this is a bit more expensive.
-- Platinum: a day in the finest bath house
-- Gold: A private bath, with scented soaps
-- Silver: access to a semi-private shower.
-- Copper: a quick wash off with water that's mostly clean
Once you are clean, consider getting patched up. In about a day:
-- Platinum: Services of a clerical hospital that can mend bones
-- Gold: Services of a cleric who can heal cuts.
-- Silver: services of a cleric who can heal bruises.
-- Copper: Enough bad gin to stay drunk enough for a day until your bruises feel better.
If you don't have your own facilities, then you'll have to pay or rely on charity. There's no safety net, and no government to protect you.
If you want to invest into a bath house or a bath house, consider:
-- In a common small town, most people are laborers. If a town has a thousand people, about a thousand are laborers.
-- Fewer are merchants, and there may be a single aristocracy household. Call it a hundred merchants, and ten aristocrats.
-- The laborers don't have much disposable income, but the merchants and aristocrats do.
Consider some options:
-- Use your wealth to hire laborers and distribute wealth
-- Use your strength of arms to kick out the aristocrats and replace them
-- Lead the laborers to overthrow the aristocracy and cast off the chains of oppression.
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