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What’s the worst thing humans ever invented ?

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northwoods

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Oct 30, 2021
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Politics and Religion.

You (and John Lennon's "Imagine") got this one right. Just think of the hundreds of millions of people killed in wars over flags and religion. I have zero tolerance for people who insist that theirs is the only "true" or "right" religion, and I have observed that "orthodox" any religion almost always spells trouble. Let's try to live our lives remembering the Golden Rule and the stuff we learned in kindergarten about how to treat our neighbors. I have much more respect for an honest ***** than I do for 90% of our politicians. (And I suspect that if anyone comments on my post the first one will be "only 90% --- you're an optimist") :)
 
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razpsu

razpsu

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Oct 19, 2021
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Moogy said:
Why would a degree in physics be useless in today's world? Seems like it could have a direct or indirect benefit toward a great deal of STEM occupations.

As an aside, seeing as my oldest is targeting MIT And Carnegie Mellon to study AI, I'll at least give you a few minute heads up on when he plans to destroy the world and unleash the terminators.

Note that I'm asking about physics because my oldest has an interest in physics, and isn't that much of a fan of other science offerings, so I could see him heading in the direction of physics if something ever went wonky with his current CompSci focus.
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My nephew graduated Texas university in quantum physics/mechanics I believe. He works at los alamos. He loves every part of it. Tell your son to go for it.
 
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bdgan

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Oct 12, 2021
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LionJim said:
I worry that AI will prove to be ruinous. Not just AI but the habit people have of looking up an answer instead of figuring things out on their own. The secret of my success is that no one ever outworked me.

AI is going to take up a lot of jobs. You worry that the educated upper-middle class will vanish.
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AI is coming whether you like it or not. It's going to bring increased productivity and capabilities. There will also be some risk. The key is how we respond to it.

The automobile eliminated the need for blacksmiths. Heavy machinery eliminated the need for so much manual labor. Automation eliminated the need for so many manufacturing and farming jobs. Now look at all the technology jobs that never used to exist. I think there will still be plenty of job opportunities. The key is for people to keep their skills current with modern day demand.
 
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bdgan

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LionJim said:
Not arguing with you about this. I have two young nephews with very fine BA degrees that are doing them absolutely no benefit right now, and likely never will. (One of the degrees is in physics.) It seems as if “follow your dream” is the worst advice nowadays.
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The "follow your dream" advice is horrible. I remember high school guidance counsellors saying that to my kids. That made me the bad guy when I told my kids they needed to find a career path that would enable them to support themselves. Of course you want to enjoy what you do but what good is spending a fortune on a college education with no payback.

P.S. I'm surprised with your physics example. I also have a nephew with a physics degree and he has a very lucrative job in the semiconductor industry. My son has a good friend who has a great job as a research engineer for a precision optics company.
 
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manatree

manatree

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Oct 6, 2021
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Lutefisk. Taking dried fish, which is already preserved, and soaking it in poisonous lye under the guise of preservation is just dumb and a waste of perfectly good fish.
 
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laKavosiey-st lion

laKavosiey-st lion

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Oct 30, 2021
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The "follow your dream" advice is horrible.

i paid for my kids State education and they have achieved because of their chosen degrees. We told them there were 2 conditions: treat class like your job, your salary is the checks we’re writing and pick a major like it’s a vocation. If you want to do art and discover yourselves, do it when you get home from work.
 
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Moogy

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Nov 23, 2021
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laKavosiey-st lion said:
The "follow your dream" advice is horrible.

i paid for my kids State education and they have achieved because of their chosen degrees. We told them there were 2 conditions: treat class like your job, your salary is the checks we’re writing and pick a major like it’s a vocation. If you want to do art and discover yourselves, do it when you get home from work.
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Meanwhile, most of your free time is spent drunk/high trying to escape reality or being entertained by the folks who followed their dreams (music, sports, etc.)

So, maybe following your dreams ain’t bad if you’re good/smart enough to monetize it properly.
 
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bbrown

bbrown

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Nov 1, 2021
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Moogy said:
Meanwhile, most of your free time is spent drunk/high trying to escape reality or being entertained by the folks who followed their dreams (music, sports, etc.)

So, maybe following your dreams ain’t bad if you’re good/smart enough to monetize it properly.
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you say it like its a bad thing GIF
 
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laKavosiey-st lion

laKavosiey-st lion

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Oct 30, 2021
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Moogy said:
Meanwhile, most of your free time is spent drunk/high trying to escape reality or being entertained by the folks who followed their dreams (music, sports, etc.)

So, maybe following your dreams ain’t bad if you’re good/smart enough to monetize it properly.
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Bro I just bought a G87, I good brah. For honesty, my street boys stood around my car talking cars and drinking Guinness followed by drunk hot tubbing with moms so, maybe ur right? Not sure
lenderman and devo next few weeks
 
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Moogy

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Nov 23, 2021
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laKavosiey-st lion said:
Bro I just bought a G87, I good brah. For honesty, my street boys stood around my car talking cars and drinking Guinness followed by drunk hot tubbing with moms so, maybe ur right? Not sure
lenderman and devo next few weeks
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Drunk laKa didn’t understand what I was saying.

This wasn't the spot for you to feel inadequate and try to prove yourself worthy by highlighting you bought a mediocre car, for the 20th time in the last couple years.

I was simply highlighting that "following your dreams" can be a good thing, if you're smart about it. And I pointed out how much you actually love those who follow their dreams. And if you do so, maybe you don't end up self-medicating and constantly looking for validation.
 
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s1uggo72

Well-known member
Oct 12, 2021
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PSUAXE70 said:
Those low rider pants that exposed the guy’s underwear. Thought they were gone but saw some fool wearing them yesterday on Grand Cayman island.
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They are always a little behind on island. Probably has an NBA jersey on as well. Heading that way in a month
 
Bob78

Bob78

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Oct 12, 2021
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bdgan said:
The "follow your dream" advice is horrible. I remember high school guidance counsellors saying that to my kids. That made me the bad guy when I told my kids they needed to find a career path that would enable them to support themselves. Of course you want to enjoy what you do but what good is spending a fortune on a college education with no payback.

P.S. I'm surprised with your physics example. I also have a nephew with a physics degree and he has a very lucrative job in the semiconductor industry. My son has a good friend who has a great job as a research engineer for a precision optics company.
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Pragmatic Passion by Joe Battista

Former PSU Hockey Coach, Joe Battista, wrote this excellent guide that resonates with folks of all ages and interests, especially young adults trying to find the path to a rewarding career.
Worth a read for many.
 
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OaktonDave

OaktonDave

Active member
Oct 12, 2021
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bdgan said:
The "follow your dream" advice is horrible. I remember high school guidance counsellors saying that to my kids. That made me the bad guy when I told my kids they needed to find a career path that would enable them to support themselves. Of course you want to enjoy what you do but what good is spending a fortune on a college education with no payback.

P.S. I'm surprised with your physics example. I also have a nephew with a physics degree and he has a very lucrative job in the semiconductor industry. My son has a good friend who has a great job as a research engineer for a precision optics company.
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While there are few things worse than being stuck in a job or career you don't enjoy, pursuing an education with no realistic plan for what you're going to do with said education is one of the best ways to end up in a job/career you don't enjoy.
 
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s1uggo72

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Oct 12, 2021
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LionJim said:
I phrased my post in a way that invited pushback. My nephew hasn’t found a job in physics, but not necessarily because of a lack of positions that require a physics degree. The real issue is likely that he doesn’t want to spend 60 hours a week in front of his computer. Bad example on my part, whatever. But no doubt it’s harder than it was back in the day, whatever your qualifications. I went to the UMd Physics Department page to look up the BA/BS issue (got no closure there), and right there on the first page is a long list of campus mental health resources.
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careers.boozallen.com

Advanced Quantum Physicist

careers.boozallen.com careers.boozallen.com
 
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BiochemPSU

Well-known member
Oct 30, 2021
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psuro said:
What if your dream filed a restraining order against you and so you cannot legally follow it?

(Asking for a friend).
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Then you follow your dream from the 200 yards required by the law.

I might just tell some kid to follow their dreams today. Odds are some robot or AI is going to take most of the jobs in 20 years, so maybe you'll get lucky and be the next Taylor Swift, Aaron Judge, or Bezos. Worst case scenario, you at least find something to make life enjoyable. That's why I laugh at the current "bring back manufacturing" talk. This country is great at eating people; that's what we do. You think some corporate overlord is going to hire a bunch of human assembly line workers for 50 years plus pension when an AI robot can work 24/7 and not need health care premiums or time off? Please.
 
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