I received an email from “Apple”, or “iTunes” a bit ago. I have to admit, this is one of the better looking spam emails I’ve gotten. They even took the time to encode each character so as not to be recognized by Yahoo! Mail as being crap. However, there is an error. Can you spot the error?
NGM Bible hunters
I got an email today from National Geographic. They have a series called Bible Hunters. Some investigative journalism on the history of the Bible, I guess, which is all well and good. It’s a pretty well-known set of texts (if not accurately known).
But I was also watching a YouTube video produced by National Geographic called The Bible’s Buried Secrets National Geographic Documentary HD. I very rarely see such bias ‘journalism’ from reputable names like yours. My comments:
This video begins interesting but not too much later gives a poor impression. At 12:00, the video loses ground (no pun intended). Genesis chapter 8 states the rains lasted 40 days & nights. It says the water subsided, not the rains, after 150 days. These are two different concepts. One sentence states it rain, and one states the waters started receding. As well, it clearly states that first a raven was sent out and then, later, a dove. Why is this contradictory? It seems to me that it isn’t. I thought this documentary would rely on ‘documents’ (“documentary”?), but so far it doesn’t hold water (again, no pun intended). It’s like someone saying, “I ate eggs for breakfast and pasta for lunch,” and someone else saying, “Well which is it – which did you eat – eggs or pasta?”
So forgive me, NGM; although I have thoroughly enjoyed your magazines, have a collection of them in paper and electronic form, and have a library of your videos, your journalism shows your true colours.
National Geographic Magazine collectoin 20181216_145317.jpg
National Geographic Video Collections DVD set 20181216_145439.jpg
National Geographic, 109 Years of National Geographic Magazine on CD-ROM 20181216_145407.jpg
ISC drafting
Wow. Long time since I’ve updated anything here.
I’ve been at ISP as a drafter for a few weeks now. The first week I was there, there were no new orders. Well, maybe a couple. But not enough to get my feet wet with my trainer, P. P was quitting at the end of the week; drafting was not for him. But, with no new orders coming in to cut my teeth on, I didn’t get a lot of practise in. I did calculations, practise drafting of previously done orders, and getting used to AutoCAD again.
some interesting (science) videos
I found some interesting videos. Then again, there are probably thousands of videos out there that fit that description. Nonetheless, enjoy.
What If the Earth Does Not Exist?
Banned TED Talk: The Science Delusion – Rupert Sheldrake at TEDx Whitechapel
The Simulation Theory
new toaster, printer, job
A couple of days ago a few things happened – I bought a new toaster, I found a printer on sale and bought it, and I got an offer for a job and accepted.
First things first – I am now a Drafting Technologist for ISP. I applied last week, had the first interview earlier this week, a phone call to come in for a second interview on Thursday, and was offered a position during that interview. I start Monday, Nov. 19, 2018 and will be reviewed after 3 months.
I also got an email from ASET congratulating me on being a Technologist in Training. Now I must work for two out of the next three and a half years go obtain my C. Tech / C.E.T. designation.
I bought a toaster. Thanks to Walmart’s Rollback price, I got a Black & Decker toaster for $18.88. Pretty cheap. It even has a bagel button.
And, finally, a printer. I thought I’d drop by the printer / scanner area to try to replace my dead machine. I was looking at a printer, and a Walmart guy came around and asked, “You’re looking for the one on sale?” “Uh … yah, I am.” Eh? I found a pile of Canon PIXMA MX492 boxes. I wasn’t expecting to pay $34 though. I’d be an idiot to not buy it.
upon inspection
Upon inspection, I see some pitting on one of the lengths of iron for this Freedom Utility Trailer.
See the difference in finishes? Is this poor machining? A result of welding of the end bracket? “What a heck?” I’m hoping this won’t be a concern later on, as in rust. This is not Galvanized or aluminium – it’s powder coated steel.
Actually, it used to be red.
What is that? Undercoating? Rustproofing? Proof of being a used trailer? My imagination?
Freedom Utility Trailer arrival
My trailer arrived! Its label says, FREEDOM UTILITY TRAILER. It came in three boxes on top of the tiniest pallet I have ever seen. So now I’m getting busy with Revit with its Structural Template (as opposed to Construction, Architectural, or Mechanical) to piece together a more accurate trailer in my model. I am guessing it is very similar to the Harbor Freight ones sold in the States, but there may be some variance for the Canadian market. I stuffed it all into a corner of the garage. I’ll pull one piece out at a time to take measurements.
recycling contemplation
I thought garden hoses could be recycled. They’re made of plastic, no? What is in them that makes them a contaminant in the recycling world? What does Best-Buy do with my dead electronics? Should I be separating different types of plastic bags? Does it all even matter?
algorithm accountability legislation, or beware of the AI monster within ourselves
An acquaintance down south is trying to get this ball rolling. Software engineers, in AI for example, create algorithms for every application needed. Yet, who knows what these algorithms are doing – how they’re gathering, using data?
Here’s an interesting article that says a lot on the subject. We Need an FDA for Algorithms
not funny … not at all
I watch a show or movie to relax, have fun, be happy. I don’t want more violence. While watching New Girl S1E12 (comedy on Netflix), a guy in a parking lot pulls a gun and threatens people with violence. Funny? Sorry, crossed the line. Too much s*** like that. If that’s comedy, then I don’t want it. Not in my house. American culture, perhaps. Not mine. Last weekend a guy in the States killed 11 people at a synagogue. Think family members would think this episode is funny? I cancelled my Netflix account.
