What I miss in the internet - real discussions

One reason I'm active in the web are different point of views. I love discussions on many topics. I have the luxury of having co-workers and some friends who are not afraid to discuss and disagree. With them I can argue so that it's not going to insults, but stays almost always on intelligent level. Still often those discussions are really tense and I can really feel the adrenaline level raising while having those. It's just a pity that I don't get those in the internet.

In the web I tend to follow the people I agree. I tend to comment to posts I somewhat agree. And the times when I or someone else disagree's on some subject, discussion almost always ends really shortly. Either one of the discussion partners just disappears or then it goes to meaningles "I'm right and you're wrong" type of discussions.

One problem is that in the web you don't really need to listen. You don't really need to try to understand the point, you can just jump to shouting mode and state your point. One doesn't have the possibility to explain the point thoroughly and to make sure the opposite site undestands the point so that he or she could adjust their comments accordingly.

In the web it's so easy to turn the other cheek or run away. If you disagree with someone, you can just ignore the message totally and find something else.

Web is full of happy happy, joy joy type of comments. Comments start often like this: that was a good post, here's an another point to support your point. It's much easier to go and support a post than disagree with someone you don't really know.

I'm not saying that everyone should be hostile and fighting with each other in the web, but I tend to believe, that new always start from disagreement. The only way to change and develop is to challenge. Challenge the existing knowledge and challenge the common believes.

I love good discussions where different point of views are appreciated and arguing enriches discussions. So far, web hasn't been able to bring that to me. That's why I still need real life.

Written by +Henri Hämäläinen

Mind controls, controlling car with brain

Possibilities to undestand brains and use those for controls seems to go fast forward. Here's an example of controlling car with brain sensors. Quite impressive.



I could already see numerous ways to use these brain controls. The first usage most probably isn't to use it for driving a car, but there's lot of things where having brains as extra pair of controls would offer much better possibilities to control machines.

You can check more on their website http://autonomos.inf.fu-berlin.de/  

Written by +Henri Hämäläinen

Certificate of this and that

World is full of certificates. Everyone is offering a possibility to get certificate of this and that. These papers don't really count a thing. It doesn't prove that you really have learned something. It just says you have participated and in some cases you might had to even remember something if there was a test on the subject.

I have couple of certificates lying in my drawer, but I keep those safely there, that no one would ever really think I appreciate those. Still many of the courses I've got those certificates from have been valuable. There's been some excellent guys keeping those courses and I've really got the boost on start learning more on those subjects based on those ones. But I couldn't have said after any of those, that now I'm good because I'm certified for this and that .

I'm wondering why those certificates still exist? Are there people and companies who still appreciate those? Do some employers really check from resumes that this guy is certified for this and that, he or she must be good in this. And do some people still think that these certificates ads a value to their future possibilities.

from www.says-it.com

Maybe there are some things in work life that you need to be certified to do before you are allowed to do it. I would definitely want electrician or my doctor to be certified to do their job.The problem is that these are actually degrees, not certificates. Electrician and doctor needs to do hell of a lot of work before getting that diploma, but you can also get a certificate of something with only couple of days of training.

Even a degree doesn't prove that you are good, but you have had to go through at least quite many gating to get that degree. For certificates you need to maybe go through one loose gate. Often having a certificate works actually the opposite way. It tells that these guys are just the beginners because they appreciate the certificate and don't yet realize that real life is the one that counts.

Written by +Henri Hämäläinen

For the sake of humanity, be aware and share

People in middle east and northern Africa are fighting with their lives at stake for democracy and better living conditions. This year will be written to history as year for horrible violence happening there. Hopefully also as victory for freedom and praise for high technology and globalization.

Without internet, smart phones and computers we wouldn't have as good understanding what we have about what's ongoing in these countries. This isn't for sure first time there's unimaginable violence ongoing to smother protests against governments, but this is maybe the first time we don't need to rely only on official sources for information. People in these countries have the possibility to store and share their experiences as they happen.

The fact that we in other countries see what's really happening doesn't itself have any value to the people who are suffering there, if we don't take these videos, stories and pictures seriously. The best thing for the people in these countries is that we share and talk about the horrible things ongoing there. Increasing public awareness about these will have an effect on politicians and that will eventually affect on governments and organizations who really can step in. And by sharing we support the people to have strength to fight for freedom.

Go out there and check for example what is tweeted about Libya from Trendmaps or follow the Al Jazeera live blogs about what is really happening there. There will be rumors and incorrect information flying around also, but images and videos rarely lie. Use your self-criticism, but at least be aware of the things blogged, tweeted or videos shared from these countries.

I believe these weeks are really turning points in the world we live in. Helping these countries to get more freedom will change the world for better place much more than the military actions ongoing in Iraq and Afghanistan will ever do. Just don't close your eyes on what's happening in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen, Morocco, Bahrain and all over the middle-East and northern Africa. It only takes couple minutes.  

Written by +Henri Hämäläinen

Adults should be entitled to play

I've noticed that when I'm sledding with kids, most of parents out there are really excited to get to play. Under two years old kids are brought to sledding with snow-racers and couple of sleds, just that there would enough equipment for all the adults who come with. Many adults really seem to enjoy that time out there.

Playing really refreshes mind. That's something all adults should be doing once in awhile. Sad thing is that it often requires kids before people for example go out to sled or play with snow. Too rarely you see people without kids having real fun outdoors.

Great thing about being parent that you can go out with your kids and really play. You can free yourself to the play state of mind and go play in parks and everywhere else.

I guess one reason that game consoles have come so popular nowadays is that those give the right to play. Everyone loves to play and game consoles like Wii and Xbox with Kinetic gives the right to play and look like a fool.

I don't know what I'm going to do when kids grow older and won't want to come to sledding in winter or creating sand castles in a sandbox in summer. Maybe that time I need to buy one of those game consoles myself too. For now, I'm just enjoying all the playing I can.  

Written by +Henri Hämäläinen