June 2009
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The Universe
There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.
— Douglas Adams
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Social Integrity
The integrity of a society or group is approximately equal to the lowest common denominator of its people. When the standards are lowered for an individual, the standards for the group or society to which the individual belongs are lowered.
— Admiral Arleigh Burke, USN
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Covey: Personal worth
I believe that a life of integrity is the most fundamental source of personal worth. I do not agree with the popular success literature that says that self-esteem is primarily a matter of mind set, or attitude — that you can psych yourself into peace of mind. Peace of mind comes when your life is in harmony with true principles and values and in no other way.
— Stephen Covey
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Programming
Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning.
— Rich Cook
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Adams: To the engineer...
To the engineer, all matter in the universe can be placed into one of two categories:
- things that need to be fixed, and
- things that will need to be fixed after you’ve had a few minutes to play with them.
Engineers like to solve problems. If there are no problems handily available, they will create their own problems. Normal people don’t understand this concept; they believe that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Engineers believe that if it ain’t broke, it doesn’t have enough features yet.”
— Scott Adams, The Dilbert Principle
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Strazcynski: We have an obligation to one another...
It’s worth mentioning that this story was initially conceived in the midst of the Me Generation, the decade of “I’ve got mine, jack, screw you all.” Since then the culture has gotten increasingly factionalized, groups of Me’s pulling and tugging at the fabric not only of the country, but of the planet itself. The idea of personal sacrifice, of personal service to a cause, seems to have become…passe. Old fashioned. Silly.
We have an obligation to one another, responsibilities and trusts. That does not mean we must be pigeons, that we must be exploited. But it does mean that we should look out for one another when and as much as we can; and that we have a personal responsibility for our behavior; and that our behavior has consequences of a very real and profound nature. We are not powerless. We have tremendous potential for good or ill. How we choose to use that power is up to us; but first we must choose to use it. We’re told every day, “You can’t change the world.”
But the world is changing every day. Only question is…who’s doing it? You or somebody else? Will you choose to lead, or be led by others?”
— J. Michael Strazcynski, Creator, Babylon 5