Magic moments

 No, this is not an OOP programming lesson. Its merely just my observation and rationalization of the phenomena of computer development. I always considered myself lucky to be in the right place at the right time to become a software developer. Besides my talent, I was lucky to be the optimal age when computers started becoming personal and also affordable for my parents to get me one. These enablers and several persons that altered my path were the biggest contributors to my carrier. But I always wondered what made our profession so important, why I always here the same phrase: "Oh, you are a programmer, you are needed profile, you can get a job anywhere". Even though this is cliché, it is true non the less. Looking back on all the life segments I have touched with my software development, I think I finally have the answer. We are Shape Shifters of the business world , we are setting and maintaining the infrastructure and tools the business world uses to make money, we are b...

  I often times find myself determining whether I should take my car for a repair in a mechanic's shop or should I try to repair it myself. I am regular car owner (who has access to YouTube, thank you ChrisFix ), besides being a little mechanically inclined, I do not own any specialty tools, heck I don't even have a vise. I do however tend to collect general purpose tools mostly out of necessity throughout the years.  So often times I take the challenge and the calculated risk to fix some issue on the car. I know in advance that it will be labor intensive , time inefficient  and will require tool improvisation , regardless I still do it.  Besides the immense disappointment I have from bad mechanics in my past, one of the pros is that feeling of control when you know the quality of the work done, you know what I mean? And then there is that sense of accomplishment that I fixed something, I'm sure this is not unique to me, can I get an Amin from all the DIYers out th...

  I was around 14 when I discovered that there is an organization called MENSA. By the way it was explained to me, I got the impression that resembled one of the Free Masons Order (secrets and all that). I was all hyped. After clarifying though, I realized that the only benefit from being in this exclusive club was: You get to hang out with very smart people .  My immediate response was: MEH... Is that all ? I already have the coolest friends, no thanks, I'll pass (typical teenage reasoning, and this was before the internet).  I was wrong. I came to regret that decision. I should have joined there and then, besides I already knew some guys "on the inside". I since have taken several tests online and it seems I would have entered the club.  These days I miss hanging out with smart people. People in my surrounding are focused on shallow matters, poor values and basically have no virtues, so yes I crave for smart people around. I also noticed that smartness rubs off, s...

  In this day and age of tablets and smartphones, I try to keep my children away from electronic devices as much as possible. I am not delusional, I know I won't be able to isolate them from useless time wasting apps forever. Regardless, my wife and I try to introduce as much classical (physical) games as possible (including board games). This takes a lot of effort, both time wise and energy wise, besides requiring a big dedication to the cause.  The end result is a lot of fun memories, nice pictures on social media, happy family doing fun stuff all around, all the while raising healthy persons. And then, there is the priceless smile on the faces when we go downhill on our bikes together. I have heard the following comments from friends: I loved your photos/video of your ride, you are so lucky you have sport inclined / gifted children.  Besides the compliment here, that I appreciate, the second part of the sentence, is a completely wrong assumption. I mean I can see where...

  Why are you programmers so over-confident, why are you sometimes even arrogant? Why are you so egocentric, why are you so evil, why are you selfish? Why are you so overly _________? (chose any random adjective) If I had a nickel for every time I heard these phrases. Even though I am not an expert on psychology I would argue that people involved in "Thinker Trades" get their characters amplified due to a positive feedback loop. This means any existing personal characteristic gets amplified and gets accentuated a lot. This is not limited to programmers though, I have noticed it in the Medical trade, Engineering, Architecture and Management (government or otherwise). Most of these trades have one thing in common, they produce Rock Star personalities, or what we call " Lone Wolf " syndrome.  Its a flow where one person is brewed to a high level of knowledge and professionalism and that gives a positive feedback loop of acknowledgment and pride. Consequently personal ...

 Around 6 years ago, a friend of mine and I were discussing the current state of our local society. He then asked me one simple question:  Let say your child does something elementary and obviously wrong, but in our society that is the preferred way and even encouraged by peers. What shall be your approach to address this problem? Would you advice your child on what is right, or what is considered normal in this society, knowing those two are completely opposite? I have to admit he left me with a great conundrum in mind. At that point I consoled myself that I will be ready by the time I'm required to make that choice. I was wrong, found myself on the spot several times in the past 6 years. I always went with a Solomonic solution, advising my children to do what needs to be done to fit in, but reason inside what is right and wrong.  I recently discovered that this approach makes my children cynical and apathetic. They despise their peers for being ignorant, knowing wh...

  I often see this weird behavior in the Gen Z kids these days. They always want to get the solution of a problem without taking the time to actually solve it. They want to get to the goods without seeing the bad along the way. This apparently is a topic for a whole book, but I digress.  I was around 12 when personal computers become affordable to the masses. Due to my lack of knowledge, every time I (accidentally) deleted some system file, I would take it to the repair shop.  One day the guy there told me: You have to stop sabotaging your own computer. If you are eager to break it, you should also be eager to repair it on your own.  I quickly followed up with: OK, then how do I repair it?   He confidently replied (in Yoda style): If I just tell you, you will forget the next minute, but if you discover on your own, you will remember it and along the way come to appreciate my labor .  I took his advice. These days I'm a software developer, thanks to Krume Kr...