one little cog

A Program - a plan of action to accomplish a specified end / a plan or schedule of activities, procedures, etc., to be followed / the precise sequence of instructions enabling a computer to solve a problem

“I have been there and done that”  — (only … I nearly flunked programming in grade 11)

Granted…I got chicken pox in the middle of the course.  But…well, is this the final stand?  I somehow am returning to confront computer programming.  Over the past few years, I have managed to tackle XHTML and CSS, languages that really never felt like computer programming languages at all, but rather simply the backend of design programs such as Quark Xpress or InDesign, but for the World Wide Web.  Anyone have some recommendations on where to go to take part-time courses?  I am currently looking at Humber, Centennial, CDI, Ryerson, George Brown, Seneca… okay pretty much everywhere.

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What I have encountered over and over and over again is the fact that I don’t want to be a specialist and only do one thing.  I want the freedom to take upon different responsibilities and have the ability to tackle almost any task that someone throws at me.  Why you say?  Because at the end of the day, although I believe that specialists are necessary … generalists are ultimately capable of delivering better results through a comprehensive understanding of their role.

Example 1:  The red blood cell.  You could say that the red blood cell is actually a specialist, until you realize how many roles that a red blood cell actually plays within the body.  It delivers oxygen to your vital organs; it takes back the carbon dioxide to the lungs; it carries nutrients around the body; it also carries waste to — well ..you know… and it performs numerous other tasks that is a necessity to the system.  To each and every mammal at the very least.  What is interesting is the fact that the red blood cell itself is composed of a set of integrated smaller specialized organ.  What does that say?  Generalists have the bigger picture.  They are able to make the necessary decisions.

Example 2:  Water.  Is water a specialized entity?  Is it even an entity?  The answer to the former is no.  The latter — I don’t know!  The fact of the matter is that water is the life force for nearly every living organism or being on Earth and the roles that it plays is phenomenal.  From the fact that it just quenches our thirst, or cleanses our pores to the molecular level where the atomic structure provides cohesion between water molecules so that water is able to move upwards the stem of a plant or the large trunk of a tree and into the leaves where water is needed to create energy for the plant to live.  That’s not all … but that to me is already mind blowing…

Example 3:  Computers.  You may say it is specialized at computing 0’s and 1’s, but I could also say that everything is composed of 0’s and 1’s and the fact that these 0’s and 1’s apply to everything from the design of a brochure or a computer game to the calculation of a budget on a spreadsheet or writing a blog… Honestly… if computers were specialized … would we be where we are today?  No ipod that’s for sure… The argument will likely be that computers are technically very specialized pieces of equipment, but the fact that purpose has grown beyond that role of a very specialized piece of equipment into a multi-tasking and multi-faceted device for all types of lifestyles … reveals the truth that generalists are around and truly do exist is a fundamental manner and can actually be the master of ALL (or nearly all) as opposed to the expression many people regurgitate “Jack of all trades, master of none”.

Am i anti-specialist?  No, never…specialization has a reason and a purpose — always.  But specialization should not be regarded as the answer to a greater success.  Greater success requires a team that is truly flexible.  And in my opinion, no other team is as truly flexible as the bunch of red blood cells swimming around our own body, as well as my two other examples.

Now what is this all about you say?  Well, nothing…I just wanted to throw the idea out there.  I am continuing to take photographs… and here’s one for you all to enjoy.

On a marketing note:  People can’t just stop talking about the Wii (look at mii!)  Honestly, I think the Nintendo Wii is a great machine, but as I told my friend who wanted to sit outdoors in the early morn for it … if you want it bad enough, you can get it.  He ended up getting it!  However not the way I thought he would have, but rather driving around checking out every place possible.  Kudos to you Drewski!

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