June 20, 2016 at 10:41 pm
Comments posted to this topic are about the item A Beautiful Google Mind
June 21, 2016 at 12:42 am
It is relatively easy to give little and often be it time or money. Probably both.
It isn't always the obvious charities that need support but also friends, neighbours, sports and/or social clubs.
At times I am guilty of having been in a situation where I could have contributed more but I don't beat myself up over it. Next time is the opportunity to change that. Not the immutable last time.
Gaz
-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!
June 21, 2016 at 1:39 am
One of the ways to enjoy success is to speculate a little of whatever surplus you have in the arts, research and "fantastic" projects. The Medici family did that in Renaissance Italy and we are still enjoying the results. Many of the projects will not succeed, or at least will not produce a "return on investment" but you will have the fun of watching what happens, the buzz being able to influence what direction they take and an overall feeling of satisfaction.
Tom Gillies LinkedIn Profilewww.DuhallowGreyGeek.com[/url]
June 21, 2016 at 3:11 am
Most people who read this will have charities nearby that could really use some part-time technical support. It is worth finding one that works in a field you like and getting involved. If nothing else, it will make you think a bit out of your normal box in how you can use your skills in a different setting, which could be useful in both your current and next jobs.
Although I work with a number of charities, not everything needs to be with these organisations. I recently announced at my local church that I was willing to help people who wanted to upgrade from Win7/Win8 to Win10. This has led to invitations to share meals in return for the upgrade, and deepening of friendships with people I have been able to help.
Even things that seem minor to us can be important to others.
Original author: https://github.com/SQL-FineBuild/Common/wiki/ 1-click install and best practice configuration of SQL Server 2019, 2017 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008 R2, 2008 and 2005.
When I give food to the poor they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor they call me a communist - Archbishop Hélder Câmara
June 21, 2016 at 8:00 am
New guy here. Very informative site, lots to learn.
On the other hand . . .
The IT industry moves forward when actors invest time, money, effort and personal passion. Money rewards drive some. Personal acclaim drives others. The Common Good drives others.
Self interest drives the world.
We all act on what we believe to be right and "a good reason".
My good cause will be very different from your good cause; and often, quite at odds or against your world view.
We owe lots to the Middle Man Christopher Mallick.
Without him, it would indeed be a different web.
First post, flame away.
June 21, 2016 at 8:00 am
I wish I were better able to help and engage people. It is something I have to put constant effort into. My son is helped by a charity in my area, but helping the charity has been very difficult. Things that seem to be large issues for me (dealing with vendor issues and communication methods) aren't on their agenda to move forward and address.
412-977-3526 call/text
June 21, 2016 at 8:26 am
I'll say that I'm up and down. Life gets busy at times, so I have to balance out the time I put towards charity.
My thought is that we all need to give back, but it's a time and place balance. It is usually easier to volunteer when you're young and when you're older. I plan on doing more as I do less work for a living, and can see those days coming as my kids leave the household.
One thing I have enjoyed is volunteering as a speaker to raise money for charities. It's something I am comfortable with, and few others are, so I can make a difference there.
June 21, 2016 at 8:57 am
Great Article Steve ! This is truly what life is about giving back. When I worked for IBM I was a volunteer for 11 years and mentored troubled 8th graders in a troubled NJ school district. Very rewarding when the kids tell you what they learned over the year from you. My job was off shored and I feel something is missing in life these days and need to find a new way to give back. Ed
June 21, 2016 at 8:58 am
Through most of our evolutionary history, the vast majority of humans on the planet primarily had to worry about their next meal. People who had the resources and the wisdom to make greater changes were rare and always will be.
It's great that some people who have been fortunate are in a position to do a lot of good, but most of us are only in a position to do some good within our own small sphere. But if you add up those small spheres, you have an enormous aggregate, much larger than the rare individuals with both resources and wisdom.
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-- FORTRAN manual for Xerox Computers --
June 21, 2016 at 9:01 am
It's easy to give away millions when you have billions; you just setup a charity, skim a small percentage of profit off the top, and appoint other people to muck with the details. However, the best way to serve your community, your country, and humanity in general is simply to live life with integrity. Put in an honest days work, be there for your spouse and children, go about your daily life treating people with fairness and respect, and when there is a conflict of interest always side with openness and truth. A lot of folks who give away millions fail when it comes to the basics.
"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho
June 22, 2016 at 2:20 am
Eric M Russell (6/21/2016)
However, the best way to serve your community, your country, and humanity in general is simply to live life with integrity. Put in an honest days work, be there for your spouse and children, go about your daily life treating people with fairness and respect, and when there is a conflict of interest always side with openness and truth.
+1000
June 23, 2016 at 5:46 pm
Your my hero for pointing out the focus of the industry. I currently have the financial independence and have been thinking about what really matters.
Any thoughts on what you consider these projects to be would be interesting to hear about.
Kind Regards
June 24, 2016 at 2:48 pm
Thanks for depressing me Steve. I work in the digital advertising industry. 😛
Outside of that, it's insanely hard to jump ship and risk new endeavors with the latest tech startup that's going to change the world. It's also hard to find time to even volunteer these days. Any free time is normally allocated to my two sons and my wife. So, I'm kind of stuck trying to understand why those users click and how we can go beyond the last click model.
However, I'd love to change that if all these so-called "world changers" would expand beyond California. :w00t:
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