Readers' Comments

Reader Comments on Aardvark Daily 12 June 2003
Note: the comments below are the unabridged submissions of readers and do
not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher.
From: Ian Orchard
For : The Editor (for publication)
Subj: Webcam phones to be banned from changerooms

I'm afraid that horse has well and truly bolted. The cameras and
recorders I've seen can and presumably are easily concealed within
normal clothes, bags, books, etc. Anyone with a yen to illicite
photography has ample opportunity without resorting to something as
obvious as a camera-equipped cellphone (or Palm device).




From: PhD guy
For : The Editor (for publication)
Subj: Amateur scientists

I think most kids are naturally curious and a good
percentage interested in science and things technical at a
young age.

Its at school and University where kids turning into adults
get turned off science and technical things. Few primary,
intermediate and high school teachers are specialized in
science and that means they do not emphasize, encourage or
excite the kids. Its a vicious cycle, as the kids then get
turned off science and don't go any further with it, and if
they become teachers are unlikely to know any
science......and round and round we go.

Those who do go further, into University and graduate
studies quickly learn that technical fields like science
pay exceedingly poorly in New Zealand, have no job security
and this is even for the best of the best (PhDs etc).

NZ has an anti-intellectual hang-over. Just recently a poll
suggests most people don't link wealth creation and
economic prosperity to the life style that they and their
kids will ultimately have in NZ.

A further smaller number would be challenged to link
advanced technical and science knowledge industries with
economic health and wealth creation.

Unfortunately we are begging for leadership from the top to
elevate science linked with entrepreneurialship to its
proper position as the way of the future.

Some obvious moves would involve re-invigorating the
science career, improving the lot of scientists. Only then
will we get a virtuous cycle where the best people entire
technical careers, start companies, create wealth and hire
others.

Im not sure if we are really going to be able to enter the
knowledge economy in NZ. My perhaps cynical view is we will
contiue to slide down out of the first world to lower
living standards, but this will be a slow process, so
nobody will notice anything too major. It will just happen,
we have no leaders in NZ of a caliber or with enough vision
to prevent it.




From: Tim
For : The Editor (for publication)
Subj: Science Fairs

Yes!  There is still a national science fair system.

In fact, my Dad has looked after the South Canterbury one
(and has done for 25 years), during which time all the
other fairs have strived to be as good as his.

The South Canterbury fair attracts over 250 exhibit each
year - more than the hall facilities can actually handle.

As an I.T. geek I even managed to write a database system
to handle all the awards and entries.

It's by far one of the bestest fairs (as an IT geek, I'm
allowed to make up words) in the country.  In fact,
probably the bestest.

It's sad to see that, even after movies like "Revenge of
the Nerds", the Government only supports the Jocks.  This
is probably due the to PM being one himself.

$33 million so some billionaires can play with their toy
boats?  Come on New Zealand.  No wonder our brains are
draining.




From: Chris
For : The Editor (for publication)
Subj: Geek 2003...

Bruce, you're showing your age....

In the 80's, if you had a cellphone
(brick) you were a yuppie. This does not apply today. In the 90's if you
had a home computer, you were a geek. This no longer applies today.

I have a
6yo daughter who uses a computer at home and at school, and she's a whizz
on it. Today, the computer to her IS an appliance, just like the TV, video
or fridge. It holds no mystery, it's just a tool to be used. Does everyone
know how their lawnmower, car, fridge, TV, video, stereo, electronic toys
and other gadgets work? They are all 'upgradeable' yet in today's
disposable society, why bother. If it breaks, or goes too slow, biff it
and get a new one.

In 2010 we'll be looking back at todays 4 megapixel cameras and
sighing. They'll be given away in cornflake boxes. DVD's will be in every
home, broadband will be plentiful and cheap, and PCs will be in 90% (or
more) of NZ homes.

A geek in 2003 is someone who's being in the biz since
the 80's, and has still not get in touch with reality. A person who can
strip & rebuild a computer in under 15mins is looked on as having similar
skills as a mechanic who does the same to your engine. Same theory,
different product.

There will never be a future-geek, just old, 80's geeks,
muttering about punch cards, COBOL, Y2K, dot-matrix printers, 2400bps
modems, mainframes, arcnet and token ring.




From: Farmer John
For : The Editor (for publication)
Subj: Sheep Census

I think the last count (2001) was 28,791,432 - and falling!




From: Ian Orchard
For : The Editor (for publication)
Subj: Danish study doubts injury risks from computers

Frigged if I know what they thought they were studying then. I KNOW for a
very painful fact if I'm not very cautious about excessive mouse use,
particularly when a large report deadline is bearing down on me, I'm going
to have trouble sleeping because of excruciating pain in my right arm and
shoulder. It may not be carpal tunnel syndrome, but whatever term they may
choose to use, it still hurts like hell.

Times like this the quote attributed to Einstein comes to mind. "If the
facts don't fit the theory, change the facts."
Hit Reload For Latest Comments
Now Have Your Say