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jbrenner assigns HOMEwork - Planning Atlantis

Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years, 9 months ago to The Gulch: General
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An assignment I give my students in almost every course I teach is what I call a questions and issues sheet. Students are asked to come up with a list of at least 25 questions and issues on a process design, product design, or failure analysis of my choosing. Students start by brainstorming either by themselves or in groups for 0.5 to 1 hour, and then categorize their questions and issues into the following categories: technical/engineering, economic, legal, regulatory, quality, environmental, safety, health, logistical, project management, and social impact. It is better for the questions and issues to be in the form of a question such that the question can be answered with a yes/no or a number. In that way, the exercise serves as a checklist to keep the project on track. Points are given for the number of questions, category coverage, identification of all of the key issues, depth of insight, creativity, and for thoroughness of the list. A critical issue not considered is often the project killer. Your assignment is to participate in this exercise for the development of a physical Atlantis.

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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    For short trips, high-capacity capacitors running electric motors would be more efficient.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    yea, and the costs to move it, with a stipulation that it had to be dismantled and recycled or otherwise rendered useless for a sea-going vessel.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    In fact, it would be necessary. A school is merely a mass production method of apprenticeship - and far less effective. It results in the "grad" to essentially re-learn all that has been learned by others but not written down in some book. Much of this is transferred during apprenticeship interactions.
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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I don't teach parameter diagrams, but I am familiar with them. My job is to get them started, and then let them solve their own problems.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    And one of the only fertilizers that is "eco-friendly" in that it releases slowly so less problem with run-off.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 9 months ago
    Do you teach them how to construct a parameter diagram? That would help to facilitate the exercise as only those things that actually relate to the system should be included (that random tornado, lightening strike - in most cases, but not all - and solar storm shouldn't make the cut).
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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    My 18 year old daughter told me that Dagny was her role model. I couldn't be more proud.
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  • Posted by radical 10 years, 9 months ago
    An interesting sidelight in reference to Ayn Rand's philosophy: Two blocks up the street from my office is an antique shop owned by a lady in her late 50s. She is a lady of some wealth and not afraid to show it - several expensive cars, 5 houses, diamond Rolex watch, etc. She is mentally lightning quick - fast on the reply when I mentally joust with her. She is married, and at the age of 80 I am "over the hill," so there is nothing romantic in our friendship. She is very assertive and aggressive - and very attractive. I have told her that she reminds me of Dagny Taggart, and then went on to explain what that meant. She was flattered, and didn't think that I was b.s.ing her. If she had, she would have told me right away. Dagny should be the benchmark against whom all other women are judged.
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  • Posted by Technocracy 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    People are conflating wealth and value here. They are related but not congruent.

    For example, a "retired" person who no longer produces a product may still produce value. He or she is no longer working the production line, but they can still add value by teaching process, procedures and most important of all ethics.
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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I agree with you, plusaf. I don't think that there is any real problem with an apprenticeship program either. It provides an avenue for those with AR values who do not have the finances to retire yet to be contributing members of Gulch society. For example, I have one student right now who has freakishly exceptional talent - a John Galt in the making. He is not there yet, but it is clear to me that he will someday be far my superior. In the meantime, I supply the funding and guidance for him to make tools of common interest to both of us. Isn't that why company owners hire people?
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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    At least at first, I also think that the amount spent on national defense of Atlantis should be less than several others think. Being noticed is our biggest threat.
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  • Posted by conscious1978 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Exactly. A place like that would be a magnet for those that want and appreciate Gulch principles of liberty and justice.

    I still think the real-world logistics of an island Gulch involve too many vulnerabilities in defense, travel, infrastructure supply and maintenance, and population capacity to provide the stable business environment we need.

    A real Gulch wouldn't be a commune or a country club and should try to avoid those pitfalls. As I mentioned elsewhere, a land-based network of communities might be best. Create an alternate economy hidden in plain sight. Subcultures of various kinds already exist in this country. This website and others represent a primitive Gulch network, now. To strengthen it, beyond rhetoric, would require a secure banking and business environment first.

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  • Posted by CircuitGuy 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    "We will have to have our own security force."
    I'm firmly in agreement with the minuteman concept, for a Gulch or the US. This issue should keep a VERY low profile. Let the law enforcement and gov't authorities think they're providing the security. Don't leave room for critics to label us nuts. It *shouldn't* be this way, but it absolutely is. I agree with the other responses to this issue, but it would be very easy to paint them as nuts. Security needs to look to outsiders like what malls and corporations do.
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  • Posted by plusaf 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Respectfully disagree on the implication that a 'tiered class system' involving apprenticeship is undesirable.

    I'm reminded of the first 'real job' I ever had. We either chose or were assigned 'mentors' who, amongst other things, showed us where the rest rooms and cafeteria were but also introduced us to the engineers and managers of the organizations we would be working with towards mutual/joint/combined success.

    Some time after I internalized the local map of bathrooms, cafeteria and partner-organizations, I could make contributions to their successes, too. (ease off on the potty-jokes, ok? Oh, wait.. that reminds me of a problem I discovered in one of the drains in a men's room at HP a few years later, which also led me to the discovery that "the system" at that division had no input device to learn about or correct the problem I discovered. That should have been a red flag right there...)
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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Taking the oath will be one requirement. Financial considerations may dictate other additional requirements, but those will be discussed.
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