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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 $ rockymountainpirate 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I'm ex-Navy. I did my time on Air Stations or the hospital at Camp Pendleton. Still it's good to know there are blue water sailors around.
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  • Posted by $ 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    We have quite a few ex-Navy Gulchers. Running a ship would be one of our lesser problems.
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  • Posted by $ rockymountainpirate 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    This is interesting. Like Pirate Radio. I'm sure there are ships we could pick up at a Custom auction relatively cheaply. Or even decommissioned Navy ships. Now the cost of operating one is a different story. How many blue water sailors do we have in the Gulch?
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  • Posted by $ 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I am sure that I would be welcomed back as a native Texan. If they were alone in secession from the US, I think almost all Gulch members would go there, but given recent events, it may no longer be worth saving come secession time.
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  • Posted by conscious1978 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I agree. However, I think the numbers of resolved individuals increase exponentially when they see more clear examples of 'government' treading on their rights and taking their money. Witness the reactions that gave birth to the Tea Party and the increased awareness of our freedom being in jeopardy.

    Come back to Texas, if the weather wipes you out. We'd be glad to have you as a neighbor.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    But all them rich bankers are on the east coast, and all them rich actors are on the left coast. Nothin' but us poor farmers in the middle.
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  • Posted by $ 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    There may be lots of people who are interested in a physical Atlantis, but there will undoubtedly be far fewer who are willing to do what is necessary to make it happen. Certain aspects of life in America is quite easy to take for granted. I would much prefer to have the virtual Gulch with 'islands of sanity' that we have now to be sufficient. My wife agrees philosophically with the Gulch, but we really have a great situation here in Florida. It would take a total collapse of America to make moving to a physical Atlantis necessary, but I want to prepared just in case. For example, if my part of Florida had a Hurricane Andrew or Katrina centered directly on it, it might not be worth rebuilding.
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  • Posted by conscious1978 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Ahh, the "compelling issue" may be the toughest to agree on. It's probable that good, rational people will not ultimately agree on the concept of Atlantis/the Gulch — which is fine. Still, I appreciate the spirit of Jim's topic to explore these ideas.

    As, I've previously mentioned, I'm more for a land-based network of communities. I see the Gulch, not as a retirement community, or commune, or country club; but, as a place where people with varied interests, skills, and resources come to live and work with others based on respect for the principles of man's rights (Gulch Values).

    An island or a boat isn't going to be big enough for the Nation we want to rebuild. Nor, for the large numbers of people that already realize something is not right with the country that once showed the world what is possible to men...and will gravitate to communities where those rights are rationally upheld.

    Why are Ayn Rand's books still as popular as they are? ...because there are lots of people out there trying to make sense of the legitimized irrationality they see around them? I think those sales are kind of like an anonymous barometer of that yearning. If we are in a battle of ideas to make our lives free, then we don't need to physically withdraw from those which could join us. Let's find ways to create 'islands of sanity' for our own sakes that will, consequently, be a beacon to others searching for a rational place to live.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I'm not so sure. Tell the coasters that they can have their own nations and don't have to put up with the yokals in fly-over country - you know those bible belters and tea-partiers- they'd probably jump at the chance.
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  • Posted by xthinker88 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Actually I never walked the area, not once in four years. Biggest slug was an 8 and 4 as a firstie and by that time we did room tours. But I was also just a regular cadet so didn't get out of drill and ceremony - ever.
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  • Posted by $ 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    True, but the whole town was only $400 K, and it was in a remote enough area that it was of interest to several Gulchers a month ago.
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  • Posted by $ 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Perhaps a cruise ship that is of the size of the nightly casino cruises, as opposed to the behemoths that most people are familiar with.
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  • Posted by $ 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    This is the place for hashing out all of the answers to these questions. Cruise ships are extremely popular down here in FL and are a lot cheaper than they used to be.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Used to be Thanksgiving, but my plebe year it changed to the first Sat in Dec, now typically the 2nd Sat in Dec. Other than that one day, squids are OK in my book.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    But there are other alternatives - How about the Socialist States of the Atlantic, and the Collectivist States of the Pacific be divested from "fly over country"? That still leaves the larger cities, but perhaps they could be spun out as city-states.

    Another alternative is to repeal the 17th Amendment. And/or change congressional representation to 1 per county.

    I'm a problem solver by profession. There are always ways to improve a system. I've not yet seen one where the whole thing was better off being totally junked.
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  • Posted by khalling 10 years, 9 months ago
    The compelling issue is that we do not all have the same concept of Atlantis.Is it virtual? Is a community based on real estate? Is it an island? seastead? Is it part of a free state? Is it snowbird suitable> Is it an artic-remote place? They always say location is everything, but I think in today's world mobility is everything. I like the idea of moving around. If we are a seastead would we remain as an island 12 miles off somewhere or move around like those cruise ship condos? Personally I imagine a mobile core group-traveling to wherever the most profitable industries and minds take them. I think if we firmly plant, we are a sitting duck. but I am no expert on this
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