Slashdot, graduation and acceptation

Lately, I've turned into an occasional reader of Slashdot articles. (Let's say that it happened because of an indirect recommendation from a friend.) Although I can't be classified exactly as a techie, many of the articles are interesting... from different points of view (I'll avoid becoming technical here).

One that surely has also figured in many other news sites was about the International Astronomical Union redefining the concept of what's a planet, and the possibility of adding 3 more planets to the Solar System. Ok, ok... it probably won't change most people's lives for the next decades, except for nullifying all of those "set sentences" created in roder to memorize the order of the planets (I don't know any in English, and would appreciate some version, but I still remember one in Portuguese that was shown in the Portuguese dubbed version of "Beakman's World" TV show)... But it's interesting nevertheless.

The second one is about an act "which makes it a criminal act to refuse to decrypt files on a computer". Wonder if that's so inportant... still quoting the article, "the bugaboos of child pornography and terrorism, while unquestionably heinous, are being used to justify a law which does little to protect against either". Or should I believe more in the hypothesis shown in many games/movies/etc that the government is becoming concerned about the information available on the net... Talking about that I've remembered an interesting "faq" about the Metal Gear Solid 2 game available at Gamefaqs. It will make more sense to people familiar with the game and the anime "Ghost in the Shell", but it's probably understandable even without it. In short, it talks a little about how genes and information received may change one's life.

Another article is about talent and effort. Personally, I think that both can make a difference, although success isn't determined by only them. Talent is nothing if you don't direct it. For example, sometimes some "whiz kids" are shown on TV that have excellent memorization capacities. It's something amazing, but I expect that parents and people around them will direct better the kids gifts. Usually I hear they saying capitals of many (almost unknown) countries, their currency and so forth... Interesting, but I wonder if it wouldn't be better used in language learning, for example. Well, I may be wrong since I've no knowledge about it. On the other hand, effort without talent makes things harder. But still not impossible. A Rurouni Kenshin quote may show that... Going to Kyoto, Sano meets Anji who shows the technique "Futae no Kiwami". As Sano wants to learn that technique, even risking his own life, Anji gives him one week to become able to destroy a rock using the technique, or else he would kill him. As Anji realises that Sano managed to learn the technique, follows the dialogue (note: free translation):

Anji: "... What a great talent..."
Sano:"Hey! I almost died in the process, you know? Talent!? Don't you dare to give all the credits to that."

Last one is about the video-game console war. Who will prevail: X-Box 360, Wii or PS3? I might be overestimating, but I believe that Microsoft's X-Box 360 has no hope of winning anywhere else outside the US... Nintendo has been showing an interest about new forms of gameplay. Its last consoles (Nintendo DS and Wii) have innovative features related to "player interface". I really like the Wii controller, and I'm waiting to try some games with it. Sony, on the other hand, places its bets in a multi-function device (since PS2, going through PSP to the PS3, the consoles can do many things, like play PS1 games, DVD player feature, internet access...) and hardware capacity (this time... it was interesting how the PS1 overcame other "better" consoles). My bets were on the PS3, but I'm seriously reconsidering shifting to Wii... Perhaps Sony's hope is the same of the PS1 age, when the amount of games was a decisive factor for its success...

Whew... for those brave enough to read to this point, a little of what's happening lately...

Last week there was my sister's graduation ceremony. So, she's got a Pharmacy (is that it?!) degree... Man, I'm getting old. But I went only to the ceremony... I guess there was a party, but as they have two graduations (well, I don't get it either...), the first one is a simple one... and as my sister gave up on going and I wasn't so excited myself about it...

But it's interesting when you talk to colleagues and notice that they already have a plan for their lives... some of my classmates are employed/being employed/working as part of a... Junior Company (not sure of the translation)...

Finally, this one is a little old, but I've received the acceptance letter from a Japanese University. Next step is being approved by the Japanese Ministry of Education... And finishing my monography here!!!

So, back to work!