Wednesday, December 16, 2009

College Coming to an End

My 4 month foray into College is coming to an End. Only two more days left, and one of those days has been cancelled. YAY!

I am ready for a job, that no company is hiring for, and I may have to wait years until they do.

Oh well! Its a long hard Life!

At least I get to come back to Brantford for good now, I hate Toronto!

Update for Things I hate:

- Toronto

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Inspiration

I need inspiration for a good old fashioned rant. Throw me some questions or thoughts so that I can get all riled up. Anything, from theories of the universe to who is better than who. I want something interesting to talk about.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Robots

This is for you Zach!

I just watched the end of a television program about the creation and development of Robots and AI. And I could not help being a bit concerned.

People are so enamored with the idea of creating these robots that will do everything for us and be so intelligent. I believe they are overlooking somethings that are very important:

i)These Robots will mean fewer jobs for humans, this means fewer people will be working, and fewer people will not have MONEY! I do not believe for a second that in this future human beings will cast aside the need for money, and the want for money. Because money will still be as important as it is today, the majority of people (who will not be working and making money) will be left in the dark. The people who "control, use and manufacture" these robots will no doubt demand a payment for the the services that their robots will provide, and how will the unemployed afford these things which will no doubt include the necessities of life.

ii)If robots develop such a strong advanced AI as so many people want and believe will happen, what is not to say these things will not realize that Human beings are just using them. Human beings have rebelled against their gods and creators for all history. Humans have believed themselves to have become equal to these gods, and even more powerful. It is with these robots that we make that we are attempting to become the gods. If we apply this to all universe we know today, we may see a possible pattern:

-The gods created us the Human Being, which is it not just an organic robot
-Humans the new gods will create the Robot, a mechanical being, a robot as we know it.

-Could Humans be the gods' robot
-Could the gods not just be another generation of robot created by some supreme being the robot of yet another.

Now one may say is this not then natural progression. Perhaps, but it will destroy us. Is it not the goal of life not to commit the same mistakes as the creators. We have the opportunity to preserve ourselves, but instead we are willing to throw it away, perhaps we may be worshiped, but then we will be forgotten, and lost.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Via and Guelph Junction

The fun all started on Tuesday when I took the Via Train home from Toronto to Brantford. I really didn't need to take Via, but I wanted to.

I must say it was quite comfortable, the chairs were a pleasure to sit in and snacks and beverages were available. The whole ride I was constantly looking out the large windows, taking in the scenery, which unfortunately at times consisted of slag, ties, and dingy old buildings. It also gave me a chance to observe some of the signs and signals that I learned in class. The trip lasted about an hour, which was too short for my liking.

Anyway Wednesday came and unfortunately I woke up with a cold that only got worse as the day progressed. But Awesomeness prevailed and the days events outweighed the sneezing, and runny nose. The day started at Mohawk Inn where the class met and we had a job briefing. Everyone then carpooled over to Guelph Junction. Once we got there the class was split into 3 groups. Mine, which is the most important, first took a look at the yard's various switches, we each got a chance to unlock the keeper on the switch and then throw it for a normal route and a reverse route, locking it when we were done. Then we practiced placing a derail in derailing and non derailing positions (those things are heavy).

After an early lunch we started going over the components of the different air brake systems, and we practiced applying and releasing the handbrakes (this I think was my favourite part). Then we tried entraining (getting on) and detraining (getting off) the equipment. The equipment by the way is HUGE! Pictures cannot show how big it is. We also got to practice on a moving engine first at 1mph and then at 4mph. The engine was an older model but it was big enough to live comfortably in. The exhaust that was realease when it throttled up was a black as the keys on my keyboard, and as it dispersed you could see the particles of the diesel fumes. It made you wonder how all these old engineers and conductors got to be as old as they did.

Tomorrow I am going to Procor for a tour of their facilities, I will write if I think you would care to hear about it.

Cheers!

Monday, September 28, 2009

"We're Taking the Train"

Tomorrow I will return home, via Via, it will be very exciting, and I do believe comfortable.

This is because on Wednesday I have my first field trip to Guelph Junction. Which means I get to play Train Conductor.

In addition on Friday I go to Procor for another field trip.

I will be sure to update you on all three of these exciting events.