Technology Thoughts and the Boston Marathon

I also posted this writing on Facebook

Today's event in Boston was absolutely tragic. I actually was crying this afternoon about it because I can only imagine what it would be like to have had a loved one running the marathon as an unexpected victim of an attack like this. 

But I also can't help but notice something: if this is indeed a terrorist attack (which it appears to be), then technology has truly allowed for a completely different treatment and response from the public as it relates to this particular disaster. 

Over the past two years I've read pieces about how 9/11 would have been different if technology now were the same back then. Here are two links to similar articles:

http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2011/09/06/911-in-a-social-media-world-how-the-times-have-changed/ 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dean-praetorius/social-media-9-11-new-york_b_1872764.html?igoogle=1

We have to stop and think for a moment about how different our technology world truly is nowadays compared to 2001: we have cameras on smart phones, YouTube, Facebook, omnipresence of mobile technology and texting, a Twitterati... I think today serves an excellent example of how the times have indeed changed for the better when it comes to disaster relief and galvanizing the public in such efforts.

We found out about the disaster here in Houston because of Twitter faster than the traditional news sources could report on its details. Those affected by the tragedy can find places to stay and report upon/discover information on missing people because of Google technologies. The Reddit community triple-checks the facts and mobile phone photos/videos and compiles it on a thread. We can check on our loved ones via Facebook and/or mobile technologies not previously available ten years ago. Small but widespread preventative measures - like Bostonians opening up their wifi ports to increase connectivity in the region - take root virally. Information exchange on the perpetrators can be called for and filtered online. The president can make a video that everyone gets to see because of YouTube. 

From the smart phones we so religiously cradle to "the Facebook" we're classically conditioned to cling to when procrastinating, some may complain about the omnipresence of technology in the everyday lives of our generation. But I would argue that in times of disaster, these societal mainstays are not only properly alerting the international public and aggregating accurate up-to-date news, but providing unprecedented interactive tools for allaying fears and taking proper action.

Viva la technology and God Bless :) ♥

Geeking Out on the Education/Employment Gap

I found a series of media based on a McKinsey report/study/video/topic on the gap between education and the workplace. Essentially, there are too many people looking for jobs, and yet simultaneously the workforce is in need of more skilled laborers. The issue boils down to the fact that the government is usually in charge of steering education (labor supply); and on a parallel, the private sector has different demands than the educated (or under-educated) labor force can provide.

McKinsey's societal analysis branch continued research on the issue and found two specific institutions that seem to be tackling the issue on an extreme micro-scale: Miami Dade College in Florida and IL&FS in India. Boiled down, private sector firms pair with these institutions and use high-tech video training and simulation systems (i.e. interactive mannequins for nursing students) in order to transfer employable skill sets to students. Within the first three years as a result of IL&FS's impact, over 200,000 below poverty individuals were able to secure jobs that they otherwise might not have without this very straight-forward, streamlined training.

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Spring Semester 2013

I had a rejuvenating, excellent break with my family and I miss them already. It's time to go back to school now, though. 

Putting it lightly, my past two spring semesters hold no candle to my fall semesters, and it's about time that's changed. Over the last few days, a weird feeling of fear has seeped into me that this goodness, it might not happen - something tragic could happen.

But as I talk about my feelings to my friends, they have been keeping me eager for this semester's future instead of fearful. Their words uplift me.

I really like words. I've always enjoyed writing, reading, thinking. For my being, words most powerfully quantify and qualify a situation or reality when constructed perfectly. Throughout high school - and particularly senior year - I used to decorate quotes on Photoshop and paste them on my wall. I also would print out articles that inspired me. So, in my room at home, I had quotes, articles, and other inspirational words pasted all over the walls and even on the ceiling, frozen slices of motivation from my high school days. I also used to write profusely in diaries from sophomore year of high school through my freshman year of college until I started typing out my entries, which is faster and richer, but definitely not as satisfying as that feeling of putting pen to paper. I actually found the diaries while packing for this semester. 

So now, I'm doing something I should have done a long time ago - the cards and papers from my wall have been taken down and are going into my suitcases, and so are the diaries. The diary entries will remain as evidence of how far I have come and the ever-present reality of positive change; the quotes/wall words will serve as a reminder of what the future can bring. As talismans for this upcoming semester to be the best I've had so far, I'm taking these words with me to Houston. 

I only have three broad-sweeping "resolutions" for this coming year:

1) Have no expectations, except for the unexpectedly pleasant.

2) Forgive.

3) Help yourself first - and then, go out of your way entirely to help others.

My Batmitzvah Speech from June 18, 2005

I recently dug up my old Batmitzvah Speech which I delivered about 6.5 years ago. 

First of all, I'm shocked at how "wise" I was. I could stand to listen to some of the advice in this speech.

Second, I can't really think of how I'd approach my 13-year old self with my views on change, worry, and life. I'd probably say something like: "Wow, you're definitely insightful, but you're worried in SEVENTH GRADE about these things? You shouldn't be stressing so much. When you're 20, THEN you'll have things to think and worry about."

Funnily enough, I'm willing to bet that if I talked to my 27-year self right now, she'd probably tell me the same thing.

So here's the speech...

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