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Let me tell you a story about a guy named Jed...
A long long time ago (pre-ANSI C), in a galaxy far far away I had worked for a company that had to develop internal "C" coding standards and "Jed" worked on one aspect of the standard while I worked on another. We would hold weekly meetings to reconcile our differences. In attendance, we had other professionals for simple sanity checking and to gain insights from different points of view.
Chris was one of our attendees and was a very experienced software veteran who had plenty of code in various satellite systems orbiting our planet today. By then, Chris was in upper management and graced us with his wisdom when he could.
Well during one of our weekly meetings, "Jed" and I got into a simple disagreement on a Rule about header files. We were at an impasse, so we waited for Chris to arrive and have him make the final decision: about five of us professional engineers were in the room.
When Chris arrived, he heard the arguments, and quickly announced that I was right. (Hence, Jed was wrong).
Well, Jed freaked out and wanted to take the guy outside and teach him a lesson! ... Jed was red-faced, quickly stood up, even took a step towards Chris, and said "Chris, lets just step outside and settle this! I am right and you don't know what you're talking about!" etc etc.
The other attendees and I were duly impressed over Jed's technique of handling technical disagreements. Especially with upper management.
Instead of Jed trying to learn that he *might* be wrong, Jed leaped into the confrontation method of getting his way. Bullies do this because they lack the brain-power to reason through a disagreement. It is a childish trait.
Children are at a huge disadvantage when arguing with "an adult" (or somebody who is much smarter than they are) and they will become very frustrated over their strong desire to assert themselves and their inability to win the mental sparring. They will get physical and/or verbally abusive. Some people out grow this, and some don't.
I think Jed showed his 'abilities' quite well. I find that this is true with so many people on so many subjects. I've seen this behavior many times over. I've seen it here on this forum.
When an "Original Poster", asks a question and people try to answer it (after much refinement of the OP's question) you get these side-bar posts where somebody will start attacking another poster's efforts. And I mean 'attack' and not augment or refine.
I don't have a problem with correcting or clarifying others, or even the occasional sprinkling of sarcasm, but when it is ALWAYS devolves into some vindictive vitriol between a brisling poster and the rest of 'us,' I wonder if it is out of ignorance, malice, or some twisted form of self-entertainment. All three of which are adolescent behaviors. (en.wikipedia.org/.../Adolescence)
Since the regular players here are detail oriented and thus they are savvy enough to know who I'm talking about, I don't think I have to name names.
He is critical enough to figure it out himself, so I would expect that the offender would read this and ask himself if he is demonstrating Ignorance, Malice, Entertainment, or is he being an adult and providing a constructive post before he does so.
And, I hope his "Mea Clupea" (en.wikipedia.org/.../Mea_culpa) will be a silent one, because I'm kind of tired of reading his Hostile Postings (HP).
</rant> --Cpt. Vince Foster 2nd Cannon Place Fort Marcy Park, VA
"...and you make a fuss out of a little politics..."
Okay, fine. I'll keep it short, but I think this isn't exactly the correct forum or for that matter the correct thread either. This will kill two posts with one reply (and I guess I like that)...
I would simply not be able to contribute to killing people as part of my daily job.
I understand. I get that all the time. "How can you do that?"
I usually point out that the systems, at one time not too long ago, used to kill many innocent people as collateral, but now they only kill a few... the right few.
A 100 rounds/bombs/missiles to take out 'the bad guy' now takes 1. Those missed 99 rounds hit 'other stuff' which can include 'the good guys'. Also those 100 rounds cost a bundle not only in material costs but also the logistics in getting them there, so the cost of that 1 is well worth it from the bean-counter perspective. In human life, the cost savings is incalculable.
So believe it or not, I view it as saving lives. "Those bad guys are killed but they planned to suicide-bomb a playground at high-noon anyway."
The objection most people have is misplaced. The *need* to use the weapons is really at issue.
Even so, I don't have a problem with killing the enemy. I even enjoy the YouTube videos of my stuff, in action. Makes me proud.
I do believe that I am on the correct side of the war (and any war the US engages in), and with justification. I'm not building the Chest-Belt Detonator 2000 for the next hospital or marketplace suicide bombing: ONLY bad guys do that.
But Tamir, I do respect your opinion. And the many others out there who also can't/won't do this kind of work.
--Cpt. Vince Foster 2nd Cannon Place Fort Marcy Park, VA
Also, I am primarily an electrical engineer and then a software engineer.
That was already clear from code you posted in another thread and your descriptions of your development technique.
Scary.
I do believe that I am on the correct side of the war (and any war the US engages in)
Er...
and with justification.
Oh well, that's ok then.