A long day

Today was my first fourteen hours day ever. The first in a business setting. It wasn't fourteen hours of work straight. I was assisting in a long meeting, that finished with a dinner in a nice restaurant. And, the end of my undergradute degree getting closer, I have had the opportunity for much thought.

Let me try to explain the reason behind this meeting. I work for the National Academies, being a member of staff. The academies function in departments and boards, each doing research influencing policies in a very wide array of fields, ranging from manufacturing, where I am, to the constructed environment and infrastructure, where I also work, to education, medicine, astronomy, energy, and more, much more. Staff work at the NAS (National Academy of Sciences, the old name for the academies, from before the inclusion of engineering and medicine) building every day. Each board has a certain number of employees but they rarely exceed ten. These employees are a support group for the panels of experts the academies convene. The board on manufacturing and engineering design has two heads; one of staff, my boss, and one being chair of a group of experts. These experts meet twice a year, and talk about the direction of manufacturing in the country, and try to see how they can change it. They decide to do studies, which the staff have to make possible; these studies are funded by sponsors, like the Department of Defense. The staff do the research and the dirty work, while the board with the guidance of the director of staff appoints a committee of experts to work on the issue.
For example, we are currently doing work on a currency study. How can currency stay ahead of manufacturers? It seems like paper money is coming to an end. What can come next? The board decided to do this study, because they knew they could get a sponsor, the department of treasury. A committee of experts was appointed, and now people like me look through mountains of data to find what the committee should read. The committee will write the report with the help of staff, and will sign it.
Alright, that was meant to be a brief overview of the process. It is important to understand that the Academies are very prestigious. It is a great honour to be asked to be a board member, or a committee member. Contributors that excel in their field have a chance to be appointed the National Academies; they then become a member of the Academies (distinction, this is different from being a board or committee member). Of the 1500+ members, 170 are nobel prize winners. To be part of the NAS is probably one of the highest accolade one can receive.

All this to say that today, I was sitting on the Board of Manufacturing and Engineering Design board meeting, and that the people there were of a very high caliber. Because of the nature of manufacturing, out of 25 members, there were only about five from academia. These consisted of professors leading research centres, of deans, and of other high positions. There was a high ranking official from a trade union. Among industries, the Chair was vice-president of Boeing, the others were a mixture of CEOs, directors, or retired CEOs and directors. And me.

I was sitting behind the table, observing them all, listening to what they had to say. After the day's work was over, I had a few drinks with them, and we went for dinner to a fancy French restaurant. I got to know them. I got to see what the highly successful in different paths become. Well, I am having doubts. Their lives seem pointless to me: ridiculous, pretentious, arrogant, humiliating, servile, glorified, inflated, long, slow. Oh yes, they are recognised, in demand, important, rich, but what have they done? What gives their lives any meaning? What makes them happy to wake up every morning? What allows them to justify their slavery? I spoke to one of the retirees. He enjoyed what he was doing, but only since he'd retired. Since then, he could pick and choose. He had been one of the successful ones, and in retirement, he was needed. He liked choosing. But how long did it take him to reach pseudo-retirement? Fourty long years, it seems.

And where am I now? The corporate road promises long hours, good pay, recognition, and power. Slavery, greed, pride, and gluttony. With all the food served today, I doubt that I could ever stay thin on that road.

The academic road promises security, acceptable pay, peer recognition, and influence. Slavery, greed, pride and gluttony. Only in different proportions.

There were other paths on display; that of the researcher. I shiver at the mere thought. That of the union leader. What I saw there was a man always fighting, always ready to pick a fight, and interpreting everything as an invite to fight. An intelligent man for sure, a man with real responsibilities, making a real difference, but changed by his role into a pink angry balloon. And then, that of the staff members, the behind-the-scene role. That of staff. To illustrate how absurd this one is, let me tell you about Marta: religious, conservative, doesn't want to move away from DC, ever, doesn't want to work in industry, doesn't want to work in academia, two years out of college-- ready to quit her job, bored as she is, in a position that fits her perfectly. Or that of another colleague, Mike Cohn-- old, with yellow-teeth, he appears ancient, with his bent back, his slow walk, and his montone voice. He loves speaking to me, loves to get some interaction. But fourty years in policy think tanks have taken their tole; a man can work slowly, sure. But it'll make him go slow too.

So I ask: here are men that are leaders in their fields, that are recognised worldwide, published, followed, listened to, and looked up to. Am I missing something? Is there a dimension I have added to life, one that doesn't really exist, or one that they have forgotten?

I put this up on the internet, because I would like to invite comments. Some of you have chosen a path. Some are in the process of choosing one. Tell me why, please.

New sites

My African research continues. I have found a good source:
http://www.southing.com

These guys drove from Copenhagen to Cape Town 18 months ago. Go to their diary and read their adventures. Their writing is brief and full of photographs.

I got this link of some other website.
http://www.africa-overland.net/
If you want to get a list of people currently doing something similar to what I intend, follow this link.

This week looks like it is going to be busy. I will be working late at least one night, I have to write a 6 pages research proposal, and I have to prepare a testimony against the right-to-die for class. If you have opinions about this issue, please tell me. I need all the inspiration I can get.

The issue is such: Oregon, one of the American states, passed legislation a few years ago, according to which doctors can assist suicide. Ie, flick this switch and your pains will end. To be eligible, a patient must have been diagnosed by at least two doctors to have less than six months to live. There is much outrage, and the case is going to the supreme court soon. I would like to hear your opinion, however informed you are.

Updates on Africa and life in general

Since my last post, a few things have happened. For one, I turned 21. A big thing here in the US. If you scroll down, you'll see a selection of photos from that night. For another, I have been working a fair amount, both schoolwork and my internship. But good news, they bought me a ticket for Vegas: I am going to Hoover Dam to try to establish better management techniques. Really I am providing support for a panel of experts.

I have kept on doing a lot of research on my African adventure. The more I research, the more feasible it becomes. There is a cloud surrounding Africa, and it takes some efforts to see past the smoke. But the glimpses I have had make me long for more. I recommend this site for a good selection of photos and stories. For the photos, go on slideshow, and click on countries you are interested in. Some of these photos are very beautiful.
Today I spoke to a man from Cameroon. I told him my father's initial opinion: that Africa is dangerous; that there are man out there ready to kill you just because you are white. He told me that was not true. That visitors had it differently. Africa is politically unstable, but most parts are very safe. He is a security guard here. He said: "Africa is like DC, you know. This is the most dangerous city in the United States, but if you are careful this is OK. You just have to avoid the bad parts. My wallet was stolen twice here. I just gave it to them. Same thing in Africa. Most places are great."
"Can I avoid the bad places and go through Africa?"
"Yes, absolutely. No problems. There are a few places. Now, the worst is the Ivory Coast."
"What about Darfur?"
"Yes, Sudan too. There has always been conflict there."
I asked him about another of my father's argument:
"Could it be that people who tell us Africa is safe were just lucky and that there are many who weren't so lucky?"
He thought for a bit. "There was this French woman in Cameroon. She came with her boyfriend. And she went to this meat market, where there are lots of people haggling. She was accosted by a few people. They asked her for her money. She didn't give it to them, so she died. The director of security, our FBI, was fired over that. It was because some other ambassadors heard complaints. But it happens. Just give them your wallet."
It sounds very similar to what happens here. Although, the news stations are so sensationalistic that they only care about little girls abducted and killed. The US is phased about ordinary murder.

Good advice, I would say. He also reckons it is better to be there with someone else. Which I should, if James does not pike.

I welcome comments, but please, before raising all sorts of alarms, read through some of the sites I have listed.

Walking around DC at night, on Hayley's birthday.

My 21st. There were a few of us going out that night.

Cheers

Some of the crew coming out for my birthday.

Lani: she is a little crazy but very nice

American for dancing

I went snowboarding a few times with Andy while in Davis. Now we've swapped the snowboard and the slopes for nice clothes and smoky bars.

I am trying to keep this guy off the girls at their request. He was too drunk to care.

Josh doing a pull up. He is not eating the flowers even though he was really hungry.

Just a pretty picture of the Jefferson memorial with blossom branches in the foreground.

My roommates and myself under a flaming sword. This sword is a monument to WWI. From the left: Kyle, Chris, me, Josh

I hadn't intended to see this parade. I was trying to go the Cherry Blossom festival but they were right on the road I had to cross. I was pretty lucky to see them.

Maybe the sculptor was trying to embody the absurdity of thought

Trans-African trip

I am receiving a bit of negative feedback on this travel concept. Apparently, I have travelling bolemia and I will get myself killed so they can steal my bike within three kms of the start. But others try to put the whole idea in perspective; Africa is not Australia, yes, it is dangerous at times and roads are not always safe.
I would like to say that this idea is not unreasonable. I am doing my research. For one thing I will not be the first to do it. It has been done many times before, and people who have done it unanimously state that the trip was surprisingly safe, and that all the problems they heard about didn't show up.
Check this website out:
http://www.adventure-motorcycling.com/trip/index.htm
then click on Africa in the frame on the right. A list should pop up on the left frame: choose something like what I am planning. Click on a few. Some guy there only learned to ride a bike a week before setting out. I will be more prepared.
Here is another site:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/
I have also bought a couple of guide books:
Africa by Road -- Bradt guidebooks
Africa on a shoestring -- Lonely Planet

So check this resources out and tell me what you think.

Another point: I have travelled a little bit: I am used to changing situations, and I can usually handle them. The cultural shock doesn't worry me.

Rather nice, aren't they? And they go all around a large plane of water.

In the foreground, a cherry blossom branch. In the background, the Jefferson memorial.

I sat on the steps of the Jefferson monument, listened to jazz, at the height of the cherry blossom festival, reading a travel guide about Africa.

Oops, what is going to happen there? A plane is disrupting a very peaceful and inspiring scene.

The capitol. This is where the house and the senate sit. Two of my roommates work there for congressmen. One of their responsibilites is to give tours: I'll get a special one soon.

Patriot Act

America is a great exporter of freedom, but within its shores, civil liberties are threatened. This is no activism: this is just a statement of facts. I heard the Attorney General himself say that a man could be arrested without him being able to know the details behind his arrest. The FBI can now wire tap anyone without having to prove criminal intent or act, and they do not have to inform that person of the tapping. They can search someone's house without telling them they have done it until after the search is done. Civil rights activists are somewhat worried, and so are certain congressmen. The Attorney General assesses that the powers bestowed by the Patriot Act have been used wisely, and there is little dispute of that, but some are worried of future Attorney Generals and future administrations.
A little blurry but I could hardly let my flash go during the hearing. The house of representatives is discussing the patriot act. Testifying on the left is the newly appointed Attorney General. America is debating how much the government can trample over its civil liberties in order to protect its citizens. I am probably going to write a long research paper on the topic. Something along the line of: Is America slipping into an Orwellian regime?

This is one end of the National Mall. This is not a shopping mall; instead there are quite a few very interesting monuments. Behind me is the capitol, and in the distance you can see the Washington monument.

Some type of blossom in front of the capitol

This is Karl Rove