"(W)e want to make sure that if this is their worst day...it's not their last day." Elon Musk's private SpaceX company and tax-payer-funded NASA use this saying to motivate the preparations for sending astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the International Space Station and for bringing them home safely one to four months later.
In these troubled times, like astronauts, we all need a motivating motto and an escape plan to avoid things like viruses, food shortages and excessive government control over our religious and gender preferences.
To protect astronauts, there is now an abort system that enables sensors to detect rocket malfunctions, to separate the capsule carrying the astronauts from the rocket and to parachute the capsule down into the ocean. Consequently, preparations for launching the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket require precise calculations of ocean water temperature and wave velocity and height over a vast area anywhere a team may have to rescue the downed astronauts near Cape Canaveral or on their route to Newfoundland, over the Atlantic Ocean and on to Ireland.
Although the SpaceX launch is scheduled for May 27, 2020 at 4:33 p.m. EDT, a delay due to rough seas should be expected. For astronauts, as well as each of us, taking time to correct problems may be the surest path to survival.
After a three day delay, SpaceX took off on Saturday, May 30, and docked safely with the International Space Station on May 31, 2020.
The astronauts returned safely with a successful splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday, August 2, 2020.
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Inform Career Preparation
Lessons from current events and research findings can prevent career preparation mistakes.
China's President funded facial recognition technology to control the country, and suddenly the coronavirus required masks. In the United States, voters in primary elections discounted presidential candidate Andrew Yang's plan to give $1000 a month to every citizen over 18 years of age. A few months later, they received a $1200 check from President Trump. Research Robert Plomin presents in Blueprint shows genes have an important influence on a child's propensity to excel in certain fields, but some parents risk criminal prosecution to bribe their students ' admission into prestigious colleges unsuited to their normal development.
Several examples suggest productive ways to think about preparing for careers in the rapidly changing future.
As world stock markets tumble, Scottish investment firm, Baillie Gifford, prospers. By purchasing stocks in companies whose stock prices fell because they channeled profits into preparations for online sales, Baillie Gifford willingly sacrificed short term gains for a future when stores would lose out to channels serving online customers. As a high school student, becoming a dependable employee in an unglamourous, low-paying position can be the way to a credit card and a bank loan for higher education or a business of your own. Shark Tank Daymond John spent years working at Red Lobster to help finance his first fashion business.
Skills are transferable.
Erik Larson's current book about Churchill tells how Lord Beaverbrook, the head of a publishing empire, became head of England's Ministry of Aircraft Production in World War II. He felt manufacturing executives in one industry could master another, just as knowing the basics of one religion enabled someone to grasp the principles of another faith. This summer, the lucky student interns working at home in virtual positions for one company are gaining the valuable skills needed to fill virtual positions likely to expand in many companies throughout the global business world.
Walk back the cat.
Consider how the management structure NASA developed to win the race to the moon, the structure being replicated to develop a COVID-19 vaccine in the US, applies to career planning. Beginning with the objective, do what intelligence agencies do when they are trying uncover a spy. They begin "walking back the cat" to see who had access to the information that caused a project to fail, whom those people knew, and so forth. I don't know if Barack Obama operated this way, but, if he did, he would have said to himself, "I would like to be President of the United States." What should I do? I need to show I can win an elected, high-level political office. I will run for the Senate. Who supports and funds this kind of campaign. Where should I attend college to meet the people who provide that kind of support, and so forth. Whether someone has a clear objective to be an astronaut, a president, a movie star or a millionaire, he or she needs to begin today to: 1) trace back the steps needed to reach that goal and 2) take the first step.
China's President funded facial recognition technology to control the country, and suddenly the coronavirus required masks. In the United States, voters in primary elections discounted presidential candidate Andrew Yang's plan to give $1000 a month to every citizen over 18 years of age. A few months later, they received a $1200 check from President Trump. Research Robert Plomin presents in Blueprint shows genes have an important influence on a child's propensity to excel in certain fields, but some parents risk criminal prosecution to bribe their students ' admission into prestigious colleges unsuited to their normal development.
Several examples suggest productive ways to think about preparing for careers in the rapidly changing future.
As world stock markets tumble, Scottish investment firm, Baillie Gifford, prospers. By purchasing stocks in companies whose stock prices fell because they channeled profits into preparations for online sales, Baillie Gifford willingly sacrificed short term gains for a future when stores would lose out to channels serving online customers. As a high school student, becoming a dependable employee in an unglamourous, low-paying position can be the way to a credit card and a bank loan for higher education or a business of your own. Shark Tank Daymond John spent years working at Red Lobster to help finance his first fashion business.
Skills are transferable.
Erik Larson's current book about Churchill tells how Lord Beaverbrook, the head of a publishing empire, became head of England's Ministry of Aircraft Production in World War II. He felt manufacturing executives in one industry could master another, just as knowing the basics of one religion enabled someone to grasp the principles of another faith. This summer, the lucky student interns working at home in virtual positions for one company are gaining the valuable skills needed to fill virtual positions likely to expand in many companies throughout the global business world.
Walk back the cat.
Consider how the management structure NASA developed to win the race to the moon, the structure being replicated to develop a COVID-19 vaccine in the US, applies to career planning. Beginning with the objective, do what intelligence agencies do when they are trying uncover a spy. They begin "walking back the cat" to see who had access to the information that caused a project to fail, whom those people knew, and so forth. I don't know if Barack Obama operated this way, but, if he did, he would have said to himself, "I would like to be President of the United States." What should I do? I need to show I can win an elected, high-level political office. I will run for the Senate. Who supports and funds this kind of campaign. Where should I attend college to meet the people who provide that kind of support, and so forth. Whether someone has a clear objective to be an astronaut, a president, a movie star or a millionaire, he or she needs to begin today to: 1) trace back the steps needed to reach that goal and 2) take the first step.
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Killer Hornets v. Lovable Honeybees
Giant Asian "murder hornets" seem poised to attack hives just as World Bee Day approaches on May 20, the birthday of Anton James, teacher in the world's first beekeeping school, founded by 18th century empress, Maria Theresa. Modern day beekeepers already struggle with the impact of collapsing honeybee colonies on the world's food supply.
With spring planting in progress in the Northern Hemisphere, a review of recent findings regarding bee health is important.
What can be done to protect honeybees from the exceptionally long stingers of attacking hornets? Maybe the research that shows some success in eliminating malaria-carrying mosquitoes might help.
With spring planting in progress in the Northern Hemisphere, a review of recent findings regarding bee health is important.
- Honeybee-killing pesticides containing neonicotinoids have been banned throughout the world,
- Global warming that makes hives too hot, strong winds and cold winter temperatures require protective hive designs,
- To compensate for the loss of pollen from fewer natural wildflowers, gardeners need to plant bee-friendly blooms such as zinnias, cosmos and lavender,
- Every effort should be made to leave clusters of woody debris and leaf litter undisturbed in breeding areas where bees forage and nest.
What can be done to protect honeybees from the exceptionally long stingers of attacking hornets? Maybe the research that shows some success in eliminating malaria-carrying mosquitoes might help.
Saturday, May 9, 2020
Rebirth of Self Worth
As summer approaches in the Northern Hemisphere and the coronavirus diminishes (We hope.), neighborhoods can expect to witness blocks and blocks of yard sales and mini-entertainment venues. Sheltering in place is providing an opportunity to examine the contents of closets, cabinets and drawers; to rediscover old family recipes; practice musical instruments, dance moves and baton twirling; paint a picture; knit and build a bird house or a bookcase out of wood. Also, a backyard garden or community plot can lead to sales of flowers and produce, such as tomatoes and lettuce.
With neighbors walking from yard to yard in the sun, hungry shoppers will need grilled hot dogs besides lemonade. Custom sunscreening can join facepainting at a "service station." And entertainers can set up lawn chairs and sell tickets to 15-minute shows of magic, sock puppets, dance, and band concerts performed in costumes.
At yard sales, kids learn to talk to customers, negotiate prices, make change, keep an eye on the cash box and look out for shoplifters. Shows offer children a wonderful chance to organize, price and prepare signs for their performances.
When my friend's 7-year-old saw her making a to-do-list before beginning her virtual workday at home, he wanted one too. As a result, he makes his own bed, sorts his wash by white and colored, puts all toys away except the one he is playing with, reads a book to his little sister, brushes the dog, writes out or draws what he would like for lunch, watches a certain TV program at 9 am, dusts the living room and helps unload the dishwasher.
I see that the Whirlpool home appliance manufacturer, according to trendwatching.com, sponsors #ChoreClub to give parents ideas for engaging children ages 2-11 in life skills as well as
learning activities. Pairing socks becomes a matching game, cutting a pizza teaches fractions and learning Spanish involves a scavenger hunt for household products that print directions in two languages.
Between running yard sales and entertainments and mastering essential adult skills, growing up in the COVID-19 pandemic might not be so bad for kids (and parents).
With neighbors walking from yard to yard in the sun, hungry shoppers will need grilled hot dogs besides lemonade. Custom sunscreening can join facepainting at a "service station." And entertainers can set up lawn chairs and sell tickets to 15-minute shows of magic, sock puppets, dance, and band concerts performed in costumes.
At yard sales, kids learn to talk to customers, negotiate prices, make change, keep an eye on the cash box and look out for shoplifters. Shows offer children a wonderful chance to organize, price and prepare signs for their performances.
When my friend's 7-year-old saw her making a to-do-list before beginning her virtual workday at home, he wanted one too. As a result, he makes his own bed, sorts his wash by white and colored, puts all toys away except the one he is playing with, reads a book to his little sister, brushes the dog, writes out or draws what he would like for lunch, watches a certain TV program at 9 am, dusts the living room and helps unload the dishwasher.
I see that the Whirlpool home appliance manufacturer, according to trendwatching.com, sponsors #ChoreClub to give parents ideas for engaging children ages 2-11 in life skills as well as
learning activities. Pairing socks becomes a matching game, cutting a pizza teaches fractions and learning Spanish involves a scavenger hunt for household products that print directions in two languages.
Between running yard sales and entertainments and mastering essential adult skills, growing up in the COVID-19 pandemic might not be so bad for kids (and parents).
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