Avianto's Journal

Huh? What’s that? Yeah, it is kinda strange word, isn’t it? It’s one of my class here at my school. Yeah? So? What’s that?

Well… It is a huge topic to be discussed but you can read this article to get a basic understanding about it.

It is a really interesting topic and it really open our mind to some new (well, it’s not so new, what is new anyway?) ideas that could improve, enhance or even change the human behaviour. Is it good or bad? Hmm, it’s the technology and as we all almost agree that the technology is a dual edged sword…

I will post more about my finding in this particular topic as I progressing in my lecture especially in the area of “user interface of ubiquitous computing” because it will transform the way the user interface is designed nowadays since if it is ubiquitous, do we need an interface? Interesting eh? I’ll write more later.

I have a very interesting discussion about ‘talent’ in Godote’s Forum. I used to believe in ‘talent’ but nowadays the concept of ‘talent’ seems a little bit annoying and useless.

What if you have talent? Makes you better than other people? How to ‘measure’ your talent? Scalable from 1 to 10? And what happened if your talent scores lower than the other? Is that make you ‘less’ talented?

See the absurdity of the concept of talent? Why don’t we just do what we like or want to do and put a real hard work on that? I think that probably will worth more than just ‘talent’. Believing and relying too much on talent can be hazardous… It can result in over/under confident also. Lots of people broke their heart because people said that they are not talented enough and lots of people get a baloon head because people said that they are very talented. Cut the crap, give credits to their effort and not their talent.

But hey, I could be wrong, probably talent is the most important thing in the world… but for myself, I choose not to rely on it too much. It was never worth it.

Well, I have decided to change some small things on this website of mine.

First of all, it’s all about consistency. By now you probably already notice the new navigation bar on top of the website and it will show up in every avianto.com websites like this journal and my photolog.

Second, avianto.com is a participant in May 1st Reboot. So, new layout is on the way.

Third, I also change the size of the photos in Photolog. They will be bigger now. Hopefully they will be load as fast as the previous size… Let me know if you feel or experience any slow download, ok?

Well, I guess that’s all for now. Time to get a little busy concerning the new layout. Write to you later.

One of the good thing about attending the international school is meeting many people from different background and cultures. It is an interesting way to learn good international interaction.

But…

It’s really a pain in the neck when someone use that cultural differences as a shield to their own ignorance and stupidity. They always use that cultural stuff as their argument why they are acting like an asshole. They always asked to be respected for their own culture but in the other hand they are not even pay any respect to other culture that probably too different to them. They really want people to follow their own way but don’t want to give respect for others.

And the real problem is their way is not even their culture. I mean, if you are an asshole, obvious moron or whatever then you are an asshole, obvious moron or whatever no matter what culture you are coming from. They can come from a very high and respectful culture but if they are assholes… well, you can’t blame the culture can’t you?

It also make their own culture look bad. As you can see, the more they hide their own ignorance and stupidity behind the shield of ‘cultural differences’ the more other people will get the wrong picture. Do they know that by hiding behind the cultural issue they are actually make that culture look bad? What’s wrong with them? Is that not enough to admit that they are a total assholes and they want to make their culture bad also? I don’t really understand the way of their thinking.

I really don’t want judge people based on their background and culture, which always sometime put me into trouble like this one. If I critize them for being a total moron then they will take it as an assault to their culture… Come on! Grow up! I am critizing a person, not the whole culture! And stop making excuses concerning cultural stuff, it won’t work with me as I never judge people base on that.

With me, if you are a great guy I will say it directly no matter what background or culture you have. It will also be the same if you are an asshole… You are still an asshole even if you change your culture and background but still retain your asshole attitude.

Now I am ranting again… But this problem really pissed me off sometimes and to be honest these last couple of days those people really get into my nerve by using cultural excuses as their final weapon because they already know that they are just another lost cases.

If you’re naturally kind, you attract a lot of people you don’t like.

William Feather

Find that quote from one of Dunstan’s entry.

And that exatcly the way I feel this time. Being kind was not one of may natural habits a couple of months ago. I used to be called rude, cynical, pesimistic and other “unkind” habits but since some shaking experiences and a totally change environment I’ve been thru months ago I do really trying to be kind. Kind to the world, people, my life and everything. But today I really feel a little bit annoyed with people that are just… annoying.

Why is that? Feel like I am holding a two edged sword… I really don’t want to give up this “kindly attitude” but why are these people keep bothering me… Couldn’t they find another victim? Or better, couldn’t they just stop being annoying…