The Importance of An Outlet

In this technology-driven world today, an outlet seems to be the most sought for utility known to man. We go to coffee shops and we don't ask for an latte - we ask if there's a free outlet somewhere in the cafe. We get home and we make sure that somewhere in our room is an outlet near our resting couch (or bed) so that we may charge our devices while still getting the chance to use it. Right now, I'm seated beside four - yes, four - outlets, three of which are already being used and the other still waiting for it's user. Truth is, this power outlet seems to be getting ubiquitous everyday - and as with all ubiquitous things, we really only notice them when they're gone.

An outlet exists because we get something out of it - which is necessarily true for gadgets. However, an outlet in the not-physical sense is something we all need, one way or another. We all need one outlet, because getting stuck in your own thoughts without an outlet to take it out can be really sad - and besides, without an outlet I wouldn't be able to type these thoughts out in the first place.

What Games Taught Me About Platforms

Growing up in a time when the status quo of console gaming was just beginning to take shape, one can vividly remember the time when I saw a plumber on screen and was told that a certain "Mario" was me, and I was to control him in order to "win the princess." Much more amazing to me then was that when I pressed a button, that Mario guy would do something! It would jump! At that time, it felt like I was a god that had ultimate power - even though it was only a plumber with no other purpose in life but to get the princess by jumping over and above square bricks.

Fast forward to today's world, and I find myself living in a reality not so distant from my past - the industry of technology. In other words, software is the main thread that binds together most of what I do. The bits and bytes have become ubiquitous, and an internet connection is already something akin to air - you don't notice it when it's around, but when it's gone, you'd think the whole world was conspiring against you. That said, the software in the world basically take up two mantras - the one being the native code, and the other being the platform.

You'll notice this because as widespread a language may be, more often than not there will be platforms available that further the features of the native code. And yes, it's true that they get you places. However, like how Mario can just jump into a brick and break it, so will a platform act the same.

A platform is a platform is a platform - it does help you get to places, but if you build your skills (and ultimately, your career/business) around it, it will eventually fall apart - leaving you to fall to the depths of whatever is down there.

Perhaps this is why I had apprehensions in using platforms so much. However, it's come to my realization that I've been building on platforms for a while now, though I never really realized it as such. Point is, the more specialized, deep, and abstract a platform is, the weaker will it's staying power be.

Now, the decision to use one is a relative one - it's best to weigh the future and present returns before taking a big leap and clicking on "Sign up!".

A Cause For A Shoutout

The act of calling out a particular entity, be it a person, event, random being, is more often than not a pledge to give proper recognition and to raise awareness among one's peers. It is but the modern way of an introduction to the uniformed, at the same time a validation to those already aware of an entity's existence.

During these holiday breaks, the lull time has given me thought about passing on the recognition that many of my peers deserve - yet something still tells me not to do so just yet. This stems from a common perception of fear - fear that in your efforts of recollection and giving praise, you might do more damage by unintentionally leaving out a person who deserves more credit than those you did remember.

Another thing keeping me from giving recognition is the thought that goes like, "do people really need to be put in boxes of recognition?" Come to think of it, it's not that all people were required to go out of their way just to receive a form of validation from their peers. Because giving validation is something entirely relative, and not all people may not give you your proper recognition because they simply do not understand the weight of what you've been doing.

So to put this clearly, starting this day, let it be known that people, no matter how common, weird, or great they may seem, are judged based on a relative scale - something that's not a reliable criteria in the first place. Go ahead and make everyone a bit happier but giving them shoutouts - for being alive, and for being alive on their terms.

Happy Easter y'all :)

boolean unfair = null;

Life is freakin’ unfair. It always has been, always will be. Thing is, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It largely depends on which side you are on – you can always live a life where “unfair” actually means that you get some advantages over others. Just because something is “unfair” does it always mean that odds are against you – being in front of the pack is just as “unfair” as you being in last place.

You could think of it as something dependent on a choice of perspective, and you could be right. Things can go wrong sometimes, but more often than not, that “wrong” is but something that’s leading you to a greater “right.”

So keep your head up, dream even bigger, and learn how to fly. There’s more to life than looking at rights and wrongs – because in the end, all that matters is how you thought how things went.

Cheers!