Posted by
glen ropella on
URL: http://friam.383.s1.nabble.com/NTY-Buy-Apple-gadgets-use-Google-services-buy-media-from-Amazon-tp7584915p7585009.html
On 02/24/2014 11:27 AM, Marcus G. Daniels wrote:
> Well, I want to know about compilers, because I depend on compilers for
> my work. For me, a satisfactory understanding there is a higher bar
> than understanding, say, how a car works. For that I can understand
> enough to type the 1-800 number for AAA into my mobile phone. If I were
> a Formula 1 car technician or a professional driver, I'd want to know my
> cars inside out.
Obviously, there's a threshold for every person, for every domain. But
I'd argue that stopping at dialing a phone as a limit for how much one
knows about cars is a bit on the shy side. If that's all someone knows,
then they place a very high (and costly) burden on the rest of us. For
example, if they drive across a mountain pass and get a flat tire in an
area with no cell signal, then if for some reason they don't show up at
their destination, we (hopefully) will commit a bunch of resources like
helicopters and troopers to go out hunting for them. They could save us
quite a bit of money by knowing how to change a tire (as well as
stocking their car with sleeping bags, water, and trail mix ;-).
But, further, I hear lots of people complain about various car-related
things like pushy salesmen, salesmen that treat women like idiots (or
completely ignore them), confusing or untrustworthy recommendations for
repair, "lemons", etc. The more those customers know about the cars
they drive, the _happier_ they are... with their mechanics, with their
dealerships, with their current cars, ... perhaps even with their self.
So, there are plenty of reasons to learn about how cars work other than
for work.
> I suppose learning about SMTP and IMAP and encryption protocols is at
> some level useful to everyone, to have a feel for what would be needed
> to intercept e-mail, or be defeated in doing so.
Personally, all I know about those things is that I'm ignorant enough to
be at risk. But, I take pride in knowing what I don't know, and that I
don't know it. The real trick is paying close enough attention so that
you can change tack when you need to.
--
⇒⇐ glen
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