World citizen and human patriot

Recently we discussed the old theme why mankind seems to slide into that vicious circle of rise and fall in society and nation building throughout his long history and how we can prevent it. Some said we simply always need an enemy, some said it is our nature...hmmm. Maybe a first step towards changing it are some old-fashioned virtues in their modern cloths: Let us all be world citizen and human patriots, how about it?

Some Villagers` judgement

Villagers have something to admire, but when they try to comment on things that they pretend to understand, it simply must go wrong. Judging art is difficult, yes. But calling a piece of art "Schrott" (Junk)- as some of the (non-cosmopolitan) villagers have done - goes to far. This piece of art (IMHO) is currently exhibited in "my" part of the city of Hürth, within a roundabout. I like it very much. What do you think?

Servant

No waiting without servants
a lot vanishes without hesitation
change is like a spiral
in the maelstrom of adaption
I walk through so many archways
without any names

Across the bridge
I do not cherish a dream
alongside the river without a face
following the day of becoming
there is being adrift from understanding
with chasms in between

Hundred steps to the uncertain
and one word alone
falls like clay to the ground of henceforth
pierces the varnish of quicksilver
and tosses me into the world
that was supposed to be a long time ago

(c) David Boventer

The art of software

In a social network "closeby" in the web a lengthy discussion is waging as whether the developer will be replaced because of the ability of any user to construct simple applications. The question is: "What is the future for software developers if basic users can create applications without any effort? (Discussion in Linkedin-Group)". Many highly sophisticated and intelligent comments are made and speak for themselves.

But if we look back into the history of philosophical thinking concerning the creation of art, or even the reality of creating pieces of art, music ...or software, we find that some thoughts were actually made on that issue. They concern the "ingenuity" and the "originality" of a human design, maybe sometimes accentuated by reflecting on nature`s beauty and variety. There is a trait, a distinct difference that seperates a Picasso from one of his followers, from an amateur painter even more. Is it only the perfection? What perfection? Maybe it is the strength and consequent "elaboration" of possible but seldomly realized options that are mirrored through the individual personality of its creator? Arete and techne (as discussed in Plato's dialogue "Protagoras" )fuse. So there is always a future for software developers. The European Software Conference acknowleges this by giving the Epsilon Award to a "combination of Excellency, craftsmanship and visionary ability" which are "characteristics of an outstanding programmer and a piece of true software art."

MicroISVs: Not fearing slowdown

Small and medium sized software companies have an advantage that counts a lot nowadays: Their ability to adapt to difficult times and circumstances is much stronger, their willingsness to innovate a natural part of their fitness for survival. In these days billions of Euros and Dollars are invested to stabilize banks and companies that simply messed it up. We "small" software developers stand aside and watch their slowdown and dispair. Interestingly enough hardly anyone wonders why MicroISVs can cope without a check from the government. Just ask us at the European Software Conference 2009!

Spitzeltraditionen und Computer

Ach ja, "einige" haben in Deutschland (und auch anderswo) das Spitzeln noch nicht verlernt. Und immer dienen als Quelle der Begehrlichkeit die Computer ihrer Mitarbeiter. Gut, wenn wir Entwickler dafür sorgen, dass Spammüll und Spyware keine Chance mehr haben, doch was tut man gegen Bespitzelungen aus der Konzernspitze? Eigentlich eine einfache Sache für Admins der Netzwerke, oder? Bei jeder "Suchanfrage" al la Herrn M. von der B. gibt es direkt eine Kopie an den Datenschutzbeauftragten? Bespitzelt die Bespitzler, oder wie? Hmmmm.

Welcome in our village, Barack!

You know this gentleman called Barack? He has really understood how to wrap up the world from its feet. Rebuilding is a hard job. Destruction was so "easy" and running away from the bothering truths had been a tradition. You certainly got many enemies, Barack but the village of Cosmopolia would like to welcome you as our citizen.