benson, I met Seymour Cray in the Eighties. I actually did not know that the company was still an independent publicly listed entity. I’m intrigued with the stock now.
OK, Benson… here’s a pseudo thought (in response to Rob)
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Tybur6’s (Pseudo) Thought of the Day
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Racism is a serious problem in Europe. The fact is that for all out problems with racism here in the U.S.A. we’ve been forced to work through a lot of them because of the whole “nation of immigrants” thing. Europe is only recently (relatively speaking) starting to deal with it. Every country in Europe always has “other” people that were fairly easy to marginalize because they were fairly small in number. It didn’t present as “racism” because there just wasn’t enough of these people… homogeneous, contained cultures.
But now, Europeans are moving all around. Immigrants of strange colors and exotic religions are coming from all around the world and are becoming commonplace…. but this immigration is rubbing up against the established, dominant culture. This is a HUGE problem.
The Netherlands are probably dealing with it the best so far… the mandate all new residents take Dutch language and “Low Country” culture courses. This helps with cultural adjustment and gives the immigrants some of the tools to help assimilate to their new home. It doesn’t take away any of their own culture that they bring (and which *most* Dutch feel enriches their own country), but it helps them relate to and avoid conflict with the dominant culture. The major problem is that this is VERY expensive and isn’t duplicated in many other places. But is it worth it? Most definitely.
Now — Classism in Europe. That’s not that big of a deal. The Edwardian Upstairs-Downstairs (and the Continental equivalent) went out of the window when the economy changed completely with WWI and WWII. And as we all know, the European welfare state is fare more robust than our own welfare state… so the rich (upper classes) provide the majority of the financial support — through progressive taxation — for a broad base of services to the society as a whole. And they are only mildly chafed by this… it’s part of the social order. A belief in a common goal and purpose. “A rising tide lifts all boats” type of thing.
This is especially the case in Continental Europe… our libertarian, what’s mine is mine, streak has its origins in Britain after all.
Can’t make it – I’ll be flying back from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin – home of the Cray Supercomputer company.
It is not well known, but the supercomputer business is BOOMING. Many companies are buying supercomputers to undertake extensive CAD and simulation work. For instance, the oil companies run extensive geologival simulations to project where oil reserves might be. The auto companies now design cars completely on CAD programs AND run simulations before a single prototype is built.
The best part of this boom is that the American companies – IBM, Sun (now Oracle), HP and Cray are way out in front. Companies like Fujitsu and Bull are bringing up the rear.
Seymour Cray was a genius. It is ashamed that he is not better known.
benson, I met Seymour Cray in the Eighties. I actually did not know that the company was still an independent publicly listed entity. I’m intrigued with the stock now.
OK, Benson… here’s a pseudo thought (in response to Rob)
************************************
Tybur6’s (Pseudo) Thought of the Day
************************************
Racism is a serious problem in Europe. The fact is that for all out problems with racism here in the U.S.A. we’ve been forced to work through a lot of them because of the whole “nation of immigrants” thing. Europe is only recently (relatively speaking) starting to deal with it. Every country in Europe always has “other” people that were fairly easy to marginalize because they were fairly small in number. It didn’t present as “racism” because there just wasn’t enough of these people… homogeneous, contained cultures.
But now, Europeans are moving all around. Immigrants of strange colors and exotic religions are coming from all around the world and are becoming commonplace…. but this immigration is rubbing up against the established, dominant culture. This is a HUGE problem.
The Netherlands are probably dealing with it the best so far… the mandate all new residents take Dutch language and “Low Country” culture courses. This helps with cultural adjustment and gives the immigrants some of the tools to help assimilate to their new home. It doesn’t take away any of their own culture that they bring (and which *most* Dutch feel enriches their own country), but it helps them relate to and avoid conflict with the dominant culture. The major problem is that this is VERY expensive and isn’t duplicated in many other places. But is it worth it? Most definitely.
Now — Classism in Europe. That’s not that big of a deal. The Edwardian Upstairs-Downstairs (and the Continental equivalent) went out of the window when the economy changed completely with WWI and WWII. And as we all know, the European welfare state is fare more robust than our own welfare state… so the rich (upper classes) provide the majority of the financial support — through progressive taxation — for a broad base of services to the society as a whole. And they are only mildly chafed by this… it’s part of the social order. A belief in a common goal and purpose. “A rising tide lifts all boats” type of thing.
This is especially the case in Continental Europe… our libertarian, what’s mine is mine, streak has its origins in Britain after all.
And please don’t wear the spotted leopard coat or the Hannah Montana hat!!!!
How much water can the skies hold? My birdbath looks like an Italian fountain w/ cascades flowing over the sides.
rob, remember, I don’t lock my doors when I’m there at home!!!!
DIBS;
Can’t make it – I’ll be flying back from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin – home of the Cray Supercomputer company.
It is not well known, but the supercomputer business is BOOMING. Many companies are buying supercomputers to undertake extensive CAD and simulation work. For instance, the oil companies run extensive geologival simulations to project where oil reserves might be. The auto companies now design cars completely on CAD programs AND run simulations before a single prototype is built.
The best part of this boom is that the American companies – IBM, Sun (now Oracle), HP and Cray are way out in front. Companies like Fujitsu and Bull are bringing up the rear.
FYI i was just kidding about that.
*rob*
dave am i gonna get gay bashed in bed stuy when i come over to get my taxes done!?
*rob*