Perhaps online privacy is important after all

I recently watched an enlightening documentary called "We Live In Public".

It made me completely rethink my previous notions about online privacy.

I'd like to believe that we can all be adults about things, and accept people's differences, but I could be wrong.

The 1999 "Quiet" experiment documented in this movie almost seems like a visionary warning to "future us", a decade later.

Although some may think that people can live together in truth and harmony, it didn't seem to work in this particular setting.

How does this relate to the online world? Well, for one, having your opinions and interests public certainly makes you think a bit more about what you post.

For example, I "like" the television show Weeds on my Facebook profile.  Does that mean I support the legalization of marijuana, or simply that I enjoy the show? (It's a hilarious dramedy, by they way -- highly recommended)

Different people could interpret it different ways, I suppose.

So is opening up and being more honest with each other a good thing, or could it possibly lead to anarchy and social collapse?

I figure about a 50/50 chance either way at the moment.  What do you think?

The difference between Urgent and Important

These days, I'm seeing more and more people who have trouble differentiating between things that are urgent, versus things that are important.

I was reminded about this by a recent posting over at Business is Pleasure.

Software and devices generally have a "do not disturb" setting that silences them and sends calls to voicemail.

Use these features! If you're having lunch with someone and talking to them, don't try to answer emails and texts at the same bloody time!

Urgency does not necessarily imply importance! In fact, they can often be inversely correlated.

The most important things in your life often have little urgency attached to them, so it's up to you to keep track of them and make sure they don't get smothered and forgotten in the minutia of the day-to-day.

So every day, take some time to turn off your cellphone, shut down your email, stop tweeting and twittering, sit down, and do something that's actually important!


Original article:

The urgent or the important: which should you choose?

Mid-air plane collision in Feilding

On Monday, July 26th there was a terrible tragedy.

Two small planes collided with each other in mid-air.

One of the planes landed safely, but the other crashed, killing two people.

This accident is very near and dear to me, as it happened at the flight school I've been training at the past 8 months.

In fact, Mel and I flew in TOD -- the plane that crashed -- just one day earlier.

It's difficult to fathom how this accident happened. It was a clear, mostly sunny day with not much wind. Excellent flying conditions.

The planes were all very well maintained, and the school has a superb safety culture. Students are well-trained.

The official accident investigation is underway, and will probably take 6-8 months to complete.

In the meantime, my heart goes out to the families involved, and all of the staff and students at the school.

Related Articles:
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/flight-school-closes-collision-probed-3675483
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/3960507/Plane-crash-victims-named