Random Tech Stories

No Cyber Geek

In November 2018 it was reported that Japan's new cyber-security minister Yoshitaka Sakurada, had dumbfounded his country by saying he has never used a computer. He has always had staff to do those sorts of things ....

Cyber Security In Japan Was In Good Hands

 ...... "Since I was 25 years old and independent, I have instructed my staff and secretaries. I have never used a computer in my life." ........ when questioned further about security at Japan's nuclear plants, he apparently didn't understand what a USB stick was. But he assured everyone that everything would be fine as his staff knew about those things .... so that was OK then.

Best Degrees

According to a poll by Adzuna, the top five degrees for first earning potential are:

1.         Software Engineering £37,033
2.         Computer Science £34,086
3.         Finance £33,350
4.         Electronic Engineering £33,072
5.         Engineering £32,607

And the worst five degrees for first earning potential are:

1.         Counselling £20,079
2.         Social Work £22,276
3.         Ecology £23,066
4.         Pharmacy £23,465
5.         Nursing £24,132

There's a lesson there for all our final year school kids doing sociology 'A' levels, or university students doing pointless degrees .... the future is heading in a different direction, and your racking up student debt for nothing.

PC Goodness

Finally another good reason to be using computers and being computer literate is that researchers in Arizona discovered that certain intellectual pursuits can dramatically inhibit the onset of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) i.e. very early stage of dementia or Alzheimers memory loss.
 
Such brain stimulating activities as crosswords, playing cards, arts and crafts, or using the computer (in a productive manner ..... such as blogging), all have some impact on people aged between 50 and 65 years of age. 2...
 
People who do all four activities cut the risk of MCI by up to 56 per cent. However computer use on its own accounts for around 48 per cent of that MCI risk reduction. Now considering the high usage of laptops and smart phones in the world population these days (admittedly, not all of it very mentally demanding), that augers well for a reduction of the percentage of sufferers from mental degradation in the increasingly older world population. 

Unwanted Tech

But finally, according to AccorHotels, who ran a survey, half of all shoppers hate using self service tills. Many reported being 'confused' and 'embarrassed' by the automated tills, and nearly two thirds of those questioned thought that being served by human members of staff was more efficient.

I totally agree with them. The bloody things nearly always say that I require an assistant whenever I use one, as certain items, such as glue, aspirins, hammers etc etc require a human member of staff to authorise them in case your not aged 18. So it normally takes me twice a long to get clear of the shop, than if I had been served by a human. Sadly 68 per cent of those questioned thought that these automated machines are the way of the future. Sadly I cant see them ever being removed, despite the loss of local jobs (mainly for women) that they represent.