A training ground for future anime artists, Anime Mirai, is showing off student-created work.
I present this for general interest – and of course more confirmation about Japan’s economic interest in being a culture engine. Which is kind of obvious.
3/7/2012: The Inevitable Apple Roundup
OK, yes, lots of Apple announcements today, so let’s get to ’em because they announced a ton of stuff.
- A new iPad, which surprises no one. Sounds like they’re focusing on better visuals (both display and camera) for this one, plus a lot of extraws (LTE, acting as a hotspot, etc.) All these changes (and adapted software), are really pushing the iPad towards a kind of “everyunit.”
- Apparently the latest Siri will have a dictation function, further confirming Apple’s focus on voice. I imagine the people at Nuance are a bit nervous, and rightfully so. If course they probably saw the writing on the wall awhile ago, which would explain their further move into medicine.
- Surprising no one, the new Apple TV is coming. It doesn’t sound radically different – then again, Apple doesn’t DO radically different. It’s mostly some new integration, better interface, and so on – though I figure it’s going to get better support. My guess is it’s still being figured out, since some of it is basically turning a TV into a big monitor.
- An iOS upgrade, but that’s probably the most boring announcement.
What’s intriguing to me is that this is all evolutionary not revolutionary – but that’s exactly what Apple does. There’s little that’s unexpected, but you can slowly see all the plans coming together in what’s obviously a suite of integrated devices and opportunities, really extending previous Apple plans.
A few takeaways:
- Nuance, as I noted, may have seen the writing on the wall. If you’re in tech ask yourself what companies may become redundant as common consumer tech advances – and then ask if you’re working in those areas.
- Apple TV still doesn’t seem quite “fully formed” to me. I’m waiting to see what more they do (though it’s cheap enough I may get one). I think we’ve got a few iterations to go, at least software-wise, for it to evolve to it’s full potential. This gives competitors an in.
Promoting Professional Geekery #28: Help With The Job Search
Quickly, who reading this is good at the job search? You know resumes, cover letters, networking? OK, at least decent? How about “my job search abilities aren’t as bad as most people I know?”
OK if you fit into any one of these three categories, you’ve got a way to do what we do here – promote the Professional Geek ideal. In fact, you’ve got a way that’s very valuable, but you may not see it.
A good job search is a skillet. In fact, it’s a very unique skillet because a lot of people don’t have it.
Ever met people who are good at what they do, but don’t have a job? Ever met someone who is good at getting work but just never seemed that qualified? That’s your proof right there that the job search is it’s own, unique skillet.
If you’ve got the job search skills, in fact if you’re just about average, you can help out your fellow geeks by helping them get better at the job search. Teach them how to do better resumes, to interview, to do cover letters, etc. Even if you’re only good at one part of the job search, share the knowledge you do have.
There’s also many ways to do it. You can write up a blog post, do a video, speak at a con, act as a personal counsellor, etc. Done right, your job search skills can be immortalized for many others – in fact I keep technique write-ups I send to people.
This helps promote professional geekery in one of the most important ways – helping people actually do what they like for a living by teaching them how to find work. It makes the dream real.
So often the ability to find a job is the only real difference between people making their dreams cone true and not. It’s a sadly neglected, ill-taught skillet overall, made worse by changing times. You, those who are good enough to enlighten others, can teach the skills that help dreams come true.
So, take an honest assessment of your job search abilities, and see if you should start being an advisor, reach out to friends, do panels, etc. You can make a huge difference to current and future progeeks, and make their dreams a reality.
That will light the way for others.