What I hope to learn in CS3216

My first 'homework' blog post on this shiny new blog =P

Just finished the required watchings. For those of you who just happen to pass by or are not in CS3216, the vids are embedded at the bottom of this post. I strongly recommend everyone to watch it.

The video "Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish." basically summed up the reason why I signed up for CS3216, and not take computer science as a major =P. Wasn't too keen on some of the modules in CS and by taking IS, i have the option to actually 'drop in' on the modules that I am interested in. Well prof, I hope this answers your question last sem on why I'm in IS =). Felt this way all along, except that I didn't know how to put it in words.

[edit]
After the latest email from UG office, I've decided to change over to CS.

3. Lifting of ABET- Humanity Requirement for CS students matriculating on AY2008-9 and after.

Currently, these CS students are required to take Breadth Modules and Unrestricted Electives from outside the Faculty of Science, Faculty of Engineering and School of Computing for their degree requirements. With this relaxation, students can now use Science, Engineering and Computing to meet their Unrestricted electives.

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Now, on to the 'homework', what do I hope to learn in CS3216?

Frankly speaking, I have absolutely no idea of what exactly I want to learn. I just want to learn something that I didn't know I didn't know. =P
I'm one of those who firmly believe that 99% of the stuff out there are things that we don't know we don't know. And that's the important part. It means that we have alot to learn. I personally believe that what this means is that if we go in hoping to learn something, it's very likely we will learn that, and only that, and manage to decrease only what we knew we don't know.
Unless we keep an open mind, there is no way we can learn a decent amount of things that matter. But even if we keep an open mind, we are unlikely to learn everything, so I guess I'll make do with just learning as much as I can and live each day learning.

Sit down before fact as a little child, be prepared to give up every conceived notion, follow humbly wherever and whatever abysses nature leads, or you will learn nothing.
by Thomas Huxley

To be honest though, I look forward to working with all these motivated people from other faculties, and hopefully, be able to learn and understand the perspectives from which they look at problems, and other stuff, and maybe even be able to look at things from their perspectives in future.

Moreover, there are some things that cannot be taught. Teamwork, team management, project management, all of these have to be learnt through experience.

Nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.
by Oscar Wilde

Personally, I believe that everyone has something of value to impart to the rest of us. I think the late Randy Pausch was spot on when he said,

"Wait long enough and people will surprise and impress you."

Ending off with a quote from Galileo.

I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn’t learn something from him.
by Galileo Galilei Italian astronomer & physicist (1564 – 1642)

The dots will connect one day. I know it.

The Last Lecture


Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.