new to this forum, my introduction

[keninct]

Hello everyone,

I am a retired 60 year old utilities engineer-damn life has gone by fast when you're (still) having fun! I discovered this interesting site through a link on weldingtipsandtricks.com, I have had a live long love affair with all things of scientific and mechanical in nature. A chemist by education, i've been involved with both woodworking and metal working, (primarilly welding and fabrication) as an an advanced amatuer hobbiest for many years. Many of the hand and power tools (all industrial quality) I own I've acquired used at extremely reasonable prices, sometimes even free! When one knows how to design projects and weld, the sky is the limit to what you can make yourself. I love sites like this one where other member featured projects are a springboard inspiration for stuff I would want to build for myself. Looking forward to exploring this site and learning from others as we're all in this together!

[DIYer]

Hello keninct, welcome to the forums! Yes, life does seem to go by too fast when you get to a certain age. Doesn't let it get to me though!

[kbalch]

Hi keninct,

Welcome!

Yes, it all does seem to zip by faster each year. With no viable alternative in sight, though, I suppose we all need to make the best of it. I'm definitely holding out hope for computing power to catch up with the probable requirements of consciousness uploading - I plan to be around for a long time…

Sounds as though you've got a great set of skills - what's next on your build list?

Ken

[DIYer]

Speaking of consciousness uploading, Ken, have you read the sci-fi novel Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan?

[kbalch]

No, that's a new one for me, but I've already downloaded it and will check it out this weekend.

Two recommendations in return, one fiction and one philosophy:

• The series of Culture novels by Iain M. Banks
  
  Features a fabulous and detailed universe (easily on a par with Frank Herbert's) where uploading and other enhancements are commonplace. Banks just died two years ago and the prospect of a world without new Culture stories is bleak, indeed.
• The Mind's I by Douglas Hofstadter
  
  A series of essays exploring, among other topics, the nature of self vis-a-vis artificial intelligence and what its achievement will likely mean for future society.

I can talk about books all day long…

Ken

[DIYer]

Thanks! Adding these to my book list.

[Jon]

Hi keninct - welcome to HomemadeTools.net

So, what's next on your project list?