[csail-related] GSB Tonight: Immortality.

[jamoozy at csail.mit.edu (Andrew Correa)]

I've been writing these for a while now, and I realize I've had many random
thoughts that I've shared.  Actually what I realize is I've had even more
random thoughts that I haven't.  Sometimes it becomes difficult to
distinguish between the two [1].  Well here's an idea that I've been
playing around with [2].

Have you ever noticed how being in graduate school feels kind of like being
immortal sometimes?  You are born into the world knowing no one [4] but you
gain many friends over time.  Unfortunately, there comes a time when your
friends must ascend.  They move on to a higher plain of existence [5] and
leave you alone.  But that's okay, because they're in a better place and
besides: you're not alone; you have many other friends to share time and
laughs with [6].

Unfortunately, one day you look around and notice you don't know anyone any
more.  You're alone: the sole survivor of ... what?  No great disaster has
befallen us.  No single challenge of any sort except ... wait a minute.
 Getting your Ph.D. [7] is actually pretty challenging.  Either that or you
just suck [8] and that's why you're still here when so many others have
managed to get out.

But then another day comes [9] when you realize the entire lab has
seemingly changed, and these new guys [10] are actually pretty cool, and
you find yourself asking "Why didn't I meet these people earlier?".  Well
it's because you're lame [8].

But that can change.

Let's talk about old worries, overcome challenges, and new life at this
week's:


       +-                                                  -+
          girl scout benefit -+-  5:30 pm  -+- 32-G9 lounge
       +-                                                  -+

           For those coming from elsewhere: Building 32 is
            <http://whereis.mit.edu/map-jpg?selection=32><http://whereis.mit.edu/map-jpg?selection=32>
       Once you are in 32, just take the G-elevator to the 9th
   floor and we will be in the lounge that you will be looking at

<http://projects.csail.mit.edu/gsb><http://projects.csail.mit.edu/gsb>


[1] Y'know how some people have stress dreams about being naked in public
places?  My stress dreams are about accidentally sending the same GSB
message twice.  I always wake up in a cold sweat ...
[2] As with most great ideas, I've either heard this elsewhere, or just
thought it up with others.  I can't claim 100% credit [3]
[3] More like 99% than 100%.
[4] And in my case, naked and screaming (ask the nth years).
[5] Microsoft?  Apple?  A post-doc?  ... maybe "ascend" isn't quite the
right word ...
[6] Like when we used to reminisce about that time I ran naked and
screaming through CSAIL.
[7] Or the obviously far superior Sc.D.
[8] and you're stupid and worthless and no one will ever love you and to
top it all off you smell bad because you only shower once every other week
because you have really poor hygiene and never brush your teeth except on
holidays
[9] after you've improved your hygiene ...
[10] And girls!