Telecommuting (Okay...Working At Home!)

Being somewhat of a latecomer to digital technology, I never really thought about 'telecommuting' or working from home via the internet as a condition for evaluating a potential job offer. And telecommuting,it appears, is an option that many companies are offering with jobs in my chosen profession of technical writing.

On first consideration, telecommuting seems like an ideal way to work as a technical writer. This mode of working would enable me to work for almost anyone in the world at almost any given time. Telecommuting would eliminate much of the need for expensive transportation and the concurrent headaches of dealing with traffic jams. Moreover, working at home in this manner would enable me to set my own schedule.

Nevertheless, I believe telecommuting has a downside that would, in my opinion, offset all of the above benefits. I fear eventually that I'd develop a feeling of isolation and alienation. I like to deal with people directly and have a sense that I'm a part of the world. Telecommuting, I believe, would cut me off from those dynamic forces.

(For the record, the person in the above picture isn't me. I 'googled' an image search for telecommuters...and this is one that came up.)

Opening Pandora's Box?

If you’ve been on Facebook lately, you might have noticed numerous posts denouncing Monsanto Corp., an agribusiness giant who appears to be spearheading an effort that enables consumers to buy foods cultivated from genetically-engineered crops, which experts call genetically modified organisms or (GMOs).

So what’s the fuss? GMOs are crops that people have altered in a laboratory with the intent of improving such traits as nutritional content or resistance to herbicides. Traditionally, scientists used the rather lengthy process of selective breeding to enhance crops. However, genetic engineering has proven to be much quicker and more accurate.

Potentially, GMOs could prove to be a windfall for humanity. Scientists could develop crops that can endure droughts and frost. In addition, genetic engineering could enable farmers to grow crops that are resistant to many destructive fungi and viruses.

However, many folks are troubled that GMOs might cause unintended harm to other organisms. One recent study indicated that genetically altered corn caused increased mortality rates among monarch butterfly caterpillars. Another concern many people have is that genetically modified crops could produce a dangerous allergen, which in turn, would be ushered into the world with little or no warning. Moreover, many people fear the new technology simply because so much about its consequences remain unknown.

I tend to agree with the above sentiment. I think we should tread lightly before we open a potential Pandora’s Box that unleashes a whole host of ugly things.

Joel Pondering Peyton

What does the future hold for Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts? Joel sheds absolutely no new light on the subjects as he continues to experiment with his webcam.