I've moved - thanks Google

I woke up Saturday to three messages from Google informing me three posts had been deleted for violating their guidelines - I was gob smacked and pretty irritable. 

So, I decided this couldn't happen again and signed up for a WordPress account immediately. Three posts had been reported by anonymous sources, I then received three messages from Google on Sunday morning letting me know the three posts had been reinstated but it really not good enough. 

https://observationsinanundemocraticworld.wordpress.com/

I had more than a year of posts loaded into the scheduled folder, they have all been moved over to WordPress along with al the other drafts I have. A great feature of WordPress is the ability to import data and I have all previous work moved across.

Dive computer ascent rates

I have read a number of articles in regards to dive tables v dive computers and I am astounded to believe the vehement defense of dive tables. 

My first retort is the difficulty of dive table use for repetitive diving, the majority people can learn table use locking the procedures and terms into short-term memory but when tested three months later are unable to recall dive table use.

The ascent rates prescribed on the majority of dive tables are simply outdated, there is no defending an ascent rate that was a compromise in the 1950s and still used today.

Getting newly certified divers to follow an ascent rate without an ascent rate indicator is nearly impossible, getting back to a shot line isn't always practical and even then, the majority of divers still ascend way too fast on a line without dedicated training.

Training divers to follow the ascent rate of their computer has many benefits, from early on in their training, the instructor is able to reinforce ascent rates and safety stops. A number of dive computers now have safety stop timers so at least a three minute stop is incorporated into ascent procedures.

More modern algorithms utilising micro-bubble prevention strategies also incorporate deeper stops in direct contrast to neo-Haldanean models seeking the highest pressure gradients to reduce decompression obligations.

We seek technological advances to enhance our lives, we carry around more computing power in our pockets than the Apollo astronauts took to the moon. We need to teach divers how to use their dive computers, this is a great tool - use it.

Once upon a time, dive certification courses were around three months in duration and highly physical in nature. With better instructional techniques and learning materials, the process of instruction is enhanced.

I sometimes ask myself, do you need to know how an engine, transmission, drive-train, steering, brake and electrical systems operate to drive a motor vehicle or do you just need to know where to put the fuel and how to turn the key?

Does the average person understand electron theory to illuminate the room at night or do they just flick a switch? Do they require a working knowledge of refrigeration including the latent heat of vaporisation and thermal expansion valves to work the coolness switch on their fridge?

We no longer use J-valves, twin hose regulators or wear horse collar buoyancy devices in diving just like you no longer need a motor vehicle to mount a mobile phone; this is outdated technology that should be relegated to museums.

When was the last time anyone actually used an abacus just in case a battery failed in a calculator? I also laugh when people say what if a computer fails underwater? Dive computers fail, this is a fact of diving and divers should be prepared for this inevitability.

Then you follow the profile of the person or team you are diving with, then the response always is, but they could be following a different profile with depths and times - this doesn't happen on tables? Plenty of areas around the world only allow guided dives, the divers follow the dive guide around and they plan the dive profile.

If that is the case, then I would be asking more serious questions about in-water diving habits and less about dive computer use. This is why dive guides are employed, this is exactly their role, they plan and supervise diving activities.

I now advise new divers to consider their dive computer as their first item of equipment purchased. The prevailing wisdom is to purchase the mask, snorkel, booties and fins kit; yes, these are important but the most relevant dive planning and execution tool.

Many would argue you can dive without a computer but you can't dive without a mask, fins and other equipment - fair comment. Sure, people dived for decades without dive computers, I began diving on tables and used the PADI Wheel for multi-level dives.

If you follow your dive computer recommendations maintaining a slow ascent rate then you will reduce the incidences of micro-bubbles in your tissues and more than likely decompression sickness. Oh yeah, you can also maximize your bottom time and execute multi-level dive profiles - a great tool.

The Carrera Calibre 5

The Heuer Carrera of the 1960s and 1970s was always a chronograph, Heuer manufactured chronograph timepieces. Well every Heuer timepiece of that era was a chronograph apparently - that is what they did.

So when TAG Heuer has reinvented the three hand Carrera with a Calibre 5, one has to ask, would I purchase a Calibre 5 Carrera? The Calibre 5 is generally an ETA 2824-2 but could also be a Sellita SW 200 so one has to be a little cautious.

I am not a fan of the SW 200 based on previous experiences and whilst the ETA 2824-2 is a solid movement, the attempts to create greater competition between movement manufacturers has caused supply issues.

As far as a three hand Carrera, whilst it wasn't the original design, I find the three hand Carrera a clean looking design. My concerns are with the engine under the bonnet and I hope TAG Heuer is a little more transparent with serial number designations so the consumer can make an informed choice.

Losing my Bolle glasses overboard

So I lost my Bolle glasses overboard - what a hassle. I was out on the yacht and my lightweight Bolle sunglasses came off, rattled down the deck in slow motion before resting against the rear cleat before washing over the transom.

I wasn’t happy, not about the cost but about the glare, it really hurt my eyes. The problem was the glasses were too light, they easily unclipped from my shirt. I guess they were not suited to wearing out on the boat, not that I was actually wearing them at the time.

So I went into work and ordered some new polarised glasses online to replace them. Within the day I had a new package arrive with Bolle Raptor glasses. I then thought these are great for the boat, but not so good for riding my bike.

So when I was down at the local safety workwear shop, I found some Rush Smoke Lens for $6.95, so now I have some riding glasses and some boat glasses. The wrap-around glasses are great for the boat as they really keep the glare out.

The lightweight plastic glasses are for the bike, they don't bounce around on the bumps and fall down my face when contact is made with my helmet. Seems like losing my glasses overboard was a good thing, that was after my eyes recovered from the glare.

Premium Economy with Cathay Pacific

I try to be late to board to miss all the messing around but this time I decided to be in line early as I missed out on The New York Times and Financial Times newspapers on the first flight and I didn't want it to happen again.

As the staff came down to check flight details and passports she told me I was standing in the wrong line as she highlighted flight details. I needed to stand over there near Business Class for the Premium economy boarding - I had no idea.

Wow, what a surprise where to begin. There were larger seats with increased features and room, the entertainment centre was improved but had the same selection of movies. We started out with a glass of champagne before take-off, the drinks cart was promptly brought out when we were in the air.

Needless to say, the quality of the red wine was so much better than the red wine I drank in economy class the flight before. Likewise, the food could not be compared, the quality was at a different level altogether.

The Premium Economy cabin was separated from Business Class and Standard Economy and although I had walked through the section many times before I had never really taken notice. I guess this was an upgrade as I didn't intentionally book this flight.

To execute a strategy

Naturally, attempting to implement a poorly designed plan is indeed a poor idea, yet the reality is all too often we are asked to do exactly that. The requirement of a good plan requires extensive preparation based on extensive research.

The culture of the organisation is imperative to successfully implementing the strategy. All too often failed strategy implementation rests with the personnel tasked with driving a strategy they don't believe in. Professor Huy cites the culture of the organisation as the primary reason why strategy implementation fails, my experience is very similar. The importance of organisational behaviour understanding is closely linked to strategic implementation.

Overqualified for the job - what bullshit

Overqualified for the job, what does that really mean? It's absolute rubbish and I like to call it out for what it is.

Does this really mean this person will take the job to leave when a better opportunity comes along? What about this scenario, if the enterprise is efficient, then this person has the ability to pursue a career path in the company.

This is the goal of talent management, the acquisition of human capital to achieve strategic outcomes. This is a future high-performing team member that could learn from our mentoring and coaching to become a high-performing member driving the team.

A hiring manager should recruit, select, remunerate and retain the highest available talent. This attitude of worrying about whether this person outshines them is rubbish. How about this scenario? As the hiring team, we identified a star performer and made sure they didn't accept mediocrity, we recruited the best available for the company.

A republic or not

Every few years, the republic debate gets reunited in Australia and it is by the people pushing for a republic and not by the people. Eventually they believe if they keep chipping away, they will finally achieve their utopian dream of an Australian republic.

Some people are irritated that we still officially have the Queen of England as our head of state or that the Union Jack is still on our flag. We have a functioning government based on the Westminster system that is a proven model of stability.

My attitude, apparently like so many others, is who cares? We care nothing about this idyllic bullshit, what we care about is a functioning government. The Commonwealth Government works absolutely fine, this is why we are a successful western nation in the South East Asia and Oceania region.

The republican movement forced us to vote on the issue in the 1999 referendum and change the constitution of Australia. My girlfriend at the time [from overseas] thought it would be fun to write a new constitution, but I knew full well we would not be doing that.

This would involve high priced lawyers, special interest and lobby groups; the rest of us would just be drowned out in the noise. The Swiss get to vote on everything, the average person would not be involved, there would be no involvement for the majority of us.

The republican movement wanted a president but we have seen the power and overreach of successive US Presidents, there is no way we would want to create a dictator. The role of the Governor General is to provide stability to the government.

I am not conservative by any means, these idiots wanted us to vote for a republic first then once they have a majority work on the details - utter crap. There was no framework, no plan and certainly no analysis apart from some feel good bullshit where we vote for change. 

Put your case forward and we will look at it; I am no monchaist but I do not want to create an unstable government model when a stable government already exists. You analyse the model before you propose to the public, the public analysis then begins and we consider the consequences of the action.