Reflections on a kindaof reunion: 40 years ICS UCI

[keirsey]

As many of you know, I am not a "social" person, by any stretch of the imagination, but despite that I enjoy going to reunions, of sorts.

I attended the University of California, Irvine, Bren School of Information and Computer Science celebration, 40 years from its founding. It was a nice program, and with all reunions, it's fun to see old friends that you haven't seen for 10, 20, 30 ...omg almost 40 years. And it is always a surprise (kind of) to see where people are now, often it is a very pleasant surprise. (And the real surprise later is to see yourself on the web -- having no idea that you are "being recorded" -- Caught wandering in at the 8:11 mark ). The original Department of ICS, which I attended as an undergraduate getting a BS and then a PhD was one of the first programs in the new field of computers, before the Internet, before the PC. Quite a few people, key to the development of the Internet went to UCI. The classic examples are Paul Mockapetris, the designer of the Domain Name Service (DNS) -- you can thank him for all the web names (e.g., .com like keirsey.com, edgeoforder.org, amazon.com) -- and Roy Fielding the implementer of the HTTP protocol (that's where "http://" comes from), but there are quite a few more less known people that contributed in "email" and other things.

The Bren School is now huge. It is a whole school, just like Arts and Sciences. Five departments -- it reflects the explosion the role of the computer in our society. Something I knew was going to happen long before others knew anything about computers. Of course, my kids and all young people have no idea what it was like "before computers were ubiquitous."

So what is the future going to be like.. Here is John Seely-Brown's take. John Seely-Brown, the professor who turned me on the Artificial Intelligence as an undergraduate, is always asking questions about the future. I "kind of agree" with him, although I don't try to talk to John regarding my own ideas on the future which has a significantly different perspective. It is a lot more complicated, beautifully ugly (and more interesting than you can imagine).

[SunPath]

beautifully ugly

There you go again! I caught you, using those enigmatic "double-meaning" words! Now you'll have to explain yourself!

I enjoyed reading about your personal experiences and how they relate to the technology of computers and then the future of the world!

[stellarrenegade]

It's a "paradox", Angela.

(And the real surprise later is to see yourself on the web -- having no idea that you are "being recorded" -- Caught wandering in at the 8:11 mark ).

You gotta get used to the exposure, man, when you're associated with such influential organizations (both technological and psychological)!

The original Department of ICS, which I attended as an undergraduate getting a BS and then a PhD was one of the first programs in the new field of computers, before the Internet, before the PC. Quite a few people, key to the development of the Internet went to UCI. The classic examples are Paul Mockapetris, the designer of the Domain Name Service (DNS) -- you can thank him for all the web names (e.g., .com like keirsey.com, edgeoforder.org, amazon.com) -- and Roy Fielding the implementer of the HTTP protocol (that's where "http://" comes from), but there are quite a few more less known people that contributed in "email" and other things.

Nice. Runnin' with the big dogs, I see.

The Bren School is now huge. It is a whole school, just like Arts and Sciences. Five departments -- it reflects the explosion the role of the computer in our society. Something I knew was going to happen long before others knew anything about computers. Of course, my kids and all young people have no idea what it was like "before computers were ubiquitous."

Yeah, but the urge to get in on the ground floor of something like that is HUGE.

So, who was the dude in the pinstripe button-up, glasses and short cropped hair? He seemed pretty friendly. Someone you've known for awhile, I imagine?

[Goodrum]

This is so incredible, this is like the beginnings, the creators of computers and cyberspace, we owe all those people a debt of gratitude. For the far reaches of earth, little way off places and obscure people/lands, you guys bought us altogether. It's so humbling. The leeways, the knowledge, the learning made possible, because of that group of people's work (origins of computer science), we can now link upwith medical specialists in isolated areas for diagnostics...everything...from medicine to education to FUN!!!!

I'm afraid it would be very difficult to contain the enthusiasm there, kinda possibleI would kicked outfor hugging and kissing y'all. The world is an open book now..it's amazing, you guys are amazing.

[keirsey]

So, who was the dude in the pinstripe button-up, glasses and short cropped hair? He seemed pretty friendly. Someone you've known for awhile, I imagine?

Jim Meehan, my final thesis advisor for my PhD. I haven't seen him for about 25 years, and lost track of him until that moment. He works for Google now. I am amused by watching the video, because a pile of people who I know, but they don't notice me (or I them) as they walk past me. Larry Rowe, Fred Tonge, Peter Freeman. I think the grey hairs for them and me, slowed us down in recognition. But we recognized and talked to each other later on, as there were others.

[stellarrenegade]

I'm afraid it would be very difficult to contain the enthusiasm there, kinda possibleI would kicked outfor hugging and kissing y'all. The world is an open book now..it's amazing, you guys are amazing.

I wouldn't let you get kicked out. I LOVE hugs and kisses.

So, who was the dude in the pinstripe button-up, glasses and short cropped hair? He seemed pretty friendly. Someone you've known for awhile, I imagine?

Jim Meehan, my final thesis advisor for my PhD. I haven't seen him for about 25 years, and lost track of him until that moment. He works for Google now. I am amused by watching the video, because a pile of people who I know, but they don't notice me (or I them) as they walk past me. Larry Rowe, Fred Tonge, Peter Freeman. I think the grey hairs for them and me, slowed us down in recognition. But we recognized and talked to each other later on, as there were others.

Hm, is it just the dark hair? Cuz he seems younger than most of you. That's cool though, seems like you guys got along pretty well, seeing as you sat next to him and everything. What does he do for Google? Did you talk about the Wave? haha.

[Quinta]

Did you have any reflections on the types? I mean if you get an impression of their lives over a long period, it might be possible to draw some conclusions.

[keirsey]

Did you have any reflections on the types? I mean if you get an impression of their lives over a long period, it might be possible to draw some conclusions.

Most of the faculty and grad students in ICS were Mastermind Rationals. However, my "typing" skills were not as sharp in those days (and I used the Myers scales alot). When I was in grad school and later at the Hughes Research Labs, I was surrounded by mostly Rationals interested in science so I didn't focus on Temperament, much. On the other hand, there were some very interesting lessons I learned, and I can reflect back situations that I was in and say to myself -- oh -- that's what happened, it makes sense. One shock, was since I assumed the ICS faculty were Masterminds (INTJs at the time) with no doubt on my part, when one faculty member (a really smart dude, Fred Tonge, and very helpful to me as I floundered as a grad student) did read PUM and considered himself an ISTJ -- I was taken aback. I had to reevaluate my understanding of type and Temperament, and intelligence. My Rational arrogance, luckily, took a big hit that day. There is also a faculty member that is a puzzlement, even to this day. He is my example, of HEY, people are complex, culture matters -- if you don't know how this person came to be, you will be very confused. In his case, he is "East Coast academic" blue blood (the ultimate blue blood), brilliant, moody, quirky, easily offended, often off base, articulate, maddening, kind, offensive, sometimes gruff, very opinionated -- in short "a real character" -- a delightfully complex person.

If you go to reunions -- you will notice --- hey they just like they were before -- they still have that "personality" shining through. That's mostly Temperament reflected through Character: two sides of the inseparable coin of personality.

[mkb32]

a delightfully complex person ... Temperament reflected through Character: two sides of the inseparable coin of personality.

It is sooo easy for me to study only one side of the coin. I keep forgetting that the two make one.
The conundrum of this Idealist perception is that humans can show me their complexity after I become too cynical to search for it.

Dave, I was waving at you on the screen. Too bad you didn't wave back! ----> 'course the noise I would make probably would have freaked the dogs out.

G, I personally have a fantasy of doing a triple flip off the top, rounding out with a swan dive straight into a pool of Rationals. ----> I'm just a little enthusiastic, myself.

[Goodrum]

G, I personally have a fantasy of doing a triple flip off the top, rounding out with a swan dive straight into a pool of Rationals. ----> I'm just a little enthusiastic, myself.

Totally relate to this...

I have a few fantasies of my own...and a consideration on the dive, 3 words...one piece suit.

....and I am here to help------------------------------------>>>>>>>>>>>