Continuous Joy and Happiness

How can I continue to find joy and happiness throughout my life? The way that I have found true joy is through putting others before myself. It's amazing how quickly your problems go away or how small they diminish when you are helping another person. This solution may seem simple, but it is actually quite hard. A good way to start is "fake it til' you make it." If putting others first doesn't come natural, then start doing it until it does. Think about others even when the natural man or woman in you wants to focus on yourself. Remember it's been said happiness is an emotion and joy is a state of being. So let us all focus on obtaining joy instead of an instant gratification.

A Whole New World

During some point in our life we may want to quit the world we live in and start all over. A new outlet has been created with the birth of the internet and virtual reality games. I am a strong advocate against these virtual worlds. Some of the greatest lessons I have ever learned have been during my toughest challenges in life. I've learned how to work hard even when I didn't feel up to the task. I've also learned how to work through problems instead of masking them behind a virtual world. The type of virtual world that I am referring to are the ones where you can create a family, job, and go on dates online. Virtual worlds only mask the real world that we live in they don't actually take away our problems. The best way to find happiness in this life is through dealing with the cards that you've been dealt and making the best situation with what you have.

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Technology from Jake Wright on Vimeo.

What We Do Really Does Matter

Even the smallest and weakest can have a large impact on society. The impact of one is often magnified with time. Now that we are even more connected to one another our influence is spread more broad and can be seen immediately. It used to be that we only got the medias skewed take on stories, but now the first to the scene are the actual victims. They can blog, tweet, or post pictures about events that happen.  All they need is a little device with a camera and a way to connect to others quickly.

We've all seen videos or small stories go viral. Have you ever wondered why they went viral? Many times the people weren't famous prior, but because of the internet their voice is heard and they are making an immediate impact on society. On the internet people don't know if you are the nerd, shy girl, or jock--that's where you can shine and let your voice be heard. For those who have experienced devastation in their life, words of encouragement can come from anywhere in the world. For those trying to break free of a tyrannous government, they can gather on a whim through connecting on social networks.  For those whom the law makes it hard for them to meet in groups and express religious feelings, they can FaceTime.  The list of possibilities is endless now that we are even more connected than ever. On the flip side what we post online can come back to haunt us or hurt someone else. Remember even the smallest voice can be heard, so lets make it count.

Computer Scientist == Nerd

I am graduating in Computer Science next semester. Does this make me a nerd? A few years ago I didn't even know what programming was. The only association with programmers that I had was with the stereotypical nerd. I'm not into gaming and could care less about building a computer. I love sports and outdoor activities. So why then am I graduating in Computer Science? I had to take a programming class for a previous major and learned how I could make a computer solve problems and tasks for me. I love problem solving and being able to use a computer language as an aid in completing various tasks. I still don't like computer games or comic books, but love programming. For those of you who haven't even considered Computer Science I implore you to do so.

Open Sourcing Our Communities

Open source software has the following attributes: freely distributed, source code is included, anyone can modify the source code, and modified versions can be redistributed. Let's apply these principles to our local communities. Freely distributed may infer that anyone can join our community and be apart of it. Source code included might refer to our unwritten rules of the community along with the current laws. Modifying the source code could mean the ability to change these rules and laws. Modified version redistribution would then mean changes to the rules and laws would have the potential to become applicable to all. Then the process would be repeated and refined until we have a well tuned society. Are these open source principles actually applicable to our communities? If so, why aren't we turning to these rules, given the success of many open source software.

I'm a Mormon

My name is Jacob Wright and I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah.  I have a beautiful wife and daughter, whom I love so much.  I am finishing up a Computer Science degree at BYU this april.  I love tennis, camping, and fishing.  I want everyone to know that I am a Mormon.  I know that Heavenly Father loves us and deeply cares about our various situations.  I know that Jesus Christ died for each one of us.  I know that Jesus Christ lives.  I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith.  I know that families can be together forever.  I am so grateful for this wonderful world that Heavenly Father has provided for us.

Are Pirates Beneficial to Sales?

Digital piracy for most people has a negative connotation.  Current marketing changes suggest digital piracy may not be as bad as people think.  Marketing is changing more and more towards social networking.  The best way for me to find songs is through my friends.  If I like the song enough then I buy it.  This strategy is quite successful because of how connected we all are.  If my friend in Pittsburgh, PA found a great song, they can share it with me here in Utah.  The more people share interests and passions, the more money companies make.  Yes, this still means if I want to make a random mix cd for someone that I will burn the relevant songs.  The loss of money due to sharing songs is small compared to the increase that companies make from artists going viral through social media.  I would love to see the piracy laws toned down or even removed.

I'm a Hacker. Like! Dislike!

Ok i'm not really a hacker, but would like to put on their shoes for a moment.  The word hacker often comes with a derogatory connotation.  Is this why computer programmers have changed the name from hacker to a more explicit cracker?  Hackers crack virtual vaults.  Finding  cracks or holes in our current software program allows us to become more secure.  People have been praised for writing software that exploits bugs in a program, while others have been pegged with fines and treated like criminals.  Often, programming can become monotonous, but hacking into networks, websites, or other types of programs can be exhilarating.

As anything in life there are people who have good intentions or bad intentions when they are hacking.  Can we put all hackers into one category of good or bad?

While we may not be able to categorize all hackers we can make secure software.  It is unfortunate that malicious hackers have built a wall of distrust for those following.  On the other hand because of those malevolent hackers, white hat hackers have a job.  If you enjoy finding little holes in a program then you can become an ethical computer hacker and work on software security teams.  It is very hard to police the internet, but by securing your own software you are closing the doors to outside hackers.  The next time you hear the word hacker I hope you don't just think of the malicious hackers, but instead the ethical white hat hackers.

Marketing is Getting Personal

How far is too far when it comes to advertisements?  A company in South Korea is creating an interactive software that will be used in malls to customize advertisements to the user.  They are trying to use facial recognition in their attempt to customize these advertisements.  In a world where we are being bombarded with advertisements through apps, social media, and soon to be facial recognition, how far will companies go to make the sale?  This new technology scares me because it makes me think we are heading towards the movie Minority Report.  I for one don't like how intimate companies are becoming with what I am interested in and looking for.  I think advertising agencies are pushing the boundaries and that there needs to be limits.  

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444897304578044322254166986.html

Twitter and Conference

I experienced two new things this weekend, Twitter and Twitter with conference.  I first had to learn how to use Twitter which took only a couple of seconds.  Then I started the journey during the Saturday afternoon session of conference.  At first I was paying more attention to the tweets then I was to conference.  I soon learned that I got more out of conference if I viewed the tweets after each talk.  I felt like a lot of the people were either making jokes or just writing cool quotes from those speaking.  The good thing about using Twitter along with conference was, I was able to stay awake through the whole session.

Younger Generation VS. Genealogy Work

Family history work is hard and very time consuming.  It is not the most glamorous thing to look through various census records trying to find your relatives.  Often, much knowledge is required in order to be efficient and know what records to research.  Genealogy work doesn't seem the best fit for a generation that likes instantaneous results.  One attempt to bridge the gap between genealogy work and the younger generation is found on FamilySearch.org.  FamilySearch is trying to engage a younger audience through photos and stories.  Some people call this effort, "Facebook for the dead."  The idea is you can upload photos and stories of your ancestors and make a stronger connection with them.  Only time will tell if photos and stories will be the key to bridging the gap between the younger crowd and genealogy work.

Two Thumbs Way Up for Smartphones

I recently discovered that smartphones are being used to help the blind experience more of the world.  The smartphone will let them know how many faces are in the picture they are about to take.  Some smartphones support the use of Braille keyboards.  However, among these technological changes the largest break through has come from the hundreds of apps that are designed specifically for the blind community.  I often take new technology for granted and am amazed at how beneficial it can be.  If you use a smartphone think of how it has changed your life.  Then imagine being visually impaired with a new smartphone.  How would your world be different?

ToTwitter, or not to Twitter

I can still remember the first time I heard someone talk about "tweeting."  I was on an LDS mission and didn't know what Twitter was until I returned home many months later.  I thought that Twitter was only used for updating your followers on every little detail of your day.  Recently, I have been exposed to many people that are using Twitter.  Some use Twitter for marketing purposes.  Others use Twitter for communicating to large groups.  Twitter also makes those in high positions seem not so far away, such as Apple's CEO Tim Cook.  Although I don't personally feel drawn towards Twitter, I now understand why people use it.

Stop and Think

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I feel as if over the past year and a half a fire hose of information has been put in my mouth and turned on full blast.  The water of information has come from school, work, and online searches.  The fire hose seems to have a limitless supply of water and pressure.  I have learned that slowing down the flow and even turning it off at times is where true knowledge and power lies.  Remember to stop and think about life, learning, and where you stand. What makes your life fulfilling is not in how much information you can swallow, but taking that information and using it to the fullest. The small act of stopping and thinking can turn information into knowledge and knowledge into wisdom.