Jerry Smith | Cyber Security | Writer | Historian

Economists, Meteorologists, and Sports Analysts.

Jerry Smith — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 20:12:04 +0000

All 3 are excellent at explaining to you why something happened in the past.

All 3 are excellent at describing what is currently happening.

All 3 are absolutely terrible at any meaningful predictions of future events.

Consider the Reciprocal

Jerry Smith — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 03:40:28 +0000

Before you offer, unsolicited, a belief on to an unsuspecting person. Regardless of intentions, consider the reciprocal. What if they hold an opposing belief and were to offer it to you? And honestly, even if you wouldn’t mind, just don’t do it. If they’re interested they’ll come to it on their own in their ownContinue reading

Curiosity > Intelligence

Jerry Smith — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 20:34:07 +0000

I’ve long said that my strongest (positive) trait is my curiosity. It’s actually my tagline on LinkedIn. Here’s a cool article that explains it much more eloquently than I ever could.

Thoughts on CRT Bans

Jerry Smith — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 18:49:19 +0000

I live in Alabama, yes, feel my pain. Our state recently joined some other moronic states in banning the teaching of Critical Race Theory. First of all, most red states don’t have original ideas, they look around for an example of something stupid, hateful, wasteful (they love blowing treasury on legal proceedings) and pointless. Alabama is no different. Regardless, I don’t blame the politicians. I always say you get the politicians you deserve. Most of Alabama’s electorate are selfish, hateful and fearful of anything that doesn’t look or sound like themselves. Well that’s what the politicians will reflect. A politician has no beliefs other than 1. enriching themselves and friends and 2. getting re-elected. Full stop. Now back to the CRT bans, these states are so stupid that they are verifying the validity of CRT by banning it. When you ban the ability to talk about something, that is the same thing as holding it up and saying “this is true.” I hate this state and all others like it. The day I can leave, I will and I won’t be back.

One True Sentence #13

Jerry Smith — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 00:13:05 +0000

Cooperation is what gave rise to humans and the lack of it hastens our downfall.

One True Sentence #12

Jerry Smith — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 19:07:55 +0000

No, is a complete sentence.

Is Being Broke a Requirement for Work Ethic?

Jerry Smith — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 22:41:31 +0000

I recently saw a post by someone I went to High School with. We’re not friends, just acquaintances. He’s on the opposite of the political spectrum as I but doesn’t really post anything political or he’d have been out of my feed by now. I digress, he posted something that got me thinking. It was about his first job in 1989-90ish, being paid $3.35/hr and learning how to smoke/roast different meats at a local restaurant. It was a pretty benign post, more about good memories and learning how to cook but he tied in the whole, learning to work hard, work ethic and making low wages was key to appreciating what he has now. Most of the responses were in the “hell yeah brother, I worked for 9 cents a week and I appreciate that shit” type stuff.

He’s a couple years older than me but I too started at 3.35/hr at a busy McDonald’s in my hometown. Like BUSY. I only lasted about 3 months before I moved down the street to Hardee’s where I earned the same wage at a restaurant that did 1/10th the business. Am I worse off for doing that? Given that there were no benefits to be had at either job and I wouldn’t have known what a ‘benefit’ was at 16 it seems like I’m smarter to have made the move. I have fond memories, but it was because of working with my friends and the new friends I made, some of which I’m still in contact with 25+ years later.

The question is, instead of thumping our chests and recounting with pride being paid starvation wages, why isn’t the response more akin to “I’m sorry you went through that, I wished they had paid you a better wage”? Chris Rock said it best when he said “Minimum wage means if I could pay you less I would.”

I like to think my work ethic is instilled in me as a person and exists regardless of my wage either good or bad. How do you act when the manager is around vs when they aren’t.

In fact, if that restaurant would have paid him $5/hr would he have worked harder? Been more loyal? Do I work differently at 46 making upper middle class wages than I did at 3.35? Not really, I’m still the same person.

I don’t have any resolution or grand insights, I just wanted to throw this out there. Any thoughts let me know.

One True Sentence #11

Jerry Smith — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 02:09:35 +0000

Before you get sucked into the vortex of defensiveness and anger, ask one question: Does this matter?

One True Sentence #10

Jerry Smith — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 02:38:18 +0000

The math is that every awful and beautiful thing that has happened in America happened in the South first.**

**In this instance these aren’t my words, I was just moved by them. Author is ZZ Packer.

One True Sentence #9

Jerry Smith — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 13:53:02 +0000

We tend to get what we ask for, be sure it’s what you want.