Unpopular opinions you have

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by polak

National pride is an amazing thing cause it unites the country. I think more moments like 2010 would only lead to good things for this country.

See, I don't get this at all. Any perceptible, national benefit achieved in Vancouver because of the Olympics was entirely superficial, and without any sort of tangible value beyond temporary feelings of national solidarity and good will.

Do you mean to honestly claim that you are somehow better off because of the performance of athletes who happen to share your citizenship in a sports tournament? I challenge you to demonstrate how.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

See, I don't get this at all. Any perceptible, national benefit achieved in Vancouver because of the Olympics was entirely superficial, and without any sort of tangible value beyond temporary feelings of national solidarity and good will.

Do you mean to honestly claim that you are somehow better off because of the performance of athletes who happen to share your citizenship in a sports tournament? I challenge you to demonstrate how.

I never said there was any tangible benefit that you can quantify.

But it was the first or second time in my life where I was geniunely proud to be Canadian and I'm sure I'm not alone. I think that should count for something.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by polak

I think they don't care, because we suck.

I honestly think if Canada all of the sudden became a power in Soccer or Tennis or whatever it maybe, then you would see them care. Those two sports are perfect examples because they're sports that matter on the international stage outside of the Olympics as well.

Maybe, but the process would take forever. You would need to divert people to those sports and build up development leagues similar to hockey and then practice elsewhere in the world when winter comes around. I don't think hockey will be usurped and people only have so much time to dedicate to sports.

Originally Posted by polak

I never said there was any tangible benefit that you can quantify.

But it was the first or second time in my life where I was geniunely proud to be Canadian and I'm sure I'm not alone. I think that should count for something.

Interesting, I always am proud to be Canadian when I travel abroad, not in a Canada is the best, but more so I appreciate it everytime I leave and come back. Especially when I travel to midwestern and southern US.

Also, I don't think it counts enough for a multi-million dollar investment.

[AR_Six]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

See, I don't get this at all. Any perceptible, national benefit achieved in Vancouver because of the Olympics was entirely superficial, and without any sort of tangible value beyond temporary feelings of national solidarity and good will.

I would say that there was plenty of tangible value to the Vancouver Olympics, but it was the result of the Olympics actually being IN CANADA, not the result of our athletes performing well.

Anyway if it's me I say investing in soccer is probably worthwhile at the youth level. But we're just never going to be a contender at it. If kids can't play something year-round there isn't going to be the development necessary to get a really strong national program going. It's like hockey in the Southern states.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by polak

I think they don't care, because we suck.

I honestly think if Canada all of the sudden became a power in Soccer or Tennis or whatever it maybe, then you would see them care. Those two sports are perfect examples because they're sports that matter on the international stage outside of the Olympics as well.

No. We. Don't.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

This is not really what I was getting at. I agree, we absolutely and collectively know more now than at any point in history. My point was more along the lines that because of the knowledge explosion people are necessarily directed into increasing specialisation. My hypothesis is that people generally think that they know more than they actually do about almost any given topic, and this in large part a consequence of the depth of knowledge we tend to possess in a narrow topic.

Did you read the rest of what I wrote above?

I'm saying that people spouting off opinions about things they really don't have the depth of knowledge probably isn't relevant in reference to having expertise in a single topic. Dumb people always have opinions about things and think they are smarter than they are (insert Dunning-Kruger reference here).

You also did imply that there was an overall knowledge reduction (at least that is how I interperated your point on the reduction generalism).

[polak]

Originally Posted by fotze

I think the title "Supply Chain Management" is one of the worst examples of generic meaningless management dickspeak. The person who came up with it was undoubtedly an a-hole.

How so?
Its a term that covers quite a large range of occupations but it still makes sense... You could call it Operations Management but then people often think it's mainly just the Manufacturing and the Material Handling side of the business which it isn't. It also covers Procurement and Logistics and thus, covers the whole supply chain of a company... hence the term "Supply Chain Management".

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by polak

How so?
Its a term that covers quite a large range of occupations but it still makes sense... You could call it Operations Management but then people often think it's mainly just the Manufacturing and the Material Handling side of the business which it isn't. It also covers Procurement and Logistics and thus, covers the whole supply chain of a company... hence the term "Supply Chain Management".

It covers such a wide range of occupations, it is almost useless. Also, I think that marketing can be a good career if that is what you are into, not everyone can handle working on Finance, Supply Chain, or Accounting.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by fotze

I think the title "Supply Chain Management" is one of the worst examples of generic meaningless management dickspeak. The person who came up with it was undoubtedly an a-hole.

But if you take it to the next level you can leverage your position in the market to increase brand recognition, while picking the low hanging fruit for some quick wins.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by AR_Six

Dude Richmond is TERRIBLE. I have family that lives there, including my Dad. It's the most suburban suburb ever. I mean it's better than Ladner or whatever but it's near the bottom of the GVRD list. If you want to claim a spot, claim the North Shore.

As for the tsunami, here is a map.

Spoiler!

See that big mass of land to the west of Richmond? That's Vancouver Island. It would take a hell of a tsunami to get past that sucker.

Blah what do you know? you are a canuck fan and prob not asian. Hmm the last 3 times i've been to vancouver not for a comic convention, I never even went to vancouver. Airport to richmond and stayed there for the rest of the time until we went to the best sushi place in Burnaby.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Bonded

It covers such a wide range of occupations, it is almost useless. Also, I think that marketing can be a good career if that is what you are into, not everyone can handle working on Finance, Supply Chain, or Accounting.

Well you could say the same thing for a number of labels placed on fields of study, marketing for instance covers a ton of things as does finance.

A related unpopular opinion, at least in some circles, not everyone should be encouraged to attend university.

[FFR]

Originally Posted by AR_Six

Over my past 10 flights I think 6 have been Westjet and 4 Air Canada. On that track record at this point if I can get the flight for about the same price on both, I'm flying Air Canada. I like the planes much better. That said, I disagree on the Westjet employees; in terms of service in my experience they trounce AC.

The reason I dislike their employees is that they think they are awesome and don't need to do anything to provide good service. It is "is" with West Jet. On my (almost 2 hour late) flight home from Edmonton yesterday (being 2 hours late on a 30 minute flight is outstanding in it's own right) the VP of marketing was on the plane and got up - made a small remark about being sorry about the tardiness and advised us all that WestJet has the best employees in the industry and could we all give them a round of applause. Seriously? Arrogance through and through.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Bonded

It covers such a wide range of occupations, it is almost useless. Also, I think that marketing can be a good career if that is what you are into, not everyone can handle working on Finance, Supply Chain, or Accounting.

As a degree or as a term?
As a degree it's awesome because having one opens more doors then probably any type of degree. As a term I do agree it's kind of stupid and I see how people get confused. It's meant to be a very high level management term so naming say, the purchasing department "SCM", is dumb in my mind.

As for Marketing I think it can be okay and it also covers a wide range of occupations, however most students I know that took marketing are not working in a marketing position or are working for pennies doing basic sales or market reserch jobs. Nothing wrong with those jobs but the bad thing is that the majority I know expected something far different.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by valo403

Well you could say the same thing for a number of labels placed on fields of study, marketing for instance covers a ton of things as does finance.

A related unpopular opinion, at least in some circles, not everyone should be encouraged to attend university.

Very true.

I agree, some people should not go to university, it is a waste of their time and money. I think schools need to do a way better job of telling students the careers they can get with degrees and what options they have in much more depth in high school.

Also, I think schools should severely restrict access to degrees that are not competitive in the job market, leave them for the people who are actually passionate about them and direct the people who just want to go to Uni to get a degree towards something that will get them hired.

[polak]

Originally Posted by valo403

A related unpopular opinion, at least in some circles, not everyone should be encouraged to attend university.

I agree with this.
Infact, I regret getting a degree. I really wish I went into a trade instead.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by polak

As a degree or as a term?
As a degree it's awesome because having one opens more doors then probably any type of degree. As a term I do agree it's kind of stupid and I see how people get confused. It's meant to be very high level management term so naming say, the purchasing department, "SCM" is dumb, in my mind.

As for Marketing I think it can be okay and it also covers a wide range of occupations, however most students I know that took marketing are not working in a marketing position or are working for pennies doing basic sales or market reserch jobs. Nothing wrong with those jobs but the bad thing is that the majority I know expected something far different.

I meant more as a term, I am technically under the auspices of a supply chain job, but at the same time am really not. I need to get things from point a to b efficiently, but I do no make my money off the logistics.

That is true, I think marketing is a slow burning career and once you can break into a good role than it is a great career, kind of like advertising.

What degree did you get, if you don't mind me asking?

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

See, I don't get this at all. Any perceptible, national benefit achieved in Vancouver because of the Olympics was entirely superficial, and without any sort of tangible value beyond temporary feelings of national solidarity and good will.

Do you mean to honestly claim that you are somehow better off because of the performance of athletes who happen to share your citizenship in a sports tournament? I challenge you to demonstrate how.

I actually suspended my strong dislike of Roberto Luongo during the Olympics and cheered for him. After the Olympics I went back to hating him and laughing at him.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Gotta be more specific about university. Specifically, anyone who goes to school for sociology is effectively admitting they're going to end up in retail their entire lives, they just want to say they have a degree too.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Bonded

I meant more as a term, I am technically under the auspices of a supply chain job, but at the same time am really not. I need to get things from point a to b efficiently, but I do no make my money off the logistics.

That is true, I think marketing is a slow burning career and once you can break into a good role than it is a great career, kind of like advertising.

What degree did you get, if you don't mind me asking?

Supply Chain Management

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by FFR

The reason I dislike their employees is that they think they are awesome and don't need to do anything to provide good service. It is "is" with West Jet. On my (almost 2 hour late) flight home from Edmonton yesterday (being 2 hours late on a 30 minute flight is outstanding in it's own right) the VP of marketing was on the plane and got up - made a small remark about being sorry about the tardiness and advised us all that WestJet has the best employees in the industry and could we all give them a round of applause. Seriously? Arrogance through and through.

There are definitely some important things that Westjet doesn't do well.

My last two flights to the US started on a Canadian carrier and ended on a US carrier. The last one was a westjet flight connecting to a delta flight, purchased on a single ticket. I couldn't check in online because of the codeshare, so I had to stand in a check in line. I couldn't check my bags through because of the codeshare, so I had to pick them up in the US, and have Delta recheck them, and then go through security again. I couldn't select seats in advance even if I wanted to pay the fee, because it was a codeshare.

My Air Canada flight connected to a United flight. I checked in online, selected seats in advance, and printed my own baggage tags. I never talked to an Air Canada employee the whole time except when I was getting a beverage on the plane.

The westjet employees were all very friendly, but I spent a huge amount of extra time talking to them and stress (worrying about having time to do 3-4 things durign a connection) because of general systems incompetence.

So my unpopular opinion (for a Calgarian) is that I fly Air Canada whenever possible. That was my first westjet flight in years and it didn't inspire me to go back.