Currently studying CS and some other stuff. Best known for previously being top 50 (OCE) in LoL, expert RoN modder, and creator of RoN:EE’s community patch (CBP).

(header photo by Brian Maffitt)

  • 1.35K Posts
  • 1.16K Comments
Joined 2 years ago
Cake day: June 17th, 2023
  • MHLoppy@fedia.ioOPtoAustralia•Why AUKUS remains the right strategy for the future defence of Australia
    7·
    4 days ago

    I really like how this series has discussed / explored some diametrically opposed ideas.

    Personally I’ve found the arguments here about the need to defend trade routes and undersea cables compelling, but that also doesn’t seem to necessarily conflict with one the previous author’s suggestions for a larger number of smaller and less expensive, less vulnerable vessels (and they specifically advocated for uncrewed ones) instead of 3 nuclear subs.

  • MHLoppy@fedia.ioOPtoAustralia•Friday essay: ‘War has made me a pacifist’. Why are we so reluctant to acknowledge Australia’s anti-war veterans?
    4·
    5 days ago

    If you had read the article before commenting, you would see that it’s not about a blanket no-war-ever-at-all sentiment (though of course per the quote there is some pure pacifism). As examples:

    However, Throssell’s anti-war views, derived from his firsthand knowledge of war and its consequences, were largely ignored.

    This pattern repeats across Australian history, from the first world war to the War on Terror. In every war, there have been a number of soldiers and veterans who turned against it, Some became pacifists, while others acknowledged the necessity of war in rare instances. They drew on their war experience to caution restraint, urging war-makers to reflect on Australian values and interests before committing Australian lives overseas. (emphasis added)

    Several International Brigade veterans went on to serve in the second world war, to continue their anti-fascist effort. Jim McNeil enlisted at the outbreak of war, just nine months after returning wounded from Spain. He and others like him “just hated fascism and wanted to fight it”, he explained.

    These stories show not all radical veterans became pacifists. Some recognised the necessity of countering the extreme threat fascism posed to Australia, at home and abroad. (emphasis added)

    In each of these cases, the protesting veterans were explicit that their opposition to war was about protecting Australian interests and values. Mansie, for instance, argued the Iraq War would “incite terrorism” and endanger Australians, something security experts agree was a lasting consequence of the War on Terror.

    He also argued involvement in an illegal war was not in “the fighting spirit of our nation and its defence force personnel”. Like those volunteers on the International Brigades in the 1930s, Mansie invoked the Anzac legend to support his position, framing Australian warfare as defending fairness and righteous causes. (emphasis added)

  • MHLoppy@fedia.iotoHardware@lemmy.world•Intel to announce a 20% workforce cut this week: Report
    2·
    5 days ago

    A couple of interesting (but opinionated and subjective) takes on Intel in general from a 7 month old Intel retiree’s post:

    Person 1:

    Another Intel retiree here! 28 years and like many, I was fortunate to qualify for enhanced retirement and took some time to reflect. My years at Intel revealed how its environment often hindered my growth and happiness. Frequent reorgs, toxic engineering managers, office politics, and long, draining night meetings took a toll. I’m excited to now focus on goals that truly align with my passions. Intel, for me, was always more of a means to an end—a stable place to raise a family. I met my husband, got married, and raised our daughter during my time here, and for that, I’m grateful. But it was always just a job, never a source of inspiration or purpose. While I’ve had the privilege of working with remarkable people, the workplace has dramatically shifted. I witnessed many changes, starting under Andy Grove the company was entirely different, but the culture has rotted drastically under Pat. There’s been a loss of transparency, motivation, and respect, largely due to executive leadership. Too many layers of toxic managers are building fiefdoms, stifling innovation and progress. I remember a 2022 meeting with Gordon Moore where he told Pat, “Don’t screw it up.” Sadly, his advice seems to have been ignored. Program managers like me have often been overlooked, and undermined. Pat’s comment calling us “checkers” was unfortunate and misinformed. PMs are the glue that holds projects together, but we’ve been undervalued for many years. I’ve seen firsthand how this lack of support has slowed progress and caused missed opportunities across Intel.

    Person 2:

    As a long term Intel engineer, I disagree that “program managers are the glue that holds projects together”. I’ve seen one or two that actually helped, but most were just pushing powerpoint slides and excel spreadsheets and hammering developers without ever offering to help or find resources to help.

    I was a victim of the 2016 purge (Columbia, SC site closure was one result) thanks to BK (forced to choose between family and Intel–I chose family and glad I did), returning two years ago. I think Pat’s doing a pretty good job despite being handed a mess due to decades of mismanagement.

    Re program managers, during my exile from Intel I saw very effective program managers at other companies. Not so much at Intel.

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