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Al Schneider V.I.P. A corn field in WI surrounded by 1080 Posts |
Dear stoneunhinged
Thanks for the compliment. Something on my mind during this discussion is me and the closest thing I do that is a profession. Among other things I am a computer programmer. I do not think of myself that way. To me I have been searching for a job I really want to do. But I need to pay the rent and buy food. Therefore when I get a call to do some kind of programming project, I take it. This is like Whit says, you can't turn it down. For many years I thought I was just a loaf. Then I realized that I am a professional programmer. That is what I am even when I am not working. How is this relative to what we are talking about? In magic I am extremely demanding. I want to know how it works beyond the act of just finding the card. In programming, however, I am different. I program in many languages. But I don't know any of them. I learn some small subset of the language that gets the job done. Then, I only do the job to the degree that it fulfills the need for the customer. That sounds very mercenary. But that is what works. Occasionally I bump into those that dabble in computers. They often know more than me. I don't care. I get paid. The difference of my attitude between the two is staggering. One of my goals in writing this post was to share this different attitude toward programming. Right now, I don't want to even think about it. Understand this is a significant part of my life. But, right now, I would be willing to get into a discussion of magic theory. In programming I don't even see theory. Its all about getting the job done and meeting customer needs. Just fascinating. Al Schneider In case you think I am a slough in computer land, I need to brag. I have written two books in that business. One was recommended by Microsoft as a leading book to buy. It was about assembly language on IBM PC's. I also lectured at many Embedded System Conferences around the country. Just another way to make a buck. And I wrote a magazine article for one of the more popular industry mags. Thanks for reading.
Magic Al. Say it fast and it is magical.
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lynnef Inner circle 1407 Posts |
The pro v amateur question often comes up in music. On jam lists, you have to categorize yourself as whether you are 'amateur or beginner', 'intermediate', or 'pro'. The last category is important because its not about only skill level; but often a musician looking to form a gigging band. There is the aspect of getting paid; but in music, it's a common joke among even the best pros that you 'don't quit your day job'. Before Wes Montgomery became a successful recording artist, he was definitely a 'professional, playing several local gigs; but he was unable to quit his job as a milkman. He commented at the time: "I wouldn't be much of a man if all I did was play the guitar." Yet, 'jazz guitarist' was definitely a mark of identification for Wes, even early on. He wasn't a dabbler. He was thinking of how to shape his sound, and communicate to the audience something really new. Lynn
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critter Inner circle Spokane, WA 2653 Posts |
A professional is a licensed business.
"The fool is one who doesn't know what you have just found out."
~Will Rogers |
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Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
"A professional is a member of a vocation founded upon specialized educational training. Examples of professions include: medicine, law, engineering and social work. The word professional traditionally means a person who has obtained a degree in a professional field.
"The term is used more generally to denote a white collar worker, or a person who performs commercially in a field typically reserved for hobbyists or amateurs. "In western nations, such as the United States, the term commonly describes highly educated, mostly salaried workers, who enjoy considerable work autonomy, a comfortable salary, and are commonly engaged in creative and intellectually challenging work. "Less technically, it may also refer to a person having impressive competence in a particular activity. "Because of the personal and confidential nature of many professional services and thus the necessity to place a great deal of trust in them, most professionals are held up to strict ethical and moral regulations." --Wikipedia |
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