背包走天涯之纽约

A Conversation with D

In the last weeks of 2006 the office was largely empty. People were enjoying their long vacation and most wouldn't be back till the new year. D and me found time to have this conversation.

W: So are you not going to apply for American citizenship?
D: I don't think so. Haha I wouldn't like my son to get drafted into the Army.
W: Yup, I heard on the news that there is a slight possibility Bush might put the draft in place to send more troops to Iraq. But the Democrats have taken over the congress and they might have something else in mind.
D punched his fists in the air in a sign of victory.
slight pause...
D: Sometimes I like to get a bit philosophical. I remember that when I first started work I was thinking about the work I was doing.
slight pause...
D: I was involved in software development but looking at the grand scheme of things, the work that I was doing was insignificant to the people in this world. I wonder how much benefits I am delivering from my work.
W: That is precisely what I am thinking at the moment. That is why I want to go into BCS when I go back to Singapore, so that I can help the people in different industries reap the benefits of IT.
D: Well, even if you are helping the banks for example, do we really need banking in the first place? After all it is something invented by Capitalism, a system which is flawed in many ways. Capitalism creates so much needs that we derive our self worth from the material things. People don't feel happy unless they drive big cars, have big houses and wear branded goods.
W: That I agree.
D: Sometimes I feel that the sales people in Gap might actually be bringing more benefits to people than me.
W: That is probably because they have people-oriented jobs. We are still delivering in indirect ways I guess.
W: Think of it this way, we may not be smart enough to do things like inventing planes and discovering a cure for AIDS and make the world a better place, but we can make a difference to those around us, like your parents or your children.
D: That reminds me. Do you remember the grouchy woman we met in the cafeteria today? I don't understand why people do that. My son, he has this innate character of trying to bring happiness to those around him. If someone gives him a sweet in school, he would ask for one more for his sister. And I don't think he is conscious of his behaviour.
D: I am not saying that my daughter is a bad person, but she doesn't have this in her. If she gets a sweet she would be happy. If she gets another she would be like "Great! Now I have two!".
W: Do you think your son would retain this character when he grows up?
D: I don't know. I certainly hope so.
slight pause...
D: Anyway why are we worrying about things that we can't control when we can be happily doing ibm widgets? Hahaha.
W: Haha, I am glad we have this conversation because now I know I am not the only one thinking about such things. I tend to think too much.

What are you working for today?

(Uploaded album "Countdown 2007")

posted by wayne @ 4:01 PM