Newsgroups: bit.listserv.csg-l
Date:         Mon, 17 Aug 1992 23:48:00 GMT
From:         Dag Forssell <0004742580@MCIMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Dist, Jobs
X-To:         csg <CSG-L@vmd.cso.uiuc.edu>

[From Dag Forssell (920817)]

Bill Powers (920817.1130)

>"Disturbance" is an ambiguous term; it can refer either to the variable
>that is causing the disturbance (wind velocity, bump in the road) or to
>the effect that the disturbance has (change in direction of the car's
>motion). Just lately I'm experimenting with using "independent variable"
>to mean the CAUSES of disturbances, and "disturbance" to mean the
>effect, if any.

Your experiment creates an error signal here. I will grant you that
everything is variable, but we have been using the term variable to
signify that feature of the environment that we want to control. We talk
about the VARIABLE plain and simple. If everything is going to vary, let
us come up with a different name.

May I suggest:

                      Reference
                          |
                          v
        -------------> Compare ---------------------
        |                                           |
        |                                           v
      Input                                      Output
   (Perception)                               (Instruction)
        ^                                           |
        |                                           v
        |                                     (CS) ACTION
        |                                           |
        |                                           v
        |                                   CS ACTION INFLUENCE
        |                                  (Influence depends on
        |                                "loose or tight coupling,"
        |                                   -worn linkage, etc
        |
        |              VARIABLE                     |
         -------   Physical equivalent  <------------------->OTHER
                   to reference signal                   CONSEQUENCES
                           ^
                           |
               DISTURBING ACTION INFLUENCE
                (Influence depends on
                loose or tight coupling)
                           ^
                           |
                   DISTURBING ACTION
                air blast, bulldozer etc

The "influences" shown here are only shown as arrows in our graphs, but
do often figure prominently in the verbal descriptions. It may not be
obvious to all that it is the arrows that are being described sometimes.

_______________________________________________________________________
Tom Bourbon  (920817)

Where does security come from? Is it the art of staying with your ship,
(even if it may sink)? Is security knowing how to swim to a new ship?

Tom, have you been swimming any in the last 20+ years? How do you teach
Tom to swim? Throw him into the water.

These may not be good times to look for work, but there are some timeless
principles to guide you. The principles are to be found in a sometimes
misunderstood systems concept called PCT.

Seriosly, looking for work is hard work. There are many books catering
to your sense of panic. Some of them are good, but overwhelming in the
application. I am thinking of Richard Nelson Bolles' perennial
"Parachute," which should be thought of as a reference only (a good one
at that).

Presuming that industrial experience can be translated to whatever market
you approach, I would heartily recommend:

1) "Executive Jobs Unlimited" by Carl R. Boll. Macmillan 1979.
   Order it, read and see how the suggested activity fishes for open
   error signals (which you can satisfy) in the people you contact.

2) When you do make a contact, don't blow it by putting yourself down.
   Get "Sweaty Palms; The neglected art of being interviewed" by
   H. Anthony Medley.

You are embarking on a great marketing adventure. Make the most of it.
It can be fun. Knowing that you can do it gives a strong sense of
security.

When you post version one, two ..... seven, you will get feedback.

Wishing you all the best,        Dag
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