Technology,
Video games,
Game programming,
Game design,
3D graphics programming
( 1 ,
2 ),
Software development,
Design & Usability,
Artificial Intelligence ,
Game theory,
Science ,
Basketball,
Chess ,
Theoretical physics,
Music Composition ,
Philosophy,
Video game music,
Transformers,
Inspirational Quotes ,
Lamborghinis,
Business,
Entrepreneurship,
Independance,
Financial Independance ,
Learning,
Growing,
Isaac (my son).
Personal:
People into video games & technology, at least those who can tolerate it!
I relate to: People who are positive, open-minded, productive, inspirational, etc. People who can admit they are wrong.People who are non-judgmental. People who sacrifice the unimportant for the important. People who do not give up.People who can think outside the box. People who respect other people's worlds. We are so deterministic by nature, ittruly impresses me when someone can make major positive changes in their life.
I do not relate to: People who are negative and dramatic. People who are unable to make change. People who are ignorantand closed-minded. People who have no dreams. People who believe success is a matter of luck. Most of all, I do notrelate to people who don't try.
I hate guilt trips and persuasion. They are weak attempts at control and obligation.
Relationship:
Someone independant. Someone who does not need me. It would be nice to meet someone pursuing their dreams, as I would(really) relate to it.
(Also read both "Personal" sections above!)
Business:
Technology-based authors. Please read " Interested in Writing Tech. ArticlesFor Xona.com? " for more info. Our site will not be big anytime soon, as "Project X" is our main concern. However,it is our intention to concentrate on Xona.com indefinitely. You could become a majorpart of our web presence.
Legend of Silpheed , Moonlight Sonata, Fur Elise, Second Reality , Yuzo Koshiro, Imphenzia .
Think and Grow Rich (Napoleon Hill) :
- The most amazing (personal development) book I've ever read. It explains similarities in the mindsets of some of the most (financially) successful people in the world. Then, it helps you to achieve the same mindset. It teaches you how to be successful, not just financially successful. An alternate, more appropriate, title would be, "Think and Accomplish Anything". The book has little to do with money. I bought this book for a friend who was trying to get fit, and I wish he actually read and followed its advice and direction.
Rich Dad Poor Dad (Robert T. Kiyosaki) :
- It's about a child who has two dads, who both have different outlooks on money, careers, and success. Very interesting. I love the contrast. It's up to you to decide which is best.
People incorrectly sense greed in a person who chooses to expand their financial intelligence. Let me explain: Increasing your financial intelligence increases the efficiency of your money and the efficiency of your efforts to make money. It doesn't mean you are trying to make money at all costs. You can still do what you love and be financially intelligent. Increasing your financial intelligence is not wanting something for nothing; it is not greed. Furthermore, being financially ignorant does not coincide with selflessness. In fact, it is the opposite. People who are bad with money are usually the most greedy, because they do not understand what money is and how money works. (Money is an inexact medium of exchange.) Striving for efficiency is not wanting something for nothing. People enjoy justifying their own mediocrity by believing success in anything (especially wealth) can only be obtained through greed and luck.
If you choose to expand your financial intelligence, the best advice I can give (besides reading this book) is to only take financial advice from those who have achieved (and those who are putting great effort into achieving) substantial wealth on their own. And do not sacrafice your passions in efforts to "get rich". You will never become financially successful via a trade you do not love.
Although I am far from my goal of financial independence, I have noticed a striking change in my outlook on material things as my financial intelligence has grown. Most notably, I am more appreciative of why things cost as much as they cost. Instead of falling into some sort of financial depression that the majority of people who cannot control their money seem to have, I respect the cost of creation. I respect the efforts required to make products. I also understand that buying cheap is wasting more money in the long run. It has taken some time, and I still have a long way to go, but I have shed a lot of my "poor mentality", for the better. This has affected my life by allowing me to easier purchase things that matter (for me it's things like computers, software, my office, etc.) which increases my productivity in my efforts to acheive my goals. Now, If I need something, I respect that it is worth what it costs. If I really need it, it's worth more than it costs
(Keep in mind that, at the time of this writing, I not only have a negative net worth but have had a negative net worth for over ten years. So I am not ignorant towards the average person's financial problems due any type of "wealth"; It is quite the opposite. I relate to money problems more than most who know me would assume.)
This is how I see it: The rich man wants it, obtains education to get it, then puts forth intelligent effort and achieves it. The poor man wants it, chooses to remain uneducated, puts forth unintelligent effort (or no effort at all) and does not achieve it. They both believe they deserve it. So, who is greedier? It reminds me of, and perhaps is a derivative of, this amazing quote:
"The great difference between those who succeed and those who fail does not consist in the amount of work done by each but in the amount of intelligent work." - Og Mandino
Insult to Intelligence (Frank Smith) :
- It explains how the education system ignores the natural method in which children learn. School teaches children that learning is difficult and boring, when learning is actually our brain's primary function. Also, I love that it gives credit to the children for the learning they accomplish, not to egotistic parents, teachers, and institutions. (Parents, teachers, and schools should only take credit in that they have provided the environment in which allows the child to learn on his/her own. The only job of a parent is to provide your children with the best environment possible. It is not about teaching, it is about allowing learning to take place.) Children are so highly underrated. If you are a parent, you owe it to your children to read this book. If you are a teacher, you should want to learn how children learn, or do us all a favor and quit your job, please. Also, if you are simply interested in the way humans learn, you will want to read this book. I cannot say enough. This book is amazing.
Developing Talent in Young People (Benjamin Bloom) :
- Another great book for parents, teachers, and students.
None. But, I respect many: John Carmack, John Romero, Shigeru Miyamoto, Sid Meier, Yuzo Koshiro, Tommy Tallarico, etc...