Dangerous Jobs: Professional Hockey Player or Soldier

The Florida Panther's player Krys Barch was asked on his opinion about the NHL's efforts to reduce collisions and head injuries.  His response was pretty rough.

To paraphrase, he thinks it is okay for professional hockey players to deal with the dangers of the game, such as concusions.  He claims its a dangerous was to make a living, but it is a way to make a living.  Barch refers to the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan and how they are not getting compensated as much as them and are risking it all.

Barch makes some good points.  These soldiers are risking a lot for our country and for the world's peace.  However, I do stand by the NHL's moves to make the game safer to play.  It is enjoyable to watch big hits, but watching guys getting paralyzed isn't really all that cool too.

In the NFL, there is a lot of pressure to do something about the head injuries coming from retired and not-so-retired players where the neglegence and profit made from the sacrifice of these players' bodies is getting rediculous.  Another arguement in this case, is that even children in elementary school are getting concusions through football.  Just recently, there was a study conducted that linked impacts of pop-warner aged kids to those in College games.  For a mind and body that is still growing and learning, these type of injuries are quite alarming.

Science and the billions of dollars that go to these games should help make it safer to enjoy and play at all levels.

Epic Cover letter as Retribution?

The Hoops they make us jump through!

I am sure you might have heard of that epic Cover letter that several of the big wallstreet banks recieved in the last couple months from the NYU student.

I understand what this guy is feeling.  As a fellow student in college, I have applied to 23 internships since December.  I have been denied by two, and have been processed by at least 2 others.

We are applying to so many companies, with the process supposed to show off our skills, talent, personality, and what makes us unique.  Through the process of applying, its completely automated, with logins, online forms, and immediate email confirmations.  It is not very personal and almost dispectiful in the lack of human contact, for a very real position.

Just the other day, I was applying to this popular paper manufacturer.  It had the typical long forms to place my address, phone, work history, education history, and stuff alike it.  Then at the bottom, they wanted four (4) references to contact.

I was not going to bother 4 references when I have yet to hear from them.  Coming from a smaller school and only a Junior, I think I only have 4 references that would be avialable.  I was not going to waste their time if I have yet to know that a human has put eyes on my name, let alone my application.

Reading all of the loops that these candiditas have to jump through is pretty rediculous.  I can see how he might be ready to play the extreme route.