Author Archives: sinyaw

三國(2): 官渡之戰

聽完過五關宰六將,真是過癮. 劉備三兄弟終於團圓,又得趙雲. 評書人,袁闊城,話頭一轉,說起曹操破袁紹. 官渡之戰是最精彩的一段,曹操以近十分之一的兵力,隔水對抗袁紹. 對壘多時後,他夜襲烏巢,把袁紹的糧燒了. 袁紹想稱機拿官渡,但不料曹操烏巢的兵大勝而回,反而首尾受敵. 結果十萬大兵,只剩800人退回黎陽. 這一戰,奠定了曹操的地位,也毀了袁紹. 小時看三國,只想諸葛亮打勝仗. 一面看一面氣,為什麼又輸了. 現在的角度不同了,官渡之戰的關鍵,是許攸倒戈,他有烏巢的資訊,曹操因此出兵夜襲. 而許攸倒戈,是因為袁紹沒有管理能力. 歷史雖以成敗論英雄,但是袁曹的人格及管理能力,在這官渡之戰呈現無疑. 從管理的角度看,官渡是雙方的”決定性時機”. 但袁紹以為可以用兵力致勝,而掉以輕心,留下了烏巢這弱點. 曹操要以少致勝,必然想出奇.袁紹低估了對方. 但曹操的膽識,必須佩服. 敢以十分之一兵力對敵,也有”執行能力”,信任許攸,打下烏巢. 這是得霸業的能力,不是運氣.

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How Medicinal?

Two years in a row since I arrived, Myrtle Beach hosted Seattle Hempfest: a celebration for Marijuana or “the world’s largest marijuana decriminalization gathering.” This year, the envelope was, again, pushed a bit further. Jonathan Martin of Seattle Times reported: … Continue reading

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Directorship

My first real director job was at Sun Microsystems. (Although I obtained even more impressive titles earlier.) Soon after I got the job, they sent me to the director school: a 2-session, multi-day, off-site, too much food class called “Take … Continue reading

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It is over. Finally!

Honestly, by Book #7, I was not anticipating its release. J.K. Rowling wrote lengthier and darker as Harry Potter saga continued. The books became adult-level effort with teenager level enjoyment. But I am the guy who read all six of … Continue reading

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The Solution to the US Economy: Science

The USA headquarters 133 of the biggest 500 companies in the world, followed by Japan 68, and China 61. There are many reasons these countries did well in the arena of economy, for the US it is about innovation. The … Continue reading

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Alki Beach

The Denny Party, the original settlers of Seattle, chose Alki first. After one winter, they decided to go inland to avoid the fierce pounding of winter storms. Where they settled later became Seattle. On clear days, Seattleites flock to this … Continue reading

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Pay back time will come

Let’s put some data on the table: US Annualized GDP: 15.0 trillion Current debt ceiling: 14.3 trillion Current US debts: 14.3 trillion (yep, at the ceiling) US Federal spending: 3.6 trillion Federal tax revenue: 2.2 trillion US Federal deficit: 1.4 … Continue reading

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Non-Myths of Programming

The July, 2011, issue of CACM has this interesting article on the Non-Myths of Programming. If you are a member, don’t skip. Both kids study science and engineering, neither of them ventured into software or computer. I have curiously inquired … Continue reading

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Borders no more

Sad, Borders is closing doors. This is inevitable as brick-and-mortar bookstores, as well as all traditional media distributors, are giving ways to Internet. Although I have largely converted to Kindle, I assumed that close-out sales will be great bargains. On … Continue reading

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Seattle Grace Hospital

I have been a loyal fan for Grey’s Anatomy since they aired 8 (?) years ago. This medical drama is set in Seattle. Like the boat house in Sleepless in Seattle, I wondered if the famed Seattle Grace Hospital, where … Continue reading

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