Endless Paradigm

Because, if i used anything that was in my head right now, it would sound corny as hell.

So what's up everybody, yes, it's the return of the university-talking-snob, unfortunately. I promise you guys all of this talk will die down once I actually get into my major because all the ambiguity of what i want to do will finally solve itself. For now though, I'm going to write about my experience in trying to decide on what to do.

First things first, my dream or goal in life was to make an artificial intelligence; AI (android), of course, this seems rather corny and too much for expecting out of life. Anyway, I've been looking at cognitive systems offered at my university and it seems like it's on the right track on trying to achieve such a goal.

Or is it? I mean, my idea is to combine a synthetic approach to robotic engineering, to somehow make a cyborg. This isn't easy however, because you need to analyze not only the philosophical and linguistically-oriented parts of learning, but also how they function in the body and what controls it. This is no easy task, because you have to not only understand how wee learn things but also apply it to a manufactured organism/machine.

Where am I going with this? It's a lot of friggin work and who's to say it will pay well? I may be interested in it but if I don't get any funding to do my research, then of course this entire talk will be of waste.

So what's important is that I need a paying job and I want to do something that is rather, ridiculous-sounding at this point in my life. I'm also forgetting the fact that I haven't even begun to even touch into the manufactures of computer programming and design of anything complicated (I'm a first year going on to second, you can't expect anything out of that yet).

I mean, a boast is a boast and unfortunately I don't even think I have a set way of doing this. What do I need? Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics? Will I get paid for whatever the hell I do?

Obviously, I'm confused as hell at this stage and contemplating on achieving a realistic job or an absurd dream under a deadline of a week, is, annoying.

Anyway...I plan to take something at least, I'm leaning towards a combined major in computer science with another select science or cognitive systems. Both of which, require me to take first year computer science (because I've done general sciences, biology, phys, and chem; good job on nothing thinking this through being an idiot :/ )

It's just stressing, I need to make money or I won't be able to do anything or help anyone; oh well, i guess there was a pioneer for everything. I can understand that others have done all of this without the chains of being attached to a university or the need for money, but in todays world; there may be much information out there that i can start with so i can at least push the frontier, which, is why i believe this will come through my university-time as a student.

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Oh yeah, just to make myself look bad so i don't look too snobby, i got raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaped in organic chemistry :P.

Tetris999 Wrote: [ -> ]It's a lot of friggin work and who's to say it will pay well?

That's the big question... I don't know much about the field though so maybe you should speak to some of the Profs. there to get some advice.

Would you take a risk at following your dream or stay safe by not?

Senseito7 Wrote: [ -> ]Would you take a risk at following your dream or stay safe by not?

I think the most important thing is not the fact I'm clinging on staying financially safe, but the fact that I have this education of my parents and past families work. Obviously, I'm not the one paying the bills and if I just go to waste the effort that has been put into my education (something that not everyone's families can afford), it would make it seem rather silly to not uphold the financial status of future generations.

I mean, there could be others wishing to be in my position to make money to help their family; why should I waste something I've been blessed with?

If I got here with my own hard work, I probably wouldn't care and go for that dream; but it isn't that.

Anyway, I do have confidence that this dream can at least have some practicality to it to warrant some pay and if all else fails, i can make money with a computer science degree :/

Tetris999 Wrote: [ -> ]Anyway, I do have confidence that this dream can at least have some practicality to it to warrant some pay and if all else fails, i can make money with a computer science degree :/

Sounds like you're relatively sure about something, then.

Tetris999 Wrote: [ -> ]

 Too bad I'll fail being a doctor, which is what my parents want unfortunately; but i've already decided i'm not cut out for the field. 

Good for you.

Senseito7 Wrote: [ -> ]

Tetris999 Wrote: [ -> ]Anyway, I do have confidence that this dream can at least have some practicality to it to warrant some pay and if all else fails, i can make money with a computer science degree :/

Sounds like you're relatively sure about something, then.

Well, I have to avoid being on an indecisive note; though i do like to think my next step through.

Hence all the crazy brainstorming here.

I thought I was good at Organic chemistry. My final exams marks said otherwise though.

To be honest I really don't know what to say about what ive just read that will raise your spirits.

I suppose you got to do what you want to do in life. If its making an AI then find away to do it man.

Although it does seem like you worry about the same things I do. I worry about my future job and what it will be. I think about what im studying and wonder where it will take me.


Just got to keep pushing forward i think.

I just finished my first year of my Computer Science Degree.

My Degree Name is actually "Computer Science with Games Development (MEng)" but all 1st yeat CompSci students share a common year as groundwork for becoming more specialised experts in their field.

My modules this year were:

Programming 1
Programming 2
Quantitative Methods for Computing (basically vector maths, trigonometry and set theory)
Software Engineering and Human Computer Interaction
Information Technology and Professional Skills
Computer Systems

I got 69% in Computer Systems, and 84% in Programming 1 in Semester 1, which is a 2:1 and a First respectively.

I'm hoping to move into a field of UI Design/Programming or ideally, Games Development. This kind of job could take me anywhere, but i have also been studying Japanese by myself. For professional reasons, i love the culture and if i want a job out there some day i will NEED to know Japanese.

It was fun the first year, complete freedom. A lot of doing nothing, surprisingly... But also a lot has happened in my life and has made me more up for working hard and getting (professionally) what i want out of my life. So i can live my life happily, and comfortably with the person I love :) (That's me being soppy)

I've been searching the internet for jobs, and a lot of programming related jobs are out there, for tidy amounts of money as well. I just have to be determined and keep working hard.

A lot of subjects I wonder why people bother, but a specialised field such as Chemistry or Biology can get a very well paid job in Pharmaceuticals and other similar fields.

Just keep working hard tetris and you'll do great things :3

Sounds like you're aiming more at programming machine learning (eg neural networks), than AI in general or robotics?
Of course, as you noted, you can get a job as an academic, but you also noted this primarily depends on funding given to your research.

If so, I think the field is rather narrow for employment purposes at the moment.  AI, in general, may offer more possibilities, whether it's game AI or trying to understand what a user wants in a search query; whilst these can be done through machine learning, they probably aren't most of the time, rather, you program a certain model which the AI follows.

Find a balance. I did. I'm basically taking two courses at once, a double major. Communication arts for all that I love (film, photography, etc. . .) and Marketing management for the more business side of things. Sure it will take 5 years minimum to complete (and at a university where most courses are only 3) but I'm having fun and I'm not in a rush to graduate anyway. Hell, I even want to go back when I'm done to maybe take a course in Philosophy.

hope everything goes well for you my bretheren, and im happy you're in a situation like this, just do what you want you have lots of time in the world to decide, if making an AI robot like the movie is your dream I say take the risks and go for it.  ~ :>