Introduction for NitroDubbz
Hello everyone. I am Nitrodubbz, the computer engineering student. You may know me from my other blog posts, such as: "my favorite place". The coolest thing about my major is how it makes companies want to hire me. Ideally if one of these companies wanted to pay me in exchange for my brainpower and hours of my life, I would just invest almost all of my income into real-estate and collect rent to supplement my income. Hopefully I move somewhere where housing is cheap, and the Federal Reserve's interest rates stay low.
I guess I'll talk about books now. I recently re-read Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. It is a pretty good book. The book is absurdist, filled with contradictions now known as Catch-22's, a term coined by the novel. These contradictions exist within the well-defined rules and command structure of the USAAF, the predecessor to the Air Force of today. The point being to highlight the weaknesses of a rigid military system, and to contrast the inherently illogical nature of war with the overly-sanitized and regulated structure of a modern military. The human element corrupts the chain of command, leading to asinine rules like the "Catch-22" of the title. The "Catch-22" being that any sane pilot must complete his remaining combat missions, and that only insane pilots are exempt from flying, at their request. But as soon as a pilot has asked not to fly he has proven himself sane, by the reasoning that self-preservation is the hallmark of a sane mind, and any sane person must fly the remainder of their missions. The book is pretty funny, it made me laugh out loud several times, which I don't think a book has ever made me do before. Harper Lee called it the only war book she ever read that "made any sense" which I assume she said before Slaughterhouse 5 was released. Both books don't really focus on "bad guys" and "good guys" in the normal way we think about war. They approach the idea of war with an emphasis on the individual, which makes the entire structure fall apart. It doesn't matter which side is victorious to a dead man.
Well that wasn't much of an introduction, but I needed something to take up space so there you have it. Until next time, Nitrodubbz is out of here.
Well, I must say, that I enjoyed the way you wrote. In particular when you explained how companies may want to pay you in exchange for your brain power. I like that unique explanation and it makes me think you have a fun way to explain the mundane. It seems you are very interested in real estate, is that something you would pursue as a side gig, getting your realtor license? Enjoyed your post, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh, Slaughterhouse-5: that is one of my favorite books, Nitro! That, plus Breakfast of Champions. Vonnegut was such a genius. Have you seen his "shapes of stories"...? Some cool ideas there too: shapes of stories. I like Catch-22 also, but Vonnegut is the one I really connect with; I'm not sure if I've read anything else by Heller, but I think I read all of Vonnegut at some point or other. And would gladly read all his books again. This this message of "It doesn't matter which side is victorious to a dead man" is exactly the theme of the Mahabharata; the Bhagavad-Gita, "Lord's Song," that Krishna shares with Arjuna before the battle begins is very much about what victory could mean, what it could really mean: Wikipedia: Gita. Not everyone was satisfied with what Krishna had to say, though. The mothers and wives of the dead soldiers in particular... Anyway, that all really resonates with some of the ideas you were thinking about for your Storybook, and I am curious to see which way you will go!
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteI will have to check out Catch 22. I have never really read books in that genre, so I at least have an open mind. However, I do love Harper Lee, and if she loved it then it has to be great. Also, the structure of "good guys" and "bad guys" is much harder in the real world because the most sides are fighting for some cause tied to an identity, so it is nice for a book to tackle that concept.
Hey Nitro! My name is Maria Cecilia Cox-Fuenzalida. I've heard awesome things about Catch-22, I've had so many friends suggest it and have actually been meaning to pick it up. Your overview of the story was awesome, and I can definitely see why you liked it so much that you went back to read it again! Engineering is a great major, and I like the way you explained your goals and things you wish to accomplish when you graduate and venture into the world of job markets!
ReplyDeleteHi Nitrodubbz! Your introduction was an absolute blast to read. I have never read Catch-22 but it sounds interesting. I really enjoy reading about or watching movies over war, so maybe I should give it a shot! My dad was in the Air Force for 8 years. He has told me many stories, but I never thought to ask about the asinine rules like Catch-22 that he might of had to follow. I can ask him next time I see him!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteShoot, I accidentally removed your comment when I tried to reply to it, but yes I'm interested in classic literature. I'm actually in the middle of The Brothers Karamazov right now and I really enjoy it, so I was actually planning on reading Crime and Punishment next. Thanks for the recommendation!
DeleteWell let me just say that I love how honest and straight forward you are in your writing. I actually laughed when you said the coolest part of your major is how it makes companies wan't to hire you. I'll be honest I've never been interested in books about war but the way you described Catch-22 by Joseph Heller made me have to check if I could order it on amazon. The idea of the book being focused on the individual instead of the battle in the framework of good vs. evil really humanizes all the death and brutality. I'm looking forward to reading your future posts, thanks for the book suggestion.
ReplyDeleteHey Nitro,
ReplyDeleteI’ve never read Catch-22, but I’ve heard about it a lot from my friends so I need to read it at some point. That’s cool that you’re a computer engineering major and also that companies want to hire you. Not many people get that opportunity, so that’s great. Also, I really want to move somewhere that is cheap as well. Hopefully somewhere that isn’t in Oklahoma. Anyway, I really enjoyed you introduction!
I like your last bit about “It doesn’t matter which side is victorious to a dead man.” To look at war, everyone points fingers and believes the other guy is the “bad guy.” I mean, we can argue that Hitler was a bad guy, and he did some awful things, but from his perspective he was the good guy. You got me over here thinking about all this now.
ReplyDeleteHey Nitro! Computer engineering sounds fascinating! I am a mechanical engineering student but I have a lot of interest in computers. I also, oddly enough, work on computers for the Air Force. I have to say that contradictions are everywhere but there certainly are many contradictions in the military. Still an awesome place to work but like all institutions it has its contradictions.
ReplyDeleteHi NitroDubbz,
ReplyDeleteI'm an engineering student too. I'm a Mechanical Engineer, though. Did you participate in Engineers' Week this week? I also read Catch-22. I appreciated the blurred lines between good guys and bad guys too. I saw in some of your stories, you tried to institute that same moral greyness too. I've found that in the real world, the "bad guys" are rarely clearly labelled, so moral ambiguity adds realism, which I enjoy.
no what is engineering week
DeleteHi NitroDubbz!
ReplyDeleteYou remind me of one of my friends a lot, especially how you used big chungus for the image and the fact you want companies to want you for your big brain power. I have not read Catch-22, but hopefully I will have time this summer to read it. Also, collecting rent in a college town wouldn't be such a bad way to make money. I currently live on campus due to my job and I know students pay out the wazoo to get housing off campus so if it was a decent rent they would definitely pay it. Computer engineering must be a cool major. I have a few friends in the major, but I usually stick with my letters and religious studies lingo, not so much engineering lingo.
Hi NitroDubbz,
ReplyDeleteDo you know of a YouTube channel called videogamedunkey? Your image reminds me of one of his videos. How did you come up with your name, if you don't mind me asking? Is it because you make English dubs of foreign shows (anime?!) or maybe you just are getting dubs all the time?
I've heard of Catch-22's and the book, but have never read it. Good to know that that's where it comes from! I'll have to pick it up sometime.
NitroDubbz is a character from MDE: World Peace
DeleteI'm not much of a reader and also not a big fan of military books or films, but your post made me intrigued in this Catch-22 book. I think investing into real estate is one of the smarted ideas, housing is always something that will only become more expensive in time, especially with how the world works these days....also....lovely Big Chungus you have there.
ReplyDeleteHey NitroDubbz, I love reading and hearing about other people's opinions on books and what they like and I will definitely have to give catch-22 a try because I have heard great things about it. I think your knowledge of what you want to do after college and your plan is awesome to know, and will definitely help you succeed in the long run because of how prepared you seem to be!
ReplyDeleteHey Notro! Your introduction sounded very smart. You sure have a way with words. I wish I was as good of a writer as you. You are a superb intellectual! I also enjoy being smart; I watch a lot of Rick and Morty. Have you heard of it? The show has such an interesting nuance that really takes a big brain to understand. Check it out man I'm sure you'll love it. Reply back to me after you watch!
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, you have to have a very high IQ to understand my posts
DeleteHi Nitro,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I assume this is not your real name and is there something to not sharing it? You seem like a very interesting person who is into the complete opposite things as I am myself! I have heard of Catch-22 but am not a huge reader so I enjoyed your summary on it. I personally would not find myself reading about such a topic but liked hearing what to expect if I were to ever. I agree with Alex above too, you way with words is eye catching!
Howdy Nitrodubbz,
ReplyDeleteYou seem like you are super interest in you major, which is always a good thing. I like your saying that companies are willing to pay for your brain power, it is an interesting outlook on the workforce. I have not read any of the books mentioned, but I might give them a shot they seem to be intriguing. It might be a bit late, but good luck on your studies!
Hi Nitrodubbz,
ReplyDeleteOk I have always meant to read Catch - 22 but I have always put it off because I did not have time. However, your post made me really want to go out and get the book and read it right now. I have heard so many great things about the book so you confirm this in your intro. In regards to your major and future, I hope you get the dream job you want!
Hi hi Nitrodubbz,,
ReplyDeleteI finished reading your introduction, and I just wanted to say that my name is Mabel, and it rhymes with table,
and it also rhymes with able,
and it also rhymes with stable,
and it also rhymes with cradle,
and it also rhymes with label,
and it kinda rhymes with navel,
and it also rhymes with dradle,
and it kinda rhymes with hay bale,
and it also rhymes with ladle,
and it also rhymes with maple,
and it rhymes with fable,
and it kinda rhymes with laurel,
and it doesn't rhyme with yanny,
and it kinda rhymes with staple.
and it also rhymes with,
Cable.
DeleteThank you Eric, very cool!
NitroDubbz,
ReplyDeleteI am super impressed you have enough time to read for fun being a computer engineer student! I love reading, but I can never seem to find the time during the semester since I am always insanely busy. I saw you mentioned in one of your stories that you are currently reading Pet Sematary by Stephen King. I love scary books/movies so I really want to read this book before I see the movie. Fingers crossed I have enough time to do so!
I didn't even know the movie was coming out. When I heard it was I got excited, but it seems like they showed the whole movie in the second trailer which was a bummer.
DeleteHey NitroDubbz,
ReplyDeleteSo I got to ask, what compelled you to choose this name to go by? Was it a childhood nickname or is it a reference to something maybe? Either way, I like that someone took a less traditional approach to this class. Good luck on computer engineering! It sounds like a pretty difficult major, but that could just be my anti-computer bias. You mentioned that companies would hire you to work on projects for them, do you have any company you'd really like to work full time for?
Hey NirtoDubbz,
ReplyDeleteNice nickname btw. What made you go into computer engineering?? I have a lot of friends and I have no idea why they would choose engineering. I personally don't like physics which is why I could never go into engineering.
Any reason for the overweight version of Bugs Bunny? haha
Hi NitroDubbz,
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you wrote your post. I think it was a good way of letting people in this class to get to know what your interests are in a way that felt like we were having a conversion with you. Both Catch-22 and Slaughterhouse 5 sound like good books to read as well. I look forward to reading more of your posts in the future!
Hi!
ReplyDeleteCatch-22 was quite a book, I’ll agree with that! It actually took me a couple tries to get though it just because it was hard to follow the absurdism at times, but it’s such a culturally important story that I think everyone should read it. If you liked Catch-22 I think you might also like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. That was one of the most fascinating books I’ve ever read, and I believe it was set in a similar era.
Hi NitroDubbz,
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to meet you and I hope you have enjoyed being in this class so far. I think it is so cool that you are into computer engineering. It does not sound like a simple major. I really like how you presented introduction because a lot of your personality shone through. I have never read the book you mentioned, but I am always looking for book suggestion so maybe I will give it a try.
Hey Nitrodubbz!
ReplyDeleteYou seem like a very intriguing individual, and your thoughts on Catch-22 and more generally books that deal with war are quite profound. I'm not sure why you chose the image of a chubby Bug's Bunny for this page, but I think it is fantastic. I hope many companies do end up wanting to hire you with your hirable degree. Although, after reading your story about the Buddha of Beverly Hills, do you really need a job? A house? Are low interest rates of any actual interest in the pursuit of true enlightenment?