Alberta just introduced an electronics recycling free (Feb 1, 2005) which is charged by retailers. The charge is between $5 and $45 dollars depending on the product.
http://www.albertarecycling.ca/default.cfm
I had a hard time getting used to Stephenson style of writing as well at first. However, I was definitely intrigued by Snow Crash's mythology and the amount of, seeming, research that went into it. Of course, you can just read section 56 or 58 for that but then you miss the build up. I'd agree that his endings are a little weak but's the hard part. On the one hand you risk wrapping things up a little too conveniently and on the other you get people wondering what the hell happened.
Regardless, it's a nice diversion, and if you're already reading Anthony, Heinlein, Hubbard, I suspect that's all that you're looking for.
...and who you are. If you are a paranoid corporate climber, then you likely won't want or have friends at work. If you love what you do and respect the people that you work with, you'll have a better chance of wanting to hang out with them.
My experience, the last place I worked at was a small startup company. We did a lot of things together after work (beers, house parties, gigs), during lunch (fooz), during work (Quake, chess), etc. People like me who have left the company still hang out with people in the company and still consider them friends. Being able to enjoy what you do and have fun with the people you work with not only makes you happier but, in my experience, more productive. It can foster a team spirit that none of the bullshit company sponsored team events or HR consultant inspired circle jerks can ever do. I think that this only works in small companies or in your local team. I think it also depends on you, the type of person you are, how you secure that you feel, and how much you respect your co-workers.
In contrast, I'm working for a big company now that tries to promote team spirit by having team outings, recreation areas, fitness areas, etc. None of which does anything for me. But I'm sure that it works for others.
So I think it can happen. You just have to find the right fit for you.
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Alberta just introduced an electronics recycling free (Feb 1, 2005) which is charged by retailers. The charge is between $5 and $45 dollars depending on the product. http://www.albertarecycling.ca/default.cfm
I had a hard time getting used to Stephenson style of writing as well at first. However, I was definitely intrigued by Snow Crash's mythology and the amount of, seeming, research that went into it. Of course, you can just read section 56 or 58 for that but then you miss the build up. I'd agree that his endings are a little weak but's the hard part. On the one hand you risk wrapping things up a little too conveniently and on the other you get people wondering what the hell happened.
Regardless, it's a nice diversion, and if you're already reading Anthony, Heinlein, Hubbard, I suspect that's all that you're looking for.
Simon Singh (http://www.simonsingh.net/)
Code Book - history of cryptograhy.
Fermat's Enigma - solving Fermat's last theorem.
Neal Stephenson: Cryptonomicon, Snow Crash, Diamond Age.
...and who you are. If you are a paranoid corporate climber, then you likely won't want or have friends at work. If you love what you do and respect the people that you work with, you'll have a better chance of wanting to hang out with them.
My experience, the last place I worked at was a small startup company. We did a lot of things together after work (beers, house parties, gigs), during lunch (fooz), during work (Quake, chess), etc. People like me who have left the company still hang out with people in the company and still consider them friends. Being able to enjoy what you do and have fun with the people you work with not only makes you happier but, in my experience, more productive. It can foster a team spirit that none of the bullshit company sponsored team events or HR consultant inspired circle jerks can ever do. I think that this only works in small companies or in your local team. I think it also depends on you, the type of person you are, how you secure that you feel, and how much you respect your co-workers.
In contrast, I'm working for a big company now that tries to promote team spirit by having team outings, recreation areas, fitness areas, etc. None of which does anything for me. But I'm sure that it works for others.
So I think it can happen. You just have to find the right fit for you.