Introduction

My name is Dustin Sherburne. I was born in California and moved around a lot when I was just a young lad. My hobbies include beer and death metal. I aspire to be a full-fledged computer engineer one day, and to own a firm. Before I get to that point, though, I plan to work for some random company that is kind enough to hire me, and hopefully pay me a modest salary. Perhaps I should explain why I want to be a computer engineer.

According to Moore's Law, the density of circuits (transistors?) doubles every x interval of time. This is an exponential growth model. There will come a time when technology advances right before our very eyes (the Singularity), and I want to be there: A) to make that day come to fruition (most likely ending humanity as we know it*), and B) to see it with my own eyes. I dont know who said that “any appropriately advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”, (imagine going back in time with modern technology to indiscriminately change the course of history, perhaps in a wartime scenario) but I do so love that quote. I think every person died a little on the inside when they turned 11 and did NOT receive an invitation to Hogwarts. It is my wish (perhaps unreasonable?) to see technology at a level where it is akin to magic, and to be the creator, wielder, and master of such magical science. A lofty goal? Perhaps; yet perhaps not when one considers the possibilities nested within the future. To be a computer engineer is to be a herald of doom and a commander of The Machine, a title as worthy as any.

* Some near-future theorists postulate that man will merge with machine and become information, thus ending humanity (H. sapiens sapiens) as we know it, and giving birth to a race of information-based technological superhumans. Either that, or nano machines are going to eat everything. Its about 50/50 right now.