This
“conversation” took place after the first day of a Mathematical Modeling class that
is required in Naval Post Graduate School.
I came here to learn about Irregular Warfare, Counter-Terrorist Policies,
Dark Networks, Wicked Problems, Security Dilemmas. And then to apply all that and more towards a
thesis…probably something relating to building networks within the inter-agency
to successfully counter international terrorism. Or something equally intriguing (I usually input
a heavy dose of sarcasm when I use the word “intriguing”…but not in this case,
it actually is intriguing.)
I
came here to learn to surf. I did not
come here to learn Mathematical Modeling.
So
this is how the conversation went down with my 17-yr old self:
34-Yr
Old Me: Hey, pssst, 17-Yr Old Me…Gonna
need your help here. See I’m back in
school and I have to take a couple math classes. You were always really good at math so can
you do me a solid here and help me out?
17-Yr
Old Me: You’re back in school? In California? Awesome!
And I love math so I’m here for ya!
What type of math are you doing? Differential
Calculus? Computational Theory? Oh geez you’re not in to Non-Linear Dynamics
in Applied Mathematics, are you? Because
I’ll be no help there but I’d love to learn!
34
Yr Old Me: Um…No. More like “A
train left Chicago…” type of math
17-Yr
Old Me: Haha. Funny.
Seriously, what are you doing? Propulsion
Dynamics? Chaos Theory in Relation to
Orbital Physics?
34-Yr
Old Me: No, seriously. “A boat travels with the current at 16 mph
and against it at 7 mph. How fast is the
current?” Help me out here, I can’t
figure it out.
17-Yr
Old Me: Wow, you’re serious aren’t you? Did you hit your head? Get in a horrible accident? What happened?
We were going to be an Aerospace Engineer, remember? REMEMBER??!!
34-Yr
Old Me: Well, you see, what had happened
was…you’re not an Aerospace Engineer…
17-Yr
Old Me: Electrical Engineer? Mechanical Engineer? C’mon, you didn’t drop all the way down to
Civil Engineer did you?
34-Yr
Old Me: You’re not an engineer…
17-Yr
Old Me: WHAT?! I’M NOT AN ENGINEER?! WHAT THE HELL??!! WHAT DID YOU DO??!! I CAN’T LEAVE YOU ALONE FOR A MINUTE, CAN I,
BEFORE YOU GO AND SCREW UP OUR WHOLE PLAN??!!
34-Yr
Old Me: Hold on there Molly
McJudge-Me-A-Lot. You have no idea where
you’re going in the next 17 years so get your attitude in check.
17-Yr
Old Me: OK fine, so where am I going?
34-Yr
Old Me: I’m not telling you, but trust me, it’s a helluavalot
more interesting than being a stoopid Aerospace Engineer. So there.
17-Yr
Old Me: You’re not going to tell
me?? Fine. Then I won’t help you with pre-algebra. Good luck in remedial math,
dummass.
34-Yr Old Me: Ya, and good luck in Calculus. Cause you're gonna need it...
34-Yr Old Me: Ya, and good luck in Calculus. Cause you're gonna need it...
