In my 20s, I've seen Tun Dr. Mahathir thrice. Once when I shook hands with him to receive my scroll and certificate on my graduation day, twice on the day he toured our campus, the third time - on my way to work at Twin Towers. Although all three were entirely under different circumstances, yet, each time, he was amiable, flashing a signature smile at all times. I often wondered, as the leader of our country, from outward appearances, he seemed to a relatively simple man. Since then, it has been a long time since I rubbed shoulders with somebody famous.
Thus, it was exhilarating to attend this event with several prominent and world-renowned technical experts. Along the way to Penang, I wondered, "Hmm.. how would they be like?".
I was surprised to learn that they were absolutely down to earth, spoke earnestly from their hearts, and possessed a high sense of humour!
It was also pretty amazing to learn that at one point or another, they always crossed one another's paths, in terms of work and studies. Professors now who were students of another professor, or worked with another expert before... I guess the best mentors are the ones who teach us to ask answers, seek out answers, and spread it to the world. That is how our world progresses, how countries develop, and how organizations flourish. Through sharing, discussions and working together. Our ways and methods might differ. But what's important is, all of us share a single, common objective, that is towards the betterment of society.
It is also fascinating to interact with an author who writes books for universities and industries. I mean, it is a constant, uphill task to write a book. You'd have to have lots of minor details in it, so that your readers wouldn't get confused and frustrated. You'd have to turn it into a reference material, with consistent information, just like a Bible. A book which contains facts and information, yet not contradicting with the page before it. At the same time, it has to be a book which inspires the readers to think, to wonder and to explore.
A Japanese professor I stayed with once, was very passionate about writing. He published a book about the most simple, basic, element on earth - Hydrogen, water, and many other books before it. Writing, was his passion. It was his lifeline. I suppose, in one way or another, writing books helped him to get through life. It made him happy, and it spurred him on. He often slept early, and woke up while the world was still asleep, to record his ideas and phrase them into tangible, imaginable sentences. He had so much to share, and so little time to spare. It touched me, right down to the very core, that there are people out there, who dedicate their whole lives in writing books that only a certain percentile of earthlings would read. Is it worth it?
Attending the conference, I finally found my answer. Yes, it is worth it. Even if your book has been read by only a handful of people. For life is often a series of surprises. For all you know, these are the few people who would understand your concerns, who share your thoughts, concepts and principles; and from then on, are inspired to discover and create milestones and breakthroughs and revelations in their respective technical areas. That is how technology is developed. That, is how we progress into the evolutionary future. That, is how we improve our lives.
Writing books enables one to reach a wider audience. Not just in your school, your organization, or your country. By publishing books, you'd get to reach out to the whole world. And you don't even have to shout. It is, without any doubt, an ideal platform to share your experiences and findings, definitely a much louder voice without political and geological boundaries.
And so, with all these in mind, I asked the Professor, siting right beside me, "So, when do you write your books? In the morning, night, or afternoon?"
Haha. The Professor was stunned for a moment, before answering, "Jean, in all my life, I've only written one book. I can tell you, it is not an easy task." I smiled, and took his word for it.
The next day, I researched more about him on the internet, and found that he has , in fact authored 2 books, and co-written 3. Well, that is what was published on the profile. It could have been more. On published papers and journals, it surpassed 30.
Throughout the workshop, it was reiterated that 'it is a fool who makes mistakes, and a wise man who learns from the mistakes of others'. However, I thought this phrase made a fair amount of injustice to the fool, for he committed the mistake without knowing any better. Hence, I think we should add another phrase to the end of this quote:
Thus, it was exhilarating to attend this event with several prominent and world-renowned technical experts. Along the way to Penang, I wondered, "Hmm.. how would they be like?".
I was surprised to learn that they were absolutely down to earth, spoke earnestly from their hearts, and possessed a high sense of humour!
It was also pretty amazing to learn that at one point or another, they always crossed one another's paths, in terms of work and studies. Professors now who were students of another professor, or worked with another expert before... I guess the best mentors are the ones who teach us to ask answers, seek out answers, and spread it to the world. That is how our world progresses, how countries develop, and how organizations flourish. Through sharing, discussions and working together. Our ways and methods might differ. But what's important is, all of us share a single, common objective, that is towards the betterment of society.
It is also fascinating to interact with an author who writes books for universities and industries. I mean, it is a constant, uphill task to write a book. You'd have to have lots of minor details in it, so that your readers wouldn't get confused and frustrated. You'd have to turn it into a reference material, with consistent information, just like a Bible. A book which contains facts and information, yet not contradicting with the page before it. At the same time, it has to be a book which inspires the readers to think, to wonder and to explore.
A Japanese professor I stayed with once, was very passionate about writing. He published a book about the most simple, basic, element on earth - Hydrogen, water, and many other books before it. Writing, was his passion. It was his lifeline. I suppose, in one way or another, writing books helped him to get through life. It made him happy, and it spurred him on. He often slept early, and woke up while the world was still asleep, to record his ideas and phrase them into tangible, imaginable sentences. He had so much to share, and so little time to spare. It touched me, right down to the very core, that there are people out there, who dedicate their whole lives in writing books that only a certain percentile of earthlings would read. Is it worth it?
Attending the conference, I finally found my answer. Yes, it is worth it. Even if your book has been read by only a handful of people. For life is often a series of surprises. For all you know, these are the few people who would understand your concerns, who share your thoughts, concepts and principles; and from then on, are inspired to discover and create milestones and breakthroughs and revelations in their respective technical areas. That is how technology is developed. That, is how we progress into the evolutionary future. That, is how we improve our lives.
Writing books enables one to reach a wider audience. Not just in your school, your organization, or your country. By publishing books, you'd get to reach out to the whole world. And you don't even have to shout. It is, without any doubt, an ideal platform to share your experiences and findings, definitely a much louder voice without political and geological boundaries.
And so, with all these in mind, I asked the Professor, siting right beside me, "So, when do you write your books? In the morning, night, or afternoon?"
Haha. The Professor was stunned for a moment, before answering, "Jean, in all my life, I've only written one book. I can tell you, it is not an easy task." I smiled, and took his word for it.
The next day, I researched more about him on the internet, and found that he has , in fact authored 2 books, and co-written 3. Well, that is what was published on the profile. It could have been more. On published papers and journals, it surpassed 30.
Throughout the workshop, it was reiterated that 'it is a fool who makes mistakes, and a wise man who learns from the mistakes of others'. However, I thought this phrase made a fair amount of injustice to the fool, for he committed the mistake without knowing any better. Hence, I think we should add another phrase to the end of this quote:
"It is often a fool who makes mistakes,
And a wise man who learns from others,
But precious as a jewel,
Is the noble man who shares his experiences,
So that others might learn from it."
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