Hard Light Productions Forums
Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Martinus on October 31, 2003, 11:16:41 am
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[color=66ff00]that life is washing over you, and that you are lost in a current that you have no control over with no indication of its path? I don't want to sound all 'Matrix-y' here but I get that feeling a lot of late.
Given the frankly disturbing amount of information available on the internet alone I often think it's impossible to figure out a worthwhile topic to study, there are so many things that I'm interested in and to choose one creates the possibility that I may never find out about the others. Perhaps it's due to my want to know as much as possible, I often learn things that I simply marvel at, things which most people take for granted that are utterly breathtaking and so I try to learn more and more. I feel the need for knowledge is almost an addiction.
The crux of the question is 'what is worthwhile?' how do you guys pick your topics of study? I'm not even talking about formal education here I'm talking about everyday life.
Anyhow I don't know if there's potential for much of a discussion here but I thought I'd just air my thoughts and see what you all think.
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See, this is my only real problem in life. I excel at everything so I have no purpose or direction.
Infinite vagueness in infinite combinations.........
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Well said really, I did it by finding that I enjoyed using and working with computers (be it playing games, coding websites, modding, data entry or whatever - it's all good). That led me to elect Information Technology (BSc) as a degree course.
That said though - it seems that life can chuck you in a million directions no matter what you choose. I always think the lucky ones are the ones who know that they want to be a doctor. They study to be a doctor and then they become a doctor and that's all there is to it.
On the other hand I could be very bored with that, and realising as I have that I'm not 100pc sure of my direction - I try to take each new change as a suprise, an experience and a challenge. Make the best of what you have, go where you can and take what oppertunities come up. In the end you may have a more fullfilling life as a result.
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Originally posted by Maeglamor
[color=66ff00]that life is washing over you, and that you are lost in a current that you have no control over with no indication of its path? I don't want to sound all 'Matrix-y' here but I get that feeling a lot of late.
Given the frankly disturbing amount of information available on the internet alone I often think it's impossible to figure out a worthwhile topic to study, there are so many things that I'm interested in and to choose one creates the possibility that I may never find out about the others. Perhaps it's due to my want to know as much as possible, I often learn things that I simply marvel at, things which most people take for granted that are utterly breathtaking and so I try to learn more and more. I feel the need for knowledge is almost an addiction.
The crux of the question is 'what is worthwhile?' how do you guys pick your topics of study? I'm not even talking about formal education here I'm talking about everyday life.
Anyhow I don't know if there's potential for much of a discussion here but I thought I'd just air my thoughts and see what you all think.
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Go with what you have the strongest interest in and what could equate to something that would make you happy, lifes to short to excel in something that makes you miserable. I know exactly how you feel because I've reached the same kind of plateau in my own life where there's few potential paths that I can go down and I'm not sure what I really want to go with. I'd like to be a musician but it's a hand to mouth existence and I don't know if I could live like that, I also am looking at travelling this big blue ball called Earth because there is just too much that I want to see in it.
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I'm pretty much in the same position. I wanna study now, or in the near future, 'cos I can and I know I'll regret it otherwise.
But can I decide what to go for ?
nope.
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Originally posted by Maeglamor
[color=66ff00]that life is washing over you, and that you are lost in a current that you have no control over with no indication of its path? I don't want to sound all 'Matrix-y' here but I get that feeling a lot of late.
Given the frankly disturbing amount of information available on the internet alone I often think it's impossible to figure out a worthwhile topic to study, there are so many things that I'm interested in and to choose one creates the possibility that I may never find out about the others. Perhaps it's due to my want to know as much as possible, I often learn things that I simply marvel at, things which most people take for granted that are utterly breathtaking and so I try to learn more and more. I feel the need for knowledge is almost an addiction.
The crux of the question is 'what is worthwhile?' how do you guys pick your topics of study? I'm not even talking about formal education here I'm talking about everyday life.
Anyhow I don't know if there's potential for much of a discussion here but I thought I'd just air my thoughts and see what you all think.
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How old are you?
And welcome to humanity my friend.
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[color=66ff00]24[/color]
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Originally posted by Maeglamor
[color=66ff00]24[/color]
whatever ur good at, pursue.
If ur not good at anything, pick something or go on welfare.
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i always feel oriented to pieces of information that don'tgo near my own situation somehow. Physics, Chem, but also History and Latin. but something like economics feels boring. usuially, i just see what the wind blows in my face, and when i have to choose, i try to choose widely, but go to a more exact part then most.
right now, i am trying to study what i have for school, because i am barely making VWO (approx A levels in Britain, i dunno in the states). but in my free time i go for physics and Roman history, but also Biochem, or just Chem. and i might be getting in to Quantumphysics soon, in some out-of-school activity.
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Originally posted by Devils_Hitman
whatever ur good at, pursue.
If ur not good at anything, pick something or go on welfare.
[color=66ff00]Oh you don't understand, I'm studying biomedical engineering honours degree, something I'm very happy doing as I see it as worthwhile. It's all the other stuff (in my spare time) that I'm thinking about. (Hence I said that I wasn't just thinking formal education).
Anyhow welfare is out of the question, everyone has the capability to excel at something, welfare removes the motivation to try in a lot of cases, what may be easy money to you is economical vampirism to me, there is a small minority (relative to the population) that welfare was designed to help. The rest are victims of a demotivational mechanism, they believe or are forced to believe that welfare is their only option when it is far from the case.
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Originally posted by kasperl
i always feel oriented to pieces of information that don'tgo near my own situation somehow. Physics, Chem, but also History and Latin. but something like economics feels boring. usuially, i just see what the wind blows in my face, and when i have to choose, i try to choose widely, but go to a more exact part then most.
right now, i am trying to study what i have for school, because i am barely making VWO (approx A levels in Britain, i dunno in the states). but in my free time i go for physics and Roman history, but also Biochem, or just Chem. and i might be getting in to Quantumphysics soon, in some out-of-school activity.
[color=66ff00]This is my problem too, I'm quite good at an array of things, I often feel overwhelmed by the number of options open to me and I don't think choosing at random is the best approach. Deciding which subjects will be the most useful (to me the ones that will increase my, and the people associated with me's quality of life (great grammar there :p ) ).
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Originally posted by Maeglamor
how do you guys pick your topics of study? I'm not even talking about formal education here I'm talking about everyday life.
I started studying programming to support one of my dreams. My wife suggested I formalise the study so I could get credits for it, which would help out my job prospects.
I kinda fell into this stuff. When I left high school and started college, I didn't do so well with classes and I had no discipline. When I dropped out and joined the Navy, I ended up doing playing with computers and I have been ever since. Its not really a job. Its just something I do that I happen to (not always) get paid for.
If I were to pick a job for myself, I'd leave computers as a hobby and become a bricklayer.
I guess you could say I did things kinda backwards. Did the job, then did the study.
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Originally posted by Maeglamor
[color=66ff00]Oh you don't understand, I'm studying biomedical engineering honours degree, something I'm very happy doing as I see it as worthwhile. It's all the other stuff (in my spare time) that I'm thinking about. (Hence I said that I wasn't just thinking formal education).
Anyhow welfare is out of the question, everyone has the capability to excel at something, welfare removes the motivation to try in a lot of cases, what may be easy money to you is economical vampirism to me, there is a small minority (relative to the population) that welfare was designed to help. The rest are victims of a demotivational mechanism, they believe or are forced to believe that welfare is their only option when it is far from the case.
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I will admit that I have been on welfare, though it was while i was between jobs and no way demotivated me. In fact, having to hang around in the Job centre with all the scummy wankers I abhor made me look harder.
Like I say though, find something you enjoy doing and find ways to get more into it, like for example, I am incredibly passionate about music, so I picked up a guitar and learned how to play.
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Originally posted by 01010
I will admit that I have been on welfare, though it was while i was between jobs and no way demotivated me. In fact, having to hang around in the Job centre with all the scummy wankers I abhor made me look harder.
Like I say though, find something you enjoy doing and find ways to get more into it, like for example, I am incredibly passionate about music, so I picked up a guitar and learned how to play.
[color=66ff00]Yes, at that point you required welfare. I have seen far too many people drop out of school and go on welfare as they think it's their only option.
As Mark Twain said: Never let school get in the way of your education.
I used to play guitar reasonably well but I have far too little time of late. :)
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I used to use my computer for gaming, chat rooms, the like. These days I only really use it for the internet as a research and study source (and HLP etc.). As for the things I research, it's entirely random, often based on crazy ideas of mine and their feasibility.
Such as air-duct airships, flying-wing solar aircraft, growing plants under LEDs, etc... I think the latest thing is resarching fish, tanks, the like, inspired by Kazan's betta site.
So, the things I study in my spare time is governed by my ideas, which I then try to find out if they are possible by using a great variety of sources.
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Interestingly enough, I've never had this problem, mainly, I think, because I'll read and learn about almost anything. Sure, it's not always worthwhile, and it doesn't always grab you, but you pretty quickly pick up whether you're doing something because you want to be doing it, or because you feel the need to force yourself through it.
If you want my advice, learn about art or literature. Learn to find the nuances and extract meaning out of an author or artists work. I think it's easier with literature (read a few critical commentaries and suchlike, learn about the author, and reread the book a few times) but that's because I never really put much time towards art. The good thing about literature is that it croses all fields, dabbles in everything, and can send you off on tangents of discovery about things you would never have thought of before reading the book.
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Originally posted by Black Wolf
If you want my advice, learn about art or literature. Learn to find the nuances and extract meaning out of an author or artists work. I think it's easier with literature (read a few critical commentaries and suchlike, learn about the author, and reread the book a few times) but that's because I never really put much time towards art. The good thing about literature is that it croses all fields, dabbles in everything, and can send you off on tangents of discovery about things you would never have thought of before reading the book.
[color=66ff00]That's rather interesting, I have to admit that I know very little about art and literature (realtively speaking) I restrict myself to reading scifi on the whole which I like but know is limiting. As for art I'm one of those people who 'knows what they like' but I'd look at some of the more abstract works and think 'that's a bit dumb', more from lack of understanding I'm sure.
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This is true, I suppose the trick is don't try to learn everything! A single person cannot do it. It's like computer graphics, some people specialise in Spaceships, some people specialise in animals etc because a massive amount of different knowledge is required for either.
Being 31, my learning curve always seems to depend on what I want to actually do, e.g. when I decided to start playing with Videos, I bought Premiere, I can only really use it enough to convert my 3D Renders to DivX and to dub sound and add the very very occasional effect. Some would say I am underusing Premiere, I say I am using it to do exactly what I want it to do, so I am not.
The Internet is the same, don't use it to find something to learn, find something to learn and then use it to get as many viewpoints as possible :)
My own advice is make your own conclusion, the Internet has a nasty habit of being a more available version of 'The guy down the pub' ;)
Edit : And with the art thing, I always look at pictures, not signiatures, so I have absolutely no idea which artists I like either :)
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[GLOW=silver]well i am very happy with my life everything is just perfect in my life (wife,kid,good work)[/GLOW]
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B*stard
;) j/k!
I'm very happy with my life too, I'm still in it, for a start :D
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i was long ago drained because i was realy busy but that was more than 2 years ago
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Originally posted by Flipside
My own advice is make your own conclusion, the Internet has a nasty habit of being a more available version of 'The guy down the pub' ;)
[color=66ff00]Oh yeah, I sooo get that, half of everyone will say yes, the other half will say no, the third half will say maybe. ;)
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Originally posted by Maeglamor
[color=66ff00]That's rather interesting, I have to admit that I know very little about art and literature (realtively speaking) I restrict myself to reading scifi on the whole which I like but know is limiting. As for art I'm one of those people who 'knows what they like' but I'd look at some of the more abstract works and think 'that's a bit dumb', more from lack of understanding I'm sure.
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I'm not so big on art myself, but recently I've been able to understand how to see art, which has helped. My understanding of art, especially abstract art, is that you've got to look at it uncritically, and see what it does for you. It's very much about personal response - how a particular piece makes you feel, makes you think bout etc. It can also hep to know a bit about the artist, when they lived, what nationality, any serious influences on their lives etc. etc.
Literature is similar, but generally has more of a defineable message to it, but that message does vary from person to person, again, determined by personal reactions.
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Originally posted by Black Wolf
I'm not so big on art myself, but recently I've been able to understand how to see art, which has helped. My understanding of art, especially abstract art, is that you've got to look at it uncritically, and see what it does for you. It's very much about personal response - how a particular piece makes you feel, makes you think bout etc. It can also hep to know a bit about the artist, when they lived, what nationality, any serious influences on their lives etc. etc.
Literature is similar, but generally has more of a defineable message to it, but that message does vary from person to person, again, determined by personal reactions.
I find the same with music, especially instrumental pieces as they're not as open and shut as a vocal piece can be.
I always think that a good piece of art will attach itself to you, even if you don't understand why.
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I don't think I really had much of a goal in life until recently. I took a degree in geology because I wanted to know where the planets came from, but I eventually realised that I didn't want to do it for a career. Once I realised that becomming a pilot officer was within my grasp, I suddenly focussed and now everything I do I think of in relation to that goal.
Speaking of which, I've got an interview with the Navy office in Brum soon... I bloody hope I pull it off...
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Originally posted by diamondgeezer
I don't think I really had much of a goal in life until recently. I took a degree in geology because I wanted to know where the planets came from, but I eventually realised that I didn't want to do it for a career. Once I realised that becomming a pilot officer was within my grasp, I suddenly focussed and now everything I do I think of in relation to that goal.
Speaking of which, I've got an interview with the Navy office in Brum soon... I bloody hope I pull it off...
[color=66ff00]Best of luck mate. :nod:
I did electronic engineering for a year which was bloody interesting so interesting in fact that I realised that I'd never want to have a day in day out job at it, nothing like repetition to put you off something you like.
I spent two years doing computer science which I hated, I can fix any windows based box but I despise the business end of it and I realised that I can pick and choose what I wish to learn about it from the internet. :) Unfortunately it seems you can't touch computing these days without having to deal with bloody business. :ick
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Originally posted by Maeglamor
[color=66ff00]Best of luck mate. :nod:[/color]
Chars :D
[color=66ff00]Unfortunately it seems you can't touch computing these days without having to deal with bloody business. :ick[/color]
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Oh, absolutely. This is one thing that put me off the geology - they kept saying 'most of you will end up in jobs doing geological surveying' i.e making maps of mud patches they want to build houses on and so forth. They really failed to inspire me as to my future after graduating.
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That's why I'm seriously considering teaching. It's one of the few careers where all you have to worry about money-wise is where the department budget goes.
And I know plenty of ways to save money...
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Eh? I take it you don't live anywhere near London then, where teachers can barely afford a box to live in...
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Wages were never really all that good, true. But remember - teachers are in demand. They haven't stayed low, really.
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I work in a teaching provider, which is like 'college for the non-college-compatible' if you see what I mean.
It's rewarding sometimes, I'll grant you, but to be honest 99% percent of the time it is hard work and stress for 8 hours solid, and you can only hope you've given the poor sods more of a future than packing boxes or swiping credit cards in a supermarket :(
Still, despite all this, I'm still there, so there must be something I enjoy :)
Flipside :D
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What is it that you teach?
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The solution to all this is rather cynical:
Choose to study subjects which you are the most efficient at, and whic h will earn you the most money. Then, during your free time learn of the other areas of interest.
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Money is never really an issue to me, and I doubt it will become one in the future. Hell, I'd put up with living in a tent all my life if whatever I was doing was fun.
I think the fanaticism with efficiency and money in modern society is what sticks people in 2-hour commutes, and jobs that obsess their life, giving them plenty of money that they have to schedule infrequent breaks to do anything with, and even then they're worrying about what they'll do when they get back, and if they lost reputation with their employer for taking a break.
I'd hate that kind of life.
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Originally posted by Odyssey
Money is never really an issue to me, and I doubt it will become one in the future. Hell, I'd put up with living in a tent all my life if whatever I was doing was fun.
I think the fanaticism with efficiency and money in modern society is what sticks people in 2-hour commutes, and jobs that obsess their life, giving them plenty of money that they have to schedule infrequent breaks to do anything with, and even then they're worrying about what they'll do when they get back, and if they lost reputation with their employer for taking a break.
I'd hate that kind of life.
[color=66ff00]aint that the truth!
Frankly money can get stuffed, if I have enough to get by I'll be very happy. Anyhow I don't work with money in mind, I work for the satisfaction that I'm doing a good job and perhaps helping people out.
Remember, even if you win the rat race you're still a rat. :nod:
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And if you lose the rat race, you expended a lot less effort getting where you are! :p
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I teach computers mostly, a lot of my work is in the Admin office, and I'm not a fully fledged tutor, still in training, but my job is partly to teach the trainees basic computer stuff, Word, Excel, filing etc. We use an NVQ course, simply cos it lets the trainees learn something they will actually be doing in a job rather than a load of theory :)
Flipside :D
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Ah right. I was planning on going into teaching Tech and ICT. After all, in ICT lessons, I usually end up teaching everyone everything anyway, since the teachers suck ^_^
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LOL I had exactly the same problem at college, I used to finish programming my little Pascal routine in about 15 mins, then I'd bother to comment it, then I'd spend the rest of my time helping everybody else :(
Good luck if you decide to do it, but be warned, be prepared to take more punishment than reward, it's unavoidable, but the reward is worth it :D
Flipside :D
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Punishment tends to make me try harder, so it can't be all that bad ^_^
Thanks, anyway :)
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Originally posted by kasperl
i always feel oriented to pieces of information that don'tgo near my own situation somehow. Physics, Chem, but also History and Latin. but something like economics feels boring. usuially, i just see what the wind blows in my face, and when i have to choose, i try to choose widely, but go to a more exact part then most.
right now, i am trying to study what i have for school, because i am barely making VWO (approx A levels in Britain, i dunno in the states). but in my free time i go for physics and Roman history, but also Biochem, or just Chem. and i might be getting in to Quantumphysics soon, in some out-of-school activity.
I prefer Physics, Roman histroy, Middle Ages, Military, Space&Tech, Nature...:D
I don't care about money...I care about life!:yes:
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And pie. You ought to care about pie.
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PI = 3.14.....................................etc.....
PIE - the Ultimate Random Number Generator!!!!!!!;7
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That's inaccurate. Where's that site with all the digits nicely arranged so that they're displayed with a big PI running over the top of them in a different colour?
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Originally posted by TrashMan
PI = 3.14.....................................etc.....
PIE - the Ultimate Random Number Generator!!!!!!!;7
PI is actually pretty damned deterministic, just transcendental. Its worthless as a random number generator.
What was that von Nueman quote? "Anyone who considers arithmetic means of generating random digits exists in a state of sin." I think it was. :D
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I don't think I feel quite qualified to hand you any advice, Maeg. :) But I can say, I've definitely experienced that whole washing over feeling before. In fact, I'm kind of in that position right now... transitional period. ;)
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now, i read about people who were (going to be) teaching, and i noticed i forgot to include that in my own post. my plans for the future are rather simple now:
i intend to finish highschool, perhaps do a year of traveling, or perhaps just go to university. i'll study a subject i like a lot, it doesn't really matter what. i'll try and do journalism next too it, so i can write about my subject in scientific magazines as a job, and i'll try to get my teaching degree thingy, so i can teach my subject too. i really like teaching and writing, and i feel i an explain most stuff clearly, the moment i understand it myself. whatever i want to do, i want something where advancements are made a lot, so it stays new. History might be fun, but Physics, Chem, or something like Biochem or Biomed too. right now i am oriented towards exact stuff, by the way i have my subjects at school, and i think i want to go for it. but if it turns out history might suit me better, i'll go there. even maths might be something.
really, if you are as widely talented as you say you are, you can really do anything, so choose when you have too and choose widely.most importantly, try to have fun doing what you do.
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Originally posted by kasperl
most importantly, try to have fun doing what you do.
[color=66ff00]I think those are words to live by. :nod:
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