Back to the future

By Uthpala Gunethilake

Just imagine the day they invented the wheel. (Alright so it didn't happen in one day, but imagine the moment it first took its present shape). Put yourself in the place of the stone age inventor at this historical moment. Imagine, no more plodding over wild hillsides carrying the day's dinner and no more hassle in transporting your tree-bark wardrobe and your stone kettle when you feel like moving to a new cave a few miles away.

However, today, in this day and age of spacecrafts and computers we have much more serious concerns than carrying home the remains of a mammoth and wondering how to cross the next hill. How about getting through that traffic jam and knowing how much weight increasing potential there is in that piece of chocolate you're just about to pop into your mouth.

Vital concerns I'm sure, and ones that have not yet been answered. How many times have you groaned aloud, wishing that someone, somewhere would invent something to make life easier for you ?

Never mind the microchip and the cell-phone, life is still not easy enough. Whoever says it is easier today than it was a hundred years ago has to be someone from the stone age itself.

I mean, look at the trouble you go through studying for exams or trying to get all your work done on time.

Sharmini Kagoo (24) has big dreams. She is all excited about something called the 'teleporter machine' from the science fiction drama "Blake Seven" a few years ago. "You just have to stand in front of it and tell it where you want to go, and whizz! you are there. No traffic, no hassle and you don't even have to know how to drive!", says Sharmini brightly. The teleporter machine can take you just about anywhere you want to go, even over the sea, in no time at all. Imagine not having to reserve plane tickets or worry about bad weather and air-sickness. " My husband is in Germany, so any time I miss him I just stand in front of the machine and I just get... teleported !" she explains.

She also wishes for something that I'm sure not one girl has not thought about at some time in her dieting life. She calls it 'weight-watcher', and explains that it is a chip you wear on your clothes, which 'controls' your weight.

Now don't get all excited anyone, it still remains a figment of Sharmini's imagination ! But already Sharmini sounds like an advertisement for this wonder product; "You can eat anything- chocolate, pudding, ice cream- and still keep your figure the way you want it !"

If you think Sharmini has watched too many science fiction dramas, listen to Niranga (21) explain his wonder machine. "It's a device that connects your brain to a computer, and you can download all the information you would ever need, any time you need it, from the computer". The purpose of this machine is obvious; no more cramming the night before an exam. Instead, have a good night's sleep, wake up leisurely (no problem even if you oversleep), and coolly download whatever you need to survive the day.

To go back to the wheel, listening to people explain the invention that would turn their lives upside down, you would think the invention of the wheel all those centuries ago has done nothing but create traffic jams and strung nerves.

Harindra (15) thinks that the one thing that could make life smoother for him is a vehicle with all the comforts and advantages of a car but which, unlike a normal car, 'flies' at least 20 feet above the ground. "I'm just sick of traffic jams" he says, echoing the sentiments of most people.

The inventor of the typewriter who probably thought he was doing a favour to all scribes, would probably turn in his grave if he knew what Nilakshi (28) wishes for. "I have to do a lot of typing, and I wish there was an automatic hand to do it for me", she says.

All these magic machines will definitely create a lot of beaming faces, but there would still be many things that can make being human a bitter trial, things like cancer and AIDS.

Sharon (20) wishes that someone would invent a cure for these deadly diseases, "so that people can live their lives to the fullest".

All that we can ever invent will be of no use if people do not have the chance to live healthy lives, she says. So if you are a Graham Bell looking for inspiration in odd places, why not try out some of these ideas- maybe the weight-watcher for a start? You would have no problem being able to convince everybody to buy one and never mind about the dieticians going out of work; you'll still have all the confectioners and the overweight population of the world on your side.

Your first job: the inside story

By Kesara Ratnatunga

You've woken up maybe an hour earlier than usual, dressed in your smartest 'not too formal not too casual' outfit and spruced up to look your best. A few million butterflies momentarily decide to flutter through your stomach, but you muster up all the confidence and 'attitude' you have as you leave home for that all important...first job.

Many 'young guns' breeze into their first job thinking that they've got all the skills and abilities required to topple the world. However reality never fails to hit home the moment they first step into their new place of work.

The first day is probably the most awkward, when anything familiar seems to be a hundred miles away and the million little instructions about 'how things work around here' that everyone gives you are complicated enough to drive Einstein round the bend.

The first few months are perhaps the most crucial, when not only is the boss keeping an eye on you but you are also under the scrutiny of your co-workers.

Working hard with diligence and enthusiasm is essential in making a good first impression and showing what you're really capable of. Learning and working at the same time is bound to make progress a little slow at first, so putting in a few extra hours to cover-up the lag is a good idea. Being the first person through the door at 5 p.m. is definitely not the way to go.

Most jobs demand that you work as a team where ideas and views need to be brought forward and discussed. New employees more often than not are reluctant to air their views for fear of making a fool of themselves or becoming a hindrance to the proceedings.

Shyness aside, a new employee should always be bold and contribute to the discussion if he or she has something constructive to say.

Fresh perspectives and new ideas are always welcome whatever the situation. A positive attitude, creative and analytical thinking and the ability to voice one's opinions are plus points which your supervisors and co-workers will immediately recognise and which will stand you in good stead.

Getting to know the people behind the new faces is probably the toughest job of all. Work places usually have a varied cross section of people, and as a newcomer it is important to establish your relationship with each person on a one-to-one level.

Observing how an employee of your own level in the heirarchy interacts, be it with a superior or a subordinate, will help you avoid any embarassment.

Falling into sync with the rhythm of your co-workers is also a good idea. Knowing who is grouchy or busy on what day, being able to tell when there is a problem, knowing who is under pressure and when, learning the office lingo, making friends with the guy who makes tea...little things which will help you blend in smoothly with the flow of things and make life easier for you.

The likelihood of finding a workplace full of people you can fully relate to is small. The chances are that you will have to make certain subtle changes in your personality in order to fit in.

There may be people that you would not ordinarily get along with, but in a work environment harmony is very important and therefore certain compromises must be made in order to keep things running smoothly. Being sensitive to the other man's needs and being careful not to step on any toes are good philosophies to follow.

Everybody makes mistakes, but when you are new on the job, Murphy seems to have a field day. Mistaken identities, bungled phone call transfers, misplaced equipment, forgotten messages...you name it, it happens.

It's all part of the learning curve and most bosses are understanding when such mishaps occur. However the important thing is to learn from your mistakes and make it a point not to let it happen again. You shouldn't consider it as incompetence on your part, but think positively and treat it as a 'bug which needs to be fixed'.

Criticism if taken personally could do more harm than good, so it's always better to handle it constructivly with a view to improving your performance on the job.

However trivial your job may seem, it is important to do it to the best of your ability. If a problem crops up don't hesitate in asking for help. It will not be considered a weakness. Getting advice and tips will help you learn new things and do your job well. Sacrificing the quality of your work will not endear you to any employer.

Jobs come with different descriptions, some are fast paced, some are not. A journalist's job for example requires being on your toes and hard work to meet the deadlines.

No day is the same as the one before and falling into a routine is virtually impossible. Going into such a job for the first time and being pushed against the wall from the word 'go' can be quite jarring. Dealing with the pressure is initially a little difficult but taking a break now and then to 'regroup' helps put the jumble of things back in perspective. Opening your mind to new things and having a more receptive attitude helps a great deal in adapting to the faster pace.

Establishing what you want to achieve is important in any job. The first two to three months at a new job will probably be spent learning the ropes and getting in touch with the people and scheme of things. During this period, things may seem a little haphazard and a day-to-day routine may not be all that obvious.

Setting up achievable short-term goals will be a little difficult at first, but once you get a grasp of things and find that you know how to get things done, planning ahead will become easier, even necessary.

Different people have different expectations from their first job. Some just want to occupy their free time whereas others enter it as a serious career move.

Whatever the motive, first jobs are always a good opportunity to learn about people, dealing with situations, teamwork and to get a handle on the 'real life' experience. Take it from me, because I've been there too.

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