Hard Decisions

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 15 Oct 2008 17:13

Ok modified, if you have a really hard decision to make, post it here and get advice from other people. Even if you ignore the advice completely, I always find that hearing other people's opinions helps me make decisions for myself.

Here is the problem;

My 2nd favourite band, Juno Reactor, is playing at a big festival called Earthcore in a bit over a month.

http://earthcore.com.au/

Although I'd really love to see them, I don't really like massive camping festivals - this is a 3 day dance festival, it's going to cost me between $500 and $1000 in a time when I'm trying to pay off my credit cards, I've just been on a trip to Melbourne, and am going on another trip to Sydney in a few weeks, I don't know if I can take the time off work either.

There are some other plusses as well. 3 guys from work are also going. One already has a spare ticket and a bus ticket to the event - prices for tickets are going up pretty quickly too - so I can get a cheap one from this guy. They're taking a car (which I could go with, but that would cost a lot more), so I'll be able to put things in there to keep it locked up safe (ie. camera).

The other issue is that pretty much everybody at the festival will be on copious amounts of drugs - especially ecstasy, acid and speed. While I have enjoyed all of those in the past, I'm not particularly keen on doing any for a while (if ever again), for a whole host of reasons I'm not really going to go into. It will probably be weird and maybe uncomfortable being the only sober person at the festival. I'm not sure I'd drink any alcohol either (I'm cutting down on all chemicals, even caffeine).

So here it is, broken down a little better;

Pros;
Seeing my second favourite band of all time play live
Having a bunch of cool guys from work to hang out with

Cons
Expensive
Spending 3 days at a dance party camping with few basic amenities - showers etc. in very hot temperatures (over 30 every day - over 86 degrees F)
Either having a fail of will power and doing drugs, or not doing drugs and being around a lot of people on drugs

Thoughts?

max · Post by **max** » 15 Oct 2008 19:31

Is it worth the 500-1000 AUD + the no shower for three days + being a bit out of the loop as everyone will be off their faces but not you?

Personnaly I wouldn't do it, but then again I'm not really a band uber-fan that would trek 3000 km to see a band, maybe you are and the deal makes sense to you.

If you're trying to put some money aside then this is a no-brainer though.

BainbridgeShred · Post by **BainbridgeShred** » 15 Oct 2008 21:13

That whole post was borderline flaming.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 15 Oct 2008 21:50

Only if you have a really thick border. I'm not convinced you know what flaming actually is.

Yeah I've pretty much decided not to go. I would trek 3000 km to see one of my favourite bands, but not this time

bigdirtyfoot · Post by **bigdirtyfoot** » 15 Oct 2008 21:58

Well at least we started off with a really hard one.

BainbridgeShred · Post by **BainbridgeShred** » 16 Oct 2008 10:23

I meant the opposite of hetero. Why make a post asking other people their advice when you know it's (Apparently) going to be determined on your own feelings. No one cares about Jupiter Reaction.

Now I'm flaming (No homo)

dp · Post by dp » 16 Oct 2008 19:16

When I need to make a hard decision I like to hear other people's input as well. Jeremy's right though, other people's opinions almost never actually affect my own.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 16 Oct 2008 20:10

That's not what I said at all. When I make decisions I try to always take into account all the information I have on the issue. My statement that "even if you ignore the advice completely" was not about myself, it was just encouraging other people that they may still get something out of this topic, even if they don't follow the advice - articulating your own opinions is often useful in gaining a better understanding of how you feel.

dp · Post by dp » 17 Oct 2008 07:15

Hmm

Nevermind then...

QuantumBalance · Post by **QuantumBalance** » 18 Oct 2008 12:14

I really like Juno Reactor. But my advice, based on your variables, is not to go. I do think you would have lots of fun and it wouldnt be akward that you were sober. But, they arent too different live than on record, I know that. LOVE JUNO REACTOR!

Good Luck! Pay off the debt!!

Blue_turnip · Post by **Blue_turnip** » 28 Oct 2008 00:30

Just chill back at home and farm some gold. There will be more trips, and more fun in the future. Its not worth putting all that money on the line if theres much of a chance of you not enjoying it.

My problem:

Should I take "Discrete Maths and Operations Research" or "Group Theory and Linear Algebra"? I have three subjects that I need to do if I want to major in computer science. I'm also doing real analysis, and probability. If I do discrete maths and operations research then I also open the door to do a maths major if I change my decision later. However I'm virtually 100% sure I'm going to major in computer science anyway, so I guess that shouldn't influence my decision much.

The subject descriptions are extremely limited (one brief paragraph), so if anyone has any experience in these subjects, could you shed light?

century264 · Post by **century264** » 28 Oct 2008 12:16

I'm not an incredible expert in math, but I have had exposure to group theory and linear algebra and while they are difficult, they are also really fun and feel almost magical at times. I would recommend it if you are really set for CS major instead of math. However, I haven't researched discrete maths or operations. I just know if you can do advanced group math, you can come up with the equation to solve a rubik's cube in any permutation with the fewest moves. Now THAT's math power.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 28 Oct 2008 19:29

I found group theory really interesting although I haven't done any serious maths for over 6 years, so I don't remember much about it apart from that it was fun

. I vaguely recall some group theory in Hofstadter's book (The Golden Braid? His only famous book anyway

).

Asmus · Post by **Asmus** » 28 Oct 2008 22:12

You only live once. Do it.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 29 Oct 2008 16:09

Is that comment directed at me Asmus, because "you only live once" is probably the worst reason I've ever heard for doing pure maths at university.

dp · Post by dp » 29 Oct 2008 16:30

Blue_turnip · Post by **Blue_turnip** » 29 Oct 2008 16:40

Golden.

Asmus · Post by **Asmus** » 29 Oct 2008 23:56

Hahaha.

Obviously it was directed at the first post of yours.
But if you feel like doing math I think you should do that aswell.

Anz · Post by **Anz** » 30 Oct 2008 09:43

If you need to be sober why do you even consider it?

mc · Post by mc » 31 Oct 2008 16:48

Anz wrote:If you need to be sober why do you even consider it?

story of my life...