@matigo Indeed, that is the question.
// @variablepulserate
@variablepulserate Good question. AI has had both a disruptive and a transformative effect on the translation industry thus far. For the kind of specialized work that I do (the translation of musical instrument and audio equipment documentation), the human touch is still very much required. I predict that within a decade or so, however, AI will be able to do much of what I am doing now. I've been thinking that if the day comes when the manufacturers and agencies tell me that my services are no longer required because AI can do as good of or a better job, that's the day I will retire from this line of work 🤨
@matigo Ah, those rest stop soft ice creams are definitely a temptation, aren’t they…
I hear you on the weight gain thing. It can be frustrating when your body seems to rebel against you, despite your best efforts. I was recently diagnosed with a fatty liver, and that was a real shock to me, considering how much walking I had been doing and the fact that I don’t drink at all. Now I’m reviewing my whole diet and realizing that I would have to cut out refined flour products like white bread and white rice as well, which is a big change.
// @phoneboy
@matigo Only two per year? I used to enjoy two or three per month, if not more… The plant-based sugar glazed donuts at Starbucks are probably my favorite—simple and tasty. Starbucks certainly isn't known for their delicious food products and probably should stick to drinks for the most part, but they do make a nice plain donut. I haven't indulged since last spring, though…
// @phoneboy
@matigo Oh, I know Yaruki Switch… were you angling for a development-related position there? Any interest from them? Anyway, I can see that referrals from acquaintances and friends are often the most productive. It's the personal touch of knowing someone who can make the all-important introduction.
At least you know the kind of work you would like, including the position and possible roles you could fulfill, I assume. That's an important part of finding the job that fits your needs and the company's needs as well, it would seem.
@matigo What is your strategy for finding smaller companies that you might want to work with?
@matigo Good question, and one that I've struggled with. Translation is generally a solitary activity, so I've thought about imparting my music or perhaps my translation skills (?) to others in a one-on-one setting, i.e. private lessons or perhaps what you might call "mentoring". I have zero ideas on how to get something like that started, though. On the other hand, I do miss working with others on creative projects and finding solutions as part of a team, which is what I did for nearly two decades in my previous job. Getting involved in the corporate scene again hardly seems bearable, considering the freedom I've enjoyed as a freelancer for 13 years now, but I do know that I often relished that sense of interaction. Music development and production has been more of a "hobby" or a side passion for a while now, and I can't really see myself investing all of my time into it and becoming a professional musician in any capacity. Likewise with graphic and Web design—I formally studied these things and did various projects, but it's not what I would want to do for a living. So, I circle back to the status quo… feathers in the cap, but no clear direction.
Giving some thought this morning to my career direction over a cup of chamomile tea. Since becoming a freelance translator in 2012, I haven't had any reason to change my direction, although I have realized that my current homeostatic career path (just passively keep doing the same thing until I retire and assuming that nothing else in the industry or world will change) may not be the best way to contribute to society, or to others who might benefit from my abilities. It's agonizing to think about these things as always, and I haven't really come up with any clear sense of bearing for a great many years now. Becoming a freelance translator was more predicated on necessity and accommodating other life choices than on a strong desire to change careers at the time, but now I'm wondering if there isn't a superior path forward, or some meaningful changes I can make.
@matigo Indeed, the added connectivity features in cars nowadays is more for convenience than for safety. (And yeah, the unmarked lanes on route 22 are unforgivable on such a major thoroughfare… where is all that tax money going?)
It could be convenient to have access to online maps and resources on your GPS nav screen, when you’re in an unfamiliar area and you want to find a place to eat, for instance. Aside from navigation, though, Internet connectivity really doesn’t make for a better or safer driving experience. I guess that if you want to entertain young kids with YouTube content on the rear seat monitor while driving, perhaps that is another application, but then again we have gotten away from enjoying the experience of driving and watching the scenery go by. I get carsick anyway watching and reading content while in the vehicle, so something like that would never have appealed to me… I do remember being on a bus tour in Nagano recently, though, and there was nothing to see outside because it was so dark, but having a movie up on the in-vehicle screens made it easier to pass the time.
// @phoneboy @peemee
@matigo At its core, a car is just a mode of transportation. Aside from making your music listening and your navigation assistance experience better, it often feels like all this connectivity is just another way to distract us from the primary purpose of the vehicle: to help us get safely from one point to another.
// @phoneboy @peemee