Are you a member of one of the student associations? Quite the coincidence that one of the few dutchies on here happen to study at the same university! Electrical engineering sounds like fun, but I wanted to study something 'broader', like physics!

I actually excel when people tell me it cant be done. Ordinarily, i quite often say 'cant be done', but when people tell me, ill keep on going until it can be done. Why? I hate people telling me what I can and cant do. And sure you can, you can even help me test it! I just need to learn autocad, lots of physics , chemistry and biology, buy some 3D printers and we're good to go!

Im taking out a limb here and say that these physicists need to think real hard about the nature of science and its empirical methods. The problem is that science is real bad at disproving things. I believe its not possible to prove the non existence of a god. Although I personally hold the believe that there is no such thing as a god, I can not prove it. And that is the nature of science; we have no reason to think that a god exists, but is it therefore correct to conclude there is no god?

And now I know one dutchy as well! The bastion of Europe it seems we are, since I've mostly americans.. I study applied physics in Eindhoven at the TU\e. Experimental space equipment isn't really a field, but I am really interested in ion engines, deep space communication, energy supply etc. I actually like a lot of fields, but I think this embraces most! Do you study as well?

I think it's two things causing us not to dream anymore : judgement and fear. People have become too afraid to be judged, to pursue their dreams. Me personally, i'd like to build a spacecraft and an iron man suit. Most of you will tell me i wont succeed. Do I care? No. Thats why i started studying physics ; im pursuing my dreams! Many of my friends are just happy when they eat, live and die. The other thing component is fear. People rather stay in their comfortable homes than go out. They dont go out to bars meeting strangers. I think " may you live in interesting times" is a chinese curse . Concluding, I think people are too scared of either whats to come, and of being judged. Take away these elements, and people will dream again. One thing I think may catalyze this is a common goal. People on the moon, mars or beyond? Everyone will share a sense of connectedness, which will be very benefiting to mankind as a whole.

I'll have a look at it, thank you! Although I don't know if they would like any non- native speaker as a writer..

That is actually what I like most about conversing with strangers. I really enjoy breaking through someones armor and getting to know the person 'underneath'. Just grabbing a beer with a stranger at a bar really builds up a bond, and opens people up like nothing else. Sadly this trait has led me only to relationships of a couple days, since I get bored with them quite fast ...

I agree. Boudewijn de Groot's songs aren't that powerful when you're unable to understand the lyrics!

Id recommend Chrome, VLC, openoffice for any OS. Mac specific you should look at Adium, a chat program which is compatible with every chat service you can think of and Unarchiver, which is great at (un)compressing!