Northeast Italy is where I live. It is famous for the successful economic model that it implemented during the last decades of the 20th century. This model was characterized by a myriad of small, very flexible companies that adapted quickly to the market. In combination with the competitive devaluation policy carried out by Italy before … Continue reading Northeast Italy Looking for a New Societal Balance
The communication as a form of power
Being an engineer, I have several friends who fill similar technical positions in the companies they work for. Quite often, we have the opportunity to talk about our jobs. One of the questions that rises more frequently is: in general, why do the sales guys earn more money than the technical people? Obviously, the thought … Continue reading The communication as a form of power
The aspiring Industrial Data Scientist and the Italian bureaucracy
Several months ago, I decided it was time to increase my expertise to cope with the challenges posed by the Industrial Internet-of-Things (IIoT) and the Industry 4.0. These new fields of the Information Technology represent a sort of natural evolution of my current profession, as the Internet is playing a more and more important role … Continue reading The aspiring Industrial Data Scientist and the Italian bureaucracy
Euro, or not Euro: that is the question
In June, I attended a public talk about the Euro currency. Two speakers were invited representing two opposing opinions with regard to the Eurozone: the senator Paolo Guerrieri and the professor Alberto Bagnai. Even though senator Guerrieri thinks that adopting the Euro was an error, he claims that Italy should not leave the Eurozone now. … Continue reading Euro, or not Euro: that is the question
Teamwork and communication
In 2016 I attended a course about the communication strategies in politics. Although it dealt with some specific techniques used in this context, the basic mechanisms it illustrated are valid for the communication in general. The course was held by a mental coach who has specialized to work with politicians and work/sports teams. Therefore, I took … Continue reading Teamwork and communication
The typical day of the embedded systems engineer
To relax, I occasionally read a web site which talks ironically about basketball. It is called "La giornata tipo", "the typical day" in English. Many of the articles you can find there describe hypothetical average days of basketball teams and players. These hypothetical days are littered with invented facts that exacerbate the flaws of the … Continue reading The typical day of the embedded systems engineer
The backbone of the Italian economy
When it comes to explaining to a foreign friend why it is so difficult to run a business in Italy, I struggle to find the words to describe this matter properly. There are some irrational situations that are incomprehensible to the people who have never lived here, especially if they come from a country with … Continue reading The backbone of the Italian economy
Sharing meetings
Managing a team to work effectively and efficiently is one of the most common problems that managers have to face and I am no exception, as I currently work as R&D Director. Effectiveness and efficiency of working teams are probably some of the most studied and debated issues in the field of management theory. [1] … Continue reading Sharing meetings
The art of troubleshooting
Even though engineering is commonly associated with cold scientific laws and rigid technical rules, often it has to do with creativity and fantasy as well. This is very true in the embedded systems engineering, in particular, the field in which I currently work. All Electronics and Software Engineers know that most of the time our … Continue reading The art of troubleshooting
Playing with cryptocurrencies and blockchains (previously: Playing with Bitcoins) – Part II
Introduction Last January, I posted an article about Bitcoins. This post is a sort of part II of the linked article. Due to the fact that the new post will talk about Bitcoins as well as other cryptocurrencies, I decided to change the title. I realized, in fact, that the world of cryptocurrencies goes well … Continue reading Playing with cryptocurrencies and blockchains (previously: Playing with Bitcoins) – Part II
Information society, youth, and sports
Introduction Last month I attended a public talk where the main guest was a former professional soccer [1] player, Fabio Rossitto. Currently, he works as a coach [2] of pro and youth teams. Even though I never played soccer seriously, I used to be a fan and I watched tons of games throughout my life. … Continue reading Information society, youth, and sports
Are we start-upping too much?
Nowadays, it seems that many people realize suddenly that they have a so far unknown entrepreneurial side and decide to start a new company. On the one side, this is undoubtedly positive. The attempts to put into practice new ideas can be a very powerful driver for the developments of new products and services for the … Continue reading Are we start-upping too much?
When part of the Silicon Valley was here
A couple of years ago I had the chance to meet Giovanni De Sandre, who has become a good friend of mine. He is one of the engineers who, under the supervision of Pier Giorgio Perotto, created the first ever desktop Personal Computer, known as Programma 101 (P101 for short). After retiring, he is used … Continue reading When part of the Silicon Valley was here
Is Tesla’s master plan feasible?
Nowadays, Tesla Motors is on everyone's lips. They are not manufacturing cars, they are trying to revolutionize the mobility and use of energy on a global scale, as described in their master plan written by co-founder Elon Musk. [1], [2] Regardless of what you think about fossil fuels, climate change, etc., I think that the … Continue reading Is Tesla’s master plan feasible?
Playing with Bitcoins – Part I
Introduction Generally speaking, I'm a curious person, and I like to learn new things. Economics, finance, and technology are examples of fields that I find very fascinating. Therefore, I couldn't resist experimenting with one of the finance-related technologies that is currently on everyone's lips, the blockchain. Bitcoin cryptocurrency is probably the most famous application that … Continue reading Playing with Bitcoins – Part I
The Italian goose that lays the golden eggs
In spite of Italy being a relatively small country both in terms of surface (about 0.2% of the earth's land area) and population (about 0.87% of human beings), it is the nation that has the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites (51 at the time of this writing). These astonishing figures indicate numerically how … Continue reading The Italian goose that lays the golden eggs
Basketball 1.0
I have been playing basketball for 30+ years. I started to play when I was about eight. I still play on the playgrounds, but I hardly feel the same enjoyment I used to. Of course I can't do anymore what I could do on a basketball court, but there is more: the style of playing … Continue reading Basketball 1.0
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