http://columnzero.com/ Fri, 09 Jan 2026 12:14:12 +0000 Fri, 09 Jan 2026 12:14:12 +0000 Jekyll v3.10.0 <p>Today, while on a walk among some local farm fields, I got to admiring one of the ridges that delimits our little valley. As mild as it is compared to some places, the topography here has been one of the things I really appreciate about our home. Just like most mid-Atlantic ridges, it’s covered in forest and only subtly impressive. One ever-present feature, however, did happen to catch my eye: the not-so-subtle high-voltage power lines snaking their way up and over the ridge’s crest. It’s not that I’d never noticed them — it’s just that, on this particular walk, they presented themselves as a reminder what good infrastructure (e.g. electricity, plumbing, roadways, air traffic control) actually looks like.</p> <p>It seems to me that good infrastructure is like clean water or good coffee: you rarely know you need it until you have it, and you rarely appreciate it until it’s gone.</p> <p>So that means, as an engineer concerned with designing infrastructure, the highest praise I could receive is being told that my designs are invisible, forgotten, or otherwise taken for granted. Why did I ever choose this thankless field, again?</p> Thu, 23 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0000 http://columnzero.com/ponderings/2020/04/23/good-infrastructure.html http://columnzero.com/ponderings/2020/04/23/good-infrastructure.html ponderings <p>Whilst navigating the turbulent waters of the internet, you happen upon an island. This island appears fresh yet unchanging, covered in a sheet of unremarkable sand. What mysteries lie within? Probably none. You move on.</p> <h1 id="in-other-words">In other words…</h1> <p>This is a first post. There’s really nothing of value here other than a welcome page. It may so happen that I post something of value in the near future, but don’t hold your breath.</p> <p>Regardless, your presence is welcome!</p> Tue, 28 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://columnzero.com/jekyll/new-beginnings/2018/08/28/welcome.html http://columnzero.com/jekyll/new-beginnings/2018/08/28/welcome.html jekyll new-beginnings