I hate my job!

[QB Eagles]

I would be able to return, but I'm not going to. In fact they'd love to have me, with the whole OPM hacking disaster, security clearances are basically frozen, they can't hire anyone.

I don't talk a lot of politics on here, but I'll open up a little. I don't think I did anything morally objectionable in my career (I keep reactors operating efficiently and safely), but I'm a hardcore peacenik, I don't want this nexus to the military-industrial complex anymore. I don't want to hold a clearance or be a part of that system. It's been against my values for a very long time. So this is why I don't foresee making use of my clearance again.

Plus I can smoke legal weed out there, I've been pissing in cups for a decade.

[General_Failure]

You fool, you could have been using empty soda bottles the entire time!

[QB Eagles]

You fool, you could have been using empty soda bottles the entire time!

In an emergency empty soda bottles can be used for smoking the legal weed as well.

[PhillyPhreak54]

I've always been fascinated with nuclear plants and bombs since we lived close to Limerick when I was a kid. I used to get spooked out when the test sirens went off thinking it was melting down.

As for the bomb part since I love history the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings have been something I've read just about everything I can get my hands on. I read an article on Longform about one of the last living scientists who participated in The Manhattan Project and it was
fascinating.

What would you like to do out there? Play it by ear and whatever comes up you'll consider it or is there something you're interested in but never thought you'd have the opportunity to do?

[General_Failure]

I've always been fascinated with nuclear plants and bombs

Welcome to the watchlist, buddy.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Lists? I love lists!

If I get taken to a back room on my flight home Saturday do you know any good lawyers in Philly?

[QB Eagles]

I'll probably end up doing something in IT. I'm a computer geek more than a nuke geek. I also have an old Electrical and Computer Engineering degree gathering dust. But I'm going to have to start rather low on the ladder and work my way up, just to gain the skills and certifications.

Still very much a believer in nuclear energy, but I recognize that it will never have the political acceptance it needs to reach its potential. The industry is probably dying. It's the cure for global warming, but people see it as somehow unnatural and inherently unsafe. What I would say is that even if you're someone who believes that the current plants are too unsafe (a position I don't hold), there's no reason other than a religious belief in the evil of that particular technology to think that there's no way it CAN be made safe. It's just a technology and can always be improved and brought into the service of humanity. So I think the field has gotten a bad rap and will never be able to flourish. At least until fusion comes around and makes energy ridiculously cheap, but I'm not holding my breath for that.

The atomic bomb was a disgusting scourge and I consider Truman to be a mass murderer of old men, women and children. The one good result of all that bomb research is that they unnaturally brought the 21st-22nd century technology of nuclear energy into the mid 20th century. But we've pissed that away somewhat. A lot of non-scientists can't discuss nuclear technology soberly, ultimately because of the way it was born into this world and the decades of fear those bombs brought about.

Long story short, it would be a much more exciting field if it wasn't so stringently handcuffed (imagine needing a bureaucrat to sign off on every single thing you do at work 15 years in advance), but I accept that's the way the world is. With the current rules of the game, the field is doomed.

[Diomedes]

Zanshin you're next up.  Quit the awful job.  There's room for everyone in the ditches.

[Rome]

I am legitimately happy for you and oh so envious as well.

Good luck in whatever you pursue.

[PhillyPhreak54]

I'll probably end up doing something in IT. I'm a computer geek more than a nuke geek. I also have an old Electrical and Computer Engineering degree gathering dust. But I'm going to have to start rather low on the ladder and work my way up, just to gain the skills and certifications.

Still very much a believer in nuclear energy, but I recognize that it will never have the political acceptance it needs to reach its potential. The industry is probably dying. It's the cure for global warming, but people see it as somehow unnatural and inherently unsafe. What I would say is that even if you're someone who believes that the current plants are too unsafe (a position I don't hold), there's no reason other than a religious belief in the evil of that particular technology to think that there's no way it CAN be made safe. It's just a technology and can always be improved and brought into the service of humanity. So I think the field has gotten a bad rap and will never be able to flourish. At least until fusion comes around and makes energy ridiculously cheap, but I'm not holding my breath for that.

The atomic bomb was a disgusting scourge and I consider Truman to be a mass murderer of old men, women and children. The one good result of all that bomb research is that they unnaturally brought the 21st-22nd century technology of nuclear energy into the mid 20th century. But we've pissed that away somewhat. A lot of non-scientists can't discuss nuclear technology soberly, ultimately because of the way it was born into this world and the decades of fear those bombs brought about.

Long story short, it would be a much more exciting field if it wasn't so stringently handcuffed (imagine needing a bureaucrat to sign off on every single thing you do at work 15 years in advance), but I accept that's the way the world is. With the current rules of the game, the field is doomed.

Agreed on the energy and the bombs.

If I recall the general in charge of the project was supposed to travel to Washington to warn Truman to not drop them because of how nasty they were. He never went and relayed the message.

I need to read more on the pacific portion of the war specifically the planned ground invasion.

Anyhow - good luck and enjoy the liberating cross country drive. Take your time and move at a leisurely pace and soak up areas and places you've always wanted to see.

[SD]

outfitted my new workstation today
yes im working on a saturday
in the government

I have work at home two days a week. Have the exact same laptop and set up. If you told me that pic was taken in my office I'd have believed you.

[SD]

I quit my job as a nuclear physicist for ten years. Leaving behind my fat salary, my fargload of vacation, my masters degree, my clearance, and Pittsburgh. I'm done working for this field, the military, and the government in general. It's not who I am, and I don't want to do it anymore.

Headed out west with only what can fit in my Mustang. No job lined up, no real plan. I'll figure something out.

This is awesome and I applaud your decision. Good luck to whatever you decide to do from here. If it weren't for my daughter I'd have moved and quit by now. Enjoy your new found freedom.

[Zanshin]

Zanshin you're next up.  Quit the awful job.  There's room for everyone in the ditches.

I could dig that. Pun intended. I've been interviewing...but, man, I'd love to do something totally different. But the wife, kid and dog wouldn't fit neatly into a Mustang and road trip with no income on the horizon.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Zanshin you're next up.  Quit the awful job.  There's room for everyone in the ditches.

I could dig that. Pun intended. I've been interviewing...but, man, I'd love to do something totally different. But the wife, kid and dog wouldn't fit neatly into a Mustang and road trip with no income on the horizon.

Book some gigs for the kiddo along the way and you'll be ok!

[Susquehanna Birder]

I quit my job as a nuclear physicist for ten years. Leaving behind my fat salary, my fargload of vacation, my masters degree, my clearance, and Pittsburgh. I'm done working for this field, the military, and the government in general. It's not who I am, and I don't want to do it anymore.

Headed out west with only what can fit in my Mustang. No job lined up, no real plan. I'll figure something out.

Excellent, and I did something similar. Except the move. Wish I could, but Id have to leave the family.

Let us know if you find something great. Maybe I can figure out how to pull up stakes.