Doubtful guest
Me:
Please give me a version of the famous, fictional ‘Men wanted… ‘ Shackleton ad but updated for the 21st century
Chat:
Certainly! Here's an updated version of Sir Ernest Shackleton's famous recruitment ad for his Antarctic expedition, tailored for the 21st century:
"Adventurers Wanted for a 21st Century Odyssey!
Are you a trailblazer, problem-solver, and global explorer? We're assembling a diverse team of forward-thinkers to embark on a modern-day adventure like no other.
Join us on a mission to push the boundaries of human achievement, from exploring uncharted frontiers to tackling global challenges. Whether you're a scientist, engineer, artist, or dreamer, if you possess unwavering determination and a passion for discovery, we want you on board.
This is not just an expedition; it's an opportunity to reshape the future. Together, we will redefine what's possible. Are you up for the challenge?
Apply now and be a part of history in the making."
Adapted for the 21st century, this ad invites a wide range of individuals to join a modern, groundbreaking endeavor that goes beyond just geographic exploration.
Some of our 21st century problems are made clear when compared with the “original “ fiction:
This is much on my mind as I work with the team at Paper Tiger to recruit a contributing guest editor. Fake Shackleton and I are really syncing on compensation but we part ways on honor and recognition. That and wages? There’s no better free exposure than frostbite in Antarctica.
I blame bounty culture. Today, of course, bounties are synonymous with paper towels, no-questions-asked recovery of bail jumpers, and the mysterious Boba Fett — all trading with the slogan “the quicker picker-upper” but in esoteric parts of computer science bounties are associated with bugs. This other usage traces back to the original HMS Bounty and is to do with the supplemental rations of rum that were available for sailors who caught shipworms gnawing the planking.
One mutiny and two centuries later, these Bounty bugs survive as bug bounties. These are small payments offered as rewards for discovering hidden defects in software or performing some other menial task. Just like on the original Bounty where folks toil away for hours only to be told “that’s a barnacle, out of scope”, or “we already knew about that one”, or “we’re out of rum”. This ended poorly on the Bounty and perhaps will again.
Bligh’s problem, and ours, is that he offered compensation at all. If he had instead required payment from sailors in exchange for this task, who knows how his story would have ended.
Anyway, we’re onboarding a new contributing guest editor here at Paper Tiger, but none of this unpaid internship for exposure nonsense. You have to pay if you want to get in front of our readership — currently in the 4 digits (base 1, plus a tally mark). Pass along a receipt for a $50 donation to a computer science service organization and we’ll put you on the list. Safe return doubtful.