Dan Griffing, Montana

Posted by DGriffing 12 years, 1 month ago to The Gulch: Introductions
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Been reading Rand's philosophy and literature since 1977. Chemical, process control, & software engineer. Familiar with quantum physics & relativity, evolution, and the writings of Madison, Jefferson & Paine.


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  • Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 12 years, 1 month ago
    Greetings Dan Griffing,

    Welcome to the Gulch. You have peaked my interest with your list of founding fathers. They are among my favorites. I would include Franklin in my list. I have read much of our founding fathers, but those four stand out in my mind as the most vibrant defenders of the individual.
    I look foreword to your contributions.
    Regards,
    O.A.
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  • Posted by 12 years, 1 month ago
    My 1973 degree is in chemical engineering but most of my work has been in various combinations of software and firmware design, systems engineering, and process control engineering. Very little of it has been with chemical related industries. Prior to moving to Montana I was in Silicon Valley as a systems and firmware engineer for semiconductor manufacturing and measurement instruments and equipment. Now I'm working as a systems and firmware engineer for a San Diego company that makes cryogenic physical properties instruments for laboratories around the world. In Montana I also fly fish, love shooting and big game hunting and have a 2-story observatory with a 10ft dome and a 12in computer controlled telescope with a scientific grade CCD camera.
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    • Posted by mccannon01 12 years, 1 month ago
      Technology, fly fishing, hunting, and astronomy: What a marvelous combination! No doubt I've utilized some of the firmware and devices you've had a hand in engineering (Motorola? Intel? TI? et al?) and am delighted at the advancements made over the years as they have improved industrial and manufacturing capabilities immensely. I have hunted speed beef (deer) in the past, but haven't in some time. Fly fishing is pretty decent in my area with all the creeks, streams, and small lakes and I do indulge from time to time. Astronomy is also one of my interests and I have obtained a few small (compared to yours) telescopes to observe anything interesting. I cannot justify the expense of a high quality 'scope because the "seeing" in my area is usually terrible with having to put up with the forever moisture roiling off Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, as well as the fact I live near a good sized city. The best seeing is in the dead of winter when the air is dryest and I have trekked out of town to set up in a field in the snow. That hasn't always proven to be a good move, though, because the reflectivity of snow can have effects as bad as a lit up city. I've taken my equipment to a relatives cottage in the Adirondacks and had some nice viewing experiences. That is, until I was finally overcome by the mosquitos and flies seeking my protein. I've driven by abbandoned grain silos on farms in my area and wondered if any of them would be structurally sound enough to place an observatory on top (not likely), but again, with poor seeing it probably wouldn't be worth the expense. Although I still go out and set up from time to time, most of my astronomy desires have to be satisfied by reading and videos.
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  • Posted by mccannon01 12 years, 1 month ago
    Greetings, Dan, and welcome. It seems we've been down some similar paths regarding Rand, historical interests, and the sciences. I'm currently semi-retired but contract once in a while as a process controls programmer for chemical making and manufacturing systems. Started programming manufacturing systems in 1972. I've been to a number of places, but haven't made it to Montana yet.
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