the mindset of security professionals

[jrtom]

http://www.wired.com/politics/security/commentary/securitymatters/2008/03/securitymatters_0320

My mind works a lot like this. I don't have any particular (professional) interest in security problems per se, but I'm good at tracking down holes in arguments, and (other people's) bugs, and generally picking things apart. I think of it as being related to my general reflexive tendency to take the Devil's Advocate stance.

Comments

Negative

[fdmts.livejournal.com]

That's what makes you so maddening to argue with, on occasion. I think that every time I've snapped at you, this has been at the core: It's nearly impossible to get you to posit things on your own and contribute whole bricks to a solution ... but you're nearly gleeful in your quest to remove the bricks that aren't quite perfect in every respect.

Re: Negative

[jrtom.livejournal.com]

*sigh* Yeah, I know. Occasionally I wonder just how much continuing to converse with me on matters of moment is contributing to your personal growth (by causing you to practice patience and compassion and all that). :P

Being a reflexive Devil's Advocate in combination with streaks of perfectionism is a bad combination.

In my defense, all I can really say is that it is very rare, in my conversations with you in particular, that I'm actually trying to break any of your solutions for the sake of breaking them. Whether it comes across that way or not, my intent is almost always simply to point out things that need attention in order to make the whole functional.

But you're right, it's a tendency (or ability) of mine that, while useful in certain contexts, I need to be careful not to misuse. Sort of like having a loud voice, in a way, I suppose. *wry smile*

I may make a point of trying to make some more specific proposals (not just on your blog, but in general) just to get/stay in practice.


Just for the record: I have a lot of respect for you, and like you, and I'm glad that we get at least this much of an opportunity to hang out (if only textually)...and that I haven't managed to piss you off sufficiently to cut me off entirely.

Re: Negative

[fdmts.livejournal.com]

Just for the record: I have a lot of respect for you, and like you, and I'm glad that we get at least this much of an opportunity to hang out (if only textually)...and that I haven't managed to piss you off sufficiently to cut me off entirely.

Likewise.

But you're right, it's a tendency (or ability) of mine that, while useful in certain contexts, I need to be careful not to misuse. Sort of like having a loud voice, in a way, I suppose. *wry smile*

Or a quick wit, an acid tongue? I've been trying to deliberately back that one off for many years now and *still* I backslide.