How to Teach Soft Robot Navigation

How to Teach Soft Robot Navigation How to Teach Soft Robot Navigation How to Teach Soft Robot NavigationPerception is a tricky thing. Humans use all their senses to learn about their location and the objects with which they interact. If one sense falterssay an eye or an earwe can still navigate our world. Now, a gruppe of engineers at University of California, San Diego, is seeking to create networks of sensors that would give robots the saatkorn redundancy without simply duplicating existing sensors.This is especially important as robots become smarter and mora mobile. Today, most robots are still rigid and designed for just a handful of tasks. They contain sensors, particularly at the joints, to monitor and track their movements. This produces predictable, reliable movements, but if one sensor fails, the whole system crashes.Michael Tolley, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering who heads the Bioinspired Robotics and Design Lab at UC San Diego, wants to create a mora r edundant series of sensors by networking them together.Equally important, he wants to do this in soft robots that can use their senses to explore new and unpredictable environments more safely than their rigid cousins.Read more on Helpful RobotsRobots to the RescueIf a robot has to move around in the world, its not as simple as navigating a factory floor, Tolley explained. You want it to understand not just how it moves, but how other things are going to get around it.The team started with an under-utilized sense in the robotic arsenal touch.There is a lot of very valuable information in the sense of touch, Tolley said. So a big part of my labs work involves designing soft robots that are inherently less dangerous than rigid robots and that can be put in places where you wouldnt necessarily put a rigid manufacturing robot. The researchers goal is to build a system that can predict a robots movements without relying on external sensors. Image David Baillot / UC San Die goSoft robots present a unique platzdeckchen of challenges, starting with something as simple as sensor placement. Tolleys robot resembles a human finger, if it were made out of a rubber-like polymer. It does not offer much in the way of structure there are no joints or other obvious places to place sensors.Tolley and his team saw this as a creative opportunity to look at perception in a different, almost playful, kind of way.Instead of running simulations to find the best places for the robots four strain sensors, his team placed them randomly. They then applied air pressure to the finger and the response from the four sensors was fed into a neural network, a type of machine learning system based on connections between nodes (in this case, sensors), to record and process the movements.Researchers generally train neural networks, providing them with examples that they can match against their sensory input. UC San Diego engineers used a motion capture system to train the finger, then discarded it. This helped the robot learn how to react to different strain signals from the sensors.This enabled the team to predict forces applied to the finger as well as simple movements. Ultimately, they would like to develop models that predict the complex combination of forces and deformations of soft robots as they move. This cannot be done today. Better models would enable engineers to optimize sensor design, placement, and fabrication for future soft robots.In the meantime, the team has been learning how networked sensors behave.Their most important finding was that the robot could still perform even after one of the four sensors stopped working. This is because the system does not depend on sensors in specific locations to monitor a particular function.Instead, the neural network uses information from all the sensors in its network to complete a predictable movement. When a sensor fails, the network can still synthesize information, albeit with a little less accuracy.This concept is called graceful degradation and is found throughout nature. For example, the bodies of aging humans become weaker and stiffer, but they can still walk, though perhaps more slowly than they once did.Tolleys team has many more challenges ahead. Their biggest obstacle is that their soft finger robot does not have a mechanical skeleton to push or lift things. Instead, they use a pneumatic system to pressurize it and generate mechanical force. In order to build larger models to carry out real tasks, they will need some kind of structure to transfer force.With time, the team hopes to build out an entire system with hundreds of sensory components that feed into a neural network that uses touch plus vision and hearing to explore its environment.When we envision humans and robots working in the same place, thats where I see a soft robot being useful, Tolley said. In the operating room, in search and rescue situations, and even in homes, helping people with disabilities get around .The dream is still many years off from commercialization. But, for Tolley, recreating human perception is worth the hard work.In a way, were just trying to understand ourselves, he said. At some level, humans are really just very complicated machines.Cassie Kelly is an independent writer.

Top Industries With the Most Job Losses

Top Industries With the Most Job LossesTop Industries With the Most Job LossesBuilding a career is challenging enough in the best of circumstances, but working in an industry that is in decline and losing jobs can make it even harder to advance. If you are just starting out in the work world or looking for acareer change, take the time to see which industries have better - and worse - potential than others. Employment in a growth industry will provide more opportunities for promotion and job change during your career. While some United States industries are expanding, others are in decline. Shrinking industries traditionally hire fewer new workers andpay workers less than those in similar roles in thriving industries. Growth also varies by location. Some states have a much stronger jobs outlook than others. Even if you land a job in a contracting industry, layoffs will be more common, there will be fewer job opportunities, and job security will be much harder to come by. Therefore it makes sense to factor in the prospective growth, stagnationordecline of agiven industry as you target your job search.For example, if you are interested in advertising sales, why not target leading online enterprises as opposed to print magazines? Top 16 Industries for Job Losses The U.S. governmentsBureau of Labor Statistics(BLS) studies trends in the economy and job market and makes projections regarding areas of job growth and losses. The latest set of projections predicts gains and losses through 2026, based on economic and job market trends. These are the industries that the BLS expects to experience the greatest job losses, with projected decreases through 2026 Wired Communication Carriers- 102,500The rise in the use of mobile phones and the decline in landline accounts have cut into business, even though traditional carriers are expanding into other products.Newspaper, Periodical, Book and Directory Publishers- 88,000Online and digital content is the preferred source of information for most people, with print losing much of its market share.Postal Service- 80,700Increased use of email and digital advertising has decreased the flow of traditional mail. Most communications can be handled online rather than by postal mail, and private delivery services like UPS and FedEx have undercut the U.S. Postal Service. Printing and Related Support Services- 73,200Individuals and businesses are storing and sending documents digitally and avoiding the cost and storage concerns involved with printing paper.Apparel Manufacturing- 48,200Production has been outsourced to countries with cheaper labor costs, cutting U.S. manufacturing jobs.Textile Mills- 44,200Relocation of manufacturing to countries with less-expensive labor has led to a decline in the textile industry.Plastics Products Manufacturing- 43,700Environmental issues involved with disposal of plastics will driveemploymentdecline. Like other areas of manufacturing, production is likely to be offshored. Semic onductor and Electronic Component Manufacturing- 37,700Globalization and production overseas will cause job losses.Navigational, Measuring and Control Instrument Manufacturing- 35,500Competition from overseas manufacturers has shrunk the U.S. market.Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing- 25,800A general drop in U.S. manufacturing jobs is due to the migration of jobs and product manufacturing overseas.Foundries- 25,100Requirements for investment have expanded and a trend towards mergers will limit prospects as the industry consolidates. Communications Equipment Manufacturing- 23,700Intense import competition from overseas companies will impact domestic manufacturers.Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing Excluding Digital Cameras- 23,100Consumers love their smartphones and often prefer handheld devices to other computer products, cutting back jobs.Rubber Product Manufacturing- 21,500Foreign competition and reduced prices for rubber products have constrained growth.Pulp and Mills - 20,800Digitization has cut the demand for some types of paper. The remaining companies have merged and limited their workforces. Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services- 20,700Automated, online and do-it-yourself travel services are replacing travel and tour booking agencies. Declining Occupations Another way to identify some areas of employment with challenging job prospects is to review theBLS dataon the fastest-declining occupations. These jobs have fallen out of favor for a variety of reasons, including trends in theautomation of production, outsourcing to overseas markets (where labor is cheaper), enhancements in information technology that reduce the need for workers, theemergence of the gig economy, and an increase in part-time and freelance workers filling what were once full-time jobs. These are the fastest declining occupations through 2026, ranked by the percentage of jobs expected to be lost Locomotive Firers - 78.6%Respiratory Therapy Technicians -56.3%Parkin g Enforcement Workers -35.3%Word Processors and Typist -33.1%Watch Repairers -29.7%Electronic Equipment Repairers for Motor Vehicles -25.6%Foundry Mold and Coremakers -24%Pourers and Metal Casters -23.4%Computer Operators -22.8%Telephone Operators -22.6%Mine Shuttle Car Operators -21.9%Electromechanical Equipment Operators -21.4%Data Entry Keyers -21.2%Postmasters and Mail Superintendents -20.9%Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers -20.8% Coil Winders, Tapers, Winders, and Finishers -20.7%Switchboard Operators including Answering Services -19.9%Prepress Technicians -19.9%Legal Secretaries -19.1%Photographic Process Workers -18.1%Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants -17.4Engine and Other Machine Assemblers -17.2% The Best Industries for Jobs The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates thatjobs for the average occupation will increase by 7.4%between 2016 and 2026. Healthcare support occupations (23.6%) and healthcare practitioners and technical occup ations (15.3%) are projected to be among the fastest growing occupational groups. These are among the jobs in industries on the other side of the spectrum that are growing at a fast pace. Thetop 10 industrieshave high projected growth in employment opportunities, and many different types of jobs areavailable for those who are seeking career options. There are also jobs that are relatively safe from automation if youre interested in an occupation that is safe from robots.

What You Need to Know About Jobs in the Trump Administration at 117 Days

What You Need to Know About Jobs in the Trump Administration at 117 DaysWhat You Need to Know About Jobs in the Trump Administration at 117 DaysWhat You Need to Know About Jobs in the Trump Administration at 117 Days What You Need to Know About Jobs in the Trump Administration at 117 DaysBy Kathryn Troutman, RP President The Resume Place, Inc., andCreator and Program Director, Ten Steps to a Federal Job Certification ProgramPublished May 18, 2017TODAYS UPDATE According to the latest news reports, only about 100 of the 557 top appointments have been made. Considering all presidential appointments at all levels, at least 2,000 remain to be made.Legions of professionals would like to work in the federal Senior Executive tafelgeschirr or as one of thousands of appointees of President Donald Trump, as enumerated in the 2016 Plum Book. But with such a precedent-busting new administration from that fact that Trump has never before served in government, to his very strong views on the worth of individual federal departments its hard to get your bearings in the landscape of hiring for high-level federal jobs. Heres our brief take.Political appointments are one of any new presidents most challenging tasks in the first year.Making 5,000 appointments takes a while, because Trump doesnt have a history in government, says Betsy Myers, who served in President Bill Clintons administration as founding director of the White House Office for Womens Initiatives and Outreach. Where does he pull people from? We do know that personal loyalty is unusually important to the new president, so proof of active support in the 2016 campaign or via another allegiance to the man, his family or the Trump Organization could give a big boost to your resume for an appointed position.Appointees must align with the presidents agenda.As with any president, demonstrated belief in what Trump wants to do with his power is another key to success in applying for an appointment. If you choose to work for Donald Trump, you have to believe in most of what hes trying to do, says Myers, author of Take the Lead Motivate, Inspire, and Bring Out the Best in Yourself and Everyone Around You. To date, the Trump administration has lacked transparency and has made a number of dramatic changes in policy direction, so its important to keep up to date with whatever statements the White House has made most recently regarding your area of interest. That means researching reports on traditional and alternative news media, checking Whitehouse.gov and perhaps following the presidents tweets.UPDATE YOUR RESUME But, for right now, many agencies are filling some or all of their vacancies. And, prospective applicants should jump on the opportunity to REASSESS AND PRESENT THEIR KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES so they can be viable candidates for these positions.Trumps slow start leaves many opportunities open.A good piece of news for job seekers is that the slow pace of presidential appointments and conf irmations leaves open numerous important jobs in various cabinet departments at many levels of these organizations. In the first 100 days of the Trump administration, 71 nominations were submitted and 27 confirmed, says Mallory Barg Bulman, vice president of research and evaluation at the Partnership for Public Service. At 100 days President Obama had made 190 nominations George W. Bush had made 85. But make no mistake your federal resume should be written and polished right now so youre ready to submit as soon as new federal vacancies are announced.In the Senior Executive Service, massive retirements loom.Most members of the Senior Executive Service are career employees, but hundreds are appointees, and large numbers of these jobs are expected to be vacated within Trumps current term. At the Social Security Administration, 46 percent of employees are now eligible to retire, says Bulman. At the Department of Justice 67 percent will be eligible to retire in the next three years. We c an help you write up Executive Core Qualifications that will let you put your best foot forward for a job with the SES.Requests for Quotes for Presidential Federal ResumesGET A FEDERAL RESUME QUOTESee Our Excellent Federal Resume Samples click here.Two Ten Steps to a Federal Job Certification Train-the-Trainer Dates coming up3-day Live class at University of California, San DiegoJuly 26 28, 2017 (Wed Fri)3-day Live class at Loyola College Graduate Center, Columbia, MDSeptember 12 14, 2017 (Tues Thurs)PROGRAM DIRECTOR Kathryn TroutmanClick here to registerGet your own copy of theJobseekers Guide

Dont Answer That Interview Question

Dont Answer That Interview QuestionDont Answer That Interview QuestionInappropriate interview questions and how to respond (diplomatically).He was in his early 50s, and he looked every bit of it.The questions on the job application went right to his age.After stewing over the form and discarding his first draft, he filled out a second copy. Then, he sat and waited for his interview. As he waited, an attractive, young woman entered the room for a job interview.She was called in before him. She wound up getting the job.He didnt. He did, however, receive $50,000 after filing age-discrimination claims with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).The above encounter happened to a friend of fahl Rosen, who shared the story with Ladders but asked not to identify his friend.Rosen has seen employment discrimination from almost every angle. He has been a certified labor and employment attorney since 1981, has worked in human resources since 1995, and recently found himself look ing for a new job. Hes been on both sides of the interview table and witnessed many inappropriate questions that can lead to discrimination.Every place, its mind-boggling, said Rosen, who recently began HR and legal work for Franklin Street Financial in Florida. You are always asked for birth dates, for EEOC (-related information such as race and disability status). Places, in my viewpoint, just ask for too much.The reason interviewers ask inappropriate questions varies. Sometimes they discriminate, as they did in the scenario above. Sometimes they need the information for internal statistics, he said.And then sometimes interviewers are simply trying to make conversation, according to Ellen B. Vance, senior consultant and advisory services practice leader for Titan Group, a Richmond, Va., human-resources consulting firm. Many inexperienced hiring managers use questions about family as an icebreaker for interviews, not realizing that what seem to them as innocent inquiries about spou se, children, etc., are unlawful.Most job seekers dont want to sue over these practices. They just want to know how to deal with them diplomatically. Job seekers want to avoid appearing combative and thus jeopardizing their chances of being hired and want to avoid handing over information that can be used against them in discriminatory situations. Knowing what questions to shy away from is the starting point, and knowing how to skirt them is the next step.Answer the questions they should have askedVance typically advises job seekers to redirect inappropriate questions back to the interviewer. For example, if asked whether you have children, you can respond by saying, It sounds like family is important to you - tell me about yours.By redirecting, the applicant is not placed in the situation of being perceived as adversarial, Vance said. If an interviewer presses, she suggests that another response option is, I am perplexed by your question because I cannot determine why my age/my ma rital status/my nationality is critical to performing this job. Would you shed some light on why you are asking this question?If that doesnt cause the interviewer to catch their mistake, then the applicant is left only with the option of saying, I would prefer not to respond to that question, Vance said.Dont answer these questionsHere are more questions that can and cant be asked, according to HR professionals and the EEOC. In all circumstances, try to find out why an interviewer is asking a particular off-limits question, and then steer the conversation into addressing particular, relevant concerns, in the following waysNationality Its illegal to ask a job seeker about his nationality, his citizen status, his native language, or how long hes lived here. If asked, instead explain that youre legally able to work in the United States.Religion Its not permissible to ask what religion job seekers practice, what religious holidays they observe, or their religious affiliations. If an inte rviewer probes these verboten areas, try to find out what the interviewer is concerned about and to address these concerns working certain days of the week, for example, could be a legitimate concern. Age Do not answer questions about age beyond stating that you are over the age of 18. Interviewers shouldnt ask how close you are to retirement but can ask what your long-term career goals are.Marital and family status While its permissible for interviewers to ask whether you have ever used another name in work or academic situations, its not permissible for them to ask questions about your maiden name or marital status. Dont answer questions about whether you have children or what your child-bearing plans are, but do explain whether youre available to work overtime or whether you can travel, particularly on short notice.Gender If gender comes up, steer the conversation into what traits and abilities you can bring to the job.Health and physical abilities Its inappropriate to ask job s eekers if they smoke, drink or take drugs. Your height, weight, use of sick days, presence of disabilities or past operations/sicknesses are similarly off limits. Interviewers do have the right to ask if youve violated company policies regarding alcohol or tobacco, whether you use illegal drugs (as opposed to simply drugs), whether youre able to lift a given weight or reach items on shelves that are at a particular height, how many workdays you missed in the past year, whether youre physically capable of executing the positions specific duties, and whether you can perform the job with or without reasonable accommodations.Residence It is inappropriate to ask how far away a job seeker lives, but its permissible to ask if the candidate can start work at a given hour or if he is willing to relocate.Criminal record Its inappropriate to ask if a job seeker has ever been arrested, but it is permissible to ask if she has ever been convicted of a specific type of crime that relates to the jo b.Military service It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against a member of the National Guard or Reserves, but it is legal to ask if the job seeker anticipates requiring extended time away from work.If worse comes to worstIf you feel that your employment rights have been violated, you may file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC. Heres the EEOCs information page on how to do so. The EEOC also provides an in-depth look at what constitutes discriminatory employment practice under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).

Here are 5 top healthy holidays for the whole family to take

Here are 5 top healthy holidays for the whole family to takeHere are 5 top healthy holidays for the whole family to takeNow more than ever, kids need active routines in their lives. And when children observe their parents incorporating healthy habits into their lives too, theyll be readier to accept them. What better way to kickstart these practices than a fun family vacation that highlights the benefits of a healthy lifestyle?Heres the Squires picks for the top 5 Health and Fitness Holidays for families. Discover hidden talents, foster a love for the outdoors, and kickstart a holistic approach to vacations.Best for Sports Sardinia Forte VillageSet on the Southern tip of Sardinia, this action-packed retreat will have the whole family undecided considering the array of activities on offer. Watch the kids excel in a sport they love, with a choice of 13 specialist training camps, including basketball, football, tennis and dance. Make a splash together as you enjoy some family bonding d uring water sports, and get some culinary inspiration as you learn healthy recipes together at the cooking school.Best for Yoga Spa VietnamFusion Maia Family HolidayA family friendly yoga spa vacation?Its never too early to teach the kids (especially the upper teens) the art of Zen. Visit exotic Vietnam and enjoy some well-earned family time at a wellness retreat dedicated to the art of relaxation. Enjoy soul-centering exercises together with Fusion Maias signature style of yoga, which is suitable for all levels. Parents can indulge themselves with holistic treatments, while the young ones join in with their own mini treatments.Best for Mountain Biking Windsurfing Portugal Martinhal Luxury Beach ResortDiscover the beauty of Portugal with mountain biking and windsurfing on an active family adventure holiday. With lessons available for all ages at the award-winning windsurfing academy and a varied selection of TREK bikes, sporty adventurers of all kinds capitalize on the stunning surroundings. After an active day, indulge in the luxury spa while the children enjoy one of the seven kids clubs and five sports academies, including surfing, windsurfing, swimming, tennis, and football.Best for Multi-Activity St LuciaThe Body Holiday WellFit FamiliesKeep active in theCaribbeanon a family holiday at this all-inclusive luxury wellness resort, which promotes family bonding, well-being and fitness. Enjoy a bit of healthy competition in parents vs children competitions, including volleyball and beach-a-thons, or cook up a storm together in the healthy family cooking classes. With activities ranging from cycling adventures to sailing lessons, there is something new for everyone.Best for Adventure OmanZighy BayCombine family fitness with a taste of adventure at this luxury retreat in Oman, set on its own secluded beach and surrounded by spectacular mountains. With a dedicated Kids Club, youngsters can enjoy activities including treasure hunts, swimming relays and beach b owling, while the teens try out slacklining and rock climbing. With kayaking, mountain biking and paragliding, the excitement levels are infinite for mom and dad too.This article was originally published on TravelSquire.

The Advantages of Free Resume Builder Templates

The Advantages of Free Resume Builder Templates All About Free Resume Builder Templates Today one can find a vast selection of choices to utilize for a resume builder. The employers might have run into comparable resume designs inside their experience, so its crucial to modify the resume template to be certain that it appearance not the exact same as the standard 1. You should come up with a format that is only right for the specific job youre applying for. As you can discover options that will do the job for any position, you may think about using different ones for various kinds of employment. Before you begin utilizing the software, its an excellent idea if youve got all your information ready. When you are in need of a totally free resumeprogram, youll find lots of good ones on the web or within lots of the word processing programs. You have to input information thats required to fill certain blank space. One of the principal benefits of using templates that are found on the internet to compose your resume is the simple fact you will conserve lots of time which you would have used to compose a resume. Meta descriptions permit you to influence the way your web pages are described and displayed in search success. The website comprises a CV wizard which could be used for creating profiles. There are lots of websites which gives you a Resume builder facility. If you believe that you dont will need to create a resume template then you might want to read further to figure out why precisely you need to learn to compose a resume. Templates have proven results to make an amazing resume. Each resume template needs to be related to the vacant position and ought not to sound generic. Utilizing a resume template has turned into an acceptable and smart practice for several explanations. Top Free Resume Builder Templates Secrets Resume writing is an intimidating endeavor for anybody. As writing a resume is only a simple endeavor but its also an important job. Once you are finished with the resume, always make certain that you look at the grammar. All the resume sites listed offer no cost services which allow users to maximize their odds of getting employment. Many such sites offer you no cost services while some charge a fee for the exact same. It is possible to go for one of the resume builders on job websites or you can opt for a true software program. There are a lot of on-line builders. Free Resume Builder Templates Ideas Companys profile Do a great deal of digging so that youre have a hint of what schriftart of candidate they are looking. In case you have any hobby thats pertinent to the work position, then its a fantastic idea to mention it in your resume. If youre making a resume for employment and would like to come into the opinion of the hiring manager then you should highlight your abilities. Basically, each job needs to get its very own specific resume. Using resume samples can be quite useful. Users may al so upload their current CVs from Word and track them to find out who viewed it and how often the CV was viewed by the possible employers. Resume builder services often enable you to make mailing labels. Resume writing tips allow you to understand the appropriate techniques of resume writing. How to Get Started with Free Resume Builder Templates? Plan Think how you will be in case the business will hire you, what skills youll be able to offer, and what sort of personality you will be. The absolutely free job descriptions found in the resume-builders help young individuals to highlight a few of their skills they might otherwise fail to provide prominence. The free resume maker will subsequently move on to the next section, which will help you identify your talents and techniques. Work history or expert experience is among the most significant section of your resume.

Ageism The Disgrace of Generational Generalizations

Ageism The Disgrace of Generational Generalizations Recently, I spoke to someone a few years younger than I am who blamed ageism for his unemployment. I responded quite strongly, Well, of course, youre not getting a job when you are carrying around that energy.Resignation isusually driven by the belief that our lack of success is due to circumstances beyond our control. We cant succeed because we are too old, too fat, too young, a woman, a middle-aged white man, etc. When we believe this, we give up. We stop aspiring, rebelling, striving, learning, and growing.In theprograms we run at Inspired Work, I get to binnensee people at their most aspirational. I get to see their truths and what they want to accomplish in the world. From that vantage point, I can also see that physical age has little to do with innovation, value, or ones ability to contribute.Even a teenager can become an old fart, because what we believe determines whether we are fresh or dated.The Reality of AgeMy own personal thoughts on age began to change shortly after I launched Inspired Work.It welches 1992. I welches sitting in the ballroom at the Beverly Hills Hotel next to Boyd Willat, the designer of Day Runner and many other successful ventures. We were members of The Inside Edge, which welches something of a breakfast club for human potential leaders. We met every Tuesday morning to hear authors speak and to connect with the likes of Jack Canfield, Tony Robbins, Barbara De Angelis, and others. It was a heady experience for a newcomerlike me.On this particular morning, I happened to glance toward the entrance of the room when a charismatic old lady walked in with an entourage. A slightly wickedlaughter fillumineszenzdiode her face, which wasframed bycurly gray locks.I turned to Boyd and asked, Who is that character over there?He responded with a bit of awe, Thats Emily Coleman. Many think of her as the gr andmother of the human potential movement.I had no idea what that meant but was compelled to introduce myself. Moments later, I was in front of Emily. After I introduced myself, her smile widened.Oh, Ive heard about you she said. Ive been looking forward to meeting you.Emily hurriedly wroteout a note at the reception table and handed it to me.Heres my phone numberI felt it uncouth to read the note in front of her. So, I waited until I had returned to my seat next to Boyd before opening it. It read Youre cute Lets get togetherOur friendship proved to be a turning point for me. I grew up in a violent adoptive home.For years, Emily was my self-appointed mother.Emily ended up participated inour next Inspired Work program shortly after our initial meeting. There, I learned she was someone who reveled in her entire life whether she was 20, 50, or 70.Emily was writing a bookat the time,Growing Old Disgracefully.Shebelieved that in order to stay young and vital, we need to be willing to bre ak all of our taboos, surpass our limitations, and never resign ourselves to mediocrity.In the early days of our Inspired Work programs, Emily waspart of the support team. She had a unique ability to inspire both love and dismay. Emilyled the first nude encounter group in the United States, and she insisted on telling us stories about itin vivid and acute detail. It was easy to envision Emily surrounded by teenagers as she regaled them with stories of attaching flowers to her pubic hair because she had nothing else to wear.Yes, she left many of us slack-jawed but she had set herself free.Around Emily, I learned that laughter, humor, and refusing to take yourself too seriously are key to keeping yourself vital. Emily taught me that the moment we are seduced into becoming victims and martyrs is the moment we turn old. She taught me that we become old farts the moment we stop nourishing our imaginations.Followingher somewhat crudeforay into human potential, Emily went on to helpthousa nds of people find loving and fulfilling relationships. She wrote books about connecting with others, and she shook up our sensibilities about what it meant to love someone in the modern era.We had a ritual. I would drive to Newport Beach and cross the tiny bridge to Balboa Island. Every time I walked into her home, Emilys eyes lit up.She exploded with joy.I remember one particularly life-changing moment when I asked, Why are you so excited with me?Because you have a gift, she said.Changing the world isnt for the timid, and it can be a lonely ride.I see you.I was used to getting accolades during our programs, but few understood what it took to do my work. Two years before, I had had a series of insights about work. I knew that if I did something with those insights, it would change the world. Moving forward required letting go of the status quo, shedding previous beliefs about my own career path, and finding an entirely new support system. It was lonelywork, and Emily not only under stood that, but she also helped me find some of the best people in the world to mentor and back me.When Emilys health began to fail,we moved our visits from Balboa Island to assisted living. I remember walking down the hall with her once whenan old guy on a walker leered as we passed.She growled, Go find someone else, you old lech. My heart belongs tothisguy, my sonWhenever someone says, I am too old, think of Emily.Whenever someone says, Im too young, think of Taylor Wilson, who built a fusion reactor in his parents garage.Whenever someone says, Im too weak, think of Stephen Hawking.David Harder is the founder ofInspired Work.