Thursday, February 4, 2016
New
I recently started working at the lab. So far it is enjoyable and interesting, my coworkers are cool and I am compensated well. For us that are new to the lab and this blog, what is the context I'm missing and what are the general motivations of posters here? Also why is there such a focus on LANL on this blog?
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Because in my opinion the first Blog was started during the transition and was very helpful giving information (especially on which retirement option to choose)'
Well LANL went through the transition long before Livermore so the focus was on LANL.
Stay at LLNS if you like it, leave if you don't. Some of the denizens of this blog have a victim mentality due to not receiving their due ,so to speak. The last contract change modified the retirement system, and there was and still is great resentment and gnashing of teeth, at least from some of the LLNL denizens. I left the system years ago, one of the better decisions I have made career wise, but to each their own. As long as you are doing something you like, or find rewarding professionally, have at it and stay clear of the whiners and other drek that would drag you down.
Correction: LANL The Real Story blog started during LANL transition. This blog started in december 2007 for LLNL and coexisted for a short period with LANL's. Then, when LANL's blog died, LANL peole started flocking to this blog
LANL's blog died because one of the moderators did (literally).
The reason why there is much discussion about LANL is because we don't have a blog any longer. The local press listens to people who only have bad things to say about the lab. And yes, some of the things that happen here are bad, but there is also many good people who try each and every day to come to work and do the right thing. LANLs problems are much like the NNSA and DOE; a lack of leadership and accountability. Actually our country suffers in much the same way. It is easier to complain than actually make change. As a LANL employee, I like the coverage and balance and say thank you doobydew for allowing us to vent, to correct the inaccuracy that is communicated about LANL, and to let you know we are all trying our best.
LANL is the poster child for how bad things have become with corporate LLCs managing the labs, never mind the pre-existing cowboy culture [LANL Director Pete Nanos, 2004] that persists. When there is a new disaster every other month, it is not surprising that LANL is a popular topic of conversation.
"never mind the pre-existing cowboy culture [LANL Director Pete Nanos, 2004] that persists."
There is no cowboy culture and there never was a cowboy culture. The idea that there has ever been such a culture was thoroughly debunked as far back as 2004. Why do keep repeating this nonsense?
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/253887129_Is_There_Really_a_Cowboy_Culture_of_Arrogance_at_Los_Alamos
The problem with the for-profit LANS and LLNS (LANSLLNS) is they are granted the business discretions of a true free market company, with all the profit protections of a failure immune public sector entity. This has proven not to be a good combo for lab employees or Lab national mission objectives. LANL and LLNL in the post UC management era cost much much more to operate and DOE is not getting a proportional benefit for the increased price tag.
8:03 has no life.
And here come the same tired voices, defending LANL and denying what everyone else has seen for years as a cowboy culture of arrogance. It ought to be dissolved, with the remaining parts given over to LLNL.
February 8, 2016 at 3:09 PM has it exactly right. The dissenting voices are those of losing LLNL employees and managers who can't see a way out of their inevitable slide to irrelevance to US national security. Or, in a smaller percentage, those LANL ex-employees who were let go because they were the arrogant ones.
"And here come the same tired voices, defending LANL and denying what everyone else has seen for years as a cowboy culture of arrogance. It ought to be dissolved, with the remaining parts given over to LLNL.
February 8, 2016 at 5:57 PM"
If what you say is true than LANL would have been dissolved 10 years ago, however it was not and there is no sign it will be for the foreseeable future. It would seem it is you who does not see reality. If you believe so firmly that "everyone" has known for years about the so called cowboy culture than could please provide some evidence or "proof" of this. To date you have never provided any evidence to back up you claims and the continued existence and even increased funding for LANL is very strong evidence against your assertions. It would appear that it is you that has a rather tired and lone voice claiming that LANL has a culture of arrogance. Perhaps you should reconsider your viewpoint and look to other causes for your anger and inability to see reality and such an action could not only be beneficial to you but also to those that care for you.
The model is irrelevant, private or not for profit, the result is the same. The problem is that there has not been a coherent national mission for the DOE for 25 years.
And here comes Mr. Prove It. Zzzzz.
"And here comes Mr. Prove It. Zzzzz.
February 8, 2016 at 10:34 PM"
There has now been plenty of evidence such as the Holian report and the continued existence of LANL showing that your statement is probably wrong. Nanos was the one who used the term cowboy culture and he was dismissed soon after that which again points to him being incorrect and obviously not "everyone" believed what he said.
It would appear that you are the one that keeps repeating a tired argument that no believes. Perhaps if you had some "proof" that could change some minds.
The problem is that there has not been a coherent national mission for the DOE for 25 years.
February 8, 2016 at 9:13 PM
Of course there has - it just is not nuclear weapons.
The DOE has changed mission statements faster than a cuttlefish at a crab convention. It has been an issue since 1993, and continues to be an issue.
The DOE mission statement has always included nuclear weapons, but most of the government failed to read that part, and Congress knows nothing about it. To them, it's all about solar and windmills.
"...faster than a cuttlefish at a crab convention", thank you, I will remember that long after I have forgotten everything else I have read on this blog.
I believe there is a cowboy culture in operations, but not in the scientists. There is more than one culture here at LANL and always has been.
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