What is it with Actuaries and God?

When I was on holiday in Kenya, I read a great book that I don't recommend to you at all. Unless of course you happen to be an actuary or an actuarial student - in which case its a top read!

The book is called Against the Gods: The Remarkable Story of Risk. It's all about the history of risk and the philosphies of risk management and peoples understanding of probability. (*Snore*)

Why am I telling you this? Well it turns out that a lot of the key historical figures in the book are actually Christians. In fact, a guy by the name of Richard Price, considered by many to be the father of the actuarial science because of his work on expecations of life, is actually an (Anglican?) minister. (He also did heaps of other philosophising that I didn't look into)

I found this interesting because just before I left on my holiday, a work mate said, "How can you be a Christian? Actuaries are supposed to be scientific and demand proof?"

Well I think its no surprise that an actuary would be a Christian. There are actually a fair few actuaries at work and at uni who I have known to be Christians. Here is why I think the combination fits so well (bear in mind - I am biased):

1. Actuaries know the probability of dying - For everyone its 1... 100%... No getting away from it. The naturally inquisitive actuary will ask - what then?
2. Actuaries know the probabilities of there being no God - I've heard it argued that this world came about by chance. A good actuary knows to look beyond mere statistical variation and ask "What's driving these results?"
3. Actuaries know a good bet when they see one - Ever heard of Pascal's Wager? Blaise Pascal essentially proved that the best bet was a bet for God (I'll try to put up my simplified version of this later) .

So I reckon that there are a whole heap of Actuaries out there just waiting to be converted! Trained to be Christians!

What do you think?
Do you think your profession has a natural inclination towards faith? Please explain... MTS workers need not apply.

Most Disappointing Coffeee Ever

I’m having a very slow day – struggling to get motivated.

I thought a coffee might help. (Really, I just needed to get away from my desk)

I tried Frank’s* place downstairs on because he claimed to be a coffee purist (my words). He claimed to make a better coffee than his long established competitors. He even has his own blend – usually a mark of a reputable barista.

But I must say – most disappointing coffee ever. It tasted like the old grounds hadn’t been fully removed from the group handle and watching Frank* in action, he left the milk jug unattended whilst steaming! What was he thinking?!?!

Congratulations Frank* - you’ve just been blacklisted.

Why do Sydney-siders, supposedly discerning coffee drinkers, not demand a higher standard from their “new celebrity” baristas? I only know of a couple of places within a hefty walk of my office that I can trust to give me a good coffee. Given the demand for coffee and the recent improvements in barista-standards, this isn’t really good enough.

It could have something to do with the fact that the majority of coffee drinkers don’t care if their coffee tastes like poo. Many are just in it for the caffeine hit. Some have never had a good coffee and so don’t know what they’re missing. But c’mon Sydney! You’ve got taste! Demand more!

If anyone knows where I can get a decent brew in town – please let me know.

This is inside a Masai's hut. It's made of poo - cow poo.

This guy was a champ - his name is Robert and he is one of the village elders. That's his wife on the left and they have 4 kids. He lives in a hut bout 5m by 3m with his wife, kids, his mother and some goats. He's saving up enough cows so he can buy another wife - any man in Kenya can have as many wives as he likes.

Robert was on 60 minutes in Australia about 10-15 years ago cos he was married to an Australian women. She came and lived with him in his hut. But she couldn't hack it and returned home after a while.

The last of the 5 that we saw - this is the Black Rhino - the one with the really expensive horn.

Mmm.. big balls. Not one of the 5.. but pretty awesome

HEAPS of elephants... another of the " Big Five". We saw all of them except the Leopard.

This yawn looks very ferocious. He's another one of the "Big Five".

Water Buffalo or Cape Buffalo. One of the "Big Five". Pretty dangerous apparently, so don't make fun of his pigtails

There are three different kinds of giraffe in Kenya. This is a .... I can't remember.... but its one of them. He is tall.

Africa Wrap

We're back from deepest darkest Africa!
We had an awesome time. We saw heaps of animals, heaps of the country met lots of the locals and villagers and did plenty of relaxing.
I'll put some photos up for you to look at.
Feel free to marvel at our fantastic photographic skills.

This guy is a young lion that we interrupted trying to hunt a gazelle. He was struggling anyway - not heaps stealthy. We found his mum and dad about 500m away. He's a good looking guy.