Going Down In History
The day before the wedding we went to meet with the registrar to confirm the order of service. While there the pot on her desk labelled "Registrar's Ink" caught my eye and so I asked her about it. Apparently there's a special ink they have to use to fill out the registry of marriages. It's special in that it never fades and will last hundreds of years. This got me thinking.
Remember last May I talked about my problems deciding on a job title? Well, there's a space in the registry for your occupation, which, in the words of the registrar, will "go down in history". I had one day to change my mind or decide to stick with my provisional entry of "Web developer". In the end I stuck with it. Here's why.
A hundred years ago I'd imagine the most common entry for a man, in this region of England at least, would have been Coal Miner. Now there are no coal mines left (well, maybe one or two) and in a few generations' time, if not already, children will ask what a Coal Miner was.
The reason I decided on Web developer is that I can see it going the same way some day. My great great great great grandchildren will probably look back and ask what the Web was and why a person was need to develop it instead of some kind of AI. In this way I will become a part of history in the same way coal miners have. In my own small way I've taken part in yet another era of working history.
What does/will your wedding certificate say in this column?
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mmmm we are not married. Sorry.
.::AleX::
Web Developer
20 years ago when I married as a young chap, it said "Sargeant USAF". Now, it would say "Systems Analyst/Programmer".
I guess it all depends on how long you keep the same job or line of work.
-Lance
I think mine say IT consultant. Many congratulations on the wedding, Jake.
tq
My one month old registry entry says "IT Professional".
Mine also said "IT Professional"... but really, in this day and age, what relevance does occupation have to the act of marriage?
My entry - 18 years ago - said "Public servant".
Very non-specific, and everyone just assumes you're a lazy git feeding off the long-suffering taxpayer.
But it also covers a fascinating array of real jobs, one of which was actually a web developer.
I like your modest thoughts on the historic dimension a lot.
You could have stuck with your engineering degree. My guess is, that this will still be understood even in 100 years time. But who knows ...
My 11 month old (as of yesterday) certificate says "Programmer/Analyst"
That's an interesting thought, Jake. I think a hundred years from now, the job title I provided almost seven years ago, "Consultant", will still be recognizable.
It may even be descriptive of the role I actually play today as my overall job hasn't changed much, and it wil probably be largly the same 100 years on. Though, as you say, it may be in reference to an AI rather than simple animated clay and spit.
Hopefuly, though, in a hundred years I'll still be around and able to see for myself. :-)
Mine is "insurance advisor".
That was another life, in another country but the same wife ;o). Just before my family and I left France for Canada.
Congratulations for your wedding!
Mine says computer programmer? God knows why I said that... but I think the hang over, from the night before due to my best man getting me so drunk I had to be put to bed - had a lot to do with it... enjoy the day fella... it passes far too quickly!
I cannot recall if my marriage license had a space for occupation or not; I only recall the blistering argument my soon-to-be husband and I had on the courthouse lawn after getting said license.
At the time, though, I ran a coffee house. I'm not sure what that would be called. Bum?
I cannot recall whether I filled out an occupation or not, as I was all tangled up in the names (I took my wife's last name when we got married, but it was fairly confusing how to fill out the form, as it didn't anticipate my changing my name, but only her changing hers, which she didn't). In any case, even though it was 22 years ago, I am pretty sure it would have been Programmer, or perhaps Programmer Analyst. Not much different than it would be today, I guess, although I might be more tempted to say "Chief Cook and Bottle Washer" or something like that.
I got married last year. My certificate says "Computer Consultant", because I don't just do Web Development.
I suspect unless you're going to start sticking to SIC codes then you could effectively put anything in there. I wonder what the entry would say if you are temporarily out of a job. Woudl you say "Unemployed", or would you put what your last job was. I wonder if there is a job title for "Slacker". (^_^)
Mine says "Cookie Designer". Sounded better than some IT related title. :)
I think mine says IT Consultant aka Jack of all trades :)
I'm not married, and likely never will be in the US, but when people ask me what I do I tell them I'm a code poet. Poets arrange language artfully to create something distinct and meaningful. The languages I use happen to be technologic rather than spoken.
I coped out and put "Managing Director". I couldn't think of anything more original.
In retrospect, I should have put "Web Evangelist" or something *really* annoying..... Not sure what my great-grand kids would have made of that though.