British Spy Agency Searches For Real-Life 'Q' 79
suraj.sun writes with this quote from the Associated Press:"Britain's domestic spy agency — MI5 — is hunting for its very own 'Q,' of sorts. MI6's sister organization, which carries out surveillance on terror suspects inside Britain and gives security advice to the government, is searching for someone to lead its scientific work. Projects could include everything from developing counterterrorism technology to tackling a biological or chemical attack. 'Looking for a chief scientific adviser to lead and coordinate the scientific work of the security service so that the service continues to be supported by excellent science and technology advice,' MI5's Web site ad reads. MI5 has long had a roster of scientific staff tasked with developing high-tech gadgets, but an official said the service now wants a high-profile figure to lead pioneering work in technology and science. The adviser's work will focus chiefly on creating sophisticated new tools to help security service officers carry out surveillance and analysis work, said a government security official, who requested anonymity to discuss the work of MI5."
Q? (Score:5, Funny)
Well, I can think the requirements for entering the Continuum, including omnipotence, a flagrant disregard for all other races and a fondness for haunting starships would be rather difficult to find...
oh, right.
Re:FYI (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Q? (Score:3, Funny)
I read the tag as Tsartrek. Quite fitting.
Re:Just for the record (Score:3, Funny)
Really? I was so sure the article was talking about this guy...
http://www.theoldcomputer.com/Libarary's/Pictures/NESGameCovers/Q-bert.jpg [theoldcomputer.com]
Re:There's one obvious candidate. (Score:4, Funny)
Steve Jobs (Score:4, Funny)
This is a job for Jobs.
Re:Q? (Score:5, Funny)
You know you're reading slashdot when a summary mentioning MI6 and Q needs a !startrek tag.
Re:Just for the record (Score:3, Funny)
Top 10 known advantages for being Q (Score:5, Funny)
I've watched the movies and even a few episodes of the TV show. Here are the known advantages for being Q:
1. Apparently unlimited R&D budget.
2. No ES&H looking over your shoulder while minions shoot themselves and blow themselves up.
3. You're free to just work things out without some PHB running about and micromanaging you.
4. You get to leave your sub sandwich wherever it's convenient at the time and no one even thinks of touching it.
5. You get to spend a great deal of time critiquing toys that explode.
6. You get to know what tailors across Europe are up to - and combined with #1, above, implies a LOT.
7. Main staff are assigned to check in with you before working - and they do. N.B., you do not write memos and status reports about what they'll find - people have to ask - once.
8. Your day isn't filled just with minions shooting themselves and blowing themselves up - you get to talk to people, including staff, that experiences the outside world.
9. Overall main staff is hip and intelligent.
10. You can get exasperated with James Bond and talk to him like he's a child and instead of shooting you (remember - license to kill), and instead of politically backstabbing you within the organization, he likes you for it and makes jokes.
Re:Fascinating job (Score:1, Funny)
Seriously. I've thought about approaching the local spooks, but have never gotten around to it. Hence the AC posting.
Don't worry, we'll be in touch.