Initializing - to what?

Out with the old, in with the new – printer, that is.  I was incensed that I had to purchase a new printer, but quickly realized it has been eons in tech time since my last one.   In setting up the new printer, I waited while it went through the initializing process, which brought about the question - initializing to what?

According to Techtarget.com, initializing is “the process of locating and using the defined values for variable data that is used by a computer program.  An operating system is installed with user-specified values that determine certain aspects of the how the system or program is to function.”

How appropriate (slight sarcasm).  Regardless of the definition’s actual meaning in computer science terms, using it as a metaphor makes perfect sense.  It's the New Year and initializing New Year resolutions to user-specified values would definitely make the difference in functionality – actually achieving the goal.  My printer would have had an “error” message if the initializing process was not successful. You can “install” New Year resolutions simply by choosing goals that would prove beneficial, but initializing them is another action. The key to the initializing process is the “user-specified value.”  This process goes a step beyond initializing to a predetermined default setting (see Default Setting blog 1/1/12); it entails consciously examining the specific values being set.

Here’s an example.  In the past, I have valued the idea of perseverance.  Today, I am not so sure.  If you mentally walk around the concept of “steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement,” it appears almost noble from one angle.  But coming around the corner, it takes on an obstinate stance.   Venturing a bit further, you can see where the idea begins to merge and becomes more subjective at every turn. This is not new, but from my present perspective, this understanding has come into view.

As I consider a New Year’s resolution (whatever it might be), I will make sure during the initializing process that I am not using preset values – those determined by society, or those I have not recently examined.  They will be, as the technical definition states, “defined values for variable data.”

So, back to my question, initializing to what?  The SEARCH is on.  Join me.