a well wisher's comments
a well wisher's comments from the True North group.
Note: a well wisher is no longer a member of this group.
(showing 1-20 of 52)
Mar 13, 2009 03:47PM
"Now a generation of people have grown up with that idea in their heads, that their actions and words have few consequences, so we are treated to their idiocy in person."I really don't think people have learned rudeness from the internet. I think it's more human nature in the modern, bustling world -- not so much the written world, necessarily. Human nature expands as it may.
But I'm probably taking this article a bit too personally.
Mar 13, 2009 02:24PM
Christy, -- I'm not saying there isn't drivel. I'm just doubting that the internet caused it.It's not just affluent, educated adults who have computers these days. And, it isn't just brilliant authors who are writing and being read. I know this has left me with some bad habits (that you've been kind enough not to point out!) but I still think I'm the better for it.
I maintain that stupid people walk around stupid all day. ;)
Mar 13, 2009 01:45PM
I use too many exclamation points.
Mar 13, 2009 01:44PM
I've said embarrassing things too. And perhaps gotten a little too intimate at times? It's just different though. I don't think it's bad. Speaking for myself, I've come out of my shell here. I've been able to give myself an education I otherwise wouldn't have had access to. It hasn't been a dumbing down for me. Though it might just be I'm much dumber than the rest of you!"I would argue that e-mail is letter writing."
Oh, I agree! I write more emails than I ever did paper letters. I just miss seeing my friends' handwriting!
Mar 13, 2009 12:32PM
Yes, well, I've heard a lot of ridiculous crap in person! There's more diversity on the internet than, say, one's family or one's neighborhood, so it's just a broader spectrum. For you, that broader spectrum may be a bit dumbed down. I don't think it is for most. I would, however, wholeheartedly agree that email killed letter writing!
Mar 13, 2009 12:16PM
So written communication is infantile? I feel more myself when I'm able to communicate in writing. It gives me time to process my thoughts and, what's more, be mindful of others in the process. If your strengths are verbal, rather than spatial, why not develop that strength -- perhaps utilize it in the development of other skills? Why must we all be a bunch of right-brained extroverts? Greenfield makes me angry.
My 3 year old niece LOVES this. The next Pollock, perhaps? ..
Well, I have to ask (and, as I started the thread, I feel entitled to interrupt), what is your Myers-Briggs type, Christy?
"To a president, or our new President?"Either one, I guess. I was speaking generally, myself, but that's only because I can do no better than that.
(My mother has been bugging me to read Gilead!)
What books would you recommend to a president? I'd suggest Middlemarch by George Eliot and Orlando by Virginia Woolf. Why? Because they're awesome.
What are your thoughts?
Jan 14, 2009 01:45PM
I think what it takes is a solid sense of self, a solid sense of one's loyalties, and, yes, a solid/steadfast partner. It would be nice if some external establishment could create that safety net for us. But that's life: subjective, random, arbitrary. And societal construct, well...that's worse. And so it goes.
Jan 14, 2009 01:01PM
I'll begin with the initial question of intolerances: Mine are adults hurting children, humans hurting animals, men hurting women, -- anyone hurting anyone smaller. This one might sound a bit obvious, but I'm INFURIATED by it.Another thing is gangs. It's not enough to be a sociopath? You have to be in a clique too? Really, they're no better than teenage girls!
But seriously --
My feelings about infidelity are complicated. It's not so much the physical act that offends me. It's not even the breaking of vows. It's the very notion that individuals are interchangeable. Being a misfit introvert, I can't take intimacies for granted! But then again, a best friend and kindred spirit of mine once cheated on someone, so...I don't know...
Oh, and did I mention my father cheated on my mother?...
I have a friend who objects to the star rating system, on principle. She feels it marginalizes great literature. Me, I love it!
My system:
* - I've never given anything one star. I figure, a two star rating is low enough to make the author cry.
** - Not worth reading. I do want some authors to cry ...a little.
*** - Worth reading, but something was lacking.
**** - I greatly respect this author and this book, but I'm withholding a star for petty reasons of my own.
***** - This book fits me like a glove. I want everyone to read it so that they might better understand me and thereby better understand the world!
(I'm only half joking).
How do YOU rate books?
Jan 08, 2009 03:54PM
I mean, do what feels good within reason. =b
Jan 08, 2009 03:53PM
Well, within reason, of course! It's never alright to harm others.
Jan 08, 2009 03:45PM
"If it feels good to you, go ahead & do it, otherwise don't stress over it or condemn others."I agree, -- but I don't see any condemnation here in the group. We all want to feel accepted and acknowledged. This topic, in particular, can be triggering for a multitude of reasons: [editing out unnecessary hypotheticals:]. However we define "other" (and the "other" always seems to be much bigger than oneself) our reactions are our own. We're all just people, -- nothing more, nothing less.
Jan 06, 2009 11:34AM
Oh, then I'll take "magic dancing". ;)
Jan 06, 2009 11:30AM
I'm sorry. Which Sarah are you talking to?
Jan 06, 2009 11:27AM
Actually, other Sarah, I think they're leaving a touch of gray, not adding it. I could be wrong about that though. =bThere's always another Sarah. I suppose from now on I'll be "asexual Sarah". *sigh*
Jan 06, 2009 10:05AM
Or, to put it more directly, both my aversion and defensiveness regarding it are natural for me given my neurological makeup.
