Feast or famine?
First things first: I’m heading West for a week, and will likely be unplugged for a majority of that time. To that end, ye’ll need to find other ways to contact me if necessary, and otherwise I’ll catch up when I get back to Decatur.So one study shows that fear creates a great degree of focus and spatial exaggeration (we think the scary things are closer than they are). Horror movie producers have been exploiting this for years by warping focus!Has anyone else been bothered by the concept of contagious, incorporeal undead? It seems that without divine intervention, a universe would very quickly fall to an apocalyptic landscape with a few “points of light”, but the light would be superpowered survivors and their charges, while the landscape between with swarms of life-draining undead. While adventures usually keep this in mind and describe the monster in question as being fixed in place, very few extend this limitation to their victims, and the monster books rarely say the shadows are gravebound.Step 3: Laugh self to sleep in disgusted amusement.
Step 2: Experience confusion at the sensation of mist settling on my chest a few seconds later.
Step 1: Sneeze.More unexpected adventures: 2AM dance party on the street at Atlantic Station. And by “dance party” I mean “park illegally in the midst of an abandoned shopping center, turn up the speakers, and dance on the sidewalk”.Forwarded by wolven, very illuminating: http://www.psychologytoday.com/files/attachments/5173/pwq2009.pdf and to that end, I’d like to extend the theory that to some degree, the increasing (and sometimes baffling levels of) hostility towards women can, in part, be explained by population growth and transparency. More people means more jerks, and the interwebs means what was in some cases hidden is now out there for everyone to see. However, I don’t think that covers everything. The “nice guys turned nasty” are also expressing (poorly) a valid frustration with the role of men in modern societies and a lack of clear patterns for interaction or safe understandings in changing cultures. And I’d like to clarify that while the method of expression is damaging and not acceptable, the question is probably justifiable, and one with which I have identified at different times.
To that end, I’d like to suggest a radical departure from the current paradigm. I am, admittedly, not the first to think of this, and there are some excellent satires out there, one of them being a set of “Rape safety tips” that includes the line, “Always keep a whistle with you. If you’re afraid you might rape someone, blow it and tell them to stay away!” While an admittedly silly response, it definitely puts the focus in the right place. The problem isn’t that some people might be victims, the problem is that people might be attackers. Not to mention the efficiency: If slightly more than half the population is female, and only a percentage (ranging from 100 to 5, depending on whose report it is, but still less than half of the population at large) are potential jerks, it seems obvious that it would be more efficient to focus on the smaller group.
There is some level of difficulty in that the target population is probably resistant to change, as we might not see a direct level of benefit to us. There are various long-term benefits and personal support that can be offered, depending on the target in question. Second, one could claim no connection to the targets. However, everyone is somebody’s brother, son, cousin, boss, whatever; if we have 7 jumps to a connection with everybody, I’m assuming everyone can be reached. The third question is why one should help violent people we don’t know, rather than let them throw away their worthless lives. I’ll appeal again to emotion, on the 7 degrees away, not to mention they are somebody’s child. If we have to get down to brass tacks, though, there’s the offer of investment: Time and money it takes vs. the violence prevented and the target’s future value to society.
At this point, I don’t have any clear answers for what one can do with a target, and will share further developments if I find anything. As it is, though, here are some suggestions:
- Vocally challenge the “Boy meets girl” paradigms when displayed by media.
- Stay engaged with them. Question their assumptions about gendered interactions. Encourage healthy developments, both for “looking for love” and “what is my place in this world”.
That’s all I can think of right now, and there’s a cat that desperately needs my attention.Sitting in my living room, I can see three hawks’ nests. Saw two crows harassing a hawk earlier. But that wasn’t the coolest bit...
Last week, coming up the trail, I saw a deer bounding away to the right, distinctive white rump disappearing into the shadows. I walked a few more feet, and suddenly realized there was another deer to my left: Painted blue and grey in the light of dusk, pointed ears spread wide to catch any hint of threat, watching from just beyond the tree line, waiting to join her companion. I passed in front of her about twenty feet away, and continued up the trail.Several dreams lately, but nothing comprehensible or interesting.Also, fun trip to Nashville recently: Stole my neighbor’s car (with neighbor in it), dropped her off at a friend’s, got to visit with Lindsey and Raul. Swati called to check in, found out it was a 5-star hotel... and I discovered my clothes had loose threads and weird spots during ironing... felt rather unprepared, would rather have gotten my tux repaired. I showed up anyways, met someone else who said she felt underdressed. Got introduced to a pair of splendid tangueros, ended up at their table. Dinner was loverly, touching toast from Swati’s brother. Swati suggested I dance with someone, and we had a splendid time, and she suggested we keep dancing until we drop, and then she disappeared. I took the opportunity to grab some gifts I left in the car, and when I was coming back inside I saw her on the way out. Not sure if she suddenly realized it was late, or thought I had left (after I thought she had left... thanks, “Romeo & Juliet”), or what, but still a smidge disappointed; I had assumed I could get contact information a little later, but that was too sudden. Danced pretty much the rest of the night, including a few with the bride, and a tango to “Summer Love” from Grease... never thought that would happen, but there we go. Also dances with the supposedly underdressed person at the beginning, who was egging me on to go bar hopping with the crew, and then when the DJ shut down (no music after midnight in music city? seriously?) she decided she couldn’t stay out late. Took home an elephant-shaped candle holder and a wistful discontent. I often do (the feeling, not the wedding gift) when dancing late in other cities, not sure what’s missing. The following morning I was expecting lateness, but somehow I got up before my hosts and read the second book of Maus. We headed out to a local small shop cluster for brunch and poking around; I repaid my hosts with food, we stopped by a crafty “repurposed antiques shop” (chandelier made of silver spoons, cork topped with billiard balls, placemats that look like vintage posters) and a used book store (from which I bought an armload). We also stopped by “The Parthenon”, a replica of the real thing, which claims to have the largest bronze doors in the world (the Athenian being bronze-plated wood), and walked around a loverly little park that reminded me somewhere between Piedmont and Lullwater. Relatively painless drive home, picked up neighbor, got on a tangent about the damaging helplessness created by the myth of the nuclear family and the frontiersman.Interviewed for an IA3 position. Sounded promising, will have to wait a few weeks to hear back since I was at the top of the roster.That’s it for today, and I should probably get packed to head to California tonight. See ye later, and I hope ye have a happy Thanksgiving (or at the least a pleasant week) in the interim.
Step 2: Experience confusion at the sensation of mist settling on my chest a few seconds later.
Step 1: Sneeze.More unexpected adventures: 2AM dance party on the street at Atlantic Station. And by “dance party” I mean “park illegally in the midst of an abandoned shopping center, turn up the speakers, and dance on the sidewalk”.Forwarded by wolven, very illuminating: http://www.psychologytoday.com/files/attachments/5173/pwq2009.pdf and to that end, I’d like to extend the theory that to some degree, the increasing (and sometimes baffling levels of) hostility towards women can, in part, be explained by population growth and transparency. More people means more jerks, and the interwebs means what was in some cases hidden is now out there for everyone to see. However, I don’t think that covers everything. The “nice guys turned nasty” are also expressing (poorly) a valid frustration with the role of men in modern societies and a lack of clear patterns for interaction or safe understandings in changing cultures. And I’d like to clarify that while the method of expression is damaging and not acceptable, the question is probably justifiable, and one with which I have identified at different times.
To that end, I’d like to suggest a radical departure from the current paradigm. I am, admittedly, not the first to think of this, and there are some excellent satires out there, one of them being a set of “Rape safety tips” that includes the line, “Always keep a whistle with you. If you’re afraid you might rape someone, blow it and tell them to stay away!” While an admittedly silly response, it definitely puts the focus in the right place. The problem isn’t that some people might be victims, the problem is that people might be attackers. Not to mention the efficiency: If slightly more than half the population is female, and only a percentage (ranging from 100 to 5, depending on whose report it is, but still less than half of the population at large) are potential jerks, it seems obvious that it would be more efficient to focus on the smaller group.
There is some level of difficulty in that the target population is probably resistant to change, as we might not see a direct level of benefit to us. There are various long-term benefits and personal support that can be offered, depending on the target in question. Second, one could claim no connection to the targets. However, everyone is somebody’s brother, son, cousin, boss, whatever; if we have 7 jumps to a connection with everybody, I’m assuming everyone can be reached. The third question is why one should help violent people we don’t know, rather than let them throw away their worthless lives. I’ll appeal again to emotion, on the 7 degrees away, not to mention they are somebody’s child. If we have to get down to brass tacks, though, there’s the offer of investment: Time and money it takes vs. the violence prevented and the target’s future value to society.
At this point, I don’t have any clear answers for what one can do with a target, and will share further developments if I find anything. As it is, though, here are some suggestions:
- Vocally challenge the “Boy meets girl” paradigms when displayed by media.
- Stay engaged with them. Question their assumptions about gendered interactions. Encourage healthy developments, both for “looking for love” and “what is my place in this world”.
That’s all I can think of right now, and there’s a cat that desperately needs my attention.Sitting in my living room, I can see three hawks’ nests. Saw two crows harassing a hawk earlier. But that wasn’t the coolest bit...
Last week, coming up the trail, I saw a deer bounding away to the right, distinctive white rump disappearing into the shadows. I walked a few more feet, and suddenly realized there was another deer to my left: Painted blue and grey in the light of dusk, pointed ears spread wide to catch any hint of threat, watching from just beyond the tree line, waiting to join her companion. I passed in front of her about twenty feet away, and continued up the trail.Several dreams lately, but nothing comprehensible or interesting.Also, fun trip to Nashville recently: Stole my neighbor’s car (with neighbor in it), dropped her off at a friend’s, got to visit with Lindsey and Raul. Swati called to check in, found out it was a 5-star hotel... and I discovered my clothes had loose threads and weird spots during ironing... felt rather unprepared, would rather have gotten my tux repaired. I showed up anyways, met someone else who said she felt underdressed. Got introduced to a pair of splendid tangueros, ended up at their table. Dinner was loverly, touching toast from Swati’s brother. Swati suggested I dance with someone, and we had a splendid time, and she suggested we keep dancing until we drop, and then she disappeared. I took the opportunity to grab some gifts I left in the car, and when I was coming back inside I saw her on the way out. Not sure if she suddenly realized it was late, or thought I had left (after I thought she had left... thanks, “Romeo & Juliet”), or what, but still a smidge disappointed; I had assumed I could get contact information a little later, but that was too sudden. Danced pretty much the rest of the night, including a few with the bride, and a tango to “Summer Love” from Grease... never thought that would happen, but there we go. Also dances with the supposedly underdressed person at the beginning, who was egging me on to go bar hopping with the crew, and then when the DJ shut down (no music after midnight in music city? seriously?) she decided she couldn’t stay out late. Took home an elephant-shaped candle holder and a wistful discontent. I often do (the feeling, not the wedding gift) when dancing late in other cities, not sure what’s missing. The following morning I was expecting lateness, but somehow I got up before my hosts and read the second book of Maus. We headed out to a local small shop cluster for brunch and poking around; I repaid my hosts with food, we stopped by a crafty “repurposed antiques shop” (chandelier made of silver spoons, cork topped with billiard balls, placemats that look like vintage posters) and a used book store (from which I bought an armload). We also stopped by “The Parthenon”, a replica of the real thing, which claims to have the largest bronze doors in the world (the Athenian being bronze-plated wood), and walked around a loverly little park that reminded me somewhere between Piedmont and Lullwater. Relatively painless drive home, picked up neighbor, got on a tangent about the damaging helplessness created by the myth of the nuclear family and the frontiersman.Interviewed for an IA3 position. Sounded promising, will have to wait a few weeks to hear back since I was at the top of the roster.That’s it for today, and I should probably get packed to head to California tonight. See ye later, and I hope ye have a happy Thanksgiving (or at the least a pleasant week) in the interim.