Random Thoughts Thread

[Ack]

Thinking about money is stressful. Especially when you don't have as much as you'd like.

I hate to tell you this, but you will never have as much as you'd like, chief.

[jp1]

Thinking about money is stressful. Especially when you don't have as much as you'd like.

I hate to tell you this, but you will never have as much as you'd like, chief.

That's some sad truth right there. If you are keeping your head above water, find the things you have to be grateful for and focus on them instead. You're still doing better than most of the world.

I know some miserable relatively rich folk, and some insanely happy relatively poor folk. Flip it around and it's still true. It's a matter of perspective. Like most things in life.

Normally I hate these things, but this one is helpful when you are stressing over money, or anything else for that matter.

[BoringSupreez]

No, I don't want to be content. I want to be miserable.

[J T]

I hate the generally held belief that people are stupid. It's everywhere, woven into the fabric of society. It's in the TV execs that try to dumb down smart shows for mass appeal. It's in the advertisements that sometimes subtly, and sometimes not at all subtly, treat their customers like we are stupid people that need stupid products that they are stupid enough to buy. It's in our simplified, soundbite news followed by a false "debate" between angry pundits. It's in our happy, simple pop music with its watered down lyrics. It's in our macho man and titty girl video games. It's on the fucking warning labels on everything from curling irons to mayonaisse. It's so ubiquitous it's even in our god damn stupid heads.

This belief leads to a self fulfilling prophecy where we treat each other like we're stupid so often, that it just gets beaten into your skull. You're surrounded by shit for stupid people and without any real culture to anchor yourself to, you are at constant risk of becoming stupid yourself. You have to raise your blade against this sea of inane bullshit. You have to educate yourself. Find value. Define yourself. Read a fucking book. It's the only way to take arms against this constant attempt to dumb you down, so you can walk through this life with some dignity and self respect.

[Ack]

I hate the generally held belief that people are stupid. It's everywhere, woven into the fabric of society. It's in the TV execs that try to dumb down smart shows for mass appeal. It's in the advertisements that sometimes subtly, and sometimes not at all subtly, treat their customers like we are stupid people that need stupid products that they are stupid enough to buy. It's in our simplified, soundbite news followed by a false "debate" between angry pundits. It's in our happy, simple pop music with its watered down lyrics. It's in our macho man and titty girl video games. It's on the fucking warning labels on everything from curling irons to mayonaisse. It's so ubiquitous it's even in our god damn stupid heads.

This belief leads to a self fulfilling prophecy where we treat each other like we're stupid so often, that it just gets beaten into your skull. You're surrounded by shit for stupid people and without any real culture to anchor yourself to, you are at constant risk of becoming stupid yourself. You have to raise your blade against this sea of inane bullshit. You have to educate yourself. Find value. Define yourself. Read a fucking book. It's the only way to take arms against this constant attempt to dumb you down, so you can walk through this life with some dignity and self respect.

...but why a book on fucking?

[jp1]

I hate the generally held belief that people are stupid. It's everywhere, woven into the fabric of society. It's in the TV execs that try to dumb down smart shows for mass appeal. It's in the advertisements that sometimes subtly, and sometimes not at all subtly, treat their customers like we are stupid people that need stupid products that they are stupid enough to buy. It's in our simplified, soundbite news followed by a false "debate" between angry pundits. It's in our happy, simple pop music with its watered down lyrics. It's in our macho man and titty girl video games. It's on the fucking warning labels on everything from curling irons to mayonaisse. It's so ubiquitous it's even in our god damn stupid heads.

This belief leads to a self fulfilling prophecy where we treat each other like we're stupid so often, that it just gets beaten into your skull. You're surrounded by shit for stupid people and without any real culture to anchor yourself to, you are at constant risk of becoming stupid yourself. You have to raise your blade against this sea of inane bullshit. You have to educate yourself. Find value. Define yourself. Read a fucking book. It's the only way to take arms against this constant attempt to dumb you down, so you can walk through this life with some dignity and self respect.

...but why a book on fucking?

The movie's better.

[MrPopo]

I hate the generally held belief that people are stupid. It's everywhere, woven into the fabric of society. It's in the TV execs that try to dumb down smart shows for mass appeal. It's in the advertisements that sometimes subtly, and sometimes not at all subtly, treat their customers like we are stupid people that need stupid products that they are stupid enough to buy. It's in our simplified, soundbite news followed by a false "debate" between angry pundits. It's in our happy, simple pop music with its watered down lyrics. It's in our macho man and titty girl video games. It's on the fucking warning labels on everything from curling irons to mayonaisse. It's so ubiquitous it's even in our god damn stupid heads.

This belief leads to a self fulfilling prophecy where we treat each other like we're stupid so often, that it just gets beaten into your skull. You're surrounded by shit for stupid people and without any real culture to anchor yourself to, you are at constant risk of becoming stupid yourself. You have to raise your blade against this sea of inane bullshit. You have to educate yourself. Find value. Define yourself. Read a fucking book. It's the only way to take arms against this constant attempt to dumb you down, so you can walk through this life with some dignity and self respect.

...but why a book on fucking?

Kama Sutra is a classic.

[dsheinem]

I hate the generally held belief that people are stupid.

Have you seen Idiocracy? I fear its prophetic powers.

On a more serious note, there's been an escalating spirit of anti-intellectualism in this country for decades now...the problem is multifaceted, and I think most of what you cite (the news media, political discourse, etc.) are merely symptoms of a deeper root cause.

That's not to say it isn't worth fighting to turn the tide, but when many of our accomplished celebrities are proudly stupid and when the bulk of public discourse plays to the lowest common denominator, it is certainly an uphill battle to convince people that education, culture, etc. are worth their while.

[TechXRenAgadeX]

it is certainly an uphill battle to convince people that education, culture, etc. are worth their while.

I guess I'm part of the minority or just a big giant nerd XD

[Hobie-wan]

I hate the generally held belief that people are stupid.

Have you seen Idiocracy? I fear its prophetic powers.

On a more serious note, there's been an escalating spirit of anti-intellectualism in this country for decades now...the problem is multifaceted, and I think most of what you cite (the news media, political discourse, etc.) are merely symptoms of a deeper root cause.

That's not to say it isn't worth fighting to turn the tide, but when many of our accomplished celebrities are proudly stupid and when the bulk of public discourse plays to the lowest common denominator, it is certainly an uphill battle to convince people that education, culture, etc. are worth their while.

...and people look at me funny when I tell them I don't watch TV and even avoid the 'news' most of the time.