Random Thoughts Thread

[darsparx]

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

Well at least i'm not the only one to avoid the "news" even if I miss the less "miserable" stuff that comes on(especially if it means something would be nice to hear about). Seems like over 90% of the news is miserable stuff anyways or at least comes off as that as it seems(is there seriously nothing of note that's not miserable?)

[dsheinem]

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

Well at least i'm not the only one to avoid the "news" even if I miss the less "miserable" stuff that comes on(especially if it means something would be nice to hear about). Seems like over 90% of the news is miserable stuff anyways or at least comes off as that as it seems(is there seriously nothing of note that's not miserable?)

there's a difference between not watching the news and not learning/caring about the news...

[jp1]

So, no one believes that intellect is in part a gift? Sure, people should play the hand they are dealt the best they can, but not everyone gets dealt a winning hand. I think it's a good practice for those lucky enough to be born with the ability to excel (even through hard work), to remember that some people despite how hard they might try will never be able to reach those same heights. Judging people you don't know based on their intellect is a form of prejudice. It is absolutely possible that it is their own fault, and equally possible it isn't. This isn't an attempt at debate, just a distinction I feel is warranted when these topics are discussed.

[MrPopo]

It sounds like you're prejudiced against prejudice.

[jp1]

It sounds like you're prejudiced against prejudice.

A little bit. The comment wasn't toward anyone in particular, it just seemed the discussion as a whole was kind of based on the opinion that just anyone can go out and educate themselves to some certain "acceptable" level. Who decides what this level is, I'm not sure. Of course it is a matter of opinion and open to speculation, but as a sibling to a person who has struggled with learning disabilities and been judged because of them, I'm not fond of the whole "The world is full of stupid people, who won't do anything to help themselves." type of tone that these conversations often linger into. Privilege is not a bullshit concept and those who have benefited from it often don't care to share the credit because they feel it detracts from their hard work, in my opinion. This particular conversation wasn't on that road yet, but it seemed to be on it's way.

EDIT:
"If I can reach that top cabinet, there is no reason you cannot." Says the 6' tall man to the small person. Meanwhile neglecting the obvious answer was to give him a hand up.

Just saying.

[Ack]

But your sibling is aware of the disability and does his/her best to compensate, correct? Such people don't bother me, and I've known quite a few folks who were severely handicapped in a variety of ways that were all absolutely wonderful. I think the bigger concern is for people who squander their gifts, for various reasons.

For instance, I know of at least one brilliant girl who suffers a debilitating illness, and her way of dealing with it was to turn towards addictive substances and to blame her problems on others. I know a guy who, while never particularly bright, could have done quite well for himself if only he would have stopped abandoning all of his jobs after his first paycheck so he could go get high. He eventually had to leave the small town he grew up in because nobody would hire him anymore and his father was tired of having to keep him out of jail.

Sure, there may be other issues at play here, but when I look at them, I see folks who just squandered what talents they had. Compare this to one of my cousins, a guy who is trashy, ignorant, and suffers from learning disabilities; he still found his way into his dream job in the US army and does well enough at it to pay for the things he desires. Sure, he doesn't know much about the world outside his small piece of it, but he's pretty happy with where he is.

[prfsnl_gmr]

Unintelligent people are not the problem. Obliviously ignorant people are the problem.

[Michi]

Unintelligent people are not the problem. Obliviously ignorant people are the problem.

QFT

+1

You get the whole box of gold stars.

etc. etc..

[jp1]

But your sibling is aware of the disability and does his/her best to compensate, correct? Such people don't bother me, and I've known quite a few folks who were severely handicapped in a variety of ways that were all absolutely wonderful. I think the bigger concern is for people who squander their gifts, for various reasons.

For instance, I know of at least one brilliant girl who suffers a debilitating illness, and her way of dealing with it was to turn towards addictive substances and to blame her problems on others. I know a guy who, while never particularly bright, could have done quite well for himself if only he would have stopped abandoning all of his jobs after his first paycheck so he could go get high. He eventually had to leave the small town he grew up in because nobody would hire him anymore and his father was tired of having to keep him out of jail.

Sure, there may be other issues at play here, but when I look at them, I see folks who just squandered what talents they had. Compare this to one of my cousins, a guy who is trashy, ignorant, and suffers from learning disabilities; he still found his way into his dream job in the US army and does well enough at it to pay for the things he desires. Sure, he doesn't know much about the world outside his small piece of it, but he's pretty happy with where he is.

Sure, she does her best. She earned her high school diploma, no small feat for her. And she struggles every day to understand intricacies of everyday life that many people take for granted. I'm well aware there are also sorry/lazy people. The problem is that you can only fairly make judgement about individuals when you have the proper information at hand to do so. Sweeping generalizations about "stupid" people are just as ugly as any other generalization, though much more widely accepted. I don't mean to infer that JT or Dsh was passing said judgment, I simply wanted to point out a different view.

Even with my own children these differences are apparent. Since they share an upbringing and genetic makeup, you can't really make a nature/nurture argument here. I have one son who is naturally gifted with intellect, but somewhat crippled socially. On the other hand I have a boy who is a social butterfly, but has to work twice as hard to get 85% of the grade my oldest son makes. Further, my sister would be completely incapable of doing the work my oldest son does, regardless of how much time and effort she spent. However, she does manage to be self sufficient and carve out a lifestyle similar in many ways to those without these challenges. She could be considered "stupid" if you met her and spent an hour with her, but if you know her life and her story, she is really quite remarkable.

[jp1]

Unintelligent people are not the problem. Obliviously ignorant people are the problem.

Yes, no issue with this at all. It's a simple distinction, but an important one.