The Fora: A Higher Education Community

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: aside on June 05, 2019, 09:01:13 PM

Title: Post your asides here
Post by: aside on June 05, 2019, 09:01:13 PM
For comments that are peripheral to the discussion on a thread or might derail it if posted there.

To begin:

That's why Trump got elected!
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: San Joaquin on June 06, 2019, 10:43:06 AM
I wish someone had taught me more about classroom management before I had to learn those things the hard way.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: aside on June 09, 2019, 08:02:05 PM
Quote from: aside on June 05, 2019, 09:01:13 PM
For comments that are peripheral to the discussion on a thread or might derail it if posted there.

To begin:

That's why Trump got elected!

And for posts that you'd like to make but don't want the thread showing up in your "new replies" forever and ever.  For example:

Great moniker!  Are you a fellow musician?
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on June 09, 2019, 08:04:30 PM
Quote from: aside on June 09, 2019, 08:02:05 PM
And for posts that you'd like to make but don't want the thread showing up in your "new replies" forever and ever. 

That's an option?  Dang, blew it already.  Well, at least I'm currently free of the limericks and animals that begin with P here (82 pages' worth of new replies to my posts still on the CHE fora and I have more than once clicked "mark all read").
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: aside on June 09, 2019, 08:15:12 PM
Quote from: polly_mer on June 09, 2019, 08:04:30 PM
Quote from: aside on June 09, 2019, 08:02:05 PM
And for posts that you'd like to make but don't want the thread showing up in your "new replies" forever and ever. 

That's an option?  Dang, blew it already.  Well, at least I'm currently free of the limericks and animals that begin with P here (82 pages' worth of new replies to my posts still on the CHE fora and I have more than once clicked "mark all read").

Yes, I had a bit of the same problem on CHE, although not nearly at the magnitude of yours.  I did post on a few threads on which I did not realize I would not want to continue participating, and had plenty of opportunities to regret doing so.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on June 09, 2019, 08:37:38 PM
Regret is too strong a word for my feelings.  I generally only browse by "unread posts since last time" instead of "new replies to your posts" because I want to know everything that's going on.  I have been reading limericks and "P" animals, but I have refrained from posting there.

I like starting over because I can still read every post here every day for now.  I can decide whether I'm contributing anything to a conversation or whether I'm hoping to learn something new by reading others' thoughts.

Say, did we ever learn anything about bookmarking a thread here with a modern version of the software?  <off to do research>
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mamselle on June 10, 2019, 05:23:07 AM
I've just been bookmarking by posting a "bookmark" post, as before.

I don't mind seeing threads I'm less interested in show up; it only takes a second to click on it, close it without reading, and be on my way.

Never understood the issue as a big deal.

M.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on June 10, 2019, 05:30:42 AM
Quote from: mamselle on June 10, 2019, 05:23:07 AM
I've just been bookmarking by posting a "bookmark" post, as before.

fast_and_bulbous specifically mentioned on the new CHE fora discussion threads the ease of using system bookmarking so I'm wondering about that function.

Quote from: mamselle on June 10, 2019, 05:23:07 AM
I don't mind seeing threads I'm less interested in show up; it only takes a second to click on it, close it without reading, and be on my way.

One does not even have to click on each thread; one can read the interesting ones and then click to "mark all read", if the flow is such one can get through most posts most days.

I have a bazillion responses left in my replies list because the CHE fora got too big to read everything everyday and I ended up with months where I could do little or no reading.  At some point, I just stopped looking at the "new replies to your posts" list as being far less relevant than "unread posts since last visit".

In the past month, the CHE list of "unread posts since last visit" has tended to be very small.  Even when I'm away for a couple days, the number of threads having new posts may be less than a dozen.  Time was, overnight would result in a good dozen active threads to read the next day.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: aside on June 10, 2019, 07:33:50 AM
Quote from: mamselle on June 10, 2019, 05:23:07 AM
I've just been bookmarking by posting a "bookmark" post, as before.

I don't mind seeing threads I'm less interested in show up; it only takes a second to click on it, close it without reading, and be on my way.

Never understood the issue as a big deal.

M.

Oh well, different strokes, and all that.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: namazu on June 20, 2019, 01:41:40 PM
Maybe this fits better in the "Things You Want to Tell People" thread, but I'm entertained that two early joiners of The Fora were "notmycircus" and "Release the Monkeys!".  :)
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: aside on June 20, 2019, 07:28:28 PM
Quote from: namazu on June 20, 2019, 01:41:40 PM
Maybe this fits better in the "Things You Want to Tell People" thread, but I'm entertained that two early joiners of The Fora were "notmycircus" and "Release the Monkeys!".  :)

This fits very well on this thread.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mamselle on June 21, 2019, 07:32:23 AM
When will the gloves come off?

M.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: aside on June 21, 2019, 05:20:33 PM
"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake."

--Napoleon Bonaparte
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: aside on June 24, 2019, 07:45:42 PM
If your father's ancestry did not go back that far, then from whence would he have come?
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: glowdart on June 24, 2019, 08:10:09 PM
I may be tempting the bots, but the lack of spam is pretty rad.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: hungry_ghost on June 26, 2019, 09:38:40 PM
Posters 2.0: I thought this was going to be about new incarnations of posters from the CHE Forums. Oh well.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: aside on June 27, 2019, 08:14:48 PM
Rats!  It was nice while it lasted.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: namazu on June 28, 2019, 01:24:04 PM
I guess it would be evil of me to mention the "Stats".
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on June 28, 2019, 04:28:13 PM
Quote from: namazu on June 28, 2019, 01:24:04 PM
I guess it would be evil of me to mention the "Stats".

I've taken that one for you since I read there before I read here.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: hungry_ghost on July 02, 2019, 09:01:44 PM
Paul, the animal beginning with P-
... LOL.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: ergative on July 03, 2019, 12:31:54 PM
I think I know what your monicker was on the old fora.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on July 03, 2019, 05:05:24 PM
Quote from: ergative on July 03, 2019, 12:31:54 PM
I think I know what your monicker was on the old fora.

Dang!  I thought I was doing so well.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: aside on July 06, 2019, 06:17:12 AM
Sigh.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: Thursday's_Child on July 06, 2019, 09:24:06 AM
Groan.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on July 08, 2019, 08:18:13 PM
Channeling my inner Crocodile Dundee: That's not a knifeproblem.  This is a knife problem!
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: FishProf on July 09, 2019, 07:47:59 AM
I thought you weren't coming.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on July 10, 2019, 05:19:09 AM
A PSA in a more visible place since I know you haven't all read the syllabus as posted in Suggestions, Comments, and Questions:

The current rules are:
Quote from: eigen on May 16, 2019, 02:16:03 PM
1. Don't personally attack or harass other users. You know what crosses this line, don't do it.
2. Do not feed the trolls. Let them carry on with little fanfare.
3. Don't carry baggage from one thread to another. Sure, you may have a disagreement with another user in a different thread, but carrying that on into each new thread either of you start is not productive.
4. Don't be a vigilante. If someone is doing something wrong, report them and move on.
5. No spam. You know what this is.
6. No advertising. Whether it's your newest paper, newest book, a new EduTech website or something else- the place to advertise it is not here.
7. Do not "out" other users. Do not threaten to "out" other users.
8. Use standard spelling, punctuation and paragraphs on your posts.

Carry on!
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: aside on July 11, 2019, 04:39:52 PM
Quote from: polly_mer on July 10, 2019, 05:19:09 AM
A PSA in a more visible place since I know you haven't all read the syllabus as posted in Suggestions, Comments, and Questions:

The current rules are:
Quote from: eigen on May 16, 2019, 02:16:03 PM
1. Don't personally attack or harass other users. You know what crosses this line, don't do it.
2. Do not feed the trolls. Let them carry on with little fanfare.
3. Don't carry baggage from one thread to another. Sure, you may have a disagreement with another user in a different thread, but carrying that on into each new thread either of you start is not productive.
4. Don't be a vigilante. If someone is doing something wrong, report them and move on.
5. No spam. You know what this is.
6. No advertising. Whether it's your newest paper, newest book, a new EduTech website or something else- the place to advertise it is not here.
7. Do not "out" other users. Do not threaten to "out" other users.
8. Use standard spelling, punctuation and paragraphs on your posts.

Carry on!

Has someone crossed the line?
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on July 12, 2019, 04:35:20 AM
Quote from: aside on July 11, 2019, 04:39:52 PM
Has someone crossed the line?

I'm being proactive as I notice we have new people, not just migrants, and the counter indicating reads on the rules has not been keeping pace with number of registered folks.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: aside on July 12, 2019, 05:31:32 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on July 12, 2019, 04:35:20 AM
Quote from: aside on July 11, 2019, 04:39:52 PM
Has someone crossed the line?

I'm being proactive as I notice we have new people, not just migrants, and the counter indicating reads on the rules has not been keeping pace with number of registered folks.

Excellent.  Thanks for clarifying.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: aside on July 12, 2019, 07:10:44 PM
Let's be charitable and assume you did not think that through before posting.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: hungry_ghost on July 18, 2019, 02:05:49 PM
Personally I think the way this was handled is dumb.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: aside on July 18, 2019, 08:33:19 PM
[not directed at hungry_ghost]

You realize you just called a lot of forumites dumb!
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on July 19, 2019, 12:14:47 PM
{probably unrelated to any recent posts on this thread}

My inner LarryC is amused.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: miss jane marple on July 19, 2019, 01:56:46 PM
<unrelated>

I suppose I'm the last one to figure that out.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on July 20, 2019, 05:51:44 AM
<probably unrelated>

I hear the Limericks thread calling your name (https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=7.0). 
It's not Friday, but you could still contribute to the Friday haiku thread as well. (https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=9.0) 

How's your weather? (https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=63.0)  Are you staying cool during a heat wave or enjoying the pleasant weather where I am or something in between?

What are you reading? (https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=50.0)  You can be reading for pleasure, for work, or for just being unable to look away from a train wreck.

Gotten started on fall prep yet? 
Are Jedi Mind Tricks coming to mind?  (https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=10.msg60)
Do you have any tips to share with others in Humane Course Policies that make life easier? (https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=32.0)

Are you teaching right now so that Classroom Victories are appropriate? (https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=11.0)
Or, would the commiseration at Bang Your Head be more appropriate right now? (https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=72.0)

How's that writing going? 
Would checking in with Paralysis Analysis help you stay on track? (https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=134.0) 
Or is Work Sprint more your style? (https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=183.0)


Need office supplies? (https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=273.msg4070) 
How about a new device?   (https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=108.0)


Is it less about a discussion and more a need to vent? (https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=64.msg455) 
Do you need affirmation in your beliefs? (https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=117.msg1201)
How about validation for your actions? (https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=226.msg3288)

Finally, maybe you just want some cheering up? (https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=371.0)

No?

Well, let me just pull this one out of the closet from 2012 where someone thought it should go on the Posting Hall of Fame: (https://www.chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,30991.msg2130995.html#msg2130995)

Quote
Are you waiting for someone to seek you out and praise you?  That's not going to happen.

Instead, I get a lot of motivation from doing the fascinating things and the interactions that come with the doing. 

Publishing sucks.  I hate writing papers.  I hate editing them.  I hate doing the revisions for them.

Reviewing papers sucks.  I hate all authors everywhere and filling out editorial forms.

Prepping for classes sucks.  I hate having to think "how will people manage to screw up this very simple task?".  I hate doing the same stinking problem with a bazillion steps so that anyone who tries can follow it.

Grading sucks.  How could anyone mess up copying a fact from the book?  How could anyone not be able to do arithmetic?  How could anyone not being able to write a coherent sentence in legible penmanship?

Committee work sucks.  I hate my colleagues who cannot attend a meeting on time, didn't prepare for the meeting, and can't make a decision even with a gun to their heads.

Research sucks.  As soon as I get good at something, I have to learn something else.  My hard drive crashed and it's three days to put the system back into working order.  I've lost 10 programs that I wrote in the past month and all the data as well.  And, as soon as I really know what's going on, then I have to write a damn paper or make a presentation.

Presentations suck.  I can see half the room is reading the program to see if something better is coming up and I spent roughly five hours to make a presentation that is over in 10 minutes.

Yet.....

When students get a topic, then their pleasure is my pleasure.  All is forgotten about prep and grading and all that remains is that shining joy that someone learned something and I was there to help it happen.

When my research is humming along, I looooooooooove the feel of being in the groove and will snap at anyone who mentions the weeks, months, or years of drudgery to get to that point.

Nothing is better than the spirited give and take with colleagues about our common interests.  I've gotten a lot of trophies, medals, certificates, and A's, but I would trade all of them for an afternoon of spirited conversation in one of my areas of interest where ideas are shared and everyone goes away with new things to try.

I do have mentors for particular aspects of my career, but they are often people who push me hard to try new things and revise whatever one more time before submitting instead of praising me.

I am seldom praised by anyone for the things of which I am most proud.  Instead, I often infer praise from people inviting me to be a collaborator, be a reviewer, and be a speaker, or asking my advice in some area of my expertise.  Clearly, they appreciate my efforts, but few ever come right out and say, "You're doing a great job, Polly.  Keep it up!"  You, too, will have to learn to take pleasure and motivation in the doing instead of seeking praise, or you will be very unhappy waiting for praise that will be too little with huge gaps between instances.

Your life is yours.  Every day, you get to decide.  We can't decide for you and almost nothing we can do in this virtual world will matter unless you decide it matters enough to you personally so that you act on it.

Oh, and really do stop by the Limericks thread: you'll be glad you did.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on July 20, 2019, 01:10:08 PM
In case it becomes important, I prefer to be compared to Joseph Stalin rather than Adolf Hitler.  Just FYI.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: archaeo42 on July 26, 2019, 05:21:25 AM
...

oh. okay then.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: ciao_yall on July 26, 2019, 07:39:35 AM
I think I'm going to puffy-heart-with-glitter-and-sprinkles this "ignore" feature.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: RatGuy on July 26, 2019, 08:05:21 AM
Quote from: ciao_yall on July 26, 2019, 07:39:35 AM
I think I'm going to puffy-heart-with-glitter-and-sprinkles this "ignore" feature.

It cut the number of pages in one thread by half
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on July 26, 2019, 09:30:26 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on July 20, 2019, 01:10:08 PM
In case it becomes important, I prefer to be compared to Joseph Stalin rather than Adolf Hitler.  Just FYI.

I thought your thing was you took jobs nobody wanted to do. And I find out you're vain.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on July 27, 2019, 05:15:55 AM
Quote from: mahagonny on July 26, 2019, 09:30:26 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on July 20, 2019, 01:10:08 PM
In case it becomes important, I prefer to be compared to Joseph Stalin rather than Adolf Hitler.  Just FYI.

I thought your thing was you took jobs nobody wanted to do. And I find out you're vain.

Do you think a lot of people wanted the jobs that Uncle Joe took along the way to becoming Uncle Joe?  Go read up on Uncle Joe's biography.  It's a pretty good read.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: scamp on July 30, 2019, 10:59:43 AM
Quote from: RatGuy on July 26, 2019, 08:05:21 AM
Quote from: ciao_yall on July 26, 2019, 07:39:35 AM
I think I'm going to puffy-heart-with-glitter-and-sprinkles this "ignore" feature.

It cut the number of pages in one thread by half

Where do I find this?!
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: Thursday's_Child on July 30, 2019, 11:25:57 AM
One of the advantages of a moniker change is that you can leave all sorts of issues behind you.
But only if you want to, of course.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: namazu on July 30, 2019, 04:57:24 PM
Quote from: scamp on July 30, 2019, 10:59:43 AM
Quote from: ciao_yall on July 26, 2019, 07:39:35 AM
I think I'm going to puffy-heart-with-glitter-and-sprinkles this "ignore" feature.
Where do I find this?!
Instructions on the "Technical FAQ" thread. (http://thefora.org/index.php?topic=28.msg5279#msg5279)
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on July 31, 2019, 05:46:41 AM
"This food is terrible!"

"Yes, and the portions are so small!"
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: scamp on July 31, 2019, 12:03:13 PM
Quote from: namazu on July 30, 2019, 04:57:24 PM
Quote from: scamp on July 30, 2019, 10:59:43 AM
Quote from: ciao_yall on July 26, 2019, 07:39:35 AM
I think I'm going to puffy-heart-with-glitter-and-sprinkles this "ignore" feature.
Where do I find this?!
Instructions on the "Technical FAQ" thread. (http://thefora.org/index.php?topic=28.msg5279#msg5279)

Amazing!
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on August 06, 2019, 05:31:56 AM
We have many discussions going related to academic jobs and personal lives. 

We have serious discussions related to national events and state of higher ed.

We have fun and games.

Have you checked out Only Really Exciting Posts?  Drunk any refreshing summer beverages?  What does fuel cost in your neighborhood?

Join us in productive or human interest discussion!
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: hungry_ghost on August 12, 2019, 01:36:30 PM
Quote from: scamp on July 31, 2019, 12:03:13 PM
Quote from: namazu on July 30, 2019, 04:57:24 PM
Quote from: scamp on July 30, 2019, 10:59:43 AM
Quote from: ciao_yall on July 26, 2019, 07:39:35 AM
I think I'm going to puffy-heart-with-glitter-and-sprinkles this "ignore" feature.
Where do I find this?!
Instructions on the "Technical FAQ" thread. (http://thefora.org/index.php?topic=28.msg5279#msg5279)

Amazing!

Indeed. I was uncertain about whether I'd hang around, but maybe I will after all!
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: archaeo42 on August 20, 2019, 11:25:57 AM
It sounds like you don't think those things are worthwhile.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on August 24, 2019, 04:02:26 PM
Since we have so many new folks as fall gets into full swing, it's time for another conspicuous posting of the rules.

Quote from: eigen on May 16, 2019, 02:16:03 PM
1. Don't personally attack or harass other users. You know what crosses this line, don't do it.
2. Do not feed the trolls. Let them carry on with little fanfare.
3. Don't carry baggage from one thread to another. Sure, you may have a disagreement with another user in a different thread, but carrying that on into each new thread either of you start is not productive.
4. Don't be a vigilante. If someone is doing something wrong, report them and move on.
5. No spam. You know what this is.
6. No advertising. Whether it's your newest paper, newest book, a new EduTech website or something else- the place to advertise it is not here.
7. Do not "out" other users. Do not threaten to "out" other users.
8. Use standard spelling, punctuation and paragraphs on your posts.

By current practice, "outing" other users includes publicly speculating about possible monikers on the CHE (old) fora for non-matching monikers here.  People who kept their old monikers are assumed to be continuing; others are doing a reboot or possibly just sound very similar as new people.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: aside on August 27, 2019, 03:55:52 PM
OP, there's only one person's behavior you can control.  Wait . . . that might be an overestimate.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: ergative on September 03, 2019, 10:03:43 AM
Wow--you didn't even pretend that your comment was related to the thread's topic.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mamselle on September 03, 2019, 10:57:48 AM
If that was I, apologies if it appeared that way.

It did in fact tie to the last paragraph of the previous post.

And I offered a short/long version option...and to create another thread.

M.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: ergative on September 04, 2019, 02:14:53 AM
It was not you.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mamselle on September 04, 2019, 05:15:17 AM
Oh, good!

M.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: archaeo42 on September 04, 2019, 11:34:59 AM
Huh. Okay

Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on October 06, 2019, 07:37:10 AM
Mr. Mer points out that addressing the cover letter as "Dear Future Colleagues Who Were Too Slow to Get Out of Serving on the Search Committee" is a bad idea.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on October 12, 2019, 10:08:46 AM
Accreditors and the Department of Education administering the Title IV money often care about courses that have too few meetings and are not within the required range for whole-class interactions.  Thus, administrators often care about faculty members cancelling too many classes, especially faculty members who are relatively easy to fire/non-renew and then replace with someone else who will follow all the rules about number of meetings.

It was really "fun" to deal with the Dept of Ed investigation after a routine audit turned up discrepancies between how much classes were supposed to meet and how much some of those classes really were meeting.  That "fun" tends to roll downhill to the people who didn't follow the rules.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: FishProf on October 14, 2019, 06:34:15 AM
I'd like to think the number of strawmen (strawpersons?) showing up hear just reflects the season.

Alas, I know better.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: fast_and_bulbous on October 21, 2019, 10:37:50 AM
Hicksizing (noun): The process of relating one's authentic rural upbringing in such a way as to outcompete another's.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mamselle on October 21, 2019, 12:20:58 PM
Isn't that a present progressive, with its '-ing ending'?

Or at least a gerund? (Well, OK, if it's a gerund it's a noun....sort-of)

;--}

M.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: fast_and_bulbous on October 21, 2019, 02:26:02 PM
Quote from: mamselle on October 21, 2019, 12:20:58 PM
Isn't that a present progressive, with its '-ing ending'?

Or at least a gerund? (Well, OK, if it's a gerund it's a noun....sort-of)

;--}

M.

I guess that liberal arts education I got has failed me... what was the point of all that muck anyway?? Tongue firmly in cheek...
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on October 21, 2019, 07:57:33 PM
Quote from: fast_and_bulbous on October 21, 2019, 10:37:50 AM
Hicksizing (noun): The process of relating one's authentic rural upbringing in such a way as to outcompete another's.

Everything's a competition if you do it correctly!
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on October 23, 2019, 07:10:11 PM
I really liked the Slate comment of "I rolled my eyes so hard they might be sprained".
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: aside on October 26, 2019, 07:00:01 AM
Me, calculating a grade still using my high school algebra:

The student got 15 of a possible 17 points on this assignment and I want to give them a percentage grade, so: 15 is to 17 as X is to 100 ...

Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on October 30, 2019, 04:13:08 AM
You look good in a hat.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on November 02, 2019, 04:20:56 PM
Quote from: mahagonny on October 30, 2019, 04:13:08 AM
You look good in a hat.

I have a huge collection of hats.  I'm writing to Santa for a sombrero like this one. (https://www.lafuente.com/Mexican-Decor/Mexican-Sombreros/13487/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=SOM010C&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_4Hgh9XM5QIVchitBh3CqQqMEAQYBCABEgJXFfD_BwE)  You could chip in to the gift pool, if you like.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on November 03, 2019, 08:02:22 AM
So, if I read your novel I'll be able to tell it is you by your trademark themes. But I'll not divulge. Scout's honor.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: aside on November 03, 2019, 04:05:15 PM
Perhaps you should get out more.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on November 04, 2019, 04:46:09 AM
Quote from: mahagonny on November 03, 2019, 08:02:22 AM
So, if I read your novel I'll be able to tell it is you by your trademark themes. But I'll not divulge. Scout's honor.

Yep, those trademark themes:

"Go where your efforts matter"
"Leaders and Grand Viziers have different skills sets and the empire needs both on the leadership team"
"Beware claims for automation that take human judgement out of the process"
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: aside on November 06, 2019, 04:50:03 AM
As my genius is not appreciated, I'll take it elsewhere.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on November 13, 2019, 06:13:39 AM
I see the problem.  Let me state it in nice big letters:

Life is not fair.

A pretty good, pro-labor argument includes   "by de-valuing the PhD as a credential for college instruction, college administrators have massively expanded the supply of job candidates, thereby allowing them to reduce teaching salaries to poverty wages." (http://www.lawcha.org/2017/01/09/decline-faculty-tenure-less-oversupply-phds-systematic-de-valuation-phd-credential-college-teaching/)

The numbers alone just aren't good:

1.4 million people are working as postsecondary teachers with an estimated 160k jobs to be added in the next 10 years. (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm) 

55k people earn PhDs annually in the US with the number being greater than 50k per year for about a decade. (https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2018/12/10/are-numbers-doctorates-awarded-finally-starting-reflect-poor-academic-job-market)

About 25 million people in the US already have graduate degrees. (https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2019/02/number-of-people-with-masters-and-phd-degrees-double-since-2000.html)

Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on November 15, 2019, 04:26:42 PM
Quote at the top and add new text at the bottom.

Never mix and match by adding text in random order to an existing quote series.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: bacardiandlime on November 16, 2019, 06:42:42 AM
OMFG. Just stop it.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: paultuttle on November 17, 2019, 06:16:29 PM
That list of identifiable quirks you created after your family pet died? We do that with people too: "Remember how Aunt Gertrude used to . . . . ?"

And that helps them live on in our memory.

A specific example from my own family: The actress who played the Fat Lady in the first Harry Potter movie looked much like and sounded very nearly identical to my mother's older sister, who had been a seventh-grade English teacher for years.

Somewhat intimidating in her impenetrable pomposity, she always moved and spoke with considerable (self-conscious/deliberate) gravitas. But she became human to me for just about an hour one time during a family reunion when she learned that I was (then) studying to be a high school English teacher--she spoke warmly and enthusiastically about her love of teaching, how fulfilled she felt when her students succeeded, and how gratified she was when they returned and thanked her for being such a wonderful, memorable teacher. (I was quite frankly amazed but welcomed the revelation. I never again saw this side of her.)

These days, I remember what had been even her most irritatingly hoity-toity mannerisms with great fondness, knowing the depth of commitment to, and considerable love of, teaching that those mannerisms had hid.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: nescafe on November 18, 2019, 03:18:34 PM
I genuinely can't tell whether that one poster is a troll, a comedic sock managed by another poster, or someone who actually doesn't know better.

My confusion is probably a testament to how good a troll this person is. So well done?
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: downer on November 18, 2019, 05:22:19 PM
Quote from: nescafe on November 18, 2019, 03:18:34 PM
I genuinely can't tell whether that one poster is a troll, a comedic sock managed by another poster, or someone who actually doesn't know better.

My confusion is probably a testament to how good a troll this person is. So well done?

I can see the amusement for the poster "behind the curtain" but our Cowardly Lion isn't funny.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: FishProf on November 20, 2019, 02:23:32 PM
Those are some pretty nefarious characters you are describing.  Are they real?
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: Liquidambar on November 23, 2019, 08:31:22 AM
If I started a "dead horse" thread for everyone, could you take all your dead horses there for beating?
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: fast_and_bulbous on November 23, 2019, 09:43:07 AM
Quote from: Liquidambar on November 23, 2019, 08:31:22 AM
If I started a "dead horse" thread for everyone, could you take all your dead horses there for beating?

One man's dead horse is another's righteous crusade.

Soon there won't even be a horse, it'll just be a shallow trench in the ground.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: ciao_yall on November 23, 2019, 01:02:44 PM
Quote from: fast_and_bulbous on November 23, 2019, 09:43:07 AM
Quote from: Liquidambar on November 23, 2019, 08:31:22 AM
If I started a "dead horse" thread for everyone, could you take all your dead horses there for beating?

One man's dead horse is another's righteous crusade.

Soon there won't even be a horse, it'll just be a shallow trench in the ground.

That horse has been dead a loooonnnngggg time.

All I see is a greasy spot and remnants of what might have been a mane.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on November 23, 2019, 05:56:19 PM
Quote from: downer on November 18, 2019, 05:22:19 PM
Quote from: nescafe on November 18, 2019, 03:18:34 PM
I genuinely can't tell whether that one poster is a troll, a comedic sock managed by another poster, or someone who actually doesn't know better.

My confusion is probably a testament to how good a troll this person is. So well done?

I can see the amusement for the poster "behind the curtain" but our Cowardly Lion isn't funny.

If it's the one I'm thinking, I know too many people who get stuck in the rut to write off as troll.  That's why I continue to beat on that dead horse well past the patience of others.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: nescafe on December 12, 2019, 07:54:20 AM
I'll say this much. Six years on the job market, and it was the year I got a pair of those glasses that I got the job.


So.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: archaeo42 on December 12, 2019, 12:56:34 PM
WTF motivates you to say sh!t like that?
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on December 12, 2019, 06:01:13 PM
Quote from: archaeo42 on December 12, 2019, 12:56:34 PM
WTF motivates you to say sh!t like that?
I use up all my filters at work.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: archaeo42 on December 13, 2019, 06:35:20 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on December 12, 2019, 06:01:13 PM
Quote from: archaeo42 on December 12, 2019, 12:56:34 PM
WTF motivates you to say sh!t like that?
I use up all my filters at work.

Not directed at anything you've posted.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: San Joaquin on December 13, 2019, 07:06:18 AM
Random speculation:

Do ideas gel, or crystallize?  Does it depend on your personal chemistry?
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: downer on December 13, 2019, 09:55:43 AM
There is such a thing as a stupid question.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: Thursday's_Child on December 14, 2019, 10:36:44 AM
Quote from: downer on December 13, 2019, 09:55:43 AM
There is such a thing as a stupid question.

Are you denying the existence of stupid people?
<ducks & runs>
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: nescafe on December 16, 2019, 12:53:21 PM
This is beyond petty, but when I type "fuck" into my mobile, my autocomplete prompts me to add the name of a specific university.

Guess which one.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: paultuttle on December 17, 2019, 07:05:12 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on December 12, 2019, 06:01:13 PM
Quote from: archaeo42 on December 12, 2019, 12:56:34 PM
WTF motivates you to say sh!t like that?
I use up all my filters at work.

I'm so there with you, polly_mer.

Quote from: nescafe on December 16, 2019, 12:53:21 PM
This is beyond petty, but when I type "fuck" into my mobile, my autocomplete prompts me to add the name of a specific university.

Guess which one.

Hmmm. Harvard? Or Trump U?
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on December 18, 2019, 06:52:04 AM
I continue to receive positive feedback for the "wall of text" posts as being useful to people who want to learn about the problems and don't read as extensively as I do.

Thus, I'm usually writing for that audience, not the person who responded, which is why I often skip a point-by-point rebuttal in favor of the next researched post on the topic.

If you don't want to read it, then don't, but then don't also make statements like, how could anyone have known <something that has been readily available for decades as a steady stream in the popular press aimed at an educated audience>?
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: nescafe on December 18, 2019, 10:16:25 AM
Quote from: paultuttle on December 17, 2019, 07:05:12 AM
Hmmm. Harvard? Or Trump U?

Wait, someone's talking about Trump U on these fora? :)
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: Anselm on December 18, 2019, 03:26:58 PM
Good point!  That explains why physicians never join country clubs or live in gated communities.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: miss jane marple on December 24, 2019, 01:15:06 PM
Well, who could have seen that coming? Oh, wait, I did <author=miss jane marple link=topic=4.msg660#msg660 date=1558544968>.

Transparency-transshmerantsy.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: fast_and_bulbous on December 24, 2019, 06:19:42 PM
Wzz psh msf tsszwb dfshhm dfcir ct mcifgszt fwuvh bck. Mci gvcizr hoys o pck!
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: ciao_yall on December 27, 2019, 07:19:58 AM
Our first "serpent's tooth!"
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: nescafe on January 01, 2020, 09:34:04 PM
Well that certainly squares, because you are tired.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: Thursday's_Child on January 11, 2020, 08:55:41 AM
Me thinks thou art indeed a student, and I'm not the first forumite to do so.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on January 26, 2020, 08:51:35 AM
I have to go get something else done and that was most of the time I could devote to these fora this week.

You are welcome, lurkers who need someone other than Professor Sparklepony as well as anyone else who doesn't get enough perspective from outside a local bubble.

Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: archaeo42 on January 30, 2020, 05:52:08 AM
Or what if we had a system where choices like that didn't have to be made. Just because things exist like that now does not mean it has to be that way.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mamselle on January 31, 2020, 04:59:39 PM
Unrelated to anything above...I think...

If it weren't about something so serious, I'd enjoy a good game of dueling metaphors...

M.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: archaeo42 on February 06, 2020, 09:24:53 AM
Nearly everything you post makes me want to reply with the blank face emoji.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mamselle on February 06, 2020, 11:11:27 AM
I'm grateful we have the benefit of well-equipped experts who can discuss things like epidemic vectors and statistical variations with good sense and confidence.

I mean that sincerely.

The wisdom and experience represented here are so valuable, and so worthy of our respect.

M.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: hungry_ghost on February 20, 2020, 08:36:56 PM
Oh good lord.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on February 21, 2020, 03:33:54 AM
Quote from: archaeo42 on January 30, 2020, 05:52:08 AM
Or what if we had a system where choices like that didn't have to be made. Just because things exist like that now does not mean it has to be that way.

People who benefit from the current system usually only want small tweaks.  They usually don't want drastic changes to fix the system for "everyone" if that means they, personally, lose some of their current benefits.

I laugh every single time I encounter the idea that college isn't about learning specific areas that would be useful to jobs, but we should still require specific classes because that keeps certain individuals employed as teachers who won't/can't/don't do the cube farm jobs that successful college graduates from their institution will get somehow, magically, a handful of unrelated general education classes is an adequate substitute for an integrated liberal arts education at an elite institution.

I laugh every single time I encounter the idea that a recent college graduate who takes the same job out of college that peers took out of high school is somehow going to pass those peers in the workplace.  If a motivated, smart-enough person can climb the internal ladder through internal training, then waiting 4 years to start the path from peon to district manager instead of starting immediately means someone is four years behind.

College may not be about getting a specific job title like Key Punch Specialist Level III, but I wonder how long some institutions would remain open if they explicitly put a warning on all websites and application materials of "College does not prepare you for a job.  We have a general education program staffed with a lot of adjuncts and non-tenure-track folks who aren't doing a lot of research nor are they providing a liberal arts immersion experience because they are so overworked."
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mouseman on February 27, 2020, 08:04:25 PM

"I don't see why hiring only white men is a problem" says one white man.

"There are White men who are underpaid because they refuse to look for other jobs, shouldn't give them those jobs before we start hiring minorities or women, who are probably not really qualified anyway?" chimes in another white man.

"How dare you call us racist and sexist, we're just stating the facts as they are" the cry out together.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on February 28, 2020, 04:10:54 AM
Huffington Post yesterday had the article: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/homeless-unsheltered-life-on-streets_n_5e555b02c5b6a718cdce979b

The article's author explicitly states a case along the lines of: anyone could be homeless; let's be more compassionate towards our fellow human beings as we work towards solutions.

However, the author's examples add up to evidence better supporting a thesis of: poor decisions tend to have poor outcomes; better decisions are much more likely to lead to better outcomes, but some people do get unlucky and probably could benefit from a tweaked system that would make being unlucky less likely or at least less of a problem for most individuals.

I'm also reminded of the article in Slate about the woman whose dream was to start a non-profit to support artists, but spent her time in grad school working on an MFA with the occasional Chamber of Commerce workshop related to business instead of studying for an MPA and taking workshops in creative writing. (https://slate.com/human-interest/2018/12/from-graduate-student-to-amazon-warehouse-janitor.html)

Melville's "Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street" also tends to spend a lot of time in my mind as I continue to read and sigh heavily.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: little bongo on February 28, 2020, 07:49:16 AM
Bartleby is one of my great literary heroes.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on February 28, 2020, 08:09:44 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on February 28, 2020, 04:10:54 AM
Huffington Post yesterday had the article: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/homeless-unsheltered-life-on-streets_n_5e555b02c5b6a718cdce979b

The article's author explicitly states a case along the lines of: anyone could be homeless; let's be more compassionate towards our fellow human beings as we work towards solutions.

However, the author's examples add up to evidence better supporting a thesis of: poor decisions tend to have poor outcomes; better decisions are much more likely to lead to better outcomes, but some people do get unlucky and probably could benefit from a tweaked system that would make being unlucky less likely or at least less of a problem for most individuals.


The bad luck that I see is being clinically depressed without knowing it. Therefore good decision making is a lot harder and less likely.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: marshwiggle on February 28, 2020, 08:25:05 AM
Quote from: mahagonny on February 28, 2020, 08:09:44 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on February 28, 2020, 04:10:54 AM
Huffington Post yesterday had the article: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/homeless-unsheltered-life-on-streets_n_5e555b02c5b6a718cdce979b

The article's author explicitly states a case along the lines of: anyone could be homeless; let's be more compassionate towards our fellow human beings as we work towards solutions.

However, the author's examples add up to evidence better supporting a thesis of: poor decisions tend to have poor outcomes; better decisions are much more likely to lead to better outcomes, but some people do get unlucky and probably could benefit from a tweaked system that would make being unlucky less likely or at least less of a problem for most individuals.


The bad luck that I see is being clinically depressed without knowing it. Therefore good decision making is a lot harder and less likely.

One of the features of so many of these stories is the implicit idea that life "happens".
From the article:
Quote
After my parents' divorce when I was 12, my life was relatively uneventful throughout my teen years. I seemed to be headed toward the typical path expected of a girl like me: graduation from high school and college at a state university followed by a job that would provide security but no real excitement. And maybe I'd get married and have a couple of children along the way.

Instead, I dropped out of school at 17, left home, and ended up on the Las Vegas doorstep of a man I had met just once in a Fremont Street casino. I arrived with no diploma, no job experience, no money and no clue how I was going to get any of these things, or survive on my own.


The language is so incredibly passive. The author indeed "dropped out of school", but "ended up" in Vegas. Alien abduction? Stumbled onto the wrong bus? How does one "end up" in a different city without deciding to go there, short of being kidnapped?
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on February 28, 2020, 08:47:47 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on February 28, 2020, 08:25:05 AM
Quote from: mahagonny on February 28, 2020, 08:09:44 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on February 28, 2020, 04:10:54 AM
Huffington Post yesterday had the article: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/homeless-unsheltered-life-on-streets_n_5e555b02c5b6a718cdce979b

The article's author explicitly states a case along the lines of: anyone could be homeless; let's be more compassionate towards our fellow human beings as we work towards solutions.

However, the author's examples add up to evidence better supporting a thesis of: poor decisions tend to have poor outcomes; better decisions are much more likely to lead to better outcomes, but some people do get unlucky and probably could benefit from a tweaked system that would make being unlucky less likely or at least less of a problem for most individuals.


The bad luck that I see is being clinically depressed without knowing it. Therefore good decision making is a lot harder and less likely.

One of the features of so many of these stories is the implicit idea that life "happens".
From the article:
Quote
After my parents' divorce when I was 12, my life was relatively uneventful throughout my teen years. I seemed to be headed toward the typical path expected of a girl like me: graduation from high school and college at a state university followed by a job that would provide security but no real excitement. And maybe I'd get married and have a couple of children along the way.

Instead, I dropped out of school at 17, left home, and ended up on the Las Vegas doorstep of a man I had met just once in a Fremont Street casino. I arrived with no diploma, no job experience, no money and no clue how I was going to get any of these things, or survive on my own.


The language is so incredibly passive. The author indeed "dropped out of school", but "ended up" in Vegas. Alien abduction? Stumbled onto the wrong bus? How does one "end up" in a different city without deciding to go there, short of being kidnapped?

Do you consider this rebuttal to my point? Yes, the language is passive. It's not exactly a fact that she was forced to self medicate with alcohol or strike up with a poorly adjusted, selfish man or leave her family. But this part is a fact: people with a history of a depression feel less in control of their lives and it shows up in their narration. It also appears to me (and I'm not trained in psychology outside of being a patient) that she was prone to or maybe even attracted to risk taking, and didn't have the self awareness to recognize that about herself.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: marshwiggle on February 28, 2020, 09:17:35 AM
Quote from: mahagonny on February 28, 2020, 08:47:47 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on February 28, 2020, 08:25:05 AM
Quote from: mahagonny on February 28, 2020, 08:09:44 AM
The bad luck that I see is being clinically depressed without knowing it. Therefore good decision making is a lot harder and less likely.

One of the features of so many of these stories is the implicit idea that life "happens".
From the article:
Quote
After my parents' divorce when I was 12, my life was relatively uneventful throughout my teen years. I seemed to be headed toward the typical path expected of a girl like me: graduation from high school and college at a state university followed by a job that would provide security but no real excitement. And maybe I'd get married and have a couple of children along the way.

Instead, I dropped out of school at 17, left home, and ended up on the Las Vegas doorstep of a man I had met just once in a Fremont Street casino. I arrived with no diploma, no job experience, no money and no clue how I was going to get any of these things, or survive on my own.


The language is so incredibly passive. The author indeed "dropped out of school", but "ended up" in Vegas. Alien abduction? Stumbled onto the wrong bus? How does one "end up" in a different city without deciding to go there, short of being kidnapped?

Do you consider this rebuttal to my point? Yes, the language is passive. It's not exactly a fact that she was forced to self medicate with alcohol or strike up with a poorly adjusted, selfish man or leave her family. But this part is a fact: people with a history of a depression feel less in control of their lives and it shows up in their narration. It also appears to me (and I'm not trained in psychology outside of being a patient) that she was prone to or maybe even attracted to risk taking, and didn't have the self awareness to recognize that about herself.

To answer your question, I'm not sure if this is a rebuttal or not. What strikes me is that even after getting treatment, the narration remains passive. I understand that undiagnosed mental illness can have profound effects, but since many treatments still involve some sort of behavioral therapy component, I would have expected a bit more of an ackowledgment, at least, that some bad decisions were made, even if under extreme duress.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on February 28, 2020, 12:21:05 PM
Quote from: marshwiggle on February 28, 2020, 09:17:35 AM

To answer your question, I'm not sure if this is a rebuttal or not. What strikes me is that even after getting treatment, the narration remains passive. I understand that undiagnosed mental illness can have profound effects, but since many treatments still involve some sort of behavioral therapy component, I would have expected a bit more of an ackowledgment, at least, that some bad decisions were made, even if under extreme duress.

She could be dishonest or just still depressed or some of each.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on February 29, 2020, 01:06:40 PM
My roommates had been working at the restaurant, but had left before I did. They were really fast. They would steal a couple of minutes, go into the storeroom and inhale the nitrous oxide from the whipped cream. Then the waitresses would be overheard wondering why the cans had no pressure left.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mamselle on March 10, 2020, 09:18:24 AM
I'm about to stop reading any thread that has "coronavirus" anywhere in the title.

They're all starting to sound alike.

M.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: FishProf on March 23, 2020, 07:36:03 AM
Why is it that some posters insist others are dumb for advancing their ideas but never offer any sort of concrete counter-idea in response?  They may be right, but I can't take that seriously.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on March 23, 2020, 09:19:15 AM
Quote from: FishProf on March 23, 2020, 07:36:03 AM
Why is it that some posters insist others are dumb for advancing their ideas but never offer any sort of concrete counter-idea in response?  They may be right, but I can't take that seriously.

One standard reason is not knowing enough to know why a given problem is actually hard and what the trade-offs will have to be.

I smile every time I see youthful protesters who have simple solutions to very complex problems.  Yep, climate change is a problem and we've known it for decades.  You won't like what has to be done to fix the problem at the scales where it matters.  Yes, you just found out how bad the situation is.  Spend another 5, 10, 15, 20 years in the scientific and engineering discussions on what will have enough effect to matter and then get back to us on the "easy" solution that just requires political will.  If such a thing existed that wouldn't send the entire world back to an agrarian society or similar situation that means essentially giving up modern American/European/Canadian middle-class-and-better life, then we'd already be doing it.

Another standard reason is trying to solve only one small piece of the overall problem while others are much more concerned about some larger piece. 

I remember when Blocky was an infant with health problems.  We ended up with six adults in the house at one point for about a week.  At any given time, at least one adult was cleaning up the vomit from the last instance, someone was walking the baby, and at least one adult was walking through family medical history and interacting with doctors to plan for something else to try.  Yes, we needed someone to be heading up food so we ate regularly.  We did not, though, need that food to be handmade from scratch for things that are easily bought or delivered.  We really, really didn't need a new, handmade center piece for the table for every meal.

One of the six adults was shocked on being told that we are ordering food and no centerpieces will be on the table for the next week.  After all, that person was performing a valuable service and had, under other conditions, been complimented for centerpieces and homemade food.  That particular person flat out refused to take on any of the other chores (vomit is icky, walking a screaming (and possibly vomiting again) baby isn't fun, and there can't possibly be any medical problems inherited from this side of the family) and was hurt for several years about not being a valued member of the family during this time of crisis.

A third reason for not advancing ideas while dismissing other people's ideas is not understanding the difference between an exchange of ideas that is just shooting the breeze and describing/making changes.

For example, small higher ed institutions have been changing missions or closing or possibly changing missions multiple times and still ending up closing.  That is a fact, not a suggestion on what could happen if people wanted.  One doesn't have to win an argument on points in any venue for that fact to continue to be true.  Even if that is a stupid idea, it's a fact that has occurred and continues occurring in foreseeable ways.

The distribution of college degrees awarded has changed since the 1970s and there's no reason to believe that a shift will somehow go back to the way it was prior to 1970.  Again, one can be unhappy or other negative feelings about the reality, but that distribution change is the reality, not a proposal on the table that one can decide will not work.

Being dismissive of undesirable situations is one possible way to win a popular argument, but it doesn't affect the underlying reality at all.  Again, if we had great ideas that could mesh with the realities to solve the problem that "everyone" wants solved, not just one part, and doing so would have no other significant consequences, then those great ideas would be implemented.  Healthcare immediately comes to mind as something that many people agree would likely be better under a different system, but the fallout from changing immediately to a different system is huge and affects a lot of the average people who don't know enough of the complex system to see the immediate harsh consequences that give experts pause.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: marshwiggle on March 23, 2020, 09:41:41 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on March 23, 2020, 09:19:15 AM
Quote from: FishProf on March 23, 2020, 07:36:03 AM
Why is it that some posters insist others are dumb for advancing their ideas but never offer any sort of concrete counter-idea in response?  They may be right, but I can't take that seriously.

One standard reason is not knowing enough to know why a given problem is actually hard and what the trade-offs will have to be.

I smile every time I see youthful protesters who have simple solutions to very complex problems.  Yep, climate change is a problem and we've known it for decades.  You won't like what has to be done to fix the problem at the scales where it matters.  Yes, you just found out how bad the situation is.  Spend another 5, 10, 15, 20 years in the scientific and engineering discussions on what will have enough effect to matter and then get back to us on the "easy" solution that just requires political will.  If such a thing existed that wouldn't send the entire world back to an agrarian society or similar situation that means essentially giving up modern American/European/Canadian middle-class-and-better life, then we'd already be doing it.


As an aside to that (which I guess fits here), we're getting a bit of a look at the cost to the economy of a fairly rapid worldwide transition to a lower carbon life.  There is less pollution and use of fossil fuels, but this is in no way sustainable, governements are going into massive deficits, and almost all recreational and social life is off the table. I'm curious to see how many people claim this is a desireable future.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mamselle on March 23, 2020, 09:43:58 AM
Time at home to get work done with very occasional trips out to forage for cheese, bread, and toilet paper?

Priceless.

M.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on March 31, 2020, 02:24:17 PM
If someone wants to report something to a moderator, then please use the "report to moderator" link that appears at the bottom of every post.

If someone is concerned that something might possibly violate some rule, then please use the "report to moderator" link that appears at the bottom of every post instead of having the discussion on the thread to bring more attention to something that the casual reader may have overlooked.

Merely saying "mods" in a post does not summon anyone or draw extra attention.

The fora has grown enough that I, at least, am no longer reading most posts most days, especially now that my job duties have increased as a result of stay-at-home orders.

Please use the "report to moderator" function for efficiency and record keeping.

Thank you!
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mamselle on March 31, 2020, 06:20:05 PM
Thanks, and apologies.

I think I recalled that on the old forum the word, "mods" somehow got flagged to the mods, but maybe that was a cyber-urban myth.

I did it by habit the other day, so if it was I, I'm sorry.

Noted and will follow from now on!

M.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on April 01, 2020, 09:33:05 AM
Quote from: mamselle on March 31, 2020, 06:20:05 PM
I think I recalled that on the old forum the word, "mods" somehow got flagged to the mods, but maybe that was a cyber-urban myth.

Even if a mention of "mods" would summon someone, where should we look in a possibly lengthy thread?  Reporting a given post along with a brief explanation of why the report is being made helps us efficiently make decisions and have moderator discussions all in one place.

Not directed at anyone in particular, but since this is the asides thread, I will mention that sometimes, just like prayer, the moderator group decision is "nope, not going to intervene" even with a report, especially if it's just one person making one report on a heavily read thread with entirely predictable behavior given the known forumites involved.

As was recently discussed on a thread here regarding annual faculty reviews, without a record of a clear pattern of violations reported by multiple people nearly every time the behavior occurs with a record of undesirable consequences for the community at large, ongoing behavior by any specific forumite is obviously acceptable to the community.  (https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=1140.0)  I write long, we have multiple political parties represented here, and any typical discussion on what should be done in the big picture tends to get heated quickly.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mamselle on April 01, 2020, 07:45:17 PM
Unrelated to the above....

The quadrangular shooting gallery takes on another thread...

M.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on April 11, 2020, 07:46:49 PM
If you'd rather be somewhere else, there's nothing stopping you from spending your valuable time and energy elsewhere.

I'd much rather have honest disagreement than niceness for the sake of niceness.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on April 12, 2020, 08:53:32 AM
When someone advocates kindness on the fora I think several things. Probably first thing I think is 'how nice.' Eventually though I wonder, is sarcasm 'not nice?' It's not Mr. Rogers kind of nice, but it's not necessary sinister, or anything to worry about. Some don't even consider it rude. Is it accepted as a rhetorical technique, or is it not?
Maybe we've all been indoors too long.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on April 13, 2020, 02:17:01 PM
I'm sure it is much too mean of me to point that that people who have contributed almost nothing to these fora by post count or word count aren't really making much of a threat by stating they will leave if their conditions aren't met.

Go.

Stay.

Whatever.

I'd rather have a vibrant enemy from whom I might learn something if I just keep reading.  I don't get royalties or anything from posting here so it's not like just having readers is doing anything for anyone.

Post something worth engaging and make your voice matter.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: namazu on April 13, 2020, 06:27:52 PM
Consider that there might be more "regulars", and more vibrant, engaging discussions, if people felt they could get a word in edgewise.

...And if every fourth thread weren't hijacked by the same handful of posters flogging their same few dead horses.  It's boorish and unconstructive to derail thread after unrelated thread to rehash the same tired arguments ad nauseam.  Most recently, the "what went wrong with academe and coronavirus" thread seems to have devolved into yet another pointless, off-topic "won't someone think of the adjuncts" vs. "beware the adjunct 'death march'" back-and-forth.  The "COVID and contingent faculty" thread has been overtaken by ad hominems about "failed academics", and so on...

"Civility" and "niceness" should not be invoked as cover to quash principled, honest disagreement.  And I love a well-placed zinger as much as the next guy.  But rudeness (which shows up in things like hijacking threads, calling people out as trolls too quickly or devaluing infrequent contributors, and being needlessly condescending or smarmy or cruelly snarky) does not make for a more vibrant forum.

I don't advocate heavy-handed moderation, and as a moderator on another forum, I appreciate the thankless work that goes into keeping the lights on.  That said, it would be nice if a few people would step back and quit running their mouths fingers every now and then  -- not because their ideas are odious or unworthy of consideration, but because their constant repetition and/or preening is tiresome.  But that might be too much to ask.  Since they occasionally have worthwhile things to say, I'm hesitant to ignore them altogether.  And of course, perhaps those tired arguments constitute the bulk of what remains here because so many other would-be participants have been turned off and left.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: hungry_ghost on April 13, 2020, 06:52:36 PM
Quote from: namazu on April 13, 2020, 06:27:52 PM
Consider that there might be more "regulars", and more vibrant, engaging discussions, if people felt they could get a word in edgewise.

I do agree with this.

I am not sure about "flogging dead horses"--I've been skipping those threads for ages--but I think it's worth a moment for each of us to go to Members > Posts and see where we fall on posting frequency. 

I would like to hear more from some of the less frequent posters. 
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: dismalist on April 13, 2020, 07:30:13 PM
Speaking with Bismarck: The trick is knowing when to stop. :-)
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on April 13, 2020, 09:29:40 PM
Quote from: namazu on April 13, 2020, 06:27:52 PM
Consider that there might be more "regulars", and more vibrant, engaging discussions, if people felt they could get a word in edgewise.

...And if every fourth thread weren't hijacked by the same handful of posters flogging their same few dead horses.  It's boorish and unconstructive to derail thread after unrelated thread to rehash the same tired arguments ad nauseam.  Most recently, the "what went wrong with academe and coronavirus" thread seems to have devolved into yet another pointless, off-topic "won't someone think of the adjuncts" vs. "beware the adjunct 'death march'" back-and-forth.  The "COVID and contingent faculty" thread has been overtaken by ad hominems about "failed academics", and so on...

There's nothing on that thread about adjunct faculty.

It could be that in general you hate to hear anything about how the adjunct experiences things, including discussions, differently than what you consider the 'main thing,' the full time faculty, and their experiences,  so every time you do, it seems like it can't be part of the discussion, or it's happening more often than it is.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: namazu on April 13, 2020, 09:39:11 PM
Quote from: mahagonny on April 13, 2020, 09:29:40 PM
Quote from: namazu on April 13, 2020, 06:27:52 PM
Consider that there might be more "regulars", and more vibrant, engaging discussions, if people felt they could get a word in edgewise.

...And if every fourth thread weren't hijacked by the same handful of posters flogging their same few dead horses.  It's boorish and unconstructive to derail thread after unrelated thread to rehash the same tired arguments ad nauseam.  Most recently, the "what went wrong with academe and coronavirus" thread seems to have devolved into yet another pointless, off-topic "won't someone think of the adjuncts" vs. "beware the adjunct 'death march'" back-and-forth.  The "COVID and contingent faculty" thread has been overtaken by ad hominems about "failed academics", and so on...

There's nothing on that thread about adjunct faculty.
My apologies; you are correct.  The phrase "death march" does appear there, though, and I believe it is way off-topic and unhelpful (and symptomatic of similar derails across the fora).

Quote from: mahagonnyIt could be that in general you hate to hear anything about how the adjunct experiences things differently than what you consider the 'main thing,' the full time faculty, so every time you do, it seems like it can't be part of the discussion.
Huh?  I am not a full-time faculty member myself, and I support hearing from a wide variety of voices.  But I don't support thread hijacking.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on April 13, 2020, 09:43:44 PM
Quote from: namazu on April 13, 2020, 09:39:11 PM
Quote from: mahagonny on April 13, 2020, 09:29:40 PM
Quote from: namazu on April 13, 2020, 06:27:52 PM
Consider that there might be more "regulars", and more vibrant, engaging discussions, if people felt they could get a word in edgewise.

...And if every fourth thread weren't hijacked by the same handful of posters flogging their same few dead horses.  It's boorish and unconstructive to derail thread after unrelated thread to rehash the same tired arguments ad nauseam.  Most recently, the "what went wrong with academe and coronavirus" thread seems to have devolved into yet another pointless, off-topic "won't someone think of the adjuncts" vs. "beware the adjunct 'death march'" back-and-forth.  The "COVID and contingent faculty" thread has been overtaken by ad hominems about "failed academics", and so on...

There's nothing on that thread about adjunct faculty.
My apologies; you are correct.  The phrase "death march" does appear there, though, and I believe it is way off-topic and unhelpful (and symptomatic of similar derails across the fora).

Quote from: mahagonnyIt could be that in general you hate to hear anything about how the adjunct experiences things differently than what you consider the 'main thing,' the full time faculty, so every time you do, it seems like it can't be part of the discussion.
Huh?  I am not a full-time faculty member myself, and I support hearing from a wide variety of voices. But I don't support thread hijacking.

I'll be watching your responses to see if that is true.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: namazu on April 13, 2020, 09:54:34 PM
Quote from: mahagonny on April 13, 2020, 09:43:44 PM
I'll be watching your responses to see if that is true.
Great! 

Will you also be avoiding absurd and unsubstantiated claims/speculations about other people's motives?  That would be lovely!
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on April 13, 2020, 10:10:57 PM
Quote from: namazu on April 13, 2020, 09:54:34 PM
Quote from: mahagonny on April 13, 2020, 09:43:44 PM
I'll be watching your responses to see if that is true.
Great! 

Will you also be avoiding absurd and unsubstantiated claims/speculations about other people's motives?  That would be lovely!

I can't promise you I won't continue to pay more attention to what people do than to what they say.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: namazu on April 13, 2020, 10:13:02 PM
Quote from: mahagonny on April 13, 2020, 10:10:57 PM
Quote from: namazu on April 13, 2020, 09:54:34 PM
Quote from: mahagonny on April 13, 2020, 09:43:44 PM
I'll be watching your responses to see if that is true.
Will you also be avoiding absurd and unsubstantiated claims/speculations about other people's motives?  That would be lovely!
I can't promise you I won't continue to pay more attention to what people do than to what they say.
Fair enough, but that's not what I asked.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: marshwiggle on April 14, 2020, 06:05:28 AM
Quote from: namazu on April 13, 2020, 06:27:52 PM
Consider that there might be more "regulars", and more vibrant, engaging discussions, if people felt they could get a word in edgewise.

...And if every fourth thread weren't hijacked by the same handful of posters flogging their same few dead horses.  It's boorish and unconstructive to derail thread after unrelated thread to rehash the same tired arguments ad nauseam.  Most recently, the "what went wrong with academe and coronavirus" thread seems to have devolved into yet another pointless, off-topic "won't someone think of the adjuncts" vs. "beware the adjunct 'death march'" back-and-forth.  The "COVID and contingent faculty" thread has been overtaken by ad hominems about "failed academics", and so on...

"Civility" and "niceness" should not be invoked as cover to quash principled, honest disagreement.  And I love a well-placed zinger as much as the next guy.  But rudeness (which shows up in things like hijacking threads, calling people out as trolls too quickly or devaluing infrequent contributors, and being needlessly condescending or smarmy or cruelly snarky) does not make for a more vibrant forum.

I don't advocate heavy-handed moderation, and as a moderator on another forum, I appreciate the thankless work that goes into keeping the lights on.  That said, it would be nice if a few people would step back and quit running their mouths fingers every now and then  -- not because their ideas are odious or unworthy of consideration, but because their constant repetition and/or preening is tiresome.  But that might be too much to ask.  Since they occasionally have worthwhile things to say, I'm hesitant to ignore them altogether.  And of course, perhaps those tired arguments constitute the bulk of what remains here because so many other would-be participants have been turned off and left.

I've created a new thread (https://thefora.org/index.php?topic=1246.0) to discuss this.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on April 14, 2020, 10:21:48 AM
Quote from: namazu on April 13, 2020, 10:13:02 PM
Quote from: mahagonny on April 13, 2020, 10:10:57 PM
Quote from: namazu on April 13, 2020, 09:54:34 PM
Quote from: mahagonny on April 13, 2020, 09:43:44 PM
I'll be watching your responses to see if that is true.
Will you also be avoiding absurd and unsubstantiated claims/speculations about other people's motives?  That would be lovely!
I can't promise you I won't continue to pay more attention to what people do than to what they say.
Fair enough, but that's not what I asked.

I'm not sure what, specifically, bothers you but it may be this: if I say 'the tenure track hoards money, professional development opportunities, promotion opportunities, policymaking decisions, benefits, recognition in the field and workspace' then nobody's motives look good. Can bad things happen when people with only decent motives are present? Maybe. Does anyone care if the statement is true or not? Maybe. Do somebody's motives come out looking bad? Maybe. If so, whose? Matter of opinion. Will somebody be offended? Certainly. But that's not my problem. My problem is 'tell the truth about how the system works.'
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: FishProf on April 14, 2020, 10:37:36 AM
"Truth" is a pretty grandiose claim. 
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on April 15, 2020, 02:42:15 AM
Quote from: FishProf on April 14, 2020, 10:37:36 AM
"Truth" is a pretty grandiose claim.

Saying it or looking for it?

Quote from: mahagonny on April 14, 2020, 10:21:48 AM
Quote from: namazu on April 13, 2020, 10:13:02 PM
Quote from: mahagonny on April 13, 2020, 10:10:57 PM
Quote from: namazu on April 13, 2020, 09:54:34 PM
Quote from: mahagonny on April 13, 2020, 09:43:44 PM
I'll be watching your responses to see if that is true.
Will you also be avoiding absurd and unsubstantiated claims/speculations about other people's motives?  That would be lovely!
I can't promise you I won't continue to pay more attention to what people do than to what they say.
Fair enough, but that's not what I asked.

I'm not sure what, specifically, bothers you but it may be this: if I say 'the tenure track hoards money, professional development opportunities, promotion opportunities, policymaking decisions, benefits, recognition in the field and workspace' then nobody's motives look good. Can bad things happen when people with only decent motives are present? Maybe. Does anyone care if the statement is true or not? Maybe. Do somebody's motives come out looking bad? Maybe. If so, whose? Matter of opinion. Will somebody be offended? Certainly. But that's not my problem. My problem is 'tell the truth about how the system works.'
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: FishProf on April 15, 2020, 03:36:46 AM
Quote from: mahagonny on April 15, 2020, 02:42:15 AM
Quote from: FishProf on April 14, 2020, 10:37:36 AM
"Truth" is a pretty grandiose claim.

Saying it or looking for it?

Quote from: mahagonny on April 14, 2020, 10:21:48 AM


Claiming it.  At which point, one is typically no longer looking for it.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on April 15, 2020, 07:25:09 AM
Quote from: FishProf on April 14, 2020, 10:37:36 AM

Claiming it.  At which point, one is typically no longer looking for it.

How does this suspect outcome compare with total apathy?

QuoteI'm not sure what, specifically, bothers you but it may be this: if I say 'the tenure track hoards money, professional development opportunities, promotion opportunities, policymaking decisions, benefits, recognition in the field and workspace' then nobody's motives look good.

Left out a few things: equipment, course offering opportunities, teaching assistants, office hours.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on April 15, 2020, 08:15:37 AM
<unrelated>

I have some bad news for you on the path you're on if one of your personal top values is stability.

I will indeed say, "I informed you thusly", when the time comes and it will definitely be gloating before I help you brainstorm on the next step.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: FishProf on April 17, 2020, 06:33:32 AM
Quote from: mahagonny on April 15, 2020, 07:25:09 AM
Quote from: FishProf on April 14, 2020, 10:37:36 AM

Claiming it.  At which point, one is typically no longer looking for it.

How does this suspect outcome compare with total apathy?

QuoteI'm not sure what, specifically, bothers you but it may be this: if I say 'the tenure track hoards money, professional development opportunities, promotion opportunities, policymaking decisions, benefits, recognition in the field and workspace' then nobody's motives look good.

Left out a few things: equipment, course offering opportunities, teaching assistants, office hours.

I didn't understand your first response.  Your second is more of the same.

You have a particular experience as an adjunct.  SPADFY.

Acting as if your experience is the only "TRUTH" and your judgement about those you see as antagonists is tiresome and not very useful.  You are alienating the very people who could contribute to a solution (and many who already are).
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on April 17, 2020, 09:12:08 AM
Unrelated


This is the kind of whining and foot stomping that gives unions a bad name. Then the people at the bottom of the food chain pay for it when they try to get a cost of living raise or access to health insurance pool.

I have email work to do with students right now on what used to be my day off. Scanning and sending PDF's from yesterday's class that normally would have been paper handouts. Things are tough all over!
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on April 17, 2020, 10:43:51 AM
Quote from: FishProf on April 17, 2020, 06:33:32 AM

I didn't understand your first response.  Your second is more of the same.


And you are more of the same. You think people should defer to you as a matter of custom.

Quote
Acting as if your experience is the only "TRUTH" and your judgement about those you see as antagonists is tiresome and not very useful.  You are alienating the very people who could contribute to a solution (and many who already are).

I'm sure it is tiresome. I just don't see why your being tired of reading about problems  is a matter of general concern.

QuoteYou have a particular experience as an adjunct.  SPADFY.

Right I expect some places it's better and some it's worse. there aren't too many who log on and say 'sure...fuck the adjuncts. That's how it works, isn't it?'
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: FishProf on April 17, 2020, 11:09:20 AM
I have never said or suggested ANY of the things you just accused me of - but thanks for making my point.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: bacardiandlime on April 18, 2020, 03:38:19 AM
Poster starts a thread identical to the one they started before. Like they were hoping for a different answer.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on April 21, 2020, 04:30:34 AM
Quote from: bacardiandlime on April 18, 2020, 03:38:19 AM
Poster starts a thread identical to the one they started before. Like they were hoping for a different answer.

Hope springs eternal in many hearts, especially in the face of all evidence and unexpected consensus on probable outcomes.  Those underdog movies are very influential among certain adults.

<unrelated>
Our trips to the grocery store are not great.  We have been unable to get facial tissue for a month.  Meat is iffy, especially if you'd like a particular type at less than several multiples of the normal cost.  Fresh vegetables were iffy under normal conditions this time of year; now, canned is very much preferred as being much less wasteful.  I haven't gone myself, but I don't see any reason why Mr. Mer would be lying about what we can get and why facial tissue has not been bought when he's the allergy sufferer.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: archaeo42 on April 21, 2020, 04:39:21 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on April 21, 2020, 04:30:34 AM
<unrelated>
Our trips to the grocery store are not great.  We have been unable to get facial tissue for a month.  Meat is iffy, especially if you'd like a particular type at less than several multiples of the normal cost.  Fresh vegetables were iffy under normal conditions this time of year; now, canned is very much preferred as being much less wasteful.  I haven't gone myself, but I don't see any reason why Mr. Mer would be lying about what we can get and why facial tissue has not been bought when he's the allergy sufferer.

Any chance of ordering some online? I have to admit, I was surprised spousal unit was able to get 2 multipacks of tissues on the last big grocery run while nearly all the other paper products were sold out.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on April 21, 2020, 08:45:38 AM
Quote from: archaeo42 on April 21, 2020, 04:39:21 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on April 21, 2020, 04:30:34 AM
<unrelated>
Our trips to the grocery store are not great.  We have been unable to get facial tissue for a month.  Meat is iffy, especially if you'd like a particular type at less than several multiples of the normal cost.  Fresh vegetables were iffy under normal conditions this time of year; now, canned is very much preferred as being much less wasteful.  I haven't gone myself, but I don't see any reason why Mr. Mer would be lying about what we can get and why facial tissue has not been bought when he's the allergy sufferer.

Any chance of ordering some online? I have to admit, I was surprised spousal unit was able to get 2 multipacks of tissues on the last big grocery run while nearly all the other paper products were sold out.

We did get a nice package of handkerchiefs from online ordering.  The powdered milk took 3 weeks to get to us and it's not at all looking good for paper products in a timely manner.

We still have adequate other paper products, but it's weird to be in allergy season and only have one regular box and two little boxes on the pantry shelf when we usually go through multiple regular boxes per week during this season.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: Puget on April 21, 2020, 10:13:52 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on April 21, 2020, 08:45:38 AM
Quote from: archaeo42 on April 21, 2020, 04:39:21 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on April 21, 2020, 04:30:34 AM
<unrelated>
Our trips to the grocery store are not great.  We have been unable to get facial tissue for a month.  Meat is iffy, especially if you'd like a particular type at less than several multiples of the normal cost.  Fresh vegetables were iffy under normal conditions this time of year; now, canned is very much preferred as being much less wasteful.  I haven't gone myself, but I don't see any reason why Mr. Mer would be lying about what we can get and why facial tissue has not been bought when he's the allergy sufferer.

Any chance of ordering some online? I have to admit, I was surprised spousal unit was able to get 2 multipacks of tissues on the last big grocery run while nearly all the other paper products were sold out.

We did get a nice package of handkerchiefs from online ordering.  The powdered milk took 3 weeks to get to us and it's not at all looking good for paper products in a timely manner.

We still have adequate other paper products, but it's weird to be in allergy season and only have one regular box and two little boxes on the pantry shelf when we usually go through multiple regular boxes per week during this season.

Amazon is prioritizing Subscribe & Save orders over one time orders, so IF you can add the products you usually get regularly as a recurring order (recurring can be as little as every 6 months, and you can always cancel or skip deliveries later) that can ensure a steady supply. That is how I now find myself in possession of 48 roles of my usual TP and a stockpile of Kleenex. I tend to put all the stuff I don't want to run out of and don't want to have to think about on there-- cat food and litter, trash bags, bathroom items, etc.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on April 22, 2020, 06:21:06 AM
Quote from: Puget on April 21, 2020, 10:13:52 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on April 21, 2020, 08:45:38 AM
Quote from: archaeo42 on April 21, 2020, 04:39:21 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on April 21, 2020, 04:30:34 AM
<unrelated>
Our trips to the grocery store are not great.  We have been unable to get facial tissue for a month.  Meat is iffy, especially if you'd like a particular type at less than several multiples of the normal cost.  Fresh vegetables were iffy under normal conditions this time of year; now, canned is very much preferred as being much less wasteful.  I haven't gone myself, but I don't see any reason why Mr. Mer would be lying about what we can get and why facial tissue has not been bought when he's the allergy sufferer.

Any chance of ordering some online? I have to admit, I was surprised spousal unit was able to get 2 multipacks of tissues on the last big grocery run while nearly all the other paper products were sold out.

We did get a nice package of handkerchiefs from online ordering.  The powdered milk took 3 weeks to get to us and it's not at all looking good for paper products in a timely manner.

We still have adequate other paper products, but it's weird to be in allergy season and only have one regular box and two little boxes on the pantry shelf when we usually go through multiple regular boxes per week during this season.

Amazon is prioritizing Subscribe & Save orders over one time orders, so IF you can add the products you usually get regularly as a recurring order (recurring can be as little as every 6 months, and you can always cancel or skip deliveries later) that can ensure a steady supply. That is how I now find myself in possession of 48 roles of my usual TP and a stockpile of Kleenex. I tend to put all the stuff I don't want to run out of and don't want to have to think about on there-- cat food and litter, trash bags, bathroom items, etc.

We purposely don't have any standing subscriptions with Amazon and only order things we cannot get easily in town.  We're in a small enough town that if the grocery store goes under, the next choice is an hour away.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: ciao_yall on April 22, 2020, 07:44:20 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on April 21, 2020, 04:30:34 AM
Quote from: bacardiandlime on April 18, 2020, 03:38:19 AM
Poster starts a thread identical to the one they started before. Like they were hoping for a different answer.

Hope springs eternal in many hearts, especially in the face of all evidence and unexpected consensus on probable outcomes.  Those underdog movies are very influential among certain adults.

<unrelated>
Our trips to the grocery store are not great.  We have been unable to get facial tissue for a month.  Meat is iffy, especially if you'd like a particular type at less than several multiples of the normal cost.  Fresh vegetables were iffy under normal conditions this time of year; now, canned is very much preferred as being much less wasteful.  I haven't gone myself, but I don't see any reason why Mr. Mer would be lying about what we can get and why facial tissue has not been bought when he's the allergy sufferer.

Interesting. Plenty of it in the SF Bay Area, and I have been to stores in several counties. We aren't having much of an allergy season yet.

TP and paper towels, on the other hand, are scarce. The other day I found multipacks of both (interthreaduality) and I still feel a sense of glee that we are now stocked up for the duration.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on April 22, 2020, 09:39:40 AM
Quote from: ciao_yall on April 22, 2020, 07:44:20 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on April 21, 2020, 04:30:34 AM
Quote from: bacardiandlime on April 18, 2020, 03:38:19 AM
Poster starts a thread identical to the one they started before. Like they were hoping for a different answer.

Hope springs eternal in many hearts, especially in the face of all evidence and unexpected consensus on probable outcomes.  Those underdog movies are very influential among certain adults.

<unrelated>
Our trips to the grocery store are not great.  We have been unable to get facial tissue for a month.  Meat is iffy, especially if you'd like a particular type at less than several multiples of the normal cost.  Fresh vegetables were iffy under normal conditions this time of year; now, canned is very much preferred as being much less wasteful.  I haven't gone myself, but I don't see any reason why Mr. Mer would be lying about what we can get and why facial tissue has not been bought when he's the allergy sufferer.

Interesting. Plenty of it in the SF Bay Area, and I have been to stores in several counties. We aren't having much of an allergy season yet.

TP and paper towels, on the other hand, are scarce. The other day I found multipacks of both (interthreaduality) and I still feel a sense of glee that we are now stocked up for the duration.

We started allergy season early here.  We have an interesting local phenomenon where most people become allergic to the pollen of a specific, very-common-here-and-hard-to-irradicate tree after living here 5-10 years.  Thus, "everyone" who has been here for at least 10 years all suffer together when that tree blooms. 

I'm not allergic yet, but some days with the wind from the correct direction, one can see the waves of pollen coming from the forest and no one needs to be allergic for the resulting physical clogging from just the sheer amount of pollen along with the non-insignificant-amounts-of dust carried on the wind as well.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on April 26, 2020, 06:40:19 AM
In some cases, there is only one ethical message for responsible adults to promote, even if the harshest consequences for going against the message aren't immediate for everyone every time.

Don't drink and drive.

Don't walk on the train tracks.

Don't play in the street.

Don't go to graduate school in fields where most of the jobs that advertise for that specific degree in that specific field are faculty jobs.


To advise otherwise in an effort to be even-handed/civil/restrained should be met with responses along the lines of "Blue-Check Twitter savaged The New York Times over a tweet and an article that carried the mind-boggling suggestion that only 'some experts' believe that President Donald Trump's suggestions about the internal consumption of disinfectant are dangerous." (//http://#039;some%20experts'%20believe%20that%20President%20Donald%20Trump's%20suggestions%20about%20the%20internal%20consumption%20of%20disinfectant%20are%20dangerous.")

Sometimes, there really is only one side to a discussion for those who have all the relevant data and want the best for all involved.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on April 27, 2020, 04:22:17 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on April 26, 2020, 06:40:19 AM
In some cases, there is only one ethical message for responsible adults to promote, even if the harshest consequences for going against the message aren't immediate for everyone every time.

Don't drink and drive.

Don't walk on the train tracks.

Don't play in the street.

Don't go to graduate school in fields where most of the jobs that advertise for that specific degree in that specific field are faculty jobs.


To advise otherwise in an effort to be even-handed/civil/restrained should be met with responses along the lines of "Blue-Check Twitter savaged The New York Times over a tweet and an article that carried the mind-boggling suggestion that only 'some experts' believe that President Donald Trump's suggestions about the internal consumption of disinfectant are dangerous." (//http://#039;some%20experts'%20believe%20that%20President%20Donald%20Trump's%20suggestions%20about%20the%20internal%20consumption%20of%20disinfectant%20are%20dangerous.")

Sometimes, there really is only one side to a discussion for those who have all the relevant data and want the best for all involved.

You prompt me to ask:
Your problem is not the people who pursue the graduate studies. It's the people who offer them and the colleges that advertise them.  By your own account, you couldn't do what they do and maintain the sense of ethics that you see yourself having. And you are convinced your sense of ethics is the only one responsible adults may have. So what are you going to do now that you see you are not being listened to? Are you going to get a plan to shut them down?
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on April 28, 2020, 09:08:26 AM
The seductive part of the Professor Sparklepony pitch is that obtaining a faculty job at a regional comprehensive or a S(mall) Liberal Arts College doesn't seem like it would be that hard, regardless of what the numbers state.  After all, once one is ready to attend graduate school, one has interacted with many faculty members who are clearly normal people, not untouchable, unattainable gods.

Those faculty are smart, hardworking, and knowledgeable people, so becoming a faculty member at one of those places seems achievable based on knowing those real people who have those jobs.  Those folks aren't far-removed-from-normal-life like literal rock stars or NBA/NFL/MLB draftees.  They are normal people who shop at the community grocery store, wear clothes from Walmart, and have families with snotty-nosed kids.  Coming up to the level of qualifications that the faculty have will be hard work, but it doesn't seem unattainable in the same way that becoming LeBron James or Justin Bieber does.

Even the "don't go" message from Professor Sparklepony's more realistic neighbor across the hall usually doesn't have the necessary effect, because that's another normal person who is trying to explain that people don't get the job that that realistic neighbor has.  The conflict between message and medium is pretty clear.  Even the "you can't have my job" message will be hard to hear from someone who clearly has that job so the job exists and there is no notice like "we're closing the entire X department next month to have zero professors" prominently posted.

Statistics mean little to people who aren't already numbers folks.  There's a 10% chance of success registers, as it should, at non-zero.  However, rephrasing that as 90% change (i.e., extremely probable outcome) still won't get through to the people who can do basic math because that's still not 100%.

Even flat out numbers tend to not work because the fields with the worst job prospects are generally the ones in which one can skate on math knowledge.  Nevertheless, in case it helps someone, I'm doing a different calculation in an effort to help with messaging.

Say a field has 1200 PhDs graduated every year and 800 TT jobs.  This is a brand-new field so this is year one (to make the math simple and the point crystal clear) for a pretty good situation.

Assumptions:

* All of the jobs of a given year are filled.

* Everyone who takes a job comes has never previously had one.

* The number of TT jobs remains constant at 800 per year.

* The graduating cohort number remains constant at 1200 per year.



Years of Cohorts     New Jobs     Pool Size    Running Total TT   Still Looking



1                               800              1200        800                    400


2                               800              1600       1600                   800


3                               800              2000       2400                  1200


4                               800              2400       3200                  1600


5                               800              2800       4000                  2000


...


10                              800             4800       8000                  4000


20                              800             8800      16000                 8000




At the end of year five, there are 4000 people gainfully employed as TT faculty, but 2000 people still looking who are qualified in the same sense. 

With a 2/3 success rate, but a continuing growing pool of those who hang in there another year on the job search, only about half the qualified people get jobs.

It is left as an exercise to the reader to do the calculation, when:

* the jobs/newly qualified people changes to 0.1 instead of 0.67

* the number of jobs available every year decreases through a combination of allowing other qualifications for similar jobs (e.g., adjuncts with master's degrees), cuts to majors that correspond to cuts with faculty, and larger sections

* the pools grow faster because the number of people becoming qualified is not decreasing at nearly the same rate as the jobs are declining and the assumption of everyone who gets a job didn't previously have one is violated so the experienced TT people will get the new TT jobs and not leave a corresponding vacancy.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on April 28, 2020, 09:26:42 AM
Quote from: mahagonny on April 27, 2020, 04:22:17 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on April 26, 2020, 06:40:19 AM
In some cases, there is only one ethical message for responsible adults to promote, even if the harshest consequences for going against the message aren't immediate for everyone every time.

Don't drink and drive.

Don't walk on the train tracks.

Don't play in the street.

Don't go to graduate school in fields where most of the jobs that advertise for that specific degree in that specific field are faculty jobs.


To advise otherwise in an effort to be even-handed/civil/restrained should be met with responses along the lines of "Blue-Check Twitter savaged The New York Times over a tweet and an article that carried the mind-boggling suggestion that only 'some experts' believe that President Donald Trump's suggestions about the internal consumption of disinfectant are dangerous." (//http://#039;some%20experts'%20believe%20that%20President%20Donald%20Trump's%20suggestions%20about%20the%20internal%20consumption%20of%20disinfectant%20are%20dangerous.")

Sometimes, there really is only one side to a discussion for those who have all the relevant data and want the best for all involved.

You prompt me to ask:
Your problem is not the people who pursue the graduate studies. It's the people who offer them and the colleges that advertise them.  By your own account, you couldn't do what they do and maintain the sense of ethics that you see yourself having. And you are convinced your sense of ethics is the only one responsible adults may have. So what are you going to do now that you see you are not being listened to? Are you going to get a plan to shut them down?

Libertarian here, so people are allowed to make bad choices after being given all the best advice.  My ethical duty is to say, "Don't play on the train tracks", ensure reasonable signs exist, and that physical barriers make it hard for someone to inadvertently wander on.  If adults want to shout insults at me while climbing over the fence and flipping me the bird, then my conscience is clear.  I just hope the train passengers don't end up paying the price for someone who refused to heed the message for the common good.

I disagree that my problem is with the people who offer graduate programs that do indeed prepare people to be faculty as well as allow for great depth of study in a particular field with proper mentorship and acculturation to being an expert in that field.  We need faculty in all fields, even those where far more people want full-time faculty jobs than we can reasonable support based on any accounting method.  We need those faculty to be excellent. 

From just a systems standpoint, we cannot reduce the number of graduate students in those fields to zero because we will need replacements and options on growth in areas we don't currently know exist (e.g., digital humanities didn't exist 100 years ago, but is certainly something in which we need some experts).

From a good conscience standpoint, we cannot limit education to only those who will obtain a specific job postgraduation and still call ourselves supporters of higher ed.  Education is not just about jobs, as people repeat ad nauseam wherever humanities folks gather.  That assertion is no less true at the graduate level.  It is a mistake to attempt to change graduate education to focusing on getting a specific job postgraduation for "everyone" in the cohort instead of promoting lifelong, diverse education that explores the world in terms of what humans do for work, intellectual satisfaction, and problem solving that needs to be done such that pay is available.

However, the blunt message has to be "don't go to grad school in these fields" and not bury the message in a lot of caveats so that people who can thrive at doing anything else will go do that and be a success there instead of contributing to the glut in the academic job market for certain fields. 

It's much easier to ignore a message when it has a lot of caveats, details, and possibilities instead of being a stark "Don't".  I've been in situations in which I made a left turn on red with 8 lanes where that wasn't legal.  However, the rule of "no left on red" gains nothing by the special case caveats of "unless it's midnight, there is no other traffic, and you've waited literally 10 minutes by the clock after you started timing so it's clear that light is not going to change to allow you to legally proceed".

Thus, I'm going to continue to double down on "Don't go in these fields" in an effort to affect individual humans to choose something good for them instead of assuming I know what's best for everyone in a complex system and insisting on putting more and more rules as each new problem arises from a complex system that will be messy since individual humans are involved.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on April 28, 2020, 09:42:37 AM
Then you are stating that 'we' need people who listened to your vehement, repetitious 'advice' (I'd call it more of a command) and ignored it, but that is for them to figure out.
When should you not be ignored then?
Not logical.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: FishProf on May 01, 2020, 02:55:47 PM
[Not Related]

If your post contains an ad hominem or name-calling, I'll ignore it.   If a lot of them do, I'll ignore you.

Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: dismalist on May 01, 2020, 03:25:19 PM
The trick is knowing when to stop.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on May 03, 2020, 12:56:30 PM
For those who need to hear again a different way:

Stay out of the (higher ed) arroyos!

An arroyo is the path where the flash flood will occur and wash everything, often drowning humans or animals who are present when the flood comes.

It doesn't matter how good a hiker an individual is.  If that person is in the arroyo when the flood comes, then that person loses to the big mass of water.

It doesn't matter how good your hiking boots are, how good your walking stick is, or how often you check the local weather because the relevant weather may be 100 miles away.  If you are in the arroyo when the flood comes, then you are going to have some dangerous times.

it doesn't matter how many times you have previously hiked, even in other arroyos, and was fine because no flash flood happened.  If you are in the arroyo when the flood comes, then your previous experiences are of no relevance.

What are the higher ed arroyos?

* Being contingent faculty as your majority source of income

* Being at an underresourced institution (public or private) with consistently lower than desired enrollment or refusal to limit enrollment so all students get a good quality

* Going to graduate school in certain fields where the PhD is mostly valuable for a faculty position and working only towards the faculty job.

* Focusing on something other than comps and dissertation while in grad school for the fields where a PhD is a solid credential for a professional job

Yep, the flash floods are racing down certain higher ed arroyos towards the unwary and it's probably too late for many to do much about it.  In case it isn't too late "GET OUT OF THE ARROYOS!".
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on May 03, 2020, 01:11:54 PM
Quote from: mahagonny on April 28, 2020, 09:42:37 AM
Then you are stating that 'we' need people who listened to your vehement, repetitious 'advice' (I'd call it more of a command) and ignored it, but that is for them to figure out.
I am stating that I will continue to keep standing in front of the dangerous areas and shouting, "This is a really, really bad idea.  Stop for a few minutes and let me provide information you may not have."  We get new people all the time who don't know that certain actions are bad ideas, the extent to which they are bad ideas, and why the advice would be don't, when it's clear that so many people do it (much like drunk driving in which individuals can go years of weekly risks with nothing happening).

However, my conscience is clear once I've delivered the warning and it's clear that someone has decided to make a poor decision even after acknowledging my warnings.  I have no obligation to spend my resources, time, or energy to rescue people from the entirely foreseeable consequences of the actions they chose after the warnings were clear, loud, repetitious, and otherwise hard to avoid.  If adults choose to ignore good advice, then that's on them.

If I'm right and someone is in the arroyo/on the tracks/in the street at the wrong time to end up smacked, then I get no benefit and yet someone else is damaged.  I don't even have all that much sympathy because of all the warnings.

If the timing is such that a particular someone managed to avoid being flooded/runover/hurt during one excursion, that doesn't make me wrong about the general advice.  It merely means someone got lucky this time in a dangerous situation.  The advice still stands that the smart bet is to avoid the situation.

Even if I am somehow horribly mistaken and equivalent traintracks/arroyos/streets aren't dangerous, nothing terrible happens to people who heed the advice and do something else that society needs.  We all win when people do something that has a high probability of a good result instead of betting on being the last one standing in the danger zone.

I can't in good conscience advocate that we shut down all the graduate schools because that's not the right action.  There's nothing intrinsic to graduate school itself that means people will be doing something foolish.  The right action is to change the landscape one person at a time such that going to graduate school is not the equivalent of people hiking in the arroyo and hoping that not too many people get hurt during the flash flood that happens every rainy season.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mamselle on May 23, 2020, 01:58:52 PM
Unrelated to any of the above.

I knew I shouldn't reply.

Back to my "ignore" list you go, you do.

M.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on May 29, 2020, 08:07:39 PM
I knew it...the rat is about the most resilient creature we have...https://www.businessinsider.com/amazing-facts-about-new-york-citys-rats-2015-9
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: bacardiandlime on June 03, 2020, 01:34:14 PM
The fact that you thought it was necessary to post that rather (unintentionally) proves your point.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: archaeo42 on June 08, 2020, 06:23:54 AM
WTF did I just read?
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on June 08, 2020, 06:36:49 AM
Guess I was channelling George Carlin. The wisecrack should have been here instead of on the thread.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: ab_grp on June 08, 2020, 03:40:19 PM
Is this some kind of psychological experiment?
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: archaeo42 on June 10, 2020, 06:20:17 AM
Quote from: ab_grp on June 08, 2020, 03:40:19 PM
Is this some kind of psychological experiment?

If it is I think a lot of people are failing.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: downer on June 10, 2020, 08:31:09 AM
I think some people are just bored and lonely.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on June 10, 2020, 10:12:17 AM
i think I saw you doing standup in the Poconos.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: aside on June 13, 2020, 07:30:19 PM
QuoteSometimes what sounds pretty wild in the abstract is actually much more reasonable when the focus is more specific.

Taken completely out of context, yet this describes many of my conference papers.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on June 22, 2020, 09:15:26 PM
Maybe the most bland, inadequate thing circulating today is the idea that in order to understand black people better, we need to understand one thing about them. The one thing about them is, like us, they are individuals. I can listen to Al Sharpton, John McWhorter, Dave Chappelle, George Floyd's mom, and get a piece of truth from each.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on June 23, 2020, 04:19:13 AM
...it wasn't really clunky wording at all. Quite precise and effective.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on June 23, 2020, 09:47:41 AM
<probably unrelated>

Let's summarize:

* advice from qualified professionals who have held/currently hold the relevant positions and have kept up on the state of the situation with frequent citations to literature

* advice from people who cite nothing and are proud of being only loosely affiliated with their own institution, let alone the broader environment

For people who really, truly, no foolin' believe in critical thinking and evaluating sources, the advice should not be weighted equally.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: Parasaurolophus on June 26, 2020, 03:26:10 PM
My pole is <10 feet, so.


(EDIT: Curses. I used the wrong alligator. Stupid me.)
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: permanent imposter on June 26, 2020, 03:32:56 PM
I think I understand your frustrations during the current political climate: you feel that people are making a big deal out of nothing and you feel like you are being forced to conform. In other words, you feel like you are in the minority. But no one is literally forcing you to do or say anything. This is not the Cultural Revolution by any stretch of the imagination. I think you are a being a little too sensitive about your circumstances when for others, literal lives are at stake.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on June 26, 2020, 07:17:49 PM
I'm concerned about having work in the fall, and the president of the college is referring to 'Black Lives Matter' in his communications with us  as though it should be assumed we are all aligned with this particular identity politics movement. So yes, I am a bit worried about how I can fit in in these new turbulent times. Fortunately I'm not on campus so I'm not pressured to have a 'Black Lives Matter' sticker on the office door, for instance. but that kind of situation may be coming.
From the Black Lives Matter webpage, "What We Believe"

"We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and "villages" that collectively care for one another, especially our children, to the degree that mothers, parents, and children are comfortable."

Not gonna endorse this type of thing. The dissolution of the family has been one of the worst setbacks.

Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: FishProf on June 27, 2020, 06:54:46 AM
Avoiding a derail.

I too have radio silence in an entirely online course.  With <1 week to go, 3 students have done Zero work, made no contact, and have not dropped.

It's a good thing I don't round up.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on June 28, 2020, 07:30:39 PM
<unrelated>

When the bottom falls out and it's actually your life that's affected, I will laugh in your face if you are dumb enough to post anything along the lines of "How could I have possibly known?"

I'll feel bad for the people who just got unlucky and were unable to get out of a bad situation once they realized, but not you with your hands over your ears singing so loudly to drown out any actual advice and knowledge.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: arcturus on June 29, 2020, 05:45:02 AM
<unrelated>

I must be getting old and grumpy. The combination of positivity and naivete grates like fingernails on a chalkboard.  Can't we just go back to beating the dead horses again?

Edited to add: Please note that no actual equines were damaged in this or in any other posting referenced herein.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mamselle on June 29, 2020, 07:55:45 AM
Related to the above.

I saw that cloud forming, but a bit of fresh air can help clear the negative naivete, too.

Not that we have any of that...

M.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: FishProf on July 03, 2020, 07:58:05 AM
How is that different from saying "I think"?
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mamselle on July 03, 2020, 03:12:51 PM
^Unrelated..

"Hey, it's just a phrase. Why get all bent outta shape about it?

We don't mean anything unkind, you know; we're just kiddin' around.

Can't you take a joke?"

(Otherwise known as "gander sauce")
M.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: FishProf on July 08, 2020, 09:21:08 AM
I read that as "quiet as a MOOSE". 

I thought "now that is excellent antiphrasis".   Nope.  Just poor reading.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: apl68 on July 09, 2020, 07:19:20 AM
If somebody at work brings garden-fresh tomatoes to share, and you decide to put one in your book bag to take home for salads, be sure to remember that you put it in the bag when you get home.  Otherwise you may not find it again until a week or two later.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: FishProf on July 09, 2020, 08:55:15 AM
The same goes for blackberries in your trunk.  Always double check after shopping.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: ab_grp on July 09, 2020, 09:12:43 AM
Another item not to leave buried at the bottom of your work bag for several weeks: banana.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mamselle on July 09, 2020, 10:35:40 AM
Unrelated to the above:

   Contrarians gonna be contrary.

M.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: FishProf on July 09, 2020, 01:49:43 PM
Quote from: mamselle on July 09, 2020, 10:35:40 AM
Unrelated to the above:

   Contrarians gonna be contrary.

M.

We are NOT!
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mamselle on July 09, 2020, 05:49:07 PM
Quote from: FishProf on July 09, 2020, 01:49:43 PM
Quote from: mamselle on July 09, 2020, 10:35:40 AM
Unrelated to the above:

   Contrarians gonna be contrary.

M.

We are NOT!

Thanks, I needed that chuckle.

M.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: FishProf on July 10, 2020, 07:07:56 AM
Quote from: mamselle on July 09, 2020, 05:49:07 PM
Quote from: FishProf on July 09, 2020, 01:49:43 PM
Quote from: mamselle on July 09, 2020, 10:35:40 AM
Unrelated to the above:

   Contrarians gonna be contrary.

M.

We are NOT!

Thanks, I needed that chuckle.

M.

No you didn't!
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mamselle on July 13, 2020, 02:59:15 AM
^ Unrelated...

Thornton Wilder knew something we're forgetting.

M.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on July 18, 2020, 08:47:15 AM
unrelated

I started the thread with that link.

I've posted more specific links to parts of that page as the discussion progressed.

That's a zero for doing the reading before posting.  Remember, the reading score is 15% of your final grade.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on July 18, 2020, 01:20:23 PM
unrelated

So when it's your area of expertise being relevant as underinformed people repeating standard mass media talking points, your word of what's just unacceptable should be taken as law because the poster is just wrong.

When it's my area of expertise and you're the one repeating standard mass media talking points, you don't understand why the assertion that you're just wrong should be allowed to stand without an extensive case on why it's wrong using sources you accept that are the ones that experts won't use.

Interesting.  Is that the kind of inclusive, critical thinking you teach your students as part of mandatory liberal arts education?
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on July 19, 2020, 08:55:16 PM
Sometimes it's amazing how people will show up on a thread, post some lame put down with no substantive rebuttal or committing to a point of view, and think that is meaningful, just because they're part of a mob.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: aside on July 24, 2020, 04:08:46 PM
[unrelated:]

Wow, I feel like I'm being sucked back toward the 1980s by a vortex of willful ignorance ...
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: RatGuy on July 26, 2020, 09:55:20 AM
Given your handle and the content of your posts, I can only conclude that you're absolutely terrible at your job.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on July 26, 2020, 12:36:53 PM
Quote from: RatGuy on July 26, 2020, 09:55:20 AM
Given your handle and the content of your posts, I can only conclude that you're absolutely terrible at your job.

Mom still loves me anyway.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on July 27, 2020, 06:44:02 AM
As a public service since apparently college general education didn't cover it, this post is an overview on how to think about science in the public mass media.

As Carl Sagan used to say, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

If you read something that is drastically at odds with all previous experience, then ask for more evidence.  The more outlandish the claim, the more evidence there should be.

For example, "Children, the known disease vectors for all kinds of respiratory viruses, don't get this particular virus and can't pass it along" is an extraordinary claim for anyone who has spent time with groups of children and got every cold that comes along.



The exact phrase "no evidence exists" covers two situations that are opposite in meaning so it's important to know the entire context.

The first meaning is the normal English usage equivalent to "We looked really, really hard.  We checked every possibility that we could dream up and then we contacted all our friends and colleagues.  Everyone working on this problem has exhausted everything we could manage and, despite prior expectations of how things work, there is no evidence that this particular thing works that way."

The second meaning is common in interim reports for new investigations and is equivalent to "We have no evidence because we haven't look at that aspect yet.  No conclusions should be drawn because we just don't know how that factor plays in this case."

The media is prone to pulling "no evidence exists" from a report and treating it always as "because we looked really, really hard" instead of "we are doing an interim report on what we do know".

The children and Covid-19 come to mind again.  The questions early on in scientific circles included:

* Did you actually test large numbers of children for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes Covid-19)?

* Would children have had an opportunity to be infected since schools and most daycares closed so quickly and early?

* (later) Now that we know about asymptomatic spread and large numbers of adults test positive with minor/no symptoms, did you really test enough children when they were in good position to have been infected and many of them could have been asymptomatic or easily dismissed as having minor symptoms for some other reason?



A summary of a summary of a press release with the most strongly stated claim prominently displayed as a news headline is not scientific evidence of anything, regardless of how prestigious the outlet for the original article or the affiliation of the authors.

https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/882:_Significant gives a funny comic with the explanation on how statistics works in the case of "significant" in science meaning "low probability of random chance, but still possible it is random chance".  Again, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, especially when there's no plausible mechanism or the information out in the world is very sparse.

Common drawbacks to interim science reports include:

* small sample size. 
    Some of the current vaccine research is being done on fewer than 10 people as a first step.

* limited applicability outside the exact context 
    An early report on opening schools was a model that didn't even use any data from the current situation.  The scientists made an input assumption that transmission would be low in schools and the model returned the result that transmission in schools would be a minor factor.  That's one way to verify a model (i.e., does the model work under easily checked input conditions to give consistent outputs), but that's not the same as transmission actually being low.

    The in vitro (lab conditions that don't involve a live host), in vivo (lab conditions with a live host), and "out in the wild" (whatever would happen in normal life) are also contexts that matter.  "Everyone" laughed when President Trump asked about taking some in vitro results related to killing the virus and putting them into humans, but that same level of lack of awareness often makes the news headlines as "Scientists find X is important to killing the virus" where X is going to translate as well as injecting bleach into humans.


Identifying something as a primary factor is absolutely not the same as identifying something as an overwhelmingly, within rounding of sole, factor

Again, the reports in the mass media tend to pick a headline that is misleading and glosses all the details, if not actually being wrong.

An an accessible example,  I generally go to work in three ways:

* 50% of the time, I drive my own car.
* 40% of the time, I ride the bus.
* 10% of the time, I get a ride with a neighbor.

The primary way I get to work is driving my own car.  However, ignoring the times I ride the bus or get a ride with a neighbor is just silly if the question is "can I give you a ride home?"  The probability is about half that I won't have a car at work.

The current public health mantra is "stay home, wear a mask when out, stay away from people, wash your hands, don't touch your face, and sanitize high touch surfaces" because that is what we know about how viruses spread.  Any claims that this particular virus doesn't spread through high-touch surfaces when sick people are present is again an extraordinary claim that requires extraordinary evidence.


Exact numbers are meaningless without the error bars/uncertainties on the inputs propagated to the outputs.

A typical gen ed lab course will cover the difference between precision and accuracy. (https://manoa.hawaii.edu/exploringourfluidearth/physical/world-ocean/map-distortion/practices-science-precision-vs-accuracy)

When we get to statistical science, even statistical physical science, we also have to think about uncertainty (and actual errors) in the inputs that will affect the outputs.  A good primer with general-public-accessible-explanations of aleatory and epistemic uncertainty is available to those who click on this sentence.  (https://herdingcats.typepad.com/my_weblog/2013/05/aleatory-and-epistemic-uncertainty-both-create-risk.html)

The short version is aleatory uncertainty is baked into the inputs themselves.  For example, the US has a wide range of humans and we can't just pick a "typical" human and be confident we got anything right.  The proper scientific thing to do is run a bunch of scenarios with various inputs (if modeling) or do many case studies with a wide variety of people to help ensure our input distribution will be about representative and thus our output distributions will cover most cases.  The results, then, may have a significant spread that is real and will not get better with more samples because the distribution is in the inputs.

Epistemic uncertainty means we just don't know all the inputs yet to good enough precision (and that's aside from any errors in measurement or modeling or interpretation of our measurements since often what you want to know is not the thing you can measure).  Especially early on in a new situation, we will have big error bars on the inputs, which should mean large error bars on the outputs.  Looking at images on the CDC webpage, one can see that some models (and modeling groups) put good-sized regions indicating their probable uncertainty. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/forecasting-us-previous.html)

Any report of results that has something pretty bland as an uncertainty or error bar like "plus or minus 10 percent" or "plus or minus <round number like 50 or 10000>" basically screams "we didn't do any kind of analysis on the uncertainties".


Government documents that are clearly interim reports done by literature review should not be given the same credibility as reports written by a panel of world experts in that exact field to address a specific question.

It's not rare for interns or temporary science folks in a government agency to be assigned to write an overview for a given purpose and be given just 6-8 weeks to do so.  That type of government document is probably good enough to give a snapshot of the current state of the literature, but should not be given the same authoritative scientific status as the results of a government report that has a ton of authors with their affiliations on the front pages.

Knowing the difference is a key part of being able to assess the credibility of the information.  Even with a blue-ribbon panel report, one wants to apply the context and drawbacks questions while reading instead of taking the bulleted list of summary points as the final word.


Summary

Critical thinking matters out in the world every bit as much as it matters in a general education classroom.  Selecting good primary sources (which is definitely not the news) is key to starting any discussion.  However, one must then do the compare and contrast among all the good primary sources as well as other knowledge bases before just blindly asserting any one sentence as true, regardless of the prestige of the outlet or the authors.  Arguing from authority can be legitimate, but only if you start from doing the real research instead of just the news or the first hit on Google that seems relevant.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: hungry_ghost on July 27, 2020, 09:26:21 AM
If someone is observed to be angry, erratic, and unhappy and then commits suicide, can we all just say "RIP"?
Is the sh!t throwing (from both sides of the aisle) necessary?
What good does it do?
These are hard times, and there is so much unhappiness in this world.
Please, everyone, let's do what we can to make our world a better place, not an angrier one.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: AmLitHist on July 27, 2020, 02:27:12 PM
Thank you, Hungry Ghost. The sentiment is applicable in many, many situations these days.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: downer on July 27, 2020, 03:57:46 PM
Going to those threads is what I hear it's like to sit with your bitter uncle at Thanksgiving. Makes me glad I have no such uncle.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mamselle on July 27, 2020, 04:20:13 PM
I'm avoiding about 2/3 threads on my queue, just by seeing who the poster is.

I open the thread, don't scroll down to read it, and it goes out of my queue.

Makes for a peaceful life...

M.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: little bongo on July 28, 2020, 11:05:36 AM
Quote from: hungry_ghost on July 27, 2020, 09:26:21 AM
If someone is observed to be angry, erratic, and unhappy and then commits suicide, can we all just say "RIP"?
Is the sh!t throwing (from both sides of the aisle) necessary?
What good does it do?
These are hard times, and there is so much unhappiness in this world.
Please, everyone, let's do what we can to make our world a better place, not an angrier one.

It's truly lovely, but I'd just settle for making the fora a slightly better place.

However, I should note that there's a great deal of empathy and kindness in the mental health thread (as there was in the older work-life balance thread).
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: tuxthepenguin on July 29, 2020, 07:47:51 AM
That was so uninformed that I actually laughed out loud when I read it. I thought it was sarcasm to make a point. Then I realized you were serious. I'm happy the others ignored you so now I don't need to spend time on this thread.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on July 29, 2020, 10:50:35 AM
'I usually ignore your posts. Then I select quotations from them any reply to them.'
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: FishProf on July 30, 2020, 07:55:52 AM
Do you intend your questions to be so condescending?  Or is it unintentional?  Like a gift?  Like, say, an asshole savant?
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: little bongo on July 30, 2020, 09:33:15 AM
(possibly unrelated)

So, another thread withers and dies. In this case, the post-mortem is pretty straightforward. Someone engaged with two people in particular who ought never to be engaged with, because these two people represent two distinct types of trolls.
1) the troll anticipated by Jean-Paul Sartre when he wrote about anti-Semitism: "Never believe that anti-Semites are completely unaware of the absurdity of their replies. They know that their remarks are frivolous, open to challenge. But they are amusing themselves, for it is their adversary who is obliged to use words responsibly, since he believes in words. The anti-Semites have the right to play. They even like to play with discourse for, by giving ridiculous reasons, they discredit the seriousness of their interlocutors. They delight in acting in bad faith, since they seek not to persuade by sound argument but to intimidate and disconcert. If you press them too closely, they will abruptly fall silent, loftily indicating by some phrase that the time for argument is past."

Now, this thread was not about anti-Semitism, nor is there evidence that this troll is indeed an anti-Semite. But he does know his remarks are frivolous, he is amusing himself, and he does not have to use words responsibly. I almost envy this guy--it must be great to traipse through life amusing yourself without anything resembling a serious thought in your head. But here's the thing: any time you choose to ignore this troll, and you don't, troll wins. And the self-amusement continues. It's not a great crime, I suppose, but it does nothing to advance a discussion.

2) I used to think the second troll was part of the set of first trolls--indeed, there are times when he uses language irresponsibly to get a rise out of those who would engage. But there's more: this fellow has gone full-on "Monsters are Due on Maple Street" with his rants. There's some real fear and paranoia there. (He's partly right, of course, he's just misidentifying who the monsters are.) "They're after our syllabi!" "They're after our teaching methods!" He's looked into the window of the billiard parlor, seen the pool table, and is convinced we've Got Trouble.

I guess Hegemony had the right idea--a quick "tsk tsk" and move on. But in the end, what should "the fora" be?
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: Parasaurolophus on July 30, 2020, 09:41:09 AM
Well said.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mamselle on July 30, 2020, 09:55:42 AM
Yes, we need to revive <<DNFTT>> signalling.

And Fiona.

M.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: mahagonny on July 30, 2020, 09:56:18 AM
Quote from: little bongo on July 30, 2020, 09:33:15 AM
(possibly unrelated)

So, another thread withers and dies. In this case, the post-mortem is pretty straightforward. Someone engaged with two people in particular who ought never to be engaged with, because these two people represent two distinct types of trolls.
1) the troll anticipated by Jean-Paul Sartre when he wrote about anti-Semitism: "Never believe that anti-Semites are completely unaware of the absurdity of their replies. They know that their remarks are frivolous, open to challenge. But they are amusing themselves, for it is their adversary who is obliged to use words responsibly, since he believes in words. The anti-Semites have the right to play. They even like to play with discourse for, by giving ridiculous reasons, they discredit the seriousness of their interlocutors. They delight in acting in bad faith, since they seek not to persuade by sound argument but to intimidate and disconcert. If you press them too closely, they will abruptly fall silent, loftily indicating by some phrase that the time for argument is past."

Now, this thread was not about anti-Semitism, nor is there evidence that this troll is indeed an anti-Semite. But he does know his remarks are frivolous, he is amusing himself, and he does not have to use words responsibly. I almost envy this guy--it must be great to traipse through life amusing yourself without anything resembling a serious thought in your head. But here's the thing: any time you choose to ignore this troll, and you don't, troll wins. And the self-amusement continues. It's not a great crime, I suppose, but it does nothing to advance a discussion.

2) I used to think the second troll was part of the set of first trolls--indeed, there are times when he uses language irresponsibly to get a rise out of those who would engage. But there's more: this fellow has gone full-on "Monsters are Due on Maple Street" with his rants. There's some real fear and paranoia there. (He's partly right, of course, he's just misidentifying who the monsters are.) "They're after our syllabi!" "They're after our teaching methods!" He's looked into the window of the billiard parlor, seen the pool table, and is convinced we've Got Trouble.

I guess Hegemony had the right idea--a quick "tsk tsk" and move on. But in the end, what should "the fora" be?

I see. You are a mind reader. You know people's motives for posting comments. Do you also tell the future?
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: marshwiggle on July 30, 2020, 10:07:38 AM
Quote from: little bongo on July 30, 2020, 09:33:15 AM
(possibly unrelated)

So, another thread withers and dies. In this case, the post-mortem is pretty straightforward. Someone engaged with two people in particular who ought never to be engaged with, because these two people represent two distinct types of trolls.


This sounds kind of like a psychology experiment, where everyone is "sure" they know to whom these are referring, but if you did an anoymous survey, the list of people that it was "surely" referring to would have dozens of names on it.

I actually have two questions:
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: Parasaurolophus on July 30, 2020, 10:42:26 AM
Quote from: marshwiggle on July 30, 2020, 10:07:38 AM

  • Is it just me, or has the definition of "troll" changed in the last decade or so? Specifically, it seems to me that "trolling" used to refer more to how the person communicated on the forum, whereas now it refers more to the opinions the person expresses on the forum?

I think it's just you. It still looks to me like it pertains to function. We've just expanded the relevant range of functions.
Title: Re: Post your asides here
Post by: polly_mer on July 30, 2020, 11:19:59 AM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on July 30, 2020, 10:42:26 AM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on July 30, 2020, 10:07:38 AM

    • Is it just me, or has the definition of "troll" changed in the last decade or so? Specifically, it seems to me that "trolling" used to refer more to how the person communicated on the forum, whereas now it refers more to the opinions the person expresses on the forum?

    I think it's just you. It still looks to me like it pertains to function. We've just expanded the relevant range of functions.

    No, it's pretty clear that some world views just aren't welcome here, regardless of language employed or how legitimate the question would be in different venues.[/list]
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on July 30, 2020, 11:21:31 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on July 30, 2020, 07:55:52 AM
    Do you intend your questions to be so condescending?  Or is it unintentional?  Like a gift?  Like, say, an asshole savant?

    It depends.  I certainly mean to be condescending when it's the same person on the same topic for the nth time in a short period of time with no evidence of learning anything.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on July 30, 2020, 12:29:49 PM
    Quote from: polly_mer on July 30, 2020, 11:19:59 AM

    No, it's pretty clear that some world views just aren't welcome here, regardless of language employed or how legitimate the question would be in different venues.

    I don't think that's what people, even here, mean by 'trolling'. There are different ways of trolling, but what makes it trolling is its presentation and function in context, not its content. I can see how one might be confused if all or only the people presenting one type of content are accused of trolling, but it's clear to me that the designation still hinges on the presentation and function.

    I think most forumites are perfectly okay with good-faith discussion and disagreement. What's in question is whether everyone is actually coming to and participating in the discussion in good faith.

    (Okay, sorry. I'll not derail your asides further!)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on July 30, 2020, 01:02:06 PM
    You know the world has moved on when you talk in public on a real-life version of the communicator on "Star Trek," and yet everybody else now thinks you're behind the times.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on July 30, 2020, 01:06:11 PM
    Trolling:
    --fish by trailing a baited line along behind a boat.
    --In Internet slang, a troll is a person who starts flame wars or intentionally upsets people on the Internet by posting inflammatory and digressive, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community

    What I see are people who, when triggered by certain topics, go on and on and on about their views with little interest in listening or dialog. If there is dialog, it reminds of of Beckett dialogs. And of course, Godot never arrives.

    Seems to be many people would be happier if they took up more productive hobbies.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on July 30, 2020, 01:10:58 PM
    'Trolling' as I understand it is intentionally mischievous activity where you're posting not to have a conversation but only to disrupt or provoke. But I usually find the accuser presumptuous. He doesn't know the thought process of the poster. Could be that the poster does not have any sincere reactions to pick from that would blend with the prevailing attitudes in that particular forum. To me it's informative just to find out there's someone reading who looks at things differently.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on July 30, 2020, 03:44:20 PM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on July 30, 2020, 12:29:49 PM
    I think most forumites are perfectly okay with good-faith discussion and disagreement. What's in question is whether everyone is actually coming to and participating in the discussion in good faith.

    That's not what I'm observing.  What I'm observing is people who insist that holding certain views means that one cannot possibly be discussing in good faith because only morons and trolls have certain views.

    I learned the term "sea lion" recently https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sealioning

    What I'm seeing is accusations of sea lioning under the more general "trolling".  I don't see too much actual sea lioning, but I'm definitely seeing people who only want to have open discussion on things that don't really matter like food or television.  When it really matters, certain people here are quick to be dismissive and many others just leave the thread entirely ensuring there isn't any discussion.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on July 30, 2020, 07:09:54 PM
    Quote from: downer on July 30, 2020, 01:06:11 PM
    And of course, Godot never arrives.

    Hey, Hey! Spoiler alert!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on August 01, 2020, 10:38:06 AM
    //

    Get a room, you two.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: AmLitHist on August 07, 2020, 08:25:48 AM
    Should we start a Fight Club thread? 
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: dismalist on August 07, 2020, 10:31:54 AM
    Quote from: AmLitHist on August 07, 2020, 08:25:48 AM
    Should we start a Fight Club thread?

    Nah, we got enough of those already!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: hmaria1609 on August 07, 2020, 01:34:09 PM
    Quote from: dismalist on August 07, 2020, 10:31:54 AM
    Quote from: AmLitHist on August 07, 2020, 08:25:48 AM
    Should we start a Fight Club thread?

    Nah, we got enough of those already!
    I believe there was one on the old CHE Forum.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on August 10, 2020, 01:00:15 PM
    9 Useful Strategies to Dealing with Difficult People at Work on the Fora
    Be calm. ...
    Understand the person's intentions. ...
    Get some perspective from others. ...
    Let the person know where you are coming from. ...
    Build a rapport. ...
    Treat the person with respect. ...
    Focus on what can be actioned upon. ...
    Ignore.
    Take it to a superior.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on August 10, 2020, 02:35:03 PM
    No.  People who are just wrong and flat out refuse to change do not deserve respect when doubling down on wrong.  The ignore feature is pretty nifty, especially when 'everyone' else is also ignoring so little to nothing is quoted.

    If you're going to report, then you have to report something that's actually over a line instead of just 'they said I was wrong and I object to being told I'm wrong.'
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on August 10, 2020, 03:56:22 PM
    Quote from: downer on August 10, 2020, 01:00:15 PM
    9 Useful Strategies to Dealing with Difficult People at Work on the Fora
    Be calm. ...
    Understand the person's intentions. ...
    Get some perspective from others. ...
    Let the person know where you are coming from. ...
    Build a rapport. ...
    Treat the person with respect. ...
    Focus on what can be actioned upon. ...
    Ignore.
    Take it to a superior.

    What I don't think you're considering.... the tenure culture judges your worthiness and intelligence by your ability to cultivate allies, alliances. I do a fair (good enough) job of that in real life. But Mahagonny barely bothers with it. He doesn't have time. He just posts what he thinks.
    And BTW, if you haven't figured out that it's unlikely you'll end up with anything in return for tiptoeing around them, you will.
    Call me a troll then if that's your inclination.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on August 10, 2020, 04:10:56 PM
    Quote from: downer on August 10, 2020, 01:00:15 PM
    9 Useful Strategies to Dealing with Difficult People at Work on the Fora
    Be calm. ...
    Understand the person's intentions. ...
    Get some perspective from others. ...
    Let the person know where you are coming from. ...
    Build a rapport. ...
    Treat the person with respect. ...
    Focus on what can be actioned upon. ...
    Ignore.
    Take it to a superior.

    ^ Like.

    We need healing, not tearing apart at each others' wounds.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: namazu on August 16, 2020, 12:37:19 PM
    Surely I'm not the only one who misread that as "pizza"...
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on August 16, 2020, 12:45:03 PM
    Quote from: mamselle on August 10, 2020, 04:10:56 PM
    Quote from: downer on August 10, 2020, 01:00:15 PM
    9 Useful Strategies to Dealing with Difficult People at Work on the Fora
    Be calm. ...
    Understand the person's intentions. ...
    Get some perspective from others. ...
    Let the person know where you are coming from. ...
    Build a rapport. ...
    Treat the person with respect. ...
    Focus on what can be actioned upon. ...
    Ignore.
    Take it to a superior.

    ^ Like.

    We need healing, not tearing apart at each others' wounds.

    M.

    Choosing peace by allowing wrong to stand unchallenged is how we allow wrong to continue to flourish and then wonder why wrong seems to be winning.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Liquidambar on August 16, 2020, 02:19:12 PM
    Quote from: polly_mer on August 16, 2020, 12:45:03 PM
    Quote from: mamselle on August 10, 2020, 04:10:56 PM
    Quote from: downer on August 10, 2020, 01:00:15 PM
    9 Useful Strategies to Dealing with Difficult People at Work on the Fora
    Be calm. ...
    Understand the person's intentions. ...
    Get some perspective from others. ...
    Let the person know where you are coming from. ...
    Build a rapport. ...
    Treat the person with respect. ...
    Focus on what can be actioned upon. ...
    Ignore.
    Take it to a superior.

    ^ Like.

    We need healing, not tearing apart at each others' wounds.

    M.

    Choosing peace by allowing wrong to stand unchallenged is how we allow wrong to continue to flourish and then wonder why wrong seems to be winning.

    Polly every night (https://xkcd.com/386/)?

    I just unfollowed a "friend" on Facebook because she keeps ignoring my critiques of the stuff she links to.  It's not worth my time and emotional energy.  By not reading her Facebook, I can be civil the next time we interact in person.  Not every hill is a hill to die on.  I have to prioritize.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on August 27, 2020, 10:00:49 AM
    (unrelated)

    Yes, I totally fed a troll--or perhaps a sea lion. "Here you go, have some fish." Usually I just make myself a sandwich, but sometimes I get a bit ticked off.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on September 02, 2020, 01:33:12 PM
    Dammit.  You said something I agree with and in a way that wasn't annoying or offensive.

    Grrr.  Commencing re-calibration of opinion.....
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on September 03, 2020, 06:46:25 AM
    Nope, nevermind. 

    Apparently that was an outlier, a glitch, or a bot.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on September 04, 2020, 08:59:18 AM
    OMFG!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 04, 2020, 09:12:47 AM
    Sometimes people who are outraged are their own problem.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on September 04, 2020, 09:52:05 AM
    Sometimes. And sometimes we can solve the problem with a well-aimed frying pan and a sharp "Snap out of it."
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 04, 2020, 10:42:55 AM
    You'll never hit me from there.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on September 07, 2020, 07:38:45 AM
    You may want to move on, but I'm betting that there's a bunch of people who still want to give their opinions, because that's how they roll.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on September 07, 2020, 02:18:19 PM
    Quote from: downer on September 07, 2020, 07:38:45 AM
    You may want to move on, but I'm betting that there's a bunch of people who still want to give their opinions, because that's how they roll.


    500 quatloos she won't just abandon the thread since she never has yet.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on September 08, 2020, 07:47:21 AM
    You do realize that that past-due vendor invoice for ten cents that you just sent us cost more to mail than it was worth, don't you?  Anyway, sorry for the apparent underpayment.  We'll include it on this month's payment for services, and then we'll all be square.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 09, 2020, 03:01:36 PM
    <unrelated>

    I wonder why.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on September 10, 2020, 04:45:50 PM
    Hey look at that, I agree with you again!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on September 10, 2020, 08:24:41 PM
    [unrelated]

    Amazing. Every word in that sentence is wrong.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: AmLitHist on September 11, 2020, 07:17:02 AM
    Wow.  That must be some t.v.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on September 11, 2020, 10:12:18 AM
    And then sometimes, someone just Wins the Internet. Congrats, jimbogumbo.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on September 14, 2020, 07:33:57 PM
    <unrelated>

    Does impostor syndrome warrant a self-nomination?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on September 15, 2020, 05:34:53 AM
    Moi? Non.

    I just figured I'd shake things up a bit.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on September 15, 2020, 06:17:04 AM
    <unrelated>

    So at my school, we get trained in "difficult dialogues"--trying to see the other person's point of view, appreciating that everyone has followed their own paths to figure out what is true, and assuming good intentions from the start. And I'm generally for it.

    However, perhaps because of my rapidly advancing years, I lose patience with Bigot Problems. And the reason I lose patience is because Bigot Problems are just so easy to solve.

    Stop being a bigot.

    See? Problem solved.

    Also, I'd suggest the following: dry off behind the ears, gain some mileage, then straighten up and fly right. Again, not so hard.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 15, 2020, 07:51:45 AM
    Quote from: little bongo on September 15, 2020, 06:17:04 AM
    <unrelated>

    So at my school, we get trained in "difficult dialogues"--trying to see the other person's point of view, appreciating that everyone has followed their own paths to figure out what is true, and assuming good intentions from the start. And I'm generally for it.

    However, perhaps because of my rapidly advancing years, I lose patience with Bigot Problems. And the reason I lose patience is because Bigot Problems are just so easy to solve.

    Stop being a bigot.

    See? Problem solved.

    Also, I'd suggest the following: dry off behind the ears, gain some mileage, then straighten up and fly right. Again, not so hard.

    Interesting that you characterize the difficult discussion as a problem. And then the discussion, now being a problem, prompts you to offer a solution, which you have ready. Whereas, if the parties just accept that they see things differently, then what was the problem in the first place?
    You mention bigotry but not having heard the conversation it's impossible for me to be seeing the bigotry to which you refer. All I have to work with is someone thinks someone else is a bigot, which is as common as pigeons in Central Park.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on September 15, 2020, 10:40:44 AM
    Hmm. Hard to know where to begin with this--lack of coherence impedes meaning, and I'm not sure how we landed in Central Park. Also, I was responding to some transphobia on the DIRE question thread. Nevertheless...

    1) I believe the purpose of this thread in particular is just what it says--an "aside." If my aside in this case solves a problem or two, I'm happy to oblige.
    2) You and I have actually said the exact same thing (if I'm understanding you correctly, which I might not be, because of the coherence thing)--if we do acknowledge that people see things differently (that is, we stop being bigots), then there is indeed no more problem. So maybe I have solved a problem--yay, me.

    As long as nobody asked, here's something else I can solve--or rather, I could solve it if I could arrange for everybody on earth to go back in time and have my 3rd grade teacher. You see, when I was in 3rd grade, I was called out by the teacher for doing something or other. And I protested that so-and-so was doing it, too, and something worse besides.

    I was shot down with appropriate speed and alacrity--"We're not talking about so-and-so, are we? We're talking about YOU, Mr. Bongo."

    Well, it's Dr. Bongo, now, and we've all passed a lot of water since then. But that lesson stuck with me and apparently very few other people that I come across in the news. When you've done something wrong, you are accountable. For that particular subject, we're not talking about anybody else.  This insight has many, many applications that I won't go into here, but one thing to consider--before you write, or say, "What about this...." just think: were we talking about "this"? I'll bet we weren't.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on September 15, 2020, 12:45:28 PM
    Only disconnect.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on September 19, 2020, 06:05:36 PM
    [unrelated]

    Now that's not blatantly racist, is it?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ergative on September 25, 2020, 03:53:33 AM
    Thank you, mouseman.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on September 25, 2020, 04:58:22 AM
    That's not an argument.  That is just blatant hostility.  You've been doing that a lot lately.  Are you OK?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on September 25, 2020, 06:11:35 AM
    The poster spends a lot more time writing about the problem here than it would take just to deal with the problem.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Cheerful on September 25, 2020, 07:12:04 AM
    Quote from: downer on September 25, 2020, 06:11:35 AM
    The poster spends a lot more time writing about the problem here than it would take just to deal with the problem.

    Perhaps the fora community has done about all it can to help this person.  Maybe we are enabling/making things worse by continuing to respond and having a new round of the same conversation every few weeks.

    It's sad to see someone so miserable/struggling and not finding a way forward after getting so much empathetic advice.

    Therapy seems like the next best step for this person.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on September 25, 2020, 07:21:00 AM
    Quote from: Cheerful on September 25, 2020, 07:12:04 AM
    Quote from: downer on September 25, 2020, 06:11:35 AM
    The poster spends a lot more time writing about the problem here than it would take just to deal with the problem.

    Perhaps the fora community has done about all it can to help this person.  Maybe we are enabling/making things worse by continuing to respond and having a new round of the same conversation every few weeks.

    It's sad to see someone so miserable/struggling and not finding a way forward after getting so much empathetic advice.

    Therapy seems like the next best step for this person.

    I agree with you but I wasn't referring to that poster.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ciao_yall on September 25, 2020, 08:21:34 AM
    Quote from: downer on September 25, 2020, 07:21:00 AM
    Quote from: Cheerful on September 25, 2020, 07:12:04 AM
    Quote from: downer on September 25, 2020, 06:11:35 AM
    The poster spends a lot more time writing about the problem here than it would take just to deal with the problem.

    Perhaps the fora community has done about all it can to help this person.  Maybe we are enabling/making things worse by continuing to respond and having a new round of the same conversation every few weeks.

    It's sad to see someone so miserable/struggling and not finding a way forward after getting so much empathetic advice.

    Therapy seems like the next best step for this person.

    I agree with you but I wasn't referring to that poster.

    There are several who resemble that remark.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on September 25, 2020, 08:24:02 AM
    Not liking the answer and not knowing the answer are not the same thing. 

    Also, how much you like the advice has no bearing on its soundness.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on September 27, 2020, 12:26:31 PM
    What an unfortunate juxtaposition of posts.  Disturbing image.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: RatGuy on September 28, 2020, 07:56:00 AM
    "Pish posh" is a thing I'm trying out.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on September 28, 2020, 09:16:57 AM
    <unrelated>

    H. Sebastian Chr-st on a f-cking bicycle, were we even discussing those two???? What is the f-cking title of the f-cking forum?????

    Hm, maybe this should have been a vent.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on September 28, 2020, 10:37:03 AM
    [unrelated]

    A stale doughnut is a concept with which I am not familiar.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on September 28, 2020, 01:16:57 PM
    Quote from: RatGuy on September 28, 2020, 07:56:00 AM
    "Pish posh" is a thing I'm trying out.

    My favorite use is in the title of a children's book, "Pish, Posh Said Hieronymus Bosch"

       https://www.amazon.com/Nancy-Willard-Pish-Hieronymus-Bosch/dp/B000WQP804#reader_B000WQP804

    I've read it to classes and sent it as gifts to friends' children...it's gorgeous, hilarious, and one of my treasures.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on September 29, 2020, 09:45:20 AM
    Every time I read that poster, I hear THIS (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMNry4PE93Y&ab_channel=CaptJax458) in my head.

    Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on October 01, 2020, 07:26:26 PM
    [unrelated]

    There's nothing I won't say that needs to be said.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: permanent imposter on October 02, 2020, 10:16:55 PM
    Quote from: FishProf on September 29, 2020, 09:45:20 AM
    Every time I read that poster, I hear THIS (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMNry4PE93Y&ab_channel=CaptJax458) in my head.

    Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

    I can't believe that video has 60 million views and I've never seen it before. Also: What does it mean??
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on October 03, 2020, 07:52:37 AM
    Quote from: permanent imposter on October 02, 2020, 10:16:55 PM
    Quote from: FishProf on September 29, 2020, 09:45:20 AM
    Every time I read that poster, I hear THIS (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMNry4PE93Y&ab_channel=CaptJax458) in my head.

    Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

    I can't believe that video has 60 million views and I've never seen it before. Also: What does it mean??

    Non-sequitur.  The answer has nothing to do with the question and the embarrassment of the reporter is palpable.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on October 06, 2020, 07:10:53 AM
    [Unrelated]

    Was there a question in there?  No?

    OK, moving on without replying...
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on October 06, 2020, 10:08:12 AM
    Could I get some credit for not posting a snarky comment?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on October 06, 2020, 10:13:37 AM
    Quote from: downer on October 06, 2020, 10:08:12 AM
    Could I get some credit for not posting a snarky comment?

    Granted.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on October 06, 2020, 10:24:42 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on October 06, 2020, 10:13:37 AM
    Quote from: downer on October 06, 2020, 10:08:12 AM
    Could I get some credit for not posting a snarky comment?

    Granted.

    Thanks. Now I guess I really can't post one.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on October 06, 2020, 10:51:59 AM
    To summarize:

    1) You don't have a good academic job and you're not competitive for the job you want.

    2) You haven't been keeping up with basic technical skills that are now common in good middle schools.

    3) You don't really want a non-academic job because you've drunk far too much Kool-Aid.

    Basically, you're screwed because you're unwilling to live in reality.

    Let us know when you decide you'd like to make a go of being a responsible adult who accepts reality.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on October 20, 2020, 10:55:06 AM
    O goody. ANOTHER reason to ignore that poster.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: AmLitHist on October 20, 2020, 12:15:32 PM
    Quote from: FishProf on October 20, 2020, 10:55:06 AM
    O goody. ANOTHER reason to ignore that poster.
    +1
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on October 20, 2020, 12:54:40 PM
    I just ate an apple.  I expect the doctor to get the message and stay away for the rest of the day.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on October 21, 2020, 05:45:28 AM
    Quote from: apl68 on October 20, 2020, 12:54:40 PM
    I just ate an apple.  I expect the doctor to get the message and stay away for the rest of the day.

    Was the apple in-network?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on October 21, 2020, 06:15:49 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on October 21, 2020, 05:45:28 AM
    Quote from: apl68 on October 20, 2020, 12:54:40 PM
    I just ate an apple.  I expect the doctor to get the message and stay away for the rest of the day.

    Was the apple in-network?

    It didn't cost me anything, so evidently it was.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on October 21, 2020, 06:17:56 AM
    Not even a copay?

    Sweet deal.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on October 21, 2020, 06:41:00 AM
    Certain members of the staff are now receiving weekly commodities distributions.  They are even getting them at work, instead of having to go to fetch them.  They are sharing the fruits, vegetables, etc. that they receive with friends and family.  Sometimes there are more apples and onions than they need, so they leave these in the staff break room.  That's where I get my occasional free apples.  I've also been taking some of the onions home.  I don't know what the situation is like elsewhere, but around here COVID-19 related measures to get agricultural surpluses to those who need it are improving the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables for a lot of people.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on October 21, 2020, 07:11:34 AM
    That is so thoughtful.

    Glad you can make use of them!

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: AmLitHist on October 21, 2020, 07:24:43 AM
    When someone shows you who they are (repeatedly, over a period of months/years, with no variations ever) believe them.

    DNFTT.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on October 21, 2020, 07:57:19 AM
    (may or may not be related)

    Well, I don't always agree, to put it mildly, but credit where credit is due:

    Solid, solid burn, because it is grounded in truth.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on October 21, 2020, 07:19:43 PM
    [related?]

    So, you see adjuncts as oppressed by the tenure-track and cry "injustice," but you can't see see systemic racism and white fragility as real things?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on October 22, 2020, 06:34:33 AM
    Right, then. Irrelevant, incompetent, and immaterial, as lawyers like to say--the kind of response I should have expected. And me wasting perfectly good fish.

    But I think I've learned my lesson at last. And to continue the fish metaphor, I definitely have bigger ones to fry.

    Ignoring and letting go. Feels good.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on October 22, 2020, 06:40:05 AM
    I find the "ignore" function is a boon to mental health.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Langue_doc on October 22, 2020, 07:00:48 AM
    Agreed.
    DNFTT
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on October 22, 2020, 07:08:42 AM
    Thank you, downer and Langue_doc. I will investigate the "ignore" function, and commit to the DNFTT philosophy. I could use all the boons to mental health I can get.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 22, 2020, 07:44:14 AM
    Quote from: aside on October 21, 2020, 07:19:43 PM
    [related?]

    So, you see adjuncts as oppressed by the tenure-track and cry "injustice," but you can't see see systemic racism and white fragility as real things?


    White fragility - when you talk about race, white people get uncomfortable, so we clam up. Silence is violence. Stop being violent. Say something. Don't say what you're thinking, read the script and confess. Say what you're thinking, you bigot. Stop being a jerk.

    Systemic racism - black people have to attend inferior schools? Let's do something about it, if we have the intelligence to. Let's not incarcerate poor people indefinitely over relatively minor offenses. Give them freedom and another chance. Too many illegal aliens might be bringing down wages at the bottom. Things to think about.

    Anti racism is a religion that makes certain white people (mostly affluent)  feel cleansed. It has little connection to a serious results-oriented effort to see more people prosper, live in safe communities and have better lives.

    Tenure - if the teaching is done by people who can't make a living at it, something is wrong. Unless this work is not important. If this work is not important then the students are not important. That's where we are.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Langue_doc on October 22, 2020, 08:01:11 AM
    Quote from: little bongo on October 22, 2020, 07:08:42 AM
    Thank you, downer and Langue_doc. I will investigate the "ignore" function, and commit to the DNFTT philosophy. I could use all the boons to mental health I can get.

    Take good care of yourself, little bongo.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on October 22, 2020, 08:10:58 AM
    Quote from: Langue_doc on October 22, 2020, 08:01:11 AM
    Quote from: little bongo on October 22, 2020, 07:08:42 AM
    Thank you, downer and Langue_doc. I will investigate the "ignore" function, and commit to the DNFTT philosophy. I could use all the boons to mental health I can get.

    Take good care of yourself, little bongo.

    Yes, it helps to be able to focus on worthwhile interlocuters.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on October 23, 2020, 09:35:26 AM
    I just learned that my alma mater's most famous alum is a viral video "celebrity" from a couple of years back.  Wonder whether she'll ever get a plaque on campus?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: permanent imposter on October 23, 2020, 07:34:23 PM
    It's not a Holocaust.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 23, 2020, 07:58:57 PM
    Wishing good health to almost all.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on October 25, 2020, 07:51:04 PM
    [unrelated]

    Why do you hang out here?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on October 25, 2020, 08:39:30 PM
    Quote from: aside on October 25, 2020, 07:51:04 PM
    [unrelated]

    Why do you hang out here?

    I'm watching the crash occur in an unpredicted way and I want to see what happens.

    Ideally, I am providing lesser known data and a different perspective might help people make better decisions before the crash happens where those folks are.

    But, mostly, I'm here ready to state "I informed you thusly!" when people fail to use their vaunted critical thinking skills when it mattered for their lives instead of just in an academic sense.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: dismalist on October 25, 2020, 08:45:32 PM
    Quote from: aside on October 25, 2020, 07:51:04 PM
    [unrelated]

    Why do you hang out here?

    Opportunity cost. :-)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on October 26, 2020, 12:51:02 PM
    Members of the library staff have received another commodities distribution.  The refrigerator in the staff break room is now half full of yogurt.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: hmaria1609 on October 26, 2020, 02:11:05 PM
    Apl68, you should see my chocolate stash I have at the library!  :D
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on October 26, 2020, 02:46:58 PM
    Quote from: aside on October 25, 2020, 07:51:04 PM
    [unrelated]

    Why do you hang out here?

    For the cats thread...

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on October 26, 2020, 02:59:43 PM
    Quote from: hmaria1609 on October 26, 2020, 02:11:05 PM
    Apl68, you should see my chocolate stash I have at the library!  :D

    One of our staff members had been putting her chocolate on the bottom of a bowl filled mostly with Nerds and lemon drops and such.  It's there if you dig deep enough...
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on October 26, 2020, 07:33:19 PM
    I believe there are some forumites around who would forsake the chocolate and go for the Nerds....

    (One gave me a few boxes, and I've been spacing them out, but I do indeed see the appeal).

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on October 27, 2020, 03:07:54 AM
    If it is politics, you want nuance and subtlety, but you insist on a mile-wide paint roller for deceased equines.  Why the disparity?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on October 27, 2020, 08:07:14 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on October 27, 2020, 03:07:54 AM
    If it is politics, you want nuance and subtlety, but you insist on a mile-wide paint roller for deceased equines.  Why the disparity?

    Many politics questions actually don't have a cut-and-dried answer; room exists for much discussion on nuance and subtlety.  Equally informed, intelligent people with differing values could have much to discuss because the facts don't lend themselves to only one logical conclusion.

    In contrast, many topics relevant to higher ed really only have a very narrow range of conclusions.  Insisting that we have a discussion on why 2+2=17 would be better is far less useful than repeating the reality is 2+2 can only be a number from about 3 (if the true values are being rounded up from 1.5) to about 6 (if the true values are 2.999999 being truncated to 2).  Even then, focusing on the 3 or the 6 is much less useful in most cases than discussion on the cases between 3.9 to 4.1.

    That being explained, as generic advice for those who need it:

    * It is a bad idea to go to a graduate program for which the primary expected outcome is professor, even when fully funded.

    * Now is the time to get out of adjuncting and into some other professional career that can build to something good.

    * Check the finances of your institution and look for the red flags now so you can be on the job market before your job is eliminated.

    * Check the enrollments at your institution and compare what you do to what is absolutely necessary to complete those majors.  If you are teaching primarily electives in the general education program, now is the time to be on the non-academic job market as well as the academic job market to be more closely aligned with the mission of an employer.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on October 27, 2020, 08:58:26 AM
    <unrelated> I wouldn't say the bias is implicit. The term is widely overused so that we can coddle shitheads who'll throw a tantrum as soon as they're called on their racist (sexist, etc.) bluff.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on October 27, 2020, 09:07:00 AM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on October 27, 2020, 08:58:26 AM
    <unrelated> I wouldn't say the bias is implicit. The term is widely overused so that we can coddle shitheads who'll throw a tantrum as soon as they're called on their racist (sexist, etc.) bluff.
    Explicitly racist (sexist, etc.) or implicitly racist (sexist, etc.) bluff?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on October 27, 2020, 09:20:39 AM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on October 27, 2020, 09:07:00 AM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on October 27, 2020, 08:58:26 AM
    <unrelated> I wouldn't say the bias is implicit. The term is widely overused so that we can coddle shitheads who'll throw a tantrum as soon as they're called on their racist (sexist, etc.) bluff.
    Explicitly racist (sexist, etc.) or implicitly racist (sexist, etc.) bluff?

    Explicit.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on October 27, 2020, 09:39:05 AM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on October 27, 2020, 09:20:39 AM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on October 27, 2020, 09:07:00 AM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on October 27, 2020, 08:58:26 AM
    <unrelated> I wouldn't say the bias is implicit. The term is widely overused so that we can coddle shitheads who'll throw a tantrum as soon as they're called on their racist (sexist, etc.) bluff.
    Explicitly racist (sexist, etc.) or implicitly racist (sexist, etc.) bluff?

    Explicit.

    So like people who say "All white people are racist." It's much easier for someone on the left, even an academic, to get away with that, then for someone on the right, especially an academic, saying anything like "All <members of whatever non-white group> are <any disparaging term>." That would get them fired in a heartbeat.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on October 27, 2020, 09:44:34 AM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on October 27, 2020, 09:39:05 AM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on October 27, 2020, 09:20:39 AM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on October 27, 2020, 09:07:00 AM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on October 27, 2020, 08:58:26 AM
    <unrelated> I wouldn't say the bias is implicit. The term is widely overused so that we can coddle shitheads who'll throw a tantrum as soon as they're called on their racist (sexist, etc.) bluff.
    Explicitly racist (sexist, etc.) or implicitly racist (sexist, etc.) bluff?

    Explicit.

    So like people who say "All white people are racist." It's much easier for someone on the left, even an academic, to get away with that, then for someone on the right, especially an academic, saying anything like "All <members of whatever non-white group> are <any disparaging term>." That would get them fired in a heartbeat.

    Some universal generalizations are racist. But universal generalization isn't at the core of the concept 'racist'.

    I'll refrain from further derailing the thread, however.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 27, 2020, 09:55:20 AM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on October 27, 2020, 09:39:05 AM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on October 27, 2020, 09:20:39 AM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on October 27, 2020, 09:07:00 AM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on October 27, 2020, 08:58:26 AM
    <unrelated> I wouldn't say the bias is implicit. The term is widely overused so that we can coddle shitheads who'll throw a tantrum as soon as they're called on their racist (sexist, etc.) bluff.
    Explicitly racist (sexist, etc.) or implicitly racist (sexist, etc.) bluff?

    Explicit.

    So like people who say "All white people are racist." It's much easier for someone on the left, even an academic, to get away with that, then for someone on the right, especially an academic, saying anything like "All <members of whatever non-white group> are <any disparaging term>." That would get them fired in a heartbeat.

    People on the left have 'good racism' and 'bad racism.'

    Good racism is where you're white and you confess to 'known unknowns' (thank you Donald Rumsfeld). You know there is racism lurking in your psyche, waiting to be found and purged. But like peeling away layers of an onion, you're always just getting started. It's a powerful and soothing psychological exercise, as Coleman Hughes has pointed out.
    'Bad racism' is the same racism that the left has, but it lurks inside of the people who are not hip to, resist, or silently abstain from the purging ritual and vote the wrong way, and need to be talked about.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on October 27, 2020, 10:04:34 AM
    (not directly related)

    I'm pretty sure one of you would not be missed.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 27, 2020, 10:28:02 AM
    Quote from: little bongo on October 27, 2020, 10:04:34 AM
    (not directly related)

    I'm pretty sure one of you would not be missed.

    Not by people who matter. Students would miss me though.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on October 27, 2020, 01:11:34 PM
    It's always interesting who replies on this thread, as it is often (usually?) NOT the person being referenced.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on October 27, 2020, 01:22:31 PM
    Quote from: FishProf on October 27, 2020, 01:11:34 PM
    It's always interesting who replies on this thread, as it is often (usually?) NOT the person being referenced.

    Isn't that kind of the point? If you wanted the person to respond, it wouldn't be an "aside" and it would be in the original thread. I haven't read this thread often in the past since it seems kind of disjointed unless you're pretty sure who a post refers to and in what context.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 27, 2020, 02:50:59 PM
    On the old forum there was a person, VoxPrincipallis I believe, who used to gloat when someone mistakenly thought an insult was meant for them. As though that meant they were feeling unduly important.
    Peter Lorre: you despite me, don't you Rick?
    Humphrey Bogart: If I gave you any thought I probably would.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on October 27, 2020, 03:14:17 PM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on October 27, 2020, 01:22:31 PM
    Quote from: FishProf on October 27, 2020, 01:11:34 PM
    It's always interesting who replies on this thread, as it is often (usually?) NOT the person being referenced.

    Isn't that kind of the point? If you wanted the person to respond, it wouldn't be an "aside" and it would be in the original thread. I haven't read this thread often in the past since it seems kind of disjointed unless you're pretty sure who a post refers to and in what context.

    I meant that, it is not uncommon for someone to respond to a posting here as if it were directed at them.  I find it amusing that how I react to one person's post is consistent with how another poster thinks people respond to them.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on October 27, 2020, 08:00:37 PM
    Quote from: mahagonny on October 27, 2020, 10:28:02 AM
    Quote from: little bongo on October 27, 2020, 10:04:34 AM
    (not directly related)

    I'm pretty sure one of you would not be missed.

    Not by people who matter. Students would miss me though.

    As it happens, this wasn't directed at you. There was a supposedly comic post that ended with jokingly suggesting double suicide.

    I guess we all think it's our party sometimes. But good for you on your rapport with your students--that's important.

    ETA: I literally just used that Casablanca quote regarding someone warning about being hated on the fora. Not cool to Bogart my go-to quotes, man.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 27, 2020, 09:24:23 PM
    finance guy always has something useful, relevant and often overlooked to add.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on October 28, 2020, 09:57:08 AM
    Kind of sad that it's too cold for ice cream now, since there's a place a few blocks away that makes it.  Fortunately they also make good cookies.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on October 28, 2020, 10:49:12 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on October 27, 2020, 01:11:34 PM
    It's always interesting who replies on this thread, as it is often (usually?) NOT the person being referenced.

    I purposefully respond when I'm pretty sure it's not me.

    I usually refrain when I suspect it might be me.  After all, I'm already involved on whatever thread was being referenced and likely already got to sigh about someone reporting me because they refuse to acknowledge the difference between an actual personal attack, being less than polite, and pointing out that someone with zero background on a given topic has just posted the equivalent of the "The sky is usually green" or "2+2=17".
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on October 28, 2020, 11:03:03 AM
    Maybe it's just me, but I am confused as to why you would read "Someone does X", think "I don't DO X" and then post a defense of why your "Not X" is a justification of "X".

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on October 28, 2020, 12:33:17 PM
    But, but....doesn't f(x) = 17 mean f(2+2) must be 17?

    So, why isn't "2+2=17" correct?

    Can I have half-credit, at least??

    Plleeeeeeeassee???

    ;--}

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 28, 2020, 12:40:31 PM
    Quote from: aside on October 25, 2020, 07:51:04 PM
    [unrelated]

    Why do you hang out here?

    One might hang out here because they don't have the energy, organization, or point valid enough to stand out in brought daylight and offer it. But they can still come here and do a quasi-cryptic post that bonds with other like-minded readers.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: sonoamused on October 28, 2020, 12:51:05 PM
    Quote from: apl68 on October 28, 2020, 09:57:08 AM
    Kind of sad that it's too cold for ice cream now, since there's a place a few blocks away that makes it.  Fortunately they also make good cookies.

    I am of the belief it is never too cold for ice cream. Or iced coffee.   People can fight me on this when I dressed in my lined LL Bean boots, winter coat and gloves and I will still insist its all fine, thankyou.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on October 28, 2020, 01:36:41 PM
    Quote from: sonoamused on October 28, 2020, 12:51:05 PM
    Quote from: apl68 on October 28, 2020, 09:57:08 AM
    Kind of sad that it's too cold for ice cream now, since there's a place a few blocks away that makes it.  Fortunately they also make good cookies.

    I am of the belief it is never too cold for ice cream. Or iced coffee.   People can fight me on this when I dressed in my lined LL Bean boots, winter coat and gloves and I will still insist its all fine, thankyou.

    May I add sweet tea to your list?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on October 28, 2020, 04:46:52 PM
    Quote from: sonoamused on October 28, 2020, 12:51:05 PM
    Quote from: apl68 on October 28, 2020, 09:57:08 AM
    Kind of sad that it's too cold for ice cream now, since there's a place a few blocks away that makes it.  Fortunately they also make good cookies.

    I am of the belief it is never too cold for ice cream. Or iced coffee.   People can fight me on this when I dressed in my lined LL Bean boots, winter coat and gloves and I will still insist its all fine, thankyou.

    One of my fondest memories is walking down State Street in Madison, WI in the blowing snow while eating an ice cream cone.  It's never too cold for ice cream!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: dismalist on October 28, 2020, 04:50:51 PM
    Quote from: polly_mer on October 28, 2020, 04:46:52 PM
    Quote from: sonoamused on October 28, 2020, 12:51:05 PM
    Quote from: apl68 on October 28, 2020, 09:57:08 AM
    Kind of sad that it's too cold for ice cream now, since there's a place a few blocks away that makes it.  Fortunately they also make good cookies.

    I am of the belief it is never too cold for ice cream. Or iced coffee.   People can fight me on this when I dressed in my lined LL Bean boots, winter coat and gloves and I will still insist its all fine, thankyou.

    One of my fondest memories is walking down State Street in Madison, WI in the blowing snow while eating an ice cream cone.  It's never too cold for ice cream!

    And I remember my daughter, then about six years old, insisting on having an ice cream outdoors, immediately, in January. I tried to talk her out of her plan, but eventually just acquiesced in the knowledge that from empirical reality inferences can be made. We bought the ice cream and once outside the store, it stuck to her tongue.

    She has proven efficient at learning.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on October 29, 2020, 06:53:08 AM
    Quote from: dismalist on October 28, 2020, 04:50:51 PM
    Quote from: polly_mer on October 28, 2020, 04:46:52 PM
    Quote from: sonoamused on October 28, 2020, 12:51:05 PM
    Quote from: apl68 on October 28, 2020, 09:57:08 AM
    Kind of sad that it's too cold for ice cream now, since there's a place a few blocks away that makes it.  Fortunately they also make good cookies.

    I am of the belief it is never too cold for ice cream. Or iced coffee.   People can fight me on this when I dressed in my lined LL Bean boots, winter coat and gloves and I will still insist its all fine, thankyou.

    One of my fondest memories is walking down State Street in Madison, WI in the blowing snow while eating an ice cream cone.  It's never too cold for ice cream!

    And I remember my daughter, then about six years old, insisting on having an ice cream outdoors, immediately, in January. I tried to talk her out of her plan, but eventually just acquiesced in the knowledge that from empirical reality inferences can be made. We bought the ice cream and once outside the store, it stuck to her tongue.

    She has proven efficient at learning.

    If only she knew more science and had chosen a different technique.  One's breath will warm a tongue stuck to the flagpole if one doesn't panic and just moves closer.  Same is true for ice cream in eating such that the tongue is not extended beyond the mouth.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on November 01, 2020, 04:42:24 AM
    The Fora just needs a Statler and Waldorf section.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on November 01, 2020, 06:23:35 AM
    Quote from: downer on November 01, 2020, 04:42:24 AM
    The Fora just needs a Statler and Waldorf section.

    Oh...because, most of the world is intellectually inferior to us (who knows....maybe even to me..!). Don't you know an uplifting message when you hear one?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Liquidambar on November 02, 2020, 05:19:23 PM
    (unrelated)

    Nobody wants to hear you tell everyone repeatedly why they're wrong and you're right.  That's not why we come to the fora.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on November 03, 2020, 05:54:47 AM
    Quote from: Liquidambar on November 02, 2020, 05:19:23 PM
    (unrelated)

    Nobody wants to hear you tell everyone repeatedly why they're wrong and you're right.  That's not why we come to the fora.

    1) Some of us get messages indicating that readers do come here to read the informed contrarian view in which people who are wrong are flat out told so instead of being allowed to post unchallenged.

    2) Wanting me to be wrong is not the same as my actually being wrong.

    3) Having only agreement because the people who have other expertise and information remain silent or aren't even allowed as members is unhealthy for a community, especially when the desired agreement is at odds with the observed reality.

    You may not come here to learn new things and get outside your bubble, but I have evidence that other people do.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on November 03, 2020, 07:16:56 AM
    Quote from: polly_mer on November 03, 2020, 05:54:47 AM
    Quote from: Liquidambar on November 02, 2020, 05:19:23 PM
    (unrelated)

    Nobody wants to hear you tell everyone repeatedly why they're wrong and you're right.  That's not why we come to the fora.

    1) Some of us get messages indicating that readers do come here to read the informed contrarian view in which people who are wrong are flat out told so instead of being allowed to post unchallenged.

    2) Wanting me to be wrong is not the same as my actually being wrong.

    3) Having only agreement because the people who have other expertise and information remain silent or aren't even allowed as members is unhealthy for a community, especially when the desired agreement is at odds with the observed reality.

    You may not come here to learn new things and get outside your bubble, but I have evidence that other people do.

    I'm one of those people who comes here to interact with people who don't see things the same way I do. I look forward to rational, informed arguments by people who disagree with me to help me examine and potentially revise my positions. Sadly, in our society there are lots of people theoretically in the business of "truth", such as academics and journalists, who often are unwilling or unable to engage in logical, open-ended discussions and instead basically advocate for a specific, narrow viewpoint.

    Especially since this is not any sort of decision-making body, it seems that this kind of discussion should be welcome and non-threatening, although for some people apparently hearing alternative points of view is greatly distressing even without it being directed to any sort of action.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on November 03, 2020, 07:18:45 AM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on November 03, 2020, 07:16:56 AM
    Quote from: polly_mer on November 03, 2020, 05:54:47 AM
    Quote from: Liquidambar on November 02, 2020, 05:19:23 PM
    (unrelated)

    Nobody wants to hear you tell everyone repeatedly why they're wrong and you're right.  That's not why we come to the fora.

    1) Some of us get messages indicating that readers do come here to read the informed contrarian view in which people who are wrong are flat out told so instead of being allowed to post unchallenged.

    2) Wanting me to be wrong is not the same as my actually being wrong.

    3) Having only agreement because the people who have other expertise and information remain silent or aren't even allowed as members is unhealthy for a community, especially when the desired agreement is at odds with the observed reality.

    You may not come here to learn new things and get outside your bubble, but I have evidence that other people do.

    I'm one of those people who comes here to interact with people who don't see things the same way I do. I look forward to rational, informed arguments by people who disagree with me to help me examine and potentially revise my positions. Sadly, in our society there are lots of people theoretically in the business of "truth", such as academics and journalists, who often are unwilling or unable to engage in logical, open-ended discussions and instead basically advocate for a specific, narrow viewpoint.

    Especially since this is not any sort of decision-making body, it seems that this kind of discussion should be welcome and non-threatening, although for some people it seems that hearing alternative points of view is greatly distressing even without it being directed to any sort of action.

    My attitude lately has been people can come here or not as they please, and if they don't like what they see they can have their money back. Academia is waist-deep in blame for the idiotic cancel/woke culture that has taken hold. People will talk.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on November 04, 2020, 08:09:04 AM
    (not related?)

    There is such a thing as hope. There is such a thing as self-respect. Physical realities, data, and numbers can't always account for the intangibles.

    Or as Fred Gaily says in "Miracle on 34th Street":

    "Look Doris, someday you're going to find that your way of facing this realistic world just doesn't work. And when you do, don't overlook those lovely intangibles. You'll discover those are the only things that are worthwhile."

    Also, not incidentally: getting rid of a thug, bullying jagoff of a President is actually a good thing. And that speaks to the argument I've seen that runs something like, "Well, yeah, he's rude and insensitive--but what did he actually DO that was so terrible?" And that's just it--there's only so much he CAN do in that sense. But, to quote Dickens' Christmas Carol: "He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil. Say that his power lies in words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count 'em up."

    So... God bless us, every one. And Merry Christmas, you filthy animals.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on November 04, 2020, 03:13:09 PM
    Amen to hope.

    And to laughter.

    I've just spent the last 10 min. playing with the "mute" button--shutting it on and off while talking, seeing if we can read each others' lips, etc.--with my 6-year-old music student, while waiting for his sister to come into the room for her lesson.

    We also did a screen print of the inside of his big blue "Whoosh!" tube, which I emailed him...looks like the blue lagoon inside.

    I'm convinced he thinks I'm just another, slightly bigger, six-year old.

    And I think I like that...

    ;--}

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on November 05, 2020, 05:16:26 AM
    Quote from: mamselle on November 04, 2020, 03:13:09 PM
    I'm convinced he thinks I'm just another, slightly bigger, six-year old.

    /quote]

    You are....I've see it.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on November 05, 2020, 08:01:16 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on November 05, 2020, 05:16:26 AM
    Quote from: mamselle on November 04, 2020, 03:13:09 PM
    I'm convinced he thinks I'm just another, slightly bigger, six-year old.

    /quote]

    You are....I've see it.

    Thanks!

    I'll take that as a compliment!

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on November 05, 2020, 09:47:13 AM
    Quote from: mamselle on November 05, 2020, 08:01:16 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on November 05, 2020, 05:16:26 AM
    Quote from: mamselle on November 04, 2020, 03:13:09 PM
    I'm convinced he thinks I'm just another, slightly bigger, six-year old.

    /quote]

    You are....I've see it.

    Thanks!

    I'll take that as a compliment!

    M.

    Of the Highest Order!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 08, 2020, 10:40:48 AM
    TBH, you're not at all qualified, from what I can tell.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on November 08, 2020, 06:50:54 PM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 08, 2020, 10:40:48 AM
    TBH, you're not at all qualified, from what I can tell.

    Amen.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on November 08, 2020, 07:34:38 PM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 08, 2020, 10:40:48 AM
    TBH, you're not at all qualified, from what I can tell.

    Lots of people do lots of things for years and somehow never get more qualified.  It's a mystery.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on November 08, 2020, 07:41:49 PM
    I am qualified to tell you about lots of stuff, but you may not be qualified to hear.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on November 08, 2020, 07:44:06 PM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 08, 2020, 10:40:48 AM
    TBH, you're not at all qualified, from what I can tell.

    Whatever you may  think you know of this poster's background, there are black people who hate white people, despite your refusing to comprehend it.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on November 09, 2020, 04:31:16 AM
    Who says some don't?

    But taking them to be the majority is as bad as the other way around.

    If you don't stop grinding that one axe down, you'll wear it and your fingers to a nub.

    Look up, look around you and take a differential calculus on love.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on November 09, 2020, 07:24:18 PM
    Willful ignorance is the worst kind.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on November 10, 2020, 08:45:48 AM
    If you can't tell a difference between sex with a minor and sex with a coworker/boss, you are beyond any help that I can give.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on November 10, 2020, 09:51:06 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on November 10, 2020, 08:45:48 AM
    If you can't tell a difference between sex with a minor and sex with a coworker/boss, you are beyond any help that I can give.

    So if it's an adult student and a prof, there's no problem.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on November 10, 2020, 10:31:09 AM
    Yup. Back to the quiet room for me, I think. Sometimes, a bitch just gets tired.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: AmLitHist on November 10, 2020, 12:04:55 PM
    Quote from: little bongo on November 10, 2020, 10:31:09 AM
    Yup. Back to the quiet room for me, I think. Sometimes, a bitch just gets tired.

    I just snorted my iced tea when reading that--something I don't think I've done all this long COVID year.  Congratulations (I think), little bongo!  :-)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on November 10, 2020, 12:30:09 PM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on November 10, 2020, 09:51:06 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on November 10, 2020, 08:45:48 AM
    If you can't tell a difference between sex with a minor and sex with a coworker/boss, you are beyond any help that I can give.

    So if it's an adult student and a prof, there's no problem.

    Notice that I said A difference.

    Your hypothetical would be a different problem, which some people may not care about.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on November 10, 2020, 06:22:22 PM
    What a circus.  There be clowns here.  But they're not funny, at least not in a good sense.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on November 10, 2020, 06:42:37 PM
    Where ignore-ance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise...

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on November 11, 2020, 06:58:27 AM
    Quote from: AmLitHist on November 10, 2020, 12:04:55 PM
    Quote from: little bongo on November 10, 2020, 10:31:09 AM
    Yup. Back to the quiet room for me, I think. Sometimes, a bitch just gets tired.

    I just snorted my iced tea when reading that--something I don't think I've done all this long COVID year.  Congratulations (I think), little bongo!  :-)

    Thanks for sharing that, AmLitHist--I hope it didn't get all over your keyboard!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Langue_doc on November 11, 2020, 10:23:15 AM
    Time to put on my Resting Bitch Face. I wish I could do this on Canvas.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on November 11, 2020, 10:47:54 AM
    At the time Kamala Harris was 29 and easily well above average in attractiveness; Willie Brown was 60 and average looking. if the sex was recreational rather than transactional, then I've been missing a lot of opportunities that I needn't be missing.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on November 11, 2020, 11:03:02 AM
    Quote from: mahagonny on November 11, 2020, 10:47:54 AM
    At the time Kamala Harris was 29 and easily well above average in attractiveness; Willie Brown was 60 and average looking. if the sex was recreational rather than transactional, then I've been missing a lot of opportunities that I needn't be missing.

    Epic response!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on November 11, 2020, 03:10:34 PM
    <unrelated>

    Hmm, if you intentionally opt out of knowing, then that would explain a lot about why you don't know and can't understand why "everyone" else knows.

    Of course, what do I know?  I have a great job that supports my family using my graduate education instead of being a poster child outcome against which many blue-collar parents warn.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on November 13, 2020, 10:58:17 AM
    <unrelated>

    You are troll. Nothing more, nothing less.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on November 13, 2020, 11:15:09 AM
    [Unrelated?]

    I'm guessing that seemed profound when you typed it, but it just looks petulant and obtuse.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on November 13, 2020, 12:33:03 PM
    Doggone it, i can't figure this out. I call you a racist, and where's my good will? Don't I get credit for caring about everyone?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on November 15, 2020, 06:25:19 AM
    <unrelated and relevant to so many threads recently>

    Choosing a path through life based on one's own values, risk perception, and willingness to make trade-offs makes sense.  SPADFY is true and many things exist in the world.

    However, some paths will not get to the stated goal from all start points.  Riding a horse from San Francisco to Honolulu doesn't work; that horse needs a boat or a plane or something under it.  One can technically swim from San Francisco to Honolulu, but that's not a plan that's going to work for most people.  Digging a hole to China is an expression, not a plan that will get one from San Francisco to Honolulu in any reasonable period of time.

    Insisting that one wants to get to Honolulu from San Francisco and then vehemently insisting that one is trying really hard on that horse, with a swimsuit, or in the hole with a shovel is, well, let's call it misguided effort.  That path cannot work to get the goal set.  That's why it hasn't worked and why the same questions keep coming up hoping for a different answer.

    If the goal is to get to Honolulu from San Francisco, then a different path is needed. 

    If the goal is really enjoy horseback riding, swimming, or digging as one goes, then pick a different destination or enjoy tooling around San Francisco.

    Physical reality is a thing with definite limits, even in the quantum regime where the rules are different.  The rules still exist and one can only do things within the rules.

    Social reality has different limits, the rules are different in different places, and the rules can be changed with group effort.  However, while one might be able to occasionally get away with going the wrong way on a one-way street, that's mostly in the middle of the night in a deserted street with no one watching.  That doesn't happen in the center lane of a four-lane street downtown during midday traffic for very long.  At best, it's a traffic jam; more likely, that's a tragedy that just keeps unfolding.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on November 16, 2020, 07:09:53 AM
    ^ related

    Can't tell who you're intending to lecture, but your message is one more reiteration. If the social reality you refer to is here, I answer:
    on a pseudonymous forum, you don't need to get along with the herd. If you're expressing something that you think is missing, or overlooked, you don't need to convince anyone if you've decided that expressing it is enough.

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on November 16, 2020, 07:54:58 AM
    [unrelated]

    I'm guessing your students don't learn about hyperbole.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: OneMoreYear on November 19, 2020, 08:15:24 PM
    [unrelated and probably too snarky, but I'm going to be grading late enough that I can post to the Friday Haiku thread]

    Yup, the first thing I do when I'm planning a class is to figure out how to rip off my students. Doesn't everyone do that?               
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on November 20, 2020, 07:29:58 AM
    Quote from: little bongo on November 16, 2020, 07:54:58 AM
    [unrelated]

    I'm guessing your students don't learn about hyperbole.

    If I've told you once I've told you a thousand times about that hyperbole thing!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on November 20, 2020, 08:56:56 AM
    Quote from: apl68 on November 20, 2020, 07:29:58 AM
    Quote from: little bongo on November 16, 2020, 07:54:58 AM
    [unrelated]

    I'm guessing your students don't learn about hyperbole.

    If I've told you once I've told you a thousand times about that hyperbole thing!

    Definitely the smile of the week.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: San Joaquin on November 20, 2020, 02:17:38 PM
    <unrelated>

    We have some past examples of the nonproductivity of posting a question only to argue with any and all good faith answers.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on November 23, 2020, 05:05:24 AM
    It must be hard to be the victim of so much violence.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on November 23, 2020, 07:10:23 PM
    [unrelated]
    It is hard to believe that you have done half of what you claim.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on November 23, 2020, 08:44:33 PM
    Oh, but I have.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on November 23, 2020, 09:07:12 PM
    Quote from: aside on November 23, 2020, 07:10:23 PM
    [unrelated]
    It is hard to believe that you have done half of what you claim.

    Hey, not only is it all true, but I left out a lot. I can make toast and replace a button on your shirt.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on November 24, 2020, 10:48:29 AM
    Quote from: aside on November 23, 2020, 07:10:23 PM
    [unrelated]
    It is hard to believe that you have done half of what you claim.

    That's the difference between having 2-3 years of experience at a lot of things and having had the same year N>15 times.

    It's not all that hard to have done a lot of things by middle age, when the funding keeps drying up so one moves to the next thing that is funded instead of clinging to the past.

    But it is pretty hard to do very much when one doesn't actually believe in lifelong learning and keeps working hard at making something that won't work work instead of trying new things that might work.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on November 24, 2020, 10:52:56 AM
    Quote from: OneMoreYear on November 19, 2020, 08:15:24 PM
    [unrelated and probably too snarky, but I'm going to be grading late enough that I can post to the Friday Haiku thread]

    Yup, the first thing I do when I'm planning a class is to figure out how to rip off my students. Doesn't everyone do that?

    You'd be surprised at how many people focus on getting paid for minimum work instead of planning a course based on what students need to learn and then what activities could achieve the goal.

    I certainly was when I started overseeing faculty and asking pointed questions regarding the syllabi being submitted.  It was pretty clear that many people end up ripping off students through making choices for the employee instead of the students.  That situation isn't limited to the adjuncts working at multiple institutions, but it's more common for people who are working hard to make several crummy part-time jobs be a middle-class existence.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on November 24, 2020, 12:50:00 PM
    Quote from: mahagonny on November 23, 2020, 09:07:12 PM
    Quote from: aside on November 23, 2020, 07:10:23 PM
    [unrelated]
    It is hard to believe that you have done half of what you claim.

    Hey, not only is it all true, but I left out a lot. I can make toast and replace a button on your shirt.

    I see your experience making toast and raise you knowing how to operate a masonry saw.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on November 26, 2020, 04:17:42 PM
    I'm normally a good speller, but (1) I'm not yet in journalism, and won't be so my culpability is not the same, and (2) I have hit the 'wall' as LarryC put it. So today I spell any old way.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on November 26, 2020, 06:08:52 PM
    These fora would be better if you'd stop sharing your experiences in those particular areas because you are wrong in general--at best outdated, but often just wrong.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on November 30, 2020, 09:04:13 AM
    (possibly related?)

    My opinion at the thread where it's happening would pull it further off-topic, I think.

    I'll set aside any opinions I have of the participants' previous posts, and just say that I'm pretty sure you believe God put you there, right? And you've got to walk that lonesome valley, and no one can go it for you, and all that "Reverend Mr. Black" imagery? (One of my dad's favorite songs, may he rest in peace.) So the path on which you must go right now might be beyond your immediate, or even long-term control in a lot of ways.

    But no one's forcing you to be the store's resident Squidward Tentacles. You can be Spongebob, too, if you want. He certainly has more fun. As for the rest, Res ipsa loquitor, yeah?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on November 30, 2020, 09:41:38 AM
    After we get finished with the first (pick one) 'South Asian woman/transsexual person/ African American woman/ African American transexual etc. to be appointed or elected to...'   can we just go back to the regular business of hating all elected officials and their staff? I mean in the interest of equality?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on December 05, 2020, 12:40:54 PM
    ...and sure, a lot of people are interested in hearing more about your idea. Just ask President Romney.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on December 08, 2020, 04:21:10 PM
    <unrelated>

    Why is academia filled with people don't feel a need to understand how the business works in that market sector, what the factors are that affect "every" institution within that sector, and what factors are not under the direct control of any individual institution?

    Why are people who are supposed to be teaching critical thinking and experts at research so bad at doing the research that directly affects their jobs?

    What's the over/under bet on how many more people are going to cry, how could we have possibly known?!, when the entirely foreseeable confluence of factors actually affect their jobs in the next two years?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on December 09, 2020, 06:45:52 AM
    <unrelated>

    I don't think it's a lie. I do think that's the absolute truth for that poster. Probably the worst I could say is to echo what others have said about a number of topics--we tend to give ourselves a great deal of credit, especially if we've "made it." And we tend to forget about others who might have helped or influenced us, or the factor of sheer luck (or fate, fortune, God or gods, etc.)

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on December 09, 2020, 03:47:03 PM
    <unrelated>

    This is too mean for the asides thread. Too bad there's no forum equivalent of the white text trick I could use.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on December 10, 2020, 06:54:43 AM
    Quote from: little bongo on December 09, 2020, 06:45:52 AM
    <unrelated>

    I don't think it's a lie. I do think that's the absolute truth for that poster. Probably the worst I could say is to echo what others have said about a number of topics--we tend to give ourselves a great deal of credit, especially if we've "made it." And we tend to forget about others who might have helped or influenced us, or the factor of sheer luck (or fate, fortune, God or gods, etc.)

    The flip side is  that people let themselves too easily off the hook for making bad decisions that were known to be bad decisions at the time because it was really "just bad luck".  I stand by the fact that since I starting paying attention to academia the constant message has been that it's a bad bet for anyone who isn't already a member of the elite and that was true in the 1980s onwards for the humanities and physical/life/social sciences.

    If I could find this out as a hick in the middle of nowhere and then reading the mostly-read-by-upper-middle-class-aspirants magazines in the library at an engineering school, then there is no excuse for asserting that no one could have known and it came as a surprise, especially people who should have been interacting with all those who didn't weren't getting those jobs and had first hand stories about the pain of adjuncting or starting over in their thirties from an entry-level job.

    I never wanted to be an engineer (people may remember the bazillion times I've told the story about majoring in engineering because I could then get a husband who would take care of me with a solid middle-class job so I could afford to dabble in academia), but, yes, studying hard and taking advantage of good tutoring means I have a good professional job that is pleasant enough. 

    I have zero patience at this point for people who are insisting (still, to this day, even after years of the constant mantra in all the higher ed outlets) that somehow one couldn't know now that a plan to be a humanities professor is very unlikely to work out if one is not already solidly a member of the elite such that one isn't applying blindly, but is instead picking which set of personal friends have the more compelling offer.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on December 11, 2020, 11:35:29 AM
    <unrelated>

    Biting my tongue. Let it die, let it die.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on December 12, 2020, 07:18:35 PM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on December 11, 2020, 11:35:29 AM
    <unrelated>

    Biting my tongue. Let it die, let it die.

    Why do you want your tongue to die?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on December 15, 2020, 08:52:12 AM
    <unrelated>

    Wow--as brilliant as Sartre was, it took him the better part of an essay to describe that poster, and you nailed it in one cogent sentence. Which I guess makes you that much more brilliant.

    And I finally discovered and successfully used the "ignore" list! And I put him on it! I am so elated!

    I mean, between this and the massive celebrating I'm doing through inauguration day, I might not be able to take all this happiness.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on December 16, 2020, 07:10:28 AM
    How nature says 'do not touch'

    https://newbeautifulera.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/how-nature-says-do-not-touch-a-classic-far-side-comic/
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ergative on December 20, 2020, 02:26:51 AM
    apl68 and Hegemony, telling it like it is.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on December 21, 2020, 06:30:12 AM
    For so many threads lately:

    * Ignoring the national trends because you don't like those trends will not save your job.

    * Relying on your own wishful thinking instead of peer-reviewed publications, credible sources of trend data, and even the torrents of overview-of-the-trends articles in the relevant specialized higher ed outlets will not save your job.

    * The union and/or tenure are not magical wards against the institution firing you as enrollment changes.  The union and/or tenure mean the institution has to follow the process or is subject to lawsuits.  Suing an entity will not get your job back in a timely manner and may not be worth the hit to your reputation in a very tight job market.  Higher ed institutions know that and will act accordingly as the budget realities become pressing.

    *  If you're teaching mostly general education sections at multiple non-elite institutions and you aren't regularly turning down offers to be full-time, then now would be a good time to spend an afternoon with the data of your institutions.  Confirm that what you think is true is really true and then act accordingly.

    * If you are tenured at an elite institution with tons of majors in your field, then your job is probably safe enough.  If you're not tenured or you're in a department without tons of majors, then also spend the afternoon with the data of your institution and act accordingly.

    This spring will also bring a bunch of "but nobody told me!" blog posts in various places as more jobs are lost in the entirely predictable areas.

    This follows the past four years of accelerated programs closing and then a big chunk of non-TT jobs being cut.  The first trickles of the tiny institutions closing has already started as the budget realities of January are starting to hit.  The AAUP deadline for notifying continuing faculty of their non-renewal just passed last week.  That will not stop institutions from sending official letters in January and February.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on December 21, 2020, 06:34:26 AM
    Confirmation bias is a thing.

    Even for the people pointing out that confirmation bias is a thing.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on December 21, 2020, 06:37:51 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on December 21, 2020, 06:34:26 AM
    Confirmation bias is a thing.

    Even for the people pointing out that confirmation bias is a thing.

    Yep, but confirmation bias is much, much less likely when one engages with a variety of outlets that tend to usually be at odds in terms of focus and spin on the data.

    That good ol' "I read the NEWS" is only credible when the news includes a wide variety of outlets who generally don't agree on what should be done, but allow critical readers to figure out what the issues are with links to all the different data instead of blindly repeating only the opinions on the data or repeating the one press release that completely ignored the data in favor of interpretations of the data.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: spork on December 21, 2020, 07:05:15 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on December 21, 2020, 06:34:26 AM
    Confirmation bias is a thing.

    Even for the people pointing out that confirmation bias is a thing.

    Confirmation bias by several physicians nearly killed me in 2019, so 2020 has personally been a much better year even with a pandemic.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on December 21, 2020, 07:32:09 AM
    Quote from: spork on December 21, 2020, 07:05:15 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on December 21, 2020, 06:34:26 AM
    Confirmation bias is a thing.

    Even for the people pointing out that confirmation bias is a thing.

    Confirmation bias by several physicians nearly killed me in 2019, so 2020 has personally been a much better year even with a pandemic.

    I have to confess that I and my immediate family have also had a better 2020 than 2019, since none of us has been injured or had bypass surgery this year.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: bacardiandlime on December 22, 2020, 02:02:31 AM
    JFC again with this shit.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on December 22, 2020, 06:26:56 AM
    Quote from: bacardiandlime on December 22, 2020, 02:02:31 AM
    JFC again with this shit.

    Yes. 

    Individuals here are supporting the going-through-the-motions of education for a paycheck and are actively undermining their own interests by propping up the bad parts of the "higher education" system instead of letting those parts of the system die.

    I'm not going to let that go, especially when individual action would benefit the individual in the long-term as well as go along way towards fixing the broken parts of the system.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: bacardiandlime on December 22, 2020, 08:13:42 AM
    Quote from: polly_mer on December 22, 2020, 06:26:56 AM
    Quote from: bacardiandlime on December 22, 2020, 02:02:31 AM
    JFC again with this shit.

    Yes. 

    Individuals here are supporting the going-through-the-motions of education for a paycheck and are actively undermining their own interests by propping up the bad parts of the "higher education" system instead of letting those parts of the system die.

    I'm not going to let that go, especially when individual action would benefit the individual in the long-term as well as go along way towards fixing the broken parts of the system.

    Ok. Not sure what thread you're talking about, obviously not the one I was responding to!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on December 22, 2020, 08:54:38 AM
    <unrelated>

    But do you really "have" to?

    ON EDIT, WRT another thread:

    At some point, we must decide, "Do I want to argue, or do I really want to try to learn something?"
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on December 22, 2020, 02:09:37 PM
    Quote from: little bongo on December 22, 2020, 08:54:38 AM
    <unrelated>

    But do you really "have" to?

    ON EDIT, WRT another thread:

    At some point, we must decide, "Do I want to argue, or do I really want to try to learn something?"

    What is it you think I could learn from people who sound just like the students who insist that something that is mathematically possible is really, truly, no-foolin' going to happen at the end of the term, even though it never does because it's not the math that's the issue?

    Pattern matching is a thing, even in the absence of mathematical models that would give quantitative predictions.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on December 22, 2020, 08:55:30 PM
    Quote from: polly_mer on December 22, 2020, 02:09:37 PM
    Quote from: little bongo on December 22, 2020, 08:54:38 AM
    <unrelated>

    But do you really "have" to?

    ON EDIT, WRT another thread:

    At some point, we must decide, "Do I want to argue, or do I really want to try to learn something?"

    What is it you think I could learn from people who sound just like the students who insist that something that is mathematically possible is really, truly, no-foolin' going to happen at the end of the term, even though it never does because it's not the math that's the issue?

    Pattern matching is a thing, even in the absence of mathematical models that would give quantitative predictions.

    OK, I'll cop to the first part being about you--on some thread or other, you mentioned that you "have" to enter into conversations because... well, I guess somebody was wrong? And I wasn't sure you really had to.

    But the part you actually responded to? That was about a thread that centered around a ballet company. But your answer? Gadzooks and egad. You strung together 67 words that had no business being acquainted with each other. If I were still in my days at a writing center late at night, I'd take a couple of Bayer and say in my most patient voice, "So what exactly are you trying to say here?"
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on December 23, 2020, 06:38:15 AM
    I am learning something. little bongo. I am learning that if I talk to certain people about certain current events, there is going to be an argument. However, that's not true of everyone I could be talking to about that issue.

    Re: the 'woke' culture and performing arts

    Comedians, including Jerry Seinfeld, have already announced they will not perform on college campuses for the immediate future. They can't do their act without getting into trouble. And as apl pointed out astutely theatre companies with choreographed productions are now going to get into controversy, routinely, no matter what artistic decisions they make. Comedians, if they haven't burned their bridges, can decide to go back to college campuses after the whole thing blows over. It's different with symphony orchestras, ballets, theatre companies. When they fold it's the end of an era. It's hard enough to keep them running when everyone is in their corner. This is something that needs to be paid attention to.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Langue_doc on December 23, 2020, 08:56:35 AM
    I thought that thread was "vacation nation". Disappointed, as I'm mentally not yet ready for vaccination.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: OneMoreYear on December 23, 2020, 10:32:10 AM
    Quote from: Langue_doc on December 23, 2020, 08:56:35 AM
    I thought that thread was "vacation nation". Disappointed, as I'm mentally not yet ready for vaccination.

    Me too! Although, I thought it was going to be about people traveling for vacation and ignoring COVID recommendations.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on December 23, 2020, 07:11:55 PM
    Quote from: OneMoreYear on December 23, 2020, 10:32:10 AM
    Quote from: Langue_doc on December 23, 2020, 08:56:35 AM
    I thought that thread was "vacation nation". Disappointed, as I'm mentally not yet ready for vaccination.

    Me too! Although, I thought it was going to be about people traveling for vacation and ignoring COVID recommendations.

    In other words, real life ...
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Langue_doc on December 29, 2020, 11:29:36 AM
    Gentlemen, could you take it outside? Please!?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on December 29, 2020, 12:19:45 PM
    Really?  I don't think you would be.  That seems to be your preference, or your default (or both).
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: AmLitHist on December 30, 2020, 06:13:43 AM
    <unrelated to FishProf et al. above>

    I've probably said this before, but it still applies:

    Where do people get the energy to always be so angry?  And where can I get some of that energy?  I have lots of better things to use it on.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on December 30, 2020, 06:27:28 AM
    Quote from: AmLitHist on December 30, 2020, 06:13:43 AM
    <unrelated to FishProf et al. above>

    I've probably said this before, but it still applies:

    Where do people get the energy to always be so angry?  And where can I get some of that energy?  I have lots of better things to use it on.

    Become an "activist". The cause doesn't matter, neither does where on the political spectrum you come from; what matters is viewing everything from the point of view of grievance, and telling yourself that something MUST be done, and that the solution is SIMPLE, if only the powers-that-be would implement it.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on December 30, 2020, 04:30:59 PM
    Quote from: mahagonny on December 23, 2020, 06:38:15 AM
    I am learning something. little bongo. I am learning that if I talk to certain people about certain current events, there is going to be an argument. However, that's not true of everyone I could be talking to about that issue.

    Re: the 'woke' culture and performing arts

    Comedians, including Jerry Seinfeld, have already announced they will not perform on college campuses for the immediate future. They can't do their act without getting into trouble. And as apl pointed out astutely theatre companies with choreographed productions are now going to get into controversy, routinely, no matter what artistic decisions they make. Comedians, if they haven't burned their bridges, can decide to go back to college campuses after the whole thing blows over. It's different with symphony orchestras, ballets, theatre companies. When they fold it's the end of an era. It's hard enough to keep them running when everyone is in their corner. This is something that needs to be paid attention to.

    You're "learning" that talking to people about certain events can cause arguments? i mean, I learned that reading my favorite Peanuts books as a kid, when Linus says something to the effect that there's three subjects he's learned never to bring up in public: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin.

    Granted, some of today's hot topics don't fit neatly into those three categories. But that leads us back to "why this argument now?" Are we trying to learn something about opposing viewpoints? Are we railing against the lack of common sense in the academic world? Or are we spoiling for a fight? (The title of your thread provides a clue, at least.)

    And you know, if we are railing and fighting--okay. Nothing really wrong with that, as long as you're not engaging in some form of assault. No common sense? Then be the teacher we need right now. Fill the world with love and with common sense. What could be nicer? And here's a tip--you don't really need ethical administrators or colleagues with common sense to do that. Everyone I've ever encountered on this forum--well, almost everyone--has the capacity to pull that off at least every now and then. Can we ask for a greater opportunity?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on December 30, 2020, 09:09:40 PM
    Thread pollution is gludging up the works.

    Just walk away.

    M.

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on December 30, 2020, 10:01:12 PM
    Quote from: little bongo on December 30, 2020, 04:30:59 PM
    Quote from: mahagonny on December 23, 2020, 06:38:15 AM
    I am learning something. little bongo. I am learning that if I talk to certain people about certain current events, there is going to be an argument. However, that's not true of everyone I could be talking to about that issue.

    Re: the 'woke' culture and performing arts

    Comedians, including Jerry Seinfeld, have already announced they will not perform on college campuses for the immediate future. They can't do their act without getting into trouble. And as apl pointed out astutely theatre companies with choreographed productions are now going to get into controversy, routinely, no matter what artistic decisions they make. Comedians, if they haven't burned their bridges, can decide to go back to college campuses after the whole thing blows over. It's different with symphony orchestras, ballets, theatre companies. When they fold it's the end of an era. It's hard enough to keep them running when everyone is in their corner. This is something that needs to be paid attention to.

    You're "learning" that talking to people about certain events can cause arguments? i mean, I learned that reading my favorite Peanuts books as a kid, when Linus says something to the effect that there's three subjects he's learned never to bring up in public: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin.

    Granted, some of today's hot topics don't fit neatly into those three categories. But that leads us back to "why this argument now?" Are we trying to learn something about opposing viewpoints? Are we railing against the lack of common sense in the academic world? Or are we spoiling for a fight? (The title of your thread provides a clue, at least.)

    And you know, if we are railing and fighting--okay. Nothing really wrong with that, as long as you're not engaging in some form of assault. No common sense? Then be the teacher we need right now. Fill the world with love and with common sense. What could be nicer? And here's a tip--you don't really need ethical administrators or colleagues with common sense to do that. Everyone I've ever encountered on this forum--well, almost everyone--has the capacity to pull that off at least every now and then. Can we ask for a greater opportunity?

    This is message of love and common sense the speaks to me, but it cannot be made honestly and clearly without including sharp criticism.   https://news.yahoo.com/dr-shelby-steele-says-white-232941842.html
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on December 31, 2020, 06:51:59 AM
    redact
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on January 04, 2021, 05:02:35 AM
    <nr>

    Maybe you should just wiggle your hips.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on January 04, 2021, 09:11:11 PM
    Quote from: downer on January 04, 2021, 05:02:35 AM
    <nr>

    Maybe you should just wiggle your hips.

    Last time I did, I was in traction for a month.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on January 06, 2021, 05:14:32 AM
    <nr>

    How about both?  Identifying one doesn't have to mean invalidating the other.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on January 06, 2021, 05:44:15 AM
    Quote from: little bongo on December 22, 2020, 08:55:30 PM
    Quote from: polly_mer on December 22, 2020, 02:09:37 PM
    Quote from: little bongo on December 22, 2020, 08:54:38 AM
    <unrelated>

    But do you really "have" to?

    ON EDIT, WRT another thread:

    At some point, we must decide, "Do I want to argue, or do I really want to try to learn something?"

    What is it you think I could learn from people who sound just like the students who insist that something that is mathematically possible is really, truly, no-foolin' going to happen at the end of the term, even though it never does because it's not the math that's the issue?

    Pattern matching is a thing, even in the absence of mathematical models that would give quantitative predictions.

    OK, I'll cop to the first part being about you--on some thread or other, you mentioned that you "have" to enter into conversations because... well, I guess somebody was wrong? And I wasn't sure you really had to.

    But the part you actually responded to? That was about a thread that centered around a ballet company. But your answer? Gadzooks and egad. You strung together 67 words that had no business being acquainted with each other. If I were still in my days at a writing center late at night, I'd take a couple of Bayer and say in my most patient voice, "So what exactly are you trying to say here?"

    Recently I am exactly saying: most people who have humanities graduate degrees and are employed in academia are not intellectuals.  Period.

    In addition, many of the people here who insist at length that somehow I am lesser because my graduate degrees state "engineering" are uninformed about the research on higher ed, the relevant demographic trends, and most of the entirely predictable patterns that will continue to affect their jobs and related endeavors.  There is a significant overlap in people who don't know about their own market sector and also don't know the relevant science to discuss current events beyond repeating what they have recently read in a mass media article.  There's also a significant overlap between those who don't know their market sector, don't know the science/math, and yet frequently assert that taking college classes in the humanities is vital to learning critical thinking.  The evidence regarding critical thinking outside the classroom states otherwise.

    Perhaps I don't have to jump in to give the data and the logical conclusions from those data.  However, if I don't, then the people who could have learned something worth knowing that they can use to make better decisions about their careers in academia (or need to find another career before their job goes away) will be more likely to be shocked and surprised when the entirely predictable reality hits them in the face.

    The oddest thing recently in that vein was the "news" that aspiring students and their parents have social media groups discussing college and the focus is on many things other than the formal classes.  The advice by the person sharing that news was perhaps professors should go read those outlets as well to become better informed about that mindset.  The amount of research (even just mass media polls and then reporting on those polls) on that situation is such that one would have to have avoided most of the publications dealing with higher ed in any way to have the situation that few people are in college for the reasons that humanities professors want people to be in college to come as news.

    What exactly is it you think I have to learn from people who don't know about higher ed, despite being employed primarily in higher ed and are currently experiencing consequences of failing to learn about their market sector?

    What exactly is it you think I have to learn from people who, by their own sagas shared here on these fora, have failed at critical thinking in ways that matter to their lives and now want advice on how to magically fix the situation while still remaining ignorant in the relevant knowledge areas and refusing to make the changes in their own behavior that would help them succeed?

    If it makes your writing center self happy, I will rephrase to "Many forumites, particularly those in the humanities in contingent positions, present just like the overly optimistic students in the classroom.  Those overly optimistic students are sure that, because it is mathematically possible to still earn a passing grade, those students will make the necessary behavioral modification to earn all the remaining points and pass the class.  In both cases, the problem is the pattern of behavior up to this point.  The experienced observer knows that while magical thinking is common, the pattern is few people change their behavior sufficiently to make a difference in the outcome on the first try.  Instead, most people have to fail spectacularly and then start over to have the motivation to make the necessary personal behavioral changes." 

    Or in other words, I have heard that magical thinking before many, many times from people in the proverbial hole.  I am unconvinced by assertions that somehow this particular individual is special and will make the changes because that's not the overwhelming majority of the outcomes by similar people in similar situations.  Pattern matching is just as valid a predictor as doing the mathematical modeling in many cases and even the humanities faculty ought to be able to understand that.

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on January 07, 2021, 05:48:42 AM
    Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on January 07, 2021, 09:28:03 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on January 07, 2021, 05:48:42 AM
    Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

    No doubt. But I appreciate the added context. Polly_Mer's argument and way of looking at us humanities muggles makes a certain amount of sense, even if I'm not completely on board.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on January 07, 2021, 09:42:39 AM
    Quote from: polly_mer on January 06, 2021, 05:44:15 AM

    If it makes your writing center self happy, I will rephrase to "Many forumites, particularly those in the humanities in contingent positions, present just like the overly optimistic students in the classroom.  Those overly optimistic students are sure that, because it is mathematically possible to still earn a passing grade, those students will make the necessary behavioral modification to earn all the remaining points and pass the class.  In both cases, the problem is the pattern of behavior up to this point.  The experienced observer knows that while magical thinking is common, the pattern is few people change their behavior sufficiently to make a difference in the outcome on the first try.  Instead, most people have to fail spectacularly and then start over to have the motivation to make the necessary personal behavioral changes." 

    Or in other words, I have heard that magical thinking before many, many times from people in the proverbial hole.  I am unconvinced by assertions that somehow this particular individual is special and will make the changes because that's not the overwhelming majority of the outcomes by similar people in similar situations.  Pattern matching is just as valid a predictor as doing the mathematical modeling in many cases and even the humanities faculty ought to be able to understand that.

    That's a fair observation, although I don't believe that people in the humanities are more or less prone to that sort of magical thinking than anybody else.  We just see and hear more about that particular kind of magical thinking in academic circles.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on January 07, 2021, 12:10:36 PM
    Sometimes an Aside is just an Aside.  Whether an <nr> is included or not....
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on January 07, 2021, 07:32:53 PM
    Quote from: FishProf on January 07, 2021, 12:10:36 PM
    Sometimes an Aside is just an Aside.  Whether an <nr> is included or not....

    I'm always just an Aside.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 08, 2021, 10:00:10 AM
    Guess I hit a nerve.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on January 08, 2021, 10:05:59 AM
    Shades of Mary Whitehouse.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on January 08, 2021, 12:37:56 PM
    I wonder what would happen if we let people say what they think/believe, instead of telling them what they must be thinking/believing.

    Crazy talk, I know.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on January 08, 2021, 02:18:34 PM
    That's why I'm not going near that thread.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on January 08, 2021, 05:14:18 PM
    You are some bizarre piece of work.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on January 08, 2021, 08:15:03 PM
    Mark McKinnon on CNN needs to lose the cowboy hat. If I can put on a tie at my salary, so can he. CNN's already playing a deck full of race cards.

    Quote from: jimbogumbo on January 08, 2021, 05:14:18 PM
    You are some bizarre piece of work.

    No doubt. But whatever trouble I have, I've come by it honestly. I stand out in the open. I don't lurk and let thug academics
    do my bidding for me.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on January 09, 2021, 05:45:37 AM
    <NR>

    I'm looking for that solution you posted a while back.  There one where you told us how to fix that problem you keep raising. 

    Hmmm, can't seem to find that.

    Must be the search engine.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on January 09, 2021, 10:48:29 AM
    Quote from: mahagonny on January 08, 2021, 08:15:03 PM
    Mark McKinnon on CNN needs to lose the cowboy hat. If I can put on a tie at my salary, so can he. CNN's already playing a deck full of race cards.

    Quote from: jimbogumbo on January 08, 2021, 05:14:18 PM
    You are some bizarre piece of work.

    No doubt. But whatever trouble I have, I've come by it honestly. I stand out in the open. I don't lurk and let thug academics
    do my bidding for me.

    ? I was referring to someone else whose history I had been reading. it can be about you if you want I guess.

    Are you suggesting I am a lurker?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on January 09, 2021, 11:23:36 AM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on January 09, 2021, 10:48:29 AM
    Quote from: mahagonny on January 08, 2021, 08:15:03 PM
    Mark McKinnon on CNN needs to lose the cowboy hat. If I can put on a tie at my salary, so can he. CNN's already playing a deck full of race cards.

    Quote from: jimbogumbo on January 08, 2021, 05:14:18 PM
    You are some bizarre piece of work.

    No doubt. But whatever trouble I have, I've come by it honestly. I stand out in the open. I don't lurk and let thug academics
    do my bidding for me.

    ? I was referring to someone else whose history I had been reading. it can be about you if you want I guess.

    Are you suggesting I am a lurker?

    Just ignore it please. Sorry. This has been a stressful few days.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on January 10, 2021, 05:55:57 AM
    《N/r》

    It's not punitive, it's preventative.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ergative on January 10, 2021, 08:26:39 AM
    One of the quirks of language is that it requires a certain degree of mutual agreement on the meanings of words for successful communication. I can start calling all tables 'T-Rexes' if I want, but until it catches on more broadly, all that will result is confusion.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 10, 2021, 09:43:38 AM
    Quote from: ergative on January 10, 2021, 08:26:39 AM
    One of the quirks of language is that it requires a certain degree of mutual agreement on the meanings of words for successful communication. I can start calling all tables 'T-Rexes' if I want, but until it catches on more broadly, all that will result is confusion.

    Yup!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on January 11, 2021, 04:58:23 AM
    <NR>
    That was not a surprise.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on January 14, 2021, 06:26:59 AM
    What good is demonstrating if you don't get arrested? Might as well stay home.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on January 14, 2021, 12:51:54 PM
    Not related to the above, and not referring to dismalist.

    You are a troll. No more doubts.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on January 14, 2021, 06:36:06 PM
    Liberals think certain things will be come self evident in time because, despite no one realizing them, they are still true. Problem is...what if they aren't true?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on January 15, 2021, 12:47:19 PM
    Are you aware that RIOT is not synonymous with PROTEST?   Just checking...
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on January 19, 2021, 08:13:15 AM
    <nr>

    The language may have been inelegant, but you said what you needed to say to the person who needed to hear it. Nicely done.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on January 20, 2021, 12:24:49 PM
    I've changed my mind about several posters, but that would be too personal to post.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on January 21, 2021, 07:12:15 PM
    <not related>

    I'm pretty sure Idi Amin was not a white supremacist ...
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on January 21, 2021, 08:00:24 PM
    King of Scotland.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on January 23, 2021, 09:35:01 AM
    mmmm feisty!  I'll get the popcorn.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on January 25, 2021, 05:11:19 AM
    You can't have your cake and eat it too. You shouldn't need a PhD to know that.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: permanent imposter on January 30, 2021, 03:03:12 PM
    Synonyms for fabulous

    A-OK, A1, awesome, bang-up, banner, beautiful, blue-chip, blue-ribbon, boffo, bonny (also bonnie) [chiefly British], boss [slang], brag, brave, bully, bumper, capital, choice, classic, cool [slang], corking, crackerjack, cracking, dandy, divine, dope [slang], down [slang], dynamite, excellent, fab, famous, fantabulous [slang], fantastic, fine, first-class, first-rate, first-string, five-star, four-star, frontline, gangbusters (also gangbuster), gilt-edged (or gilt-edge), gone [slang], grand, great, groovy, heavenly, high-class, hot, hype [slang], immense, jim-dandy, keen, lovely, marvelous (or marvellous), mean, neat, nifty, noble, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, out-of-sight [slang], par excellence, peachy, peachy keen, phat [slang], prime, primo [slang], prize, prizewinning, quality, radical [slang], righteous [slang], sensational, slick, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supernal, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-notch, top-of-the-line, top-shelf, topflight, topping [chiefly British], unsurpassed, wizard [chiefly British], wonderful
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on February 02, 2021, 01:07:56 PM
    OK, so Cancel Culture?  That's your plan?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 03, 2021, 08:03:37 PM
    A lot of them do, including on this very forum, and kudos to them. As you've seen, however, it doesn't really get us very far.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 05, 2021, 07:45:20 PM
    The reason you don't get farther is your far left agenda doesn't have much of an agenda the anyone who is serious could help you with.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 05, 2021, 09:47:25 PM
    Quote from: mahagonny on February 05, 2021, 07:45:20 PM
    The reason you don't get farther is your far left agenda doesn't have much of an agenda the anyone who is serious could help you with.

    FWIW, you guessed the wrong topic.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 06, 2021, 04:43:31 AM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on February 05, 2021, 09:47:25 PM
    Quote from: mahagonny on February 05, 2021, 07:45:20 PM
    The reason you don't get farther is your far left agenda doesn't have much of an agenda the anyone who is serious could help you with.

    FWIW, you guessed the wrong topic.

    I am sorry. I should just stop visiting this thread. Not worth the trouble and hazards. It's hard enough to understand each other when we're trying to.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Langue_doc on February 07, 2021, 09:10:18 PM
    I need to vent, but the venting thread has meandered off in a completely different direction.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: smallcleanrat on February 07, 2021, 09:29:36 PM
    Quote from: Langue_doc on February 07, 2021, 09:10:18 PM
    I need to vent, but the venting thread has meandered off in a completely different direction.

    You can redirect back to venting by adding your vent.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 08, 2021, 08:59:20 AM
    Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 07, 2021, 09:29:36 PM
    Quote from: Langue_doc on February 07, 2021, 09:10:18 PM
    I need to vent, but the venting thread has meandered off in a completely different direction.

    You can redirect back to venting by adding your vent.

    Maybe Landue_doc is venting about the need to vent. :)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ciao_yall on February 08, 2021, 09:02:11 AM
    Venting on the venting thread about the venting thread is so meta.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Langue_doc on February 08, 2021, 09:04:01 AM
    Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 08, 2021, 08:59:20 AM
    Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 07, 2021, 09:29:36 PM
    Quote from: Langue_doc on February 07, 2021, 09:10:18 PM
    I need to vent, but the venting thread has meandered off in a completely different direction.

    You can redirect back to venting by adding your vent.

    Maybe Landue_doc is venting about the need to vent. :)

    Yup.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: hmaria1609 on February 08, 2021, 07:15:24 PM
    *LOL* Should we get a metadata librarian?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ciao_yall on February 21, 2021, 12:01:26 PM
    Bye, already.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 22, 2021, 08:22:08 AM
    <unrelated>

    Good point!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on February 22, 2021, 05:38:20 PM
    No, that statement is Not Even Wrong.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: RatGuy on February 26, 2021, 10:05:30 AM
    And "I'm the real victim here" is also a common tactic among serial abusers.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on February 26, 2021, 10:20:58 AM
    Promises, promises.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 26, 2021, 10:57:24 AM
    <unrelated>

    Oh, good. The Free Speech Brigade has added another verboten term. Noice!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 27, 2021, 03:44:11 PM
    Unrelated^
    Thanks, you did it again. Thought of a more palatable way to express what I'm thinking.

    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on February 26, 2021, 10:57:24 AM
    <unrelated>

    Oh, good. The Free Speech Brigade has added another verboten term. Noice!

    Dying to know what the word is.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on March 02, 2021, 08:49:43 AM
    Curious what about that poster's cognitive condition.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: lightning on March 05, 2021, 01:52:53 PM
    Sorry not sorry.

    Most of us know that engaging with nonsense, serves only to add a modicum of respectability to the nonsense. So that's why we don't bother.

    However, for some posters, letting their nonsense go unchallenged only encourages the posting of more nonsense.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on March 07, 2021, 03:04:46 PM
    I could always share another deep thought, if you'd prefer.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 08, 2021, 03:32:21 AM
    related

    I don't ignore any posters, so if you post it I'll see it.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on March 12, 2021, 05:10:20 AM
    Aside to the thread that hasn't been created yet.

    It is about a higher ed story highlighted by NYT. I'm surprised no one has discussed it yet. But it's gonna be the same old same old if it does get discussed here. Which is unfortunate, since it does raise interesting issues.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Langue_doc on March 12, 2021, 05:38:35 AM
    Quote from: downer on March 12, 2021, 05:10:20 AM
    Aside to the thread that hasn't been created yet.

    It is about a higher ed story highlighted by NYT. I'm surprised no one has discussed it yet. But it's gonna be the same old same old if it does get discussed here. Which is unfortunate, since it does raise interesting issues.

    Which one? Do tell.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 12, 2021, 09:21:00 AM
    Don't look to me to start a discussion on something just because it needs discussing. I'm the designated DOA thread guy, the guy who asks people to discuss something out of interest and then gets pinned with the 'outrage' label. You've heard of the teflon president. I'm the velcro poster.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on March 12, 2021, 09:24:31 AM
    Quote from: mahagonny on March 12, 2021, 09:21:00 AM
    I'm the velcro poster.

    That's very true, actually. It's a clever label, well done! (To be clear, that's intended genuinely.)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on March 13, 2021, 10:26:43 AM
    I'm sure you think you were making a witty point but I'll be damned if I can tell what it was.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 13, 2021, 03:00:00 PM
    Quote from: FishProf on March 13, 2021, 10:26:43 AM
    I'm sure you think you were making a witty point but I'll be damned if I can tell what it was.

    What a relief. Not me.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on March 17, 2021, 05:29:33 AM
    No, of course not.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on March 20, 2021, 05:23:27 PM
    There she blows.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 21, 2021, 07:37:36 PM
    There you go again. Railing about your pet peeve which no one ought to care about. The bad treatment of majority faculty.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 23, 2021, 10:49:31 AM
    I've excused myself from the thread but I can answer you here. The reason facts don't appear to matter is that when a perpetrator is a white man, the facts don't merely have to point to a non racial-animus motive. They have to be sufficient to remove any possibility of racial animus being present in the perpetrator, which is already impossible, because he's white.
    If the perpetrator is not white, it works the opposite way. He's assumed not to have any racial motive unless he provides clear evidence of it.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on March 24, 2021, 09:57:51 AM
    Use that "actually" just like know-it-all teenagers in the same context of "I know one tiny little fact that is different from your main point"!

    It doesn't help any of the readers who might need to act on the information, but I hope it gives you a little ego thrill in your life.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: namazu on March 24, 2021, 12:21:07 PM
    Good point.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on March 27, 2021, 07:27:47 AM
    Pot, meet Kettle.  Kettle, Pot.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on March 28, 2021, 11:46:10 AM
    Hmmmm, apparently I am a Unicorn.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on March 28, 2021, 03:24:25 PM
    Quote from: FishProf on March 28, 2021, 11:46:10 AM
    Hmmmm, apparently I am a Unicorn.

    Or just one of the fabulous 4%.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 30, 2021, 05:25:05 AM
    Spelling is fun, and a spelling bee may turn out to be the last thing you can find in the New York Times that can be relied on for accuracy.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 31, 2021, 04:51:48 PM
    Not only not God, he's a jackass.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: lightning on April 01, 2021, 08:14:01 AM
    Please stay. Every village needs their village fool.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on April 01, 2021, 08:21:12 AM
    I could disagree with BOTH of you.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Langue_doc on April 04, 2021, 08:05:47 PM
    I thought that thread was about faculty poisoning each other. I should get my eyes tested.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on April 04, 2021, 08:17:07 PM
    Quote from: Langue_doc on April 04, 2021, 08:05:47 PM
    I thought that thread was about faculty poisoning each other. I should get my eyes tested.

    Or perhaps you need to lay off the murder mysteries where last person standing gets the prize.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ab_grp on April 05, 2021, 09:26:14 AM
    Quote from: Langue_doc on April 04, 2021, 08:05:47 PM
    I thought that thread was about faculty poisoning each other. I should get my eyes tested.

    I should join you in getting eyes tested, as the information in the thread you saw could go along with the thread I always see about any and all victims related to the job market.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ciao_yall on April 05, 2021, 10:05:53 AM
    I would add to the conversation but I'm boycotting that thread.

    What is a professional snarker to do?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Langue_doc on April 05, 2021, 10:51:54 AM
    I meant to post in the "Misread thread titles". Now if the thread had been about faculty, poisoned and poisoning, I would have found it interesting.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: polly_mer on April 06, 2021, 06:09:17 PM
    A relevant term here is sealioning: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sealioning
    QuoteSealioning (also spelled sea-lioning and sea lioning) is a type of trolling or harassment that consists of pursuing people with persistent requests for evidence or repeated questions, while maintaining a pretense of civility and sincerity.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on April 09, 2021, 06:24:49 AM
    ' "Salaries for college professors have escalated significantly," he said. "They should be good, but they have escalated significantly." Further, he explained that there is "a lot of competition for the finest professors. They all want the Nobel laureates." '

    Vice President Joe Biden
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on April 12, 2021, 08:41:43 PM
    <unrelated>

    A scapegoat.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on April 13, 2021, 04:40:35 AM
    Yes, guitar is a wonderful hobby, so I hear. Enjoy.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Bbmaj7b5 on April 15, 2021, 04:20:02 AM
    The notion of someone being dragged kicking and screaming into a forum discussion, like they were Al Pacino in "Godfather III," is hilarious.

    Admit it - you just wanted to urinate in the pool a little longer.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: lightning on April 16, 2021, 08:43:53 PM
    Somebody needs to trade in their persecution passport for a set of cajones and get themselves a real job.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on April 18, 2021, 10:55:27 AM
    What I have posted about weed are only facts. One, I don't like the way it affects me. Two, all smoke is bad for your lungs. Three, it causes paranoia and chronic depersonalization disorder in some people. Four, there is peer pressure. I have not posted any judgment against people using it if that's their choice. I've even defended one or two. I don't want to be judgmental that way! You don't have to like everyone you meet here, but you should avoid inaccurate insinuations. That's all.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on April 20, 2021, 06:24:28 AM
    I'm done with you. You want to be angry, and I don't. I'm not part of any privileged group in relation to you, and frankly don't want to ever interact with you in any way. You seem incapable of engaging in any form of discourse without playing one of several victim cards.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on April 21, 2021, 02:55:46 AM
    OK, Accepted. You can be done with me. In my fatigued state I thought it was you not some other poster who hit me with the 'R' word. That poster deserves to be ignored.

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on April 22, 2021, 05:44:55 AM
    My guess is that you guys are just trying to avoid grading. What other explanation could there be?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on April 22, 2021, 09:38:12 AM
    Quote from: mahagonny on April 21, 2021, 02:55:46 AM
    OK, Accepted. You can be done with me. In my fatigued state I thought it was you not some other poster who hit me with the 'R' word. That poster deserves to be ignored.

    What, Republican? It's true, I can't say it without contempt.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on April 22, 2021, 10:05:47 AM
    Oh look, an entire conference of pots and kettles.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on April 23, 2021, 06:16:55 AM
    Sorry Wahoo-didn't spring from pedantry. Father worked in the insurance agency as an agent, and $60K seemed way off from my experience. Plus, my wife worked 20 years as a graphic artist (AA) for a large hospital group and was only making $55, and daughter (AS) with a 15 years for a different group is only at $42.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on April 26, 2021, 01:39:32 PM
    Heads up there, colleague: 'antiracism' training is controversial. It's sweeping the nation and a good half of us are not in the mood to be swept. Now might be a good time to find yourself a sense of humor.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ergative on April 29, 2021, 06:57:40 AM
    Can't we just not engage?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on April 29, 2021, 09:07:36 AM
    Swing and a MISS!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on April 29, 2021, 03:44:05 PM
    tired lightning...hmm...
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: lightning on April 29, 2021, 07:01:29 PM
    YAAAWWWWN.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on April 30, 2021, 03:48:48 AM
    You say that, but you don't really mean it.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on April 30, 2021, 04:59:30 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on April 30, 2021, 03:48:48 AM
    You say that, but you don't really mean it.

    No, I do mean it.

    If the fora says 'don't stalk or insult other posters' then they clearly don't mean it. However, I am not complaining about someone violating rules. I haven't read the rules.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on April 30, 2021, 06:38:20 AM
    Quote from: mahagonny on April 30, 2021, 04:59:30 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on April 30, 2021, 03:48:48 AM
    You say that, but you don't really mean it.

    No, I do mean it.

    If the fora says 'don't stalk or insult other posters' then they clearly don't mean it. However, I am not complaining about someone violating rules. I haven't read the rules.

    Duuuude, it's not all about YOU.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on May 01, 2021, 07:13:18 AM
    Anyone who thinks this place is 'hard left' is sorely deluded. Perhaps they should practice some of the 'viewpoint diversity' they preach and become better acquainted with people who are actually at the far left end of the political spectrum.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on May 01, 2021, 08:12:18 AM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on May 01, 2021, 07:13:18 AM
    Anyone who thinks this place is 'hard left' is sorely deluded. Perhaps they should practice some of the 'viewpoint diversity' they preach and become better acquainted with people who are actually at the far left end of the political spectrum.

    All you had to say was 'it's not 'hard left' it's something else. You didn't have to say 'deluded.'

    Y'all don't like the terms 'hard left' 'liberal elite' 'woke' and such. They are not necessarily compliments. Your friend James Carville gets that, and explains things, all except why he's still a registered democrat.

    https://www.vox.com/22338417/james-carville-democratic-party-biden-100-days



    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on May 01, 2021, 08:39:35 AM
    I'm probably among the furthest-left here. That much is true, I think. But I have two further facts that don't care about your feelings: (1) my particular political positioning is not very widely shared here, even if most posters are broadly leftish (I don't know that that's true, but it's plausible to me as long as we anchor 'leftish' to the imaginary centre), and (2) there's still a fair bit of stuff to my left. Spend some time with anarchist collectives--as I have, incidentally--and you'll see. Or, you know. Other countries with strong social-democratic movements.

    Edit: To be clear, what I'm saying is that while 'far left' may accurately describe me (I don't think it does, but I'm happy to embrace it), it is definitely not an accurate description of the general sentiment on these boards. There's far more 'viewpoint diversity' here than you seem to realize.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on May 01, 2021, 09:25:40 AM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on May 01, 2021, 08:39:35 AM
    Edit: To be clear, what I'm saying is that while 'far left' may accurately describe me (I don't think it does, but I'm happy to embrace it), it is definitely not an accurate description of the general sentiment on these boards. There's far more 'viewpoint diversity' here than you seem to realize.


    There might be, and if so I'd be more pleased than not, but the furthest-left still gets a wide berth.

    In general society, the whole nauseating wokeness-PC culture-'antiracist' mania is welcome for now because all it has to do to duck scrutiny is be preferable to Donald Trump and his reckless speech.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on May 03, 2021, 06:26:44 PM
    Someone gets to be controversial when I say they are. Not before.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: namazu on May 15, 2021, 07:55:29 PM
    I really enjoyed this turn of phrase:
    Quote from: Wahoo Redux on May 15, 2021, 07:49:57 PMright now my textual pillow is big and squishy and it needs to go to bed.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: RatGuy on May 17, 2021, 07:17:56 AM
    Quote from: Caracal on May 17, 2021, 06:18:23 AM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on May 17, 2021, 05:15:04 AM
    I can't remember where I read it, but one prof had a brilliant take on this. There were 2 due dates for a paper; early and final. Papers submitted by the "early" date would get detailed comments, and would be returned so students could revise and resubmit. Papers submitted by the "final" date would just get graded; no comments at all. The few students motivated enough to submit by the early date would read the comments and benefit; the vast majority who submitted at the "final" date didn't care about comments, and the prof didn't need to waste time on them.

    Maybe I'll try that sometime. My policy now is that if students want to meet with me, I'll happily read anything they give me and discuss ways to improve it with them.

    I posted about this Jedi Mind Trick in the Grading Thread last month. And I do hold meetings with students if they want special feedback. I also dedicate one day to an "optional workshop," usually about a week before the "first" deadline. In this workshop I ask students to read parts of their drafts aloud, and I'll make notes on the sheet they've given me. Students are allowed to attend without a draft (so as to just listen and/or ask questions). The workshop means that to get feedback students need to start working on the project early. It also means that the "I don't know where to start" students get a good chance to hear how others are progressing.

    So often the students who submit before the "first" deadline are students from whom I've already seen project drafts, and I've got an idea of their direction. It also allows me to say "don't email me with a paragraph to ask 'am I on the right track,' because I won't. That's what the class workshop and office hours are for." My goal is to reinforce good study habits in them, while eliminating the trouble (and guilt) of dealing with or not deal with last-minute slackers.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on May 18, 2021, 04:26:44 PM
    Do people who may pride themselves on having 'had the last word' on many recent threads realize that also makes them a threadkiller?

    And Fiona did it better....

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on May 18, 2021, 07:04:21 PM
    These threads are not dead. They are differently living.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on May 19, 2021, 12:26:05 PM
    There's no getting in the last word around here, anyway.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on May 19, 2021, 12:28:42 PM
    Honest!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: bacardiandlime on May 22, 2021, 08:54:24 AM
    Why do you post here? You clearly don't like the answers you get.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on May 22, 2021, 02:11:41 PM
    Quote from: bacardiandlime on May 22, 2021, 08:54:24 AM
    Why do you post here? You clearly don't like the answers you get.

    1. Sometimes I do like the 'answers.'
    2. I've been invited to post.
    3. Sometimes I learn. The last person I learned something really important from was Writingprof. But there have been others.
    4. Critical race theory indoctrination is dangerous and needs to be fought. At the very least, watched vigilantly.

    Why do you read the news? Do you like the news?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: bacardiandlime on May 22, 2021, 05:58:57 PM
    I don't read your threads. So it's funny you thought this was about you.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: bio-nonymous on May 26, 2021, 06:53:57 AM
    Not about any other posts upstream on this thread:

    WOW! A whole lot of totalitarianism advocated up in here...
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Cheerful on May 26, 2021, 07:15:50 AM
    Why do I bother to try to help?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on May 26, 2021, 08:00:15 AM
    [Unrelated]

    Yeah, I bet you do.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on May 28, 2021, 05:20:37 AM
    ^Unrelated.

    Your exoskeleton is weighting you down.

    You need to shed it and let your already-formed endoskeleton do that work.

    Losing a carapace is scary.

    But it can be too great a burden to be useful, too.

    Trust your endoskeleton. Truly.

    Let it get stronger and do the work it's made to do.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on May 28, 2021, 06:42:02 AM
    That's either a reading fail, or a comprehension fail.

    It looks deliberate either way.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ergative on May 28, 2021, 10:17:28 AM
    It really warms my heart to see how earnestly people are engaging with the topic. I'm also a little surprised it's still going; but then, it's a famous puzzle.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on June 04, 2021, 06:18:47 AM
    You would rather be right than happy.  So, keep convincing yourself you are right.

    There, happy now?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on June 04, 2021, 10:19:19 AM
    Cloaks and capes on sale in aisle 7....

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: lightning on June 23, 2021, 10:02:28 AM
    Wait for it . . . here it comes . . .

    the predictable and inevitable "Oh, yeah?!? Well, what about <something unrelated>"
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on July 03, 2021, 06:35:25 AM
    Promised myself I wasn't gonna go on too much about George Floyd so I redacted and left a

    /

    I also find Parasail's posts interesting and informative although we aren't always on the same side. I appreciate the trouble to share thoughts.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ergative on July 03, 2021, 10:50:52 AM
    I'm with your brother on that one.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Istiblennius on July 10, 2021, 01:54:17 PM
    It's exhausting to experience your worldview, but it must be far more exhausting to be you.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on July 10, 2021, 06:39:13 PM
    speak for yourself.

    Ask a simple question like 'why is "black" suddenly capitalized while "white" is not?' and folks run for cover. These are the people who like 'difficult conversations.'
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on July 15, 2021, 07:44:00 AM
    Racist arithmetic:

    If the police kill three unarmed purple and seven unarmed green people during 2021 and you are an activist protesting police brutality, how many faces appear on your placards?

    Three.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on July 15, 2021, 08:02:22 AM
    Unrelated.


    Enough with the Schadenfreude and social Darwinism at the news that more people are now dying of COVID in places where vaccine hesitancy is high.  I live in one of those regions.  These are human beings.  They're my neighbors, black, white, and Hispanic.  They're horribly misguided, for a variety of reasons, most of which have little to do with the mindless adherence to certain political identities that some seem to assume is the problem.  None of this makes them any less human beings.  It's a tragedy that so many of them are taking such needless risks.  Their illnesses and deaths, whatever their age, ethnicity, or religious or political affiliation, are a tragedy.  That fellow human beings are so accustomed to seeing everything through the lens of partisan politics they assume that anybody who refuses the vaccine must be a member of the "wrong" party whom they're happy to see die is a tragedy.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on July 15, 2021, 08:20:06 AM
    Quote from: apl68 on July 15, 2021, 08:02:22 AM
    Unrelated.


    Enough with the Schadenfreude and social Darwinism at the news that more people are now dying of COVID in places where vaccine hesitancy is high.  I live in one of those regions.  These are human beings.  They're my neighbors, black, white, and Hispanic.  They're horribly misguided, for a variety of reasons, most of which have little to do with the mindless adherence to certain political identities that some seem to assume is the problem.  None of this makes them any less human beings.  It's a tragedy that so many of them are taking such needless risks.  Their illnesses and deaths, whatever their age, ethnicity, or religious or political affiliation, are a tragedy.  That fellow human beings are so accustomed to seeing everything through the lens of partisan politics they assume that anybody who refuses the vaccine must be a member of the "wrong" party whom they're happy to see die is a tragedy.

    You have to wonder whether they wouldn't view their upper-middle class peers who voted for the "right" party but didn't want to give their kids normal vaccinations because of the fear of autism (or whatever) with much more sympathy, even though it's the exact same issue of being horribly misguided.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on July 15, 2021, 09:38:09 AM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on July 15, 2021, 08:20:06 AM
    Quote from: apl68 on July 15, 2021, 08:02:22 AM
    Unrelated.


    Enough with the Schadenfreude and social Darwinism at the news that more people are now dying of COVID in places where vaccine hesitancy is high.  I live in one of those regions.  These are human beings.  They're my neighbors, black, white, and Hispanic.  They're horribly misguided, for a variety of reasons, most of which have little to do with the mindless adherence to certain political identities that some seem to assume is the problem.  None of this makes them any less human beings.  It's a tragedy that so many of them are taking such needless risks.  Their illnesses and deaths, whatever their age, ethnicity, or religious or political affiliation, are a tragedy.  That fellow human beings are so accustomed to seeing everything through the lens of partisan politics they assume that anybody who refuses the vaccine must be a member of the "wrong" party whom they're happy to see die is a tragedy.

    You have to wonder whether they wouldn't view their upper-middle class peers who voted for the "right" party but didn't want to give their kids normal vaccinations because of the fear of autism (or whatever) with much more sympathy, even though it's the exact same issue of being horribly misguided.

    Marshwiggle, you raise a valid point as far as it goes.  But I can't help seeing the irony in your reflexive use of my cri de coeur post about insensitive expressions of political partisanship as a platform for scoring partisan political points, thereby extending an open invitation to turn this into yet another partisan slap-fight.  This habit is very similar to the sort of thing I'm complaining about, even though it's a far less vile example.  Please don't.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on July 15, 2021, 10:06:19 AM
    Quote from: apl68 on July 15, 2021, 09:38:09 AM

    Marshwiggle, you raise a valid point as far as it goes.  But I can't help seeing the irony in your reflexive use of my cri de coeur post about insensitive expressions of political partisanship as a platform for scoring partisan political points, thereby extending an open invitation to turn this into yet another partisan slap-fight.  This habit is very similar to the sort of thing I'm complaining about, even though it's a far less vile example.  Please don't.

    Sorry. That wasn't my intent. I was trying (and perhaps failing) to give an example of how behaviour that is criticized in one context may be treated with more sympathy in another.

    As you say, human beings who suffer, even if due to some of their own failings, deserve some compassion. For a long time, it was the case that people were encouraged to try to see what they have in common with people whom they perceive to be different than themselves, but the rise of identity politics (on both ends of the political spectrum) has turned that upside down and disparaged the idea of trying to see what you have in common. This leads to exactly the lack of compassion that you're talking about.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ergative on July 16, 2021, 10:34:17 AM
    Unrelated

    . . . wow. Just . . . *shakes head* wow.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on July 19, 2021, 08:56:05 AM
    Troll Song

    No one's forcing you to read me,
    (I'm a troll, I'm a troll, I'm a troll)
    No one's forcing you to heed me,
    (I'm a troll, I'm a troll, I'm a troll)

    You're the one denying my Truth,
    You're the one jealous of my virility and Youth,
    Why not just use the function of scroll...
    Oh, I'm a troll, I'm a troll, I'm a troll.

    Well, it's not exactly Brecht and Weil, but it's a first draft.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: San Joaquin on July 21, 2021, 09:03:43 PM
    Maybe I should pay attention to the fact that I have repeatedly misread that thread title as "Vacation Nation".
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on July 22, 2021, 06:26:45 AM
    Quote from: San Joaquin on July 21, 2021, 09:03:43 PM
    Maybe I should pay attention to the fact that I have repeatedly misread that thread title as "Vacation Nation".

    I had a passing thought along those lines a couple weeks ago, but didn't get around to posting it.

    Yes. Agree.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on July 22, 2021, 06:33:57 AM
    Maybe we can just have the government keep printing money forever. Everybody stays home. Yeah, works for me!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on July 22, 2021, 07:46:28 AM
    I never liked a movie enough to see it more than a few times. Seeing a movie more than that would spoil it for me.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on July 22, 2021, 10:35:47 AM
    I used to go to the movies with Nostradamus, but no more.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on July 22, 2021, 11:32:33 AM
    Quote from: downer on July 22, 2021, 07:46:28 AM
    I never liked a movie enough to see it more than a few times. Seeing a movie more than that would spoil it for me.

    Same for me. If I've seen a movie more than a few times, it's because somebody else chose to watch it and I was there. (About the only things I've chosen to see several times are How the Grinch Stole Christmas and A Charlie Brown Christmas. And that would still be at most once a year.)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on July 27, 2021, 04:02:54 PM
    Famous, vain movie actor: "I starred in ________ _ ________. You know my work."
    Maxwell Smart: "Right. I liked it so much, I saw it once."

    Carol Channing: "I do so love going to the movies, don't you? Just once, I'd like to see a picture as good as the one they're showing next week."

    She was a gem! Loved her.

    Not related: I've figured out what your problem is. You think nothing could be worse than President Donald Trump (again). There are things that could be vastly worse, and if we're not careful, we may find out what they're like.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: namazu on July 28, 2021, 11:45:06 AM
    Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: namazu on July 28, 2021, 04:31:34 PM
    Aside to my aside: As I was looking up the origin of ^that expression, I discovered that I may deploy it differently than others. Hmm.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on July 28, 2021, 04:33:49 PM
    A poll, like:

    How many of you diners at posh city restaurants like violent crime? Does it make the right statement, or does it need tweaking? What's the correct way to interpret the voting?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Istiblennius on July 30, 2021, 04:35:10 PM
    Thanks for the reminder that you can't fix stupid.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ciao_yall on July 30, 2021, 07:07:01 PM
    Haven't you already broken all your crayons by now?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on August 08, 2021, 08:50:17 AM
    My brother is a conspiracy-loving idiot.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on August 12, 2021, 05:45:58 PM
    So how many different people actually post on your account? Or do you have multiple personalities?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on August 12, 2021, 09:27:56 PM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on August 12, 2021, 05:45:58 PM
    So how many different people actually post on your account? Or do you have multiple personalities?

    Leave your name and I'll tell them you stopped by.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on August 17, 2021, 05:11:55 PM
    you can stalk me and respond, or you can boast about ignoring me. But doing both is funny.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Liquidambar on August 23, 2021, 11:46:04 AM
    It's like the blind leading the blind, but I can't be bothered to type my more experienced opinion.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on August 25, 2021, 06:36:51 PM
    Was "lit behind" supposed to be "bit behind"?  Both version made sense in context but convey opposite meanings.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 06, 2021, 02:18:26 AM
    I was always a pretty good speller, but I'm not going to delve into a NYT spelling bee, not now. Not when proper spelling is going to reinforce white supremacy.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on September 12, 2021, 02:53:43 PM
    More of a musing than aside. I'm going to guess Howard students are fine with her hire.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 13, 2021, 03:54:05 AM
    In a last minute effort to boost Larry Elder's political career, President Biden will be in California today campaigning for Gaviner Newsom.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on September 13, 2021, 05:17:27 AM
    That YOU is an "if the shoe fits, wear it" you.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 13, 2021, 07:18:46 AM
    I agreed with your statement, but I note that if you write

    "People have reasons for what they do.  Imagining the most nefarious reasons doesn't bring you closer to understanding them, or them you.  Well, maybe we do understand you (and it isn't good)."

    As opposed to

    "People have reasons for what they do.  Imagining the most nefarious reasons doesn't bring you closer to understanding them, or them you.  Well, maybe I do understand you (and it isn't good).

    It sounds quite different to me.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on September 13, 2021, 09:23:12 AM
    ^ Unrelated.

    Well, Bildad and Eliphaz have weighed in. Will Zophar and Elihu be next, I wonder?

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on September 13, 2021, 09:59:58 AM
    Quote from: mahagonny on September 13, 2021, 07:18:46 AM
    I agreed with your statement, but I note that if you write

    "People have reasons for what they do.  Imagining the most nefarious reasons doesn't bring you closer to understanding them, or them you.  Well, maybe we do understand you (and it isn't good)."

    As opposed to

    "People have reasons for what they do.  Imagining the most nefarious reasons doesn't bring you closer to understanding them, or them you.  Well, maybe I do understand you (and it isn't good).

    It sounds quite different to me.

    Royal "WE".
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 14, 2021, 07:39:13 AM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on September 12, 2021, 02:53:43 PM
    More of a musing than aside. I'm going to guess Howard students are fine with her hire.

    Good guess, considering that saying anything other than 'wow, she's a genius' would get one branded as an Uncle Tom or a racist.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Langue_doc on September 14, 2021, 08:39:29 AM
    What on earth is  geneious?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on September 14, 2021, 01:27:02 PM
    Quote from: mahagonny on September 14, 2021, 07:39:13 AM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on September 12, 2021, 02:53:43 PM
    More of a musing than aside. I'm going to guess Howard students are fine with her hire.

    Good guess, considering that saying anything other than 'wow, she's a genius' would get one branded as an Uncle Tom or a racist.

    Or perhaps that journalism students at a prestigious HBCU will be thrilled to be in a class with an African American investigative journalist who has won both a Pulitzer and a MacArthur grant.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 14, 2021, 06:43:41 PM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on September 14, 2021, 01:27:02 PM
    Quote from: mahagonny on September 14, 2021, 07:39:13 AM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on September 12, 2021, 02:53:43 PM
    More of a musing than aside. I'm going to guess Howard students are fine with her hire.

    Good guess, considering that saying anything other than 'wow, she's a genius' would get one branded as an Uncle Tom or a racist.

    Or perhaps that journalism students at a prestigious HBCU will be thrilled to be in a class with an African American investigative journalist who has won both a Pulitzer and a MacArthur grant.

    Well, why don't they? they are young still, and one can pass ignorance on the way to knowledge.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on September 15, 2021, 05:13:24 AM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on September 14, 2021, 01:27:02 PM
    Quote from: mahagonny on September 14, 2021, 07:39:13 AM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on September 12, 2021, 02:53:43 PM
    More of a musing than aside. I'm going to guess Howard students are fine with her hire.

    Good guess, considering that saying anything other than 'wow, she's a genius' would get one branded as an Uncle Tom or a racist.

    Or perhaps that journalism students at a prestigious HBCU will be thrilled to be in a class with an African American investigative journalist who has won both a Pulitzer and a MacArthur grant.

    They may be, but it may confuse them a bit about how academia normally works, and what is required for someone to become a professor, and what is required to get tenure.

    Olympic medals and Nobel prizes are both great honours, but they're not interchangeable in who gets them and why. They both have higher value by being distinct.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 15, 2021, 06:42:01 AM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on September 15, 2021, 05:13:24 AM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on September 14, 2021, 01:27:02 PM
    Quote from: mahagonny on September 14, 2021, 07:39:13 AM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on September 12, 2021, 02:53:43 PM
    More of a musing than aside. I'm going to guess Howard students are fine with her hire.

    Good guess, considering that saying anything other than 'wow, she's a genius' would get one branded as an Uncle Tom or a racist.

    Or perhaps that journalism students at a prestigious HBCU will be thrilled to be in a class with an African American investigative journalist who has won both a Pulitzer and a MacArthur grant.

    They may be, but it may confuse them a bit about how academia normally works, and what is required for someone to become a professor, and what is required to get tenure.

    Olympic medals and Nobel prizes are both great honours, but they're not interchangeable in who gets them and why. They both have higher value by being distinct.

    there's not much confusing about hypocrisy once you've seen enough of it.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 18, 2021, 06:25:29 AM
    The only reason Dr. Suess is active now is I've been goosing it. Otherwise the forum is quiet. Me, the pariah, the troll. You're welcome/.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on September 18, 2021, 10:34:59 AM
    Geez, man, way to hog all the credit.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on September 18, 2021, 11:26:18 AM
    ^ Unrelated.

    Fine, ignore the responses of those with some experience.

    I suppose next you'll be man'splaining my abusive former marriage to me.

    M. 
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 18, 2021, 12:05:05 PM
    Quote from: little bongo on September 18, 2021, 10:34:59 AM
    Geez, man, way to hog all the credit.

    Hey if you want troll status, you'll have to earn it like the rest of us. There's work involved.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 21, 2021, 03:16:00 AM
    My theory, viewing this from afar, as it's not my field, is in matters involving race particularly, we are now at a point where the upsetting nature of some of our history, simply told in stark language, is overlaid with the current mania over what these events say about each of us in the  room and our purported complicity in what happened between people who are not us, many decades ago. Strikingly close to something we used to call 'guilt by association' and it used to be considered poor thinking.  But now it's mainstream - almost. (Yet it falls short of even the standard required for guilt by association, which required that at least the implicated party knew the guilty party personally in some way.)

    And I am not attriributing this vexing problem to the instructor or the poster. It's something we woke up one day and found ourselves in. that is my sense.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ciao_yall on October 08, 2021, 07:07:45 AM
    I don't know. How do you spell "boring?"
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on October 08, 2021, 11:57:16 AM
    +1

    Yeah, pretty blah. No pot to be stirred there. Sometimes it's a swing and a miss.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on October 14, 2021, 03:06:30 PM
    Sugar is Not a Treat (https://youtu.be/tic7X3ET4gE)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 16, 2021, 11:45:26 AM
    I was making a lame joke about spelling. 'Ejected' has one less letter than 'rejected' so it's even swifter. I was pretty hard on Polly_Mer although not really, because most readers have me on the 'ignore' setting anyway.

    related to something else herein:
    Well, besides, how many times can you say 'CRT is an extremely deft, important discovery about American life that desperately needs to be never understood by middle America deplorables, except for their children, who will then fix everything difficult about the world by hating themselves. And that's why you need to leave us alone so we can begin the hard work of not teaching it' before people start noticing you're just a lying asshole.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 17, 2021, 09:46:32 AM
    one-offing myself

    ...cause really, most academics I run into these days are pretty much resigned to hating all republicans, long term. And not seeing themselves or their attitude as representing any kind of systemic dysfunction.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on October 18, 2021, 02:55:03 PM
    Has there ever been a novel or movie imagining what would happen should those in power in the US become unwilling to engage in corruption and war mongering? It might need to be a dark comedy.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on October 18, 2021, 04:02:25 PM
    Quote from: downer on October 18, 2021, 02:55:03 PM
    Has there ever been a novel or movie imagining what would happen should those in power in the US become unwilling to engage in corruption and war mongering? It might need to be a dark comedy.

    This could mean just about anything. To some, total isolationism, even in the face of genocide, is the only reasonable option.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 19, 2021, 04:07:20 AM
    Quote from: downer on October 18, 2021, 02:55:03 PM
    Has there ever been a novel or movie imagining what would happen should those in power in the US become unwilling to engage in corruption and war mongering? It might need to be a dark comedy.

    Serpico.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: RatGuy on October 20, 2021, 06:19:53 AM
    Quote from: Hegemony on October 19, 2021, 06:55:26 PM
    People do have all kinds of objections to things, some silly, some less so. I once worked in a place where a co-worker went ballistic because the maintenance people had opened the package of toilet paper and left some sitting in the bag while waiting to be put on the roll. My co-worker thought that this would pollute the toilet paper and make it unsafe (but not when it got put on the roll — don't ask me, I'm just reporting).

    When I was in grad school, a departmental administrator sued the department, university, and a few individuals because one of the office GAs brought her pet rabbit to campus. Apparently the student was unaware that the admin had a rabbit phobia, and argued that the rabbit served as direct and malicious torment. And while there was no op-ed about it, there was an angry rant on the departmental listserv.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: lightning on October 20, 2021, 09:04:15 AM
    Quote from: RatGuy on October 20, 2021, 06:19:53 AM
    Quote from: Hegemony on October 19, 2021, 06:55:26 PM
    People do have all kinds of objections to things, some silly, some less so. I once worked in a place where a co-worker went ballistic because the maintenance people had opened the package of toilet paper and left some sitting in the bag while waiting to be put on the roll. My co-worker thought that this would pollute the toilet paper and make it unsafe (but not when it got put on the roll — don't ask me, I'm just reporting).

    When I was in grad school, a departmental administrator sued the department, university, and a few individuals because one of the office GAs brought her pet rabbit to campus. Apparently the student was unaware that the admin had a rabbit phobia, and argued that the rabbit served as direct and malicious torment. And while there was no op-ed about it, there was an angry rant on the departmental listserv.


    The department admin may have been attacked by the bunny from Monty Python's Holy Grail.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on October 20, 2021, 09:56:59 AM
    If it was in fact the Holy Grail Bunny I would argue that the admin would be as lively as a Norwegian Blue.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on October 20, 2021, 10:09:31 AM
    Quote from: lightning on October 20, 2021, 09:04:15 AM
    Quote from: RatGuy on October 20, 2021, 06:19:53 AM
    Quote from: Hegemony on October 19, 2021, 06:55:26 PM
    People do have all kinds of objections to things, some silly, some less so. I once worked in a place where a co-worker went ballistic because the maintenance people had opened the package of toilet paper and left some sitting in the bag while waiting to be put on the roll. My co-worker thought that this would pollute the toilet paper and make it unsafe (but not when it got put on the roll — don't ask me, I'm just reporting).

    When I was in grad school, a departmental administrator sued the department, university, and a few individuals because one of the office GAs brought her pet rabbit to campus. Apparently the student was unaware that the admin had a rabbit phobia, and argued that the rabbit served as direct and malicious torment. And while there was no op-ed about it, there was an angry rant on the departmental listserv.


    The department admin may have been attacked by the bunny from Monty Python's Holy Grail.

    In which case the department admin was fortunate to have survived!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: lightning on October 20, 2021, 10:24:33 AM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on October 20, 2021, 09:56:59 AM
    If it was in fact the Holy Grail Bunny I would argue that the admin would be as lively as a Norwegian Blue.

    . . . . tired after a prolonged squawk
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 26, 2021, 09:42:16 AM
    Higher Education is in no position to lecture its workforce about something they call 'inclusion.'
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on October 28, 2021, 10:57:56 AM
    Hitchens' Razor: "What can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence."
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on October 28, 2021, 11:38:59 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on October 28, 2021, 10:57:56 AM
    Hitchens' Razor: "What can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence."

    That's nice. Christopher or Peter?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on October 28, 2021, 03:16:39 PM
    ^ Unrelated.

    Not gonna derail that thread further, now it seems to be wobbling back on track.

    But, nope, it's down to a guy (as in, male):

       https://variety.com/2021/film/news/rust-shooting-armorer-live-ammo-1235098840/

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on October 28, 2021, 05:47:40 PM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on October 28, 2021, 11:38:59 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on October 28, 2021, 10:57:56 AM
    Hitchens' Razor: "What can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence."

    That's nice. Christopher or Peter?

    Christopher
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 29, 2021, 03:38:54 PM
    Who cares whether Hillary is frustrated? Is she special?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on October 30, 2021, 06:42:23 AM
    'Nuh Uh' isn't an argument.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: AmLitHist on October 30, 2021, 11:05:25 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on October 30, 2021, 06:42:23 AM
    'Nuh Uh' isn't an argument.
    Nuh Huh.  Is SO.

    (Sorry.  Couldn't resist.)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: permanent imposter on October 30, 2021, 02:31:27 PM
    You complain that no one compares about your problem but when others bring it up, you act like it's your exclusive domain and no one else is allowed to comment. Why?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 30, 2021, 03:27:20 PM
    Anyone can comment, but that includes me.

    Because they the participants invariably want to do one or more of three things:

    1. Allege that reports of poor adjuncts are overstated
    2. Shame adjunct faculty for accepting their positions, when they should be grateful that work is done at all for that amount of pay
    3. Impress readers that they, the poster, are an adjunct but they are 'not like those other adjuncts, the ones we pretend to care about and make fun of.'

    There's no point in discussing the situation as if it were problem when it is long implemented as a solution, with widespread complicity.

    ETA: If you state
    'the number of unarmed black men killed by police in the USA in 2019 was not 1,000, not 100, but eight' then the typical academic reaction is 'so what. That's eight that happened because of racism, proving that we need to have mostly peaceful demonstrations in which squad cars are set on fire.' If you say 'the number of homeless adjuncts is not 100,000. It is 5,000' then the reaction is 'oh. So what then. It's not a problem. It's a few idiots who don't know enough to come in out of the rain.'
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 30, 2021, 08:01:15 PM
    Funny thing about the Wacky FL thread though: it's always the minority faculty (tenure track) who know what the rules are. I've been at my uni longer than most forumites. But I don't know squat about the rules for faculty. For one thing, I haven't been to, nor expected at, a meeting in five years. For another, you don't need rules to keep half your faculty from having a big mouth. All you need is people who'll sign a contract that ends in four months or less and a chair who struggles, perfunctorily, to learn their names.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: RatGuy on November 05, 2021, 05:51:21 AM
    I can't be the only one who thinks that one thread about student papers is a crock.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on November 05, 2021, 12:12:36 PM
    Haven't had a good old-fashioned hoax thread in a while, so it's an interesting possibility. It's not my favorite kind of role-playing, but I know it has its appeal for some.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: lightning on November 05, 2021, 09:52:31 PM
    Quote from: little bongo on November 05, 2021, 12:12:36 PM
    Haven't had a good old-fashioned hoax thread in a while, so it's an interesting possibility. It's not my favorite kind of role-playing, but I know it has its appeal for some.

    I don't miss the numerous lascivious threads about inappropriate relationships with students, on the old CHE. I wouldn't have bothered to click on the only one I have seen on the new fora, but the OP's double-barreled question got me to click.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Langue_doc on November 06, 2021, 04:02:38 AM
    Quote from: lightning on November 05, 2021, 09:52:31 PM
    Quote from: little bongo on November 05, 2021, 12:12:36 PM
    Haven't had a good old-fashioned hoax thread in a while, so it's an interesting possibility. It's not my favorite kind of role-playing, but I know it has its appeal for some.

    I don't miss the numerous lascivious threads about inappropriate relationships with students, on the old CHE. I wouldn't have bothered to click on the only one I have seen on the new fora, but the OP's double-barreled question got me to click.

    Someone's looking for ideas for a novel about prof/stu relationships?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on November 09, 2021, 10:58:13 AM
    Every time you talk, another student enrolls at Austin University.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 09, 2021, 11:32:02 AM
    Fuck me, I leave for a week and come back to all this?!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on November 09, 2021, 04:40:11 PM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on November 09, 2021, 11:32:02 AM
    Fuck me, I leave for a week and come back to all this?!

    I know. There are now three more threads that I just plain have to ignore.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on November 09, 2021, 07:49:06 PM
    (possibly related)

    I'm not even sure it rises to the level of defending prejudice. More along the lines of, "Hi, I'm [troll], and I don't have to respect language; I'm just here to mess with you." As Led Zeppelin once noted, "the song remains the same."
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on November 10, 2021, 02:56:32 AM
    Or as Led Zeppelin once also said 'hey little 14 year old girl (Lori Maddox) you are about to be abducted and taken on the road for a sex slave.'

    [unrelated]

    If you want to explain bigotry to a child today in a way that can be expected to make sense to him and comport with his power to observe everyday situations or discussion, then you have left out a few things. While it would be useful to tell a kid it's dumb and wrong to be prejudiced against red-haired people, there is more. You should also tell him one who believes that though it is well known that all 'races' of people have forcibly enslaved groups of people over the course of human history (and some still are doing it today) it would be bigoted, and wrong, to conclude that only one nation or one 'race' is eminently, inherently immoral for having done it at some point in the past.
    This kind of explanation would be more vivid, accurate and complete for a young person to hear whereas we don't generally meet anyone who's biased against red hair (though it's possible) but expressions of hatred for white America have been getting pretty common.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on November 11, 2021, 09:12:05 AM
    Damn!  Just when I think you are starting to make sense, you go and say something stupid and I have to go back to ignoring you.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 12, 2021, 11:32:39 AM
    Poorly.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on November 16, 2021, 05:43:09 PM
    Great idea!
    While I'm making the rounds at Breitbart that you can go down to Virginia. Go to the Loudon County school board meeting and tell the white parents about the ugliness and hate deep in their children's souls. You'll probably run into a 280 lb truck driver named Mort with tattoos on his face, but he won't give you any trouble. Just tell him you're a friend of mine.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on November 19, 2021, 08:59:34 AM
    [unrelated]

    That particular thread might have the most nearly-perfect ending ever. Even though there might be more to say, I kind of hope no one messes with it.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on November 24, 2021, 06:21:22 AM
    For a big laugh, watch Dave Chappelle's 'the racial draft.' Hilarious.

    And in that spirit, you just been reassigned, friend. Keeping a loaded pistol in the home, defending pasty-faced Kyle R? Sure sounds like a right-wing bigot to me! You're the liberal who's just been mugged. Tough luck, redneck.
    Breitbart! Breitbart!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: hungry_ghost on November 24, 2021, 09:05:49 AM
    I also bear grudges and stopped posting for a while because of a poster's total dickishness, but in this case it was the pot not the kettle.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on November 27, 2021, 11:41:20 AM
    Qanon is neither conservative nor liberal. It is simply a hodgepodge of all kinds of craziness.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on November 27, 2021, 12:08:14 PM
    Now there are six threads I don't read anymore...

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on December 01, 2021, 11:31:07 AM
    Just say the word, and I'll stop responding nicely for a month. You're worried about political correctness, after all. Well, I'm getting tired of self-censoring.

    Or maybe I'm just tired and cranky today. Sigh.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on December 01, 2021, 01:12:40 PM
    If it's the thread I'm thinking of, it's also been added to my "ignore" pile.

    At least we can talk about the weather, our research, and our cats without too much angst.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on December 01, 2021, 02:46:50 PM
    does your computer have a feature where a thing pops out now and then to tell you how many minutes per day you spend ignoring people?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on December 01, 2021, 02:55:03 PM
    Nope, I just count it productive time gained.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on December 01, 2021, 03:07:15 PM
    For others, too.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on December 01, 2021, 03:45:47 PM
    <unrelated to previous post>
    Indeed, no point in engaging certain posters, really.  Nothing changes except one's blood pressure.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on December 03, 2021, 04:45:07 AM
    Of course, how stupid of me! That's not what a terrorist is. A terrorist is a person who's upset because the school board and teachers' union think her son needs to perform oral sex on older men. Thank you, progressives, for helping my understand what progress is.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on December 03, 2021, 06:52:10 AM
    The latest unpleasantness on the "Remembrance" thread is discouraging, but I had already been discouraged from posting on it by a certain poster's using it as an opportunity to dance on the grave of a public figure he didn't like.  It's a little ironic that that pot is now calling the kettle black, however accurate that particular observation may be.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 03, 2021, 07:14:09 AM
    Quote from: apl68 on December 03, 2021, 06:52:10 AM
    The latest unpleasantness on the "Remembrance" thread is discouraging, but I had already been discouraged from posting on it by a certain poster's using it as an opportunity to dance on the grave of a public figure he didn't like.  It's a little ironic that that pot is now calling the kettle black, however accurate that particular observation may be.

    This shit pisses me off too. Sorry, I'm feeling a little crass this morning. I have a wake and funeral to attend of a 24 year old young man. :(
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on December 03, 2021, 07:20:07 AM
    I wouldn't have said I'd danced, but hey. It pisses me off when we sanitize someone's reputation post-mortem when they're responsible for mass deaths and other crimes against humanity.

    But FWIW, my recent intervention was in my moderator's capacity, at the request of a few members. Sometimes the things I do as an individual are inconsistent with the things I have to do as a mod. Them's the breaks.

    I could strive for greater consistency, but not unless we rethink our free-for-all posting guidelines. I generally hold myself to a pretty high standard, but I'm only human.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on December 03, 2021, 07:54:34 AM
    Let the record show that Para, the most openly far-left reader of the forum, is also a moderator.

    ETA: Probably why it's upheld by the moderator that it's OK for someone to deny that an obviously terrorist act, allegedly carried out by a member of a group with permanent generalized victim status (according to the left) was an of terrorism, and then declare the discussion is over.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on December 03, 2021, 10:00:37 AM
    Quote from: mahagonny on December 03, 2021, 07:54:34 AM
    Let the record show that Para, the most openly far-left reader of the forum, is also a moderator.

    ETA: Probably why it's upheld by the moderator that it's OK for someone to deny that an obviously terrorist act, allegedly carried out by a member of a group with permanent generalized victim status (according to the left) was an of terrorism, and then declare the discussion is over.

    The thread. The thread is over. The discussion doesn't have to be--put it in a different thread, or create a new one. Tu connais la musique.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on December 03, 2021, 10:08:22 AM
    I can't start a thread like 'what is a terrorist' because spork and mamselle will firebomb it. They know that. So, not to be contrary, but I fear you are incorrect. The discussion was intentionally effectively stopped.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on December 03, 2021, 11:04:16 AM
    Quote from: mahagonny on December 03, 2021, 10:08:22 AM
    I can't start a thread like 'what is a terrorist' because spork and mamselle will firebomb it. They know that. So, not to be contrary, but I fear you are incorrect. The discussion was intentionally effectively stopped.

    When I was in high school, Gwynne Dyer came to give a talk on what terrorism is. I schooled him in the Q&A, and shortly after he wrote a column making the points I'd made against him (without attribution, of course). So there.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on December 03, 2021, 01:06:56 PM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on December 03, 2021, 11:04:16 AM
    Quote from: mahagonny on December 03, 2021, 10:08:22 AM
    I can't start a thread like 'what is a terrorist' because spork and mamselle will firebomb it. They know that. So, not to be contrary, but I fear you are incorrect. The discussion was intentionally effectively stopped.

    When I was in high school, Gwynne Dyer came to give a talk on what terrorism is. I schooled him in the Q&A, and shortly after he wrote a column making the points I'd made against him (without attribution, of course). So there.

    I read some articles by Gwynne Dyer years ago.  I didn't realize that he was still active.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on December 03, 2021, 02:43:48 PM
    I think the original (CHE-based) RIP thread had a specific delineation for that thread, having to do with using it only for posting information, not opinions, and for not continuing broad conversations on it, as I recall.

    It was a bit like rules for the HOF thread: no analysis, just the post being HOF'd.

    The CHE having taken down all vestiges of the old forum, I can't confirm that, but it runs in my mind that something similar might need to be worked out; maybe a pinned entry can be located at the head of the thread, or something could be included in the Fora House Rules.

    It just seems hugely disrespectful to start nattering on about ones pet peeves on a thread meant to maintain more dignity around the end of a life.

    And there are a number of threads where those pet peeves get aired on a daily, even hourly, even minute-by-minute basis: Take them there, if you really need to air them yet again.

    I will say that I take seeing my name linked with Spork's as a compliment.

    Thanks.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on December 03, 2021, 03:29:13 PM
    Quote from: mamselle on December 03, 2021, 02:43:48 PM
    I think the original (CHE-based) RIP thread had a specific delineation for that thread, having to do with using it only for posting information, not opinions, and for not continuing broad conversations on it, as I recall.

    It was a bit like rules for the HOF thread: no analysis, just the post being HOF'd.

    The CHE having taken down all vestiges of the old forum, I can't confirm that, but it runs in my mind that something similar might need to be worked out; maybe a pinned entry can be located at the head of the thread, or something could be included in the Fora House Rules.

    It just seems hugely disrespectful to start nattering on about ones pet peeves on a thread meant to maintain more dignity around the end of a life.

    M.

    It's evident that we need such rules in place to make the memorial thread work.  Otherwise the temptation is just too great for some posters.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on December 03, 2021, 08:26:33 PM
    Hah...you're just another couple of crackers who need taking out.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on December 04, 2021, 04:46:21 AM
    Quote from: mamselle on December 03, 2021, 02:43:48 PM
    I think the original (CHE-based) RIP thread had a specific delineation for that thread, having to do with using it only for posting information, not opinions, and for not continuing broad conversations on it, as I recall.

    It was a bit like rules for the HOF thread: no analysis, just the post being HOF'd.

    The CHE having taken down all vestiges of the old forum, I can't confirm that, but it runs in my mind that something similar might need to be worked out; maybe a pinned entry can be located at the head of the thread, or something could be included in the Fora House Rules.

    It just seems hugely disrespectful to start nattering on about ones pet peeves on a thread meant to maintain more dignity around the end of a life.

    I will say that I take seeing my name linked with Spork's as a compliment.

    Thanks.

    M.

    Well, OK...I'm sure Spork is a great guy. I'm just saying it's kind of weird to say 'take this discussion elsewhere, it doesn't belong here' and then also bombard someone's thread with static to derail it.

    QuoteAnd there are a number of threads where those pet peeves get aired on a daily, even hourly, even minute-by-minute basis: Take them there, if you really need to air them yet again.

    There are I suspect certain sentiments that you wish didn't get heard even once on your forum, because they differ from your politics. Therefore the 'pet peeve' mantra.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on December 04, 2021, 07:00:00 AM
    Do we need an asides to the asides thread?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on December 04, 2021, 07:04:14 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on December 04, 2021, 07:00:00 AM
    Do we need an asides to the asides thread?

    There was one on the old fora, for the equivalent thread. Indeed, there was even a third level one that was active for a bit.

    I suspect it does nothing more than fuel the wankery.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on December 04, 2021, 03:47:24 PM
    I'm not sure if this is the appropriate spot, but ....

    I went to the funeral of my student and I feel a lot emptier now. It just broke me to see my other former students in tears.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Morden on December 04, 2021, 04:05:23 PM
    I'm so sorry evil_physics_witchcraft.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on December 05, 2021, 05:18:06 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on December 04, 2021, 07:00:00 AM
    Do we need an asides to the asides thread?

    Well, how about a place in real life where you can talk about the forum and what it conveys to you about the state of academic life, trends and productivity.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on December 05, 2021, 09:02:07 AM
    No, the mother grows a handlebar moustache.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: namazu on December 05, 2021, 02:57:31 PM
    Thank you, mamselle and dismalist, for encouraging moving and moving (respectively) the UBI discussion off the Colleges in Dire Financial Straits thread to its own thread!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on December 05, 2021, 04:02:52 PM
    Bien sur, de rien.

    Dismalist did all the heavy lifting with the quote function!

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: dismalist on December 05, 2021, 04:11:55 PM
    Quote from: mamselle on December 05, 2021, 04:02:52 PM
    Bien sur, de rien.

    Dismalist did all the heavy lifting with the quote function!

    M.

    Quote function? On two screens plus the copy function! This afternoon tea wine went down really slowly.

    Cheers, people.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on December 06, 2021, 06:32:38 AM
    Quote from: downer on December 04, 2021, 07:04:14 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on December 04, 2021, 07:00:00 AM
    Do we need an asides to the asides thread?

    There was one on the old fora, for the equivalent thread. Indeed, there was even a third level one that was active for a bit.

    I suspect it does nothing more than fuel the wankery.

    I agree.  We even had arguments about whether the third level was necessary, since the first level could be used to comment on the second level.  I'm content with just the one.  Discussion may break out here, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.  Depends.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: RatGuy on December 07, 2021, 01:58:55 PM
    Quote from: Anselm on December 07, 2021, 11:18:44 AM
    I have a brother who was at U of Alabama in the same building where Amy Bishop was shooting people.  He also was at Ohio State Univ. when they had a guy attacking people with a knife or machete and then was killed by campus police.

    The last time I was at OSU, some graduate students told me that there'd been a guy attacking people with a machete. Someone said, "No, he had a dinosaur bone." "Nope, pretty sure it was a machete." But none of them had more specific information so I was just assuming they were pulling my leg.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on December 07, 2021, 02:16:50 PM
    As a long-ago alumna, when was this? (I could look it up, of course..)

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: RatGuy on December 07, 2021, 07:42:47 PM
    Quote from: mamselle on December 07, 2021, 02:16:50 PM
    As a long-ago alumna, when was this? (I could look it up, of course..)

    M.

    October 2012. Also the first time I had Jeni's.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on December 07, 2021, 07:54:47 PM
    Ah, yes. Jeni's.

    There was a shop 5 blocks from my folks' home...not sure if it's still there, but I had a mango sorbet that was heavenly...

    By 2012, I was probably only visiting once or twice a year at that point, and didn't hear of the incident.

    I know the campus so well, it's sad to think of that happening there.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ab_grp on December 08, 2021, 10:09:25 AM
    Department printers can be such fun, especially when folks don't pick up what they printed in a timely fashion.  We had front pages for each print job for a while (that indicated who printed the doc) so that jobs were more easily separable, but then there was an outcry about wasted paper.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on December 08, 2021, 01:09:07 PM
    Quote from: ab_grp on December 08, 2021, 10:09:25 AM
    Department printers can be such fun, especially when folks don't pick up what they printed in a timely fashion.  We had front pages for each print job for a while (that indicated who printed the doc) so that jobs were more easily separable, but then there was an outcry about wasted paper.

    Having to print the biggest batch of checks you've had in weeks on a different printer because the one you normally use is also a lot of fun, when you're using numbered check forms.  Different printers pull papers in different directions.  I had a good deal of trial and error this morning--and ruined three checks--before I finally got it all worked out.  Then I had to ask the secretary at the Mayor's office if I could make file copies of the checks on their printer, since the machine that was down was also our staff photocopier (And the public photocopier at work that I might have used as an alternative was down as well!). 

    The copier repair technician had just arrived at the library when I came back from my morning's errands with the checks and file copies.  If only he could have arrived an hour or two earlier!  At least now both of our photocopiers are working.  They weren't exactly simple fixes, but at least they didn't involve having to wait who knows how long for replacement parts.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on December 08, 2021, 01:15:45 PM
    I know.

    Been there, done that.

    I worked for a few months as a temp in a hospital A/P office, and one of the jobs assigned to my desk was printing up individually-generated checks for all the ER docs, whose hours were always crazy.

    I once sat bolt upright, out of a deep sleep at 3 AM, and said, "I forgot to pay Dr. So-and-So!"

    I had to go in an hour early and hand-type it, so he'd get it in time.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on December 08, 2021, 01:23:05 PM
    Quote from: mamselle on December 08, 2021, 01:15:45 PM
    I know.

    Been there, done that.

    I worked for a few months as a temp in a hospital A/P office, and one of the jobs assigned to my desk was printing up individually-generated checks for all the ER docs, whose hours were always crazy.

    I once sat bolt upright, out of a deep sleep at 3 AM, and said, "I forgot to pay Dr. So-and-So!"

    I had to go in an hour early and hand-type it, so he'd get it in time.

    M.

    We're too small of an institution to have secretaries or payroll offices or anything of that sort, so I have to do all the payroll and bill paying.  While dealing with anything else that's going on that morning, like photocopier repair technicians or calls to the police (Which I did actually have to do today--a story for another thread).  Fortunately we have very regular hours and mostly regular schedules, and the Assistant Director handles the time sheets for me.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on December 22, 2021, 10:03:20 AM
    Not that that has ever stopped you.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on December 22, 2021, 11:25:03 AM
    If that's ^ the thread I'm thinking of, I knew I didn't want to join it.

    They're at it again.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on December 22, 2021, 05:50:30 PM
    Why cancha just play scrabble or cribbage in real life? Let the computer rest.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on December 22, 2021, 08:08:29 PM
    Et toi?

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on December 27, 2021, 11:58:28 AM
    Of course it's 'not just you.'

    Students have lost some of their respect for us and for the value of work itself. Work ethic, showing up on time, deadlines etc. are the brainchild of white supremacy, we are told. Suspect and not to be trusted.

    Whose fault? Let's try looking in the mirror, liberals.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Wahoo Redux on December 27, 2021, 01:22:42 PM
    Reductive political thinking denudes even smart people of their perspectives. 

    Personally I have observed a steady stream of antagonism toward intellectuals and intellectualism coming from The Right-----particularly conservative zealots vs. universities, who some people use as a scapegoat to explain why not everybody agrees with their acute politics.

    Wonder how Dr. Fauci feels about conservative ethos?

    "Conservapedia" anyone?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on January 04, 2022, 07:16:49 AM
    " Academics are generally more focused on critique and analysis than solid action, especially since class action seems so difficult in the US."

    Intellectuals are able to make their bread and butter with ideas. Ideas that may range from wonderful and timely, to promising but problematic in practice, all the way down to harmful. By contrast, if an engineer designs a bridge and the bridge, built to his specifications, collapses, he is ruined. The intellectual in the right position can make up things that don't fit reality and then declare that reality must change.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on January 05, 2022, 11:17:41 AM
    Quote from: mamselle on January 05, 2022, 11:09:47 AM

    I've had bosses in such settings who'd have had my head for a lollipop if I'd done something like that...

    M.

    You've lodged a very disturbing image in my brain.  I may need therapy ...

    Quote from: mamselle on January 05, 2022, 11:11:22 AM
    Does this forum advocate no. 2?

    I thought we were more careful than that.

    M.

    Well, taken out of context, perhaps ...
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on January 05, 2022, 12:14:09 PM
    Oh, dear.

    I'm being taken literally again.

    ;--}

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Istiblennius on January 06, 2022, 09:39:58 AM
    Word of the day:
    Monomania (n) extreme enthusiasm or zeal for a single subject or idea, often manifested as a rigid, irrational idea.

    American Psychological Association Dictionary
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 08, 2022, 11:25:29 AM
    I mean, he ignores the facts in his own purported discipline, so...
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on January 09, 2022, 07:36:25 AM
    Here's story that sank like a stone. How is she doing now? The most recent news is four days old.

    https://news.yahoo.com/george-floyd-four-old-great-135744435.html
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on January 10, 2022, 06:39:27 AM
    I'm taking this to the "aside" post so as not to sully the R.I.P. thread any further:

    So here's why I reported the R.I.P. post to mods:

    Use this function to inform the moderators and administrators of an abusive or wrongly posted message.

    Now, if you really need me to walk you through why that was a "wrongly posted message," I don't think I can be of much help, except to consider the following.
    1) the name and overall subject matter of the thread, and
    2) how a mini-dissertation on why a 55-year-old pop hit is now creepy relates to #1.

    Yes, the previous poster asked a question regarding "creepiness," but I would submit that calling the song creepy on that particular thread was already off the mark, and any answer to the "creepy" question should have been taken elsewhere.

    Has a student never thanked you for being helpful and making a difference in their life? Because I'm pretty sure that's all Lulu was doing in that context.

    And finally, mods and other intelligent folks might disagree with my take on the post, but a report to the mods is a judgment call.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on January 10, 2022, 06:49:02 AM
    Quote from: little bongo on January 10, 2022, 06:39:27 AM
    I'm taking this to the "aside" post so as not to sully the R.I.P. thread any further:

    So here's why I reported the R.I.P. post to mods:

    Use this function to inform the moderators and administrators of an abusive or wrongly posted message.

    Now, if you really need me to walk you through why that was a "wrongly posted message," I don't think I can be of much help, except to consider the following.
    1) the name and overall subject matter of the thread, and
    2) how a mini-dissertation on why a 55-year-old pop hit is now creepy relates to #1.

    Yes, the previous poster asked a question regarding "creepiness," but I would submit that calling the song creepy on that particular thread was already off the mark, and any answer to the "creepy" question should have been taken elsewhere.

    Has a student never thanked you for being helpful and making a difference in their life? Because I'm pretty sure that's all Lulu was doing in that context.

    And finally, mods and other intelligent folks might disagree with my take on the post, but a report to the mods is a judgment call.

    So as to not "sully the R.I.P. thread", I'll reply here.

    The song "Baby, it's cold outside", when it was written, was understood to be about flirtatious banter. However, in today's context, it comes across as sounding like it's about date rape. The point is that the message the song was intended to convey is not the message that it automatically conveys in a different context.

    Several students have thanked me for being helpful, as happens to many (most?) teachers, but the effusive terms in the song, especially between a young female student and an older male teacher, are way beyond what would be considered normal in today's reality.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on January 10, 2022, 07:51:30 AM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on January 10, 2022, 06:49:02 AM
    Quote from: little bongo on January 10, 2022, 06:39:27 AM
    I'm taking this to the "aside" post so as not to sully the R.I.P. thread any further:

    So here's why I reported the R.I.P. post to mods:

    Use this function to inform the moderators and administrators of an abusive or wrongly posted message.

    Now, if you really need me to walk you through why that was a "wrongly posted message," I don't think I can be of much help, except to consider the following.
    1) the name and overall subject matter of the thread, and
    2) how a mini-dissertation on why a 55-year-old pop hit is now creepy relates to #1.

    Yes, the previous poster asked a question regarding "creepiness," but I would submit that calling the song creepy on that particular thread was already off the mark, and any answer to the "creepy" question should have been taken elsewhere.

    Has a student never thanked you for being helpful and making a difference in their life? Because I'm pretty sure that's all Lulu was doing in that context.

    And finally, mods and other intelligent folks might disagree with my take on the post, but a report to the mods is a judgment call.

    So as to not "sully the R.I.P. thread", I'll reply here.

    The song "Baby, it's cold outside", when it was written, was understood to be about flirtatious banter. However, in today's context, it comes across as sounding like it's about date rape. The point is that the message the song was intended to convey is not the message that it automatically conveys in a different context.

    Several students have thanked me for being helpful, as happens to many (most?) teachers, but the effusive terms in the song, especially between a young female student and an older male teacher, are way beyond what would be considered normal in today's reality.

    I failed to see that this conversation was taking place here, and did make the mistake of posting on the other thread.  I'm now moving what I tried to say there here:

    Marshwiggle, you're not exactly wrong in your observation that the lyrics to the song haven't dated well, for reasons that you give.  But are you honestly not able to see that it was inappropriate to bring it up on a thread dedicated to the memory of somebody who has just died and is much missed?  It's not in the dancing-on-the-grave category, but it's still hugely disrespectful of both the deceased and of the still-living who are mourning the deceased. 

    This is, unfortunately, all too consistent with a marked tendency on your part to treat each and every thread on the board, regardless of subject matter, as an open invitation to post political commentary.  Look, I am fairly often in sympathy with some of your positions on issues, but when you do something like this from out of left field, in a place where people are emphatically not looking for political commentary, I can see how you might make yourself unwelcome.  For your own sake and the harmony of the Fora, please think about context before you post stuff like this in the future.

    This is meant to be a friendly warning, not an invitation to a debate.  You would be well advised not to try to have the last word here.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on January 10, 2022, 12:30:35 PM
    One thing that could have helped (now less possible) would have been if, when I opened the thread, I had carried over the clear injunctions on the old/CHE thread to avoid posting more than the obit link and a very brief, appreciative note (or else don't post as an RIP, which is inherently meant to be honorific).

    At the time, there was no immediate indication that CHE would just delete all the links and make the old forum inaccessible: apparently a change in personnel in that office adopted a new-broom-sweeps-completely-away policy, and efforts even to get it back for a little while were unavailable, as several noted.

    To our loss, and my regret, since it would have been easy, then, to have copied the set-up page with its intentions spelled out...

    Mods, is there maybe a way to insert something in that first entry?

    It was worded, as I recall, a bit like the HOF page opener.

    M.

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: kaysixteen on January 10, 2022, 09:49:49 PM
    Teachers used to have platonic relationships with students, and esp former students, all the time.   I still communicate with many 20- and 30-something former students.... and many former teachers and professors of my own.  I get that having worked in small private schools makes this easier than Boston Public, but the To Sir song indicates that a teacher like Poitier's character was exactly what those disadvantaged urban youth, many even delinquents, needed, and it was clearly their intent to show their gratitude.   And to compare the tune to the wholly unwholesome 'Baby It's Cold Outside' is, well... like comparing apples to arsenic.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on January 11, 2022, 06:10:46 AM
    Agree that the comparison between songs is inapt. Clearly the movie means a great deal to you, and understandably so--I'm sure it inspired a great many teachers. And "To Sir, With Love," the song, functions both as soundtrack for the museum trip as well as a diegetic musical gift to Poitier's Mr. Thackeray, so I can see defending the song as well (personally, I think the song still holds up).

    The sixties were definitely a different era, of course--one of the "To Sir, With Love" movie posters features the tagline: "A Story as Fresh as the Girls in Their Minis." But there's definitely still a part of me that would like to be a teacher as groovy as Mr. Thackeray.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 11, 2022, 01:09:19 PM
    Quote from: mamselle on January 10, 2022, 12:30:35 PM
    One thing that could have helped (now less possible) would have been if, when I opened the thread, I had carried over the clear injunctions on the old/CHE thread to avoid posting more than the obit link and a very brief, appreciative note (or else don't post as an RIP, which is inherently meant to be honorific).

    At the time, there was no immediate indication that CHE would just delete all the links and make the old forum inaccessible: apparently a change in personnel in that office adopted a new-broom-sweeps-completely-away policy, and efforts even to get it back for a little while were unavailable, as several noted.

    To our loss, and my regret, since it would have been easy, then, to have copied the set-up page with its intentions spelled out...

    Mods, is there maybe a way to insert something in that first entry?

    It was worded, as I recall, a bit like the HOF page opener.

    M.

    I'm happy to edit in whatever you'd like!

    I always thought the thread was supposed to be for people one actually knew (guess I interpreted 'us' proximally, rather than more broadly), but I stand many pages corrected.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: kaysixteen on January 11, 2022, 09:38:26 PM
    Indeed, I actually taught the movie once, when I was serving as a teacher/ librarian at a special boarding school (underachievers, mostly, and some ld).  I had a 'general studies' class made up of mostly minority kids on scholarship, and thought it would be a good thing to show.   They liked it.   I think it was a good idea still.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: kaysixteen on January 11, 2022, 09:39:08 PM
    I neglected to add that I was able to teach it there because I bought it for the library.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on January 12, 2022, 03:42:05 PM
    You can say that again.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Istiblennius on January 12, 2022, 05:42:55 PM
    got a mirror?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on January 15, 2022, 11:53:15 AM
    Wealthy elite liberals conversation. It may be nice to worry about child labor in China, but people in our own country are worried about safe streets, drug gangs, how to bring up their children with healthy self-esteem when their public school sorts them into oppressor/victim categories (bring back segregation, anyone?), inflation because these things affect them.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on January 16, 2022, 10:03:46 PM
    As Jimmy Carter observed in 2016 they are both unpopular (high negatives). But they are also formidable, both. I would think of it more as Clash of the Titans. Here's a piece that made me hopeful, although I still think Hillary bombed in 2016 by talking about the glass ceiling (boring!). The more Biden flounders and rants the more automatically Hillary is positioned. If she carves out a platform as the true alternative to wokeitarian Joe, she's filling a void (opportunity) that's so huge it just needs someone capable of stepping into the role. I could vote for Hillary over Trump if the Biden presidency and its lack of cheerleading from almost anywhere except someone as finished as Joy Reid (stick a fork in that pitcher, he's done - Joe Garagiola)  results  in Biden becoming the fall guy for the scrapped woke movement. I consider her much smarter and more substantial than Biden, and I don't think I'm the only one. What he just said - it's not a gaffe. It's who he is.

    https://nypost.com/2022/01/16/dick-morris-2024-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-rematch-is-likely/

    ...but it's probably wishful thinking. I worry that we're past the point of no return. Explained:

    https://americanmind.org/salvo/woke-capitals-modern-slaves/

    ETA: If Winsome Sears ran for president I would volunteer for her campaign. Denzil Washington could help get the message out.

    High drama: Winsome Sears (with Candace Owens for Veep) versus Stacey Abrams and AOC. The Victimhood Olympics versus the Black Ronald Reagans. Racism accusations neutralized. No old fogies, and no matter who saves the planet, it's a woman of color.

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: kaysixteen on January 17, 2022, 10:50:52 PM
    Do you really like to make dumb-dumb trollish remarks, on what is supposed to be a serious academic forum?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on January 18, 2022, 03:00:54 AM
    [keeping calm after another insult]

    Well, that's a little loaded, i.e. supposed to be, or is? I think it gets close to a  liberal echo chamber at times, with several dominating. And not to drop names, but old Writingprof left for that very reason, without drumming it into our skulls. Yet I suspect there are some who have issues with the current radical left voices dominating a handful of parts of life in the USA who might be very interesting to hear from.

    It amuses me a little when on a forum some see themselves as threatened by trolling but not by groupthink.

    I believe this thread is for things relevant to a thread, but intentionally kept away from it. That's why I used it. 'We're done speculating about the 2024 race" ?  OK, I'll put it here. We are not done doing it in our minds. Don't kid yourself.

    I think people are likely to be in a bad mood because President Biden is having his approval-rating* troubles. I notice the forum is quiet lately.

    As for celebrating MLK Day, we are now at the odd stage where he's almost an unwoke problematic presence to the radical left. They don't quite know what to do with him.

    ETA: What did you think of the links I posted? I'm sincerely interested.

    Re: the case for it being a hallowed serious academic forum. I recall that the old forum, from which this one was spawned, featured a popular thread called 'when will there be impeachment of the POTUS.' I did participate in it too. I was a Trump hater before I became more of a Trump not-quite-hater-certainly-not-lover-something-in-between. In retrospect, the presence of something like that doesn't exactly convey dignity.
    Love him, hate him, struggle to figure him out...he's been a force. Changed our history. on a certain level I guess I accept him. If you look at the neo-Marxist insanity coming from a mob on the left today though, it should it least occur to you he might not be the darkest cloud in our sky.

    *slippage (tanking) that I predicted
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on January 18, 2022, 04:07:35 AM
    Quote from: mahagonny on January 18, 2022, 03:00:54 AM

    Re: the case for it being a hallowed serious academic forum. I recall that the old forum, from which this one was spawned, featured a popular thread called 'when will there be impeachment of the POTUS.' I did participate in it too. I was a Trump hater before I became more of a Trump not-quite-hater-certainly-not-lover-something-in-between. In retrospect, the presence of something like that doesn't exactly convey dignity.


    Being that it was begun the minute he began serving his term, perhaps before. So, if you can walk the walk, you can talk the talk. Otherwise...let it go.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on January 18, 2022, 05:42:29 AM
    Quote from: mahagonny on January 18, 2022, 03:00:54 AM

    It amuses me a little when on a forum some see themselves as threatened by trolling but not by groupthink.


    I'm not a "poll person" but this sounds like the basis for an interesting question regarding which people see as more unhealthy for a forum. (As I've pointed out in the past, based on my non-systematic observation, the threads that actually get the most views are the "controversial" ones. And since views vastly outweigh postings, it suggests that the silent audience is very much interested in the "controversial" discussions.)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on January 25, 2022, 05:26:12 AM
    Speaking of things that are not onerous, how about the things that a person needs to do to be able to vote?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: arcturus on January 25, 2022, 05:38:47 AM
    Quote from: mahagonny on January 25, 2022, 05:26:12 AM
    Speaking of things that are not onerous, how about the things that a person needs to do to be able to vote?
    I am really glad to hear that you are in good health and have a stable job, Mahagonny. Congratulations! You have the time and stamina to stand in long lines without loss of pay or the potential for fainting due to heat/cold/hunger/thirst. You also appear to have excellent recall to remember which form of id you used to register to vote 30 or 40 years ago and you still have your drivers license since you are not too infirm to drive. Again, I am happy to hear that your personal circumstances are the best possible and I hope they continue to be so for many years to come. We need people like you in the electorate to explain how easy it is to do these simple things.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on January 25, 2022, 05:49:50 PM
    My health is more in the category of fair. I do work regularly although my load and income are down some 30-35% from Fall 2021 at present. Poor me!
    In order for voting to be plausibly accurate, there is work involved, which we share. People who have the problems you mention are voting already. If you are fainting after waiting in line for two hours, I doubt very much that it's hunger doing it. It's true we get hungry a lot. We also do more about it than many. That's why we Americans are overweight.
    The democratic party effort to get the vote out was a terrific success, especially given that no one I have ever met or even read about, even among the liberal media, has expressed their view the Joe Biden could had the potential to be a great president. Now they're crying because their 'end the Jim Crow era' bill flopped. C'est la vie!


    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: namazu on January 30, 2022, 11:15:11 AM
    The Guardian has no paywall.  Just a very in-your-face plea for contributions that you can click away.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on February 01, 2022, 07:26:01 AM
    Don't want to keep going back and forth on the thread about Neil Young. Here he is on his relationship with drugs. I do not consider marijuana a hard drug.

    https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/neil-young-the-druggie-myth-that-surrounds-his-career/
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: smallcleanrat on February 01, 2022, 08:17:33 AM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on February 01, 2022, 07:26:01 AM
    Don't want to keep going back and forth on the thread about Neil Young. Here he is on his relationship with drugs. I do not consider marijuana a hard drug.

    https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/neil-young-the-druggie-myth-that-surrounds-his-career/

    Don't know much about Neil Young, but a brief internet search tells me he wrote songs which spoke to the damage addiction to hard drugs can do to a person. So, it's not as if he was glamorizing it.

    And...Neil Young talks about giving up alcohol and cannabis, but the best explanation is that it's just a money-grabbing publicity stunt, not a sincere anti-drug stance? Jordan Peterson talks about his own past drug problem, yet he doesn't merit any cynical suspicion of a money-grabbing publicity stunt?

    Also...if you've used drugs in the past that's means you can't really care about the spread of misinformation about COVID?




    QuoteI'm sorry, but you treat all rock stars as a monolith, the same way neither you nor I want Rs and Ds to be treated.

    I'm assuming by Rs and Ds you were referring to Republicans and Democrats? I think you were being a bit too generous. I never got the impression that this poster had any compunctions about treating Democrats as a monolithic cult of woke worshippers who "piss on America."

    Democrats are turning America into Nazi Germany, remember?

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 02, 2022, 04:02:32 AM
    Can you define 'hard drugs?  Of course you can't. Don't bother answering if you're tired of the back-and-forth.
    Taking Neil Young out of the conversation for a moment, it is clear that certain things are badly misunderstood even at this late date.
    Marijuana affects different people in dramatically different ways. Chronic, debilitating (and scary) effects of psychological depersonalization and derealization are likely to happen to a small percentage of users, something like 5%. But they happen and these people pay for  for them mightily. And if it's happened to you and you subsequently abstained and recovered but then start using years later, it will probably happen again.
    Google if you're interested. In the meantime, it would be generally helpful to avoid misinformation - either believing or repeating.

    ETA: https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp-rj.2018.130202

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 02, 2022, 04:13:35 AM
    Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 01, 2022, 08:17:33 AM
    I'm assuming by Rs and Ds you were referring to Republicans and Democrats? I think you were being a bit too generous. I never got the impression that this poster had any compunctions about treating Democrats as a monolithic cult of woke worshippers who "piss on America."

    Well, if the shoe fits, wear it. There are such folks in our midst: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/the-lure-of-white-martyrdom/ar-AATk4FQ

    BTW, have you ever noticed how news outlets avoid getting dinged for failed fact checks by putting their lies into opinion pieces?

    The last sentence of Michael Harriot's article: ' You are free to believe that Black people are worthy of their humanity and liberty, but doing something about it means accepting the violent backlash and the collective scorn of a country whose Constitution calculated the value of a Black life at 60 percent of a white one.'

    Please, Mr. Harriott. Have you had a checkup lately?

    Of course, there are democrats who are very sane and trying hard to do good things. Mainly they are trying to bring the democratic party back to reality. Mayor Eric Adams and this guy (link follows). They have my respect. They just sound like republicans to me, so I can't figure out why they wouldn't just re-register. But that's their affair.

    ETA: Sorry, can't locate the link at this time. It was an opinion piece by a recently elected African-American gentleman, a mayor I believe, stating that the democratic party needs to get back to common sense ideas/stances that matter to most of the voters  and quiet down the social justice furor in order to be own the right track in 2022. I breathed a sigh of relief when I read it. We need a two party system with mostly sane people in each party or there's a dearth of hearty, serious dialogue and debate.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on February 02, 2022, 06:11:21 AM
    Quote from: mahagonny on February 02, 2022, 04:02:32 AM
    Can you define 'hard drugs?  Of course you can't. Don't bother answering if you're tired of the back-and-forth.
    Taking Neil Young out of the conversation for a moment, it is clear that certain things are badly misunderstood even at this late date.
    Marijuana affects different people in dramatically different ways. Chronic, debilitating (and scary) effects of psychological depersonalization and derealization are likely to happen to a small percentage of users, something like 5%. But they happen and these people pay for  for them mightily. And if it's happened to you and you subsequently abstained and recovered but then start using years later, it will probably happen again.
    Google if you're interested. In the meantime, it would be generally helpful to avoid misinformation - either believing or repeating.

    ETA: https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp-rj.2018.130202

    .
    My descriptors are not definitions. Yes, drugs have negative effects on people. yes, drugs are clearly beneficial. The NFL just did a $100 million grant to study marijuana and chronic pain relief. So, no TO ME, marijuana and alcohol are not in the same class as the highly addictive heroin, meth or nicotine. Sorry, pivot to something else.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 02, 2022, 07:25:27 AM
    The fact that marijuana is very hard on certain individuals is likely a combination of lesser known and intentionally downplayed by people who should know better. According to the study, for some individuals it cuts both ways, both in and out.
    Depersonalization disorder can result from both acute intoxication and withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms = addictive substance.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on February 02, 2022, 11:31:38 AM
    Quote from: mahagonny on February 02, 2022, 07:25:27 AM
    The fact that marijuana is very hard on certain individuals is likely a combination of lesser known and intentionally downplayed by people who should know better. According to the study, for some individuals it cuts both ways, both in and out.
    Depersonalization disorder can result from both acute intoxication and withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms = addictive substance.

    I am NOT downplaying its effects. Look at the studies on addiction. I feel pretty secure that I'm on solid ground here. We know how addictive the three I mentioned are. We know how addictive alcohol can be for some (can't predict who), and it is not at the same risk level as the first three. Marijuana appears to be much less risky than alcohol, and with much more upside for many medical conditions.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 02, 2022, 01:19:26 PM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on February 02, 2022, 11:31:38 AM
    Quote from: mahagonny on February 02, 2022, 07:25:27 AM
    The fact that marijuana is very hard on certain individuals is likely a combination of lesser known and intentionally downplayed by people who should know better. According to the study, for some individuals it cuts both ways, both in and out.
    Depersonalization disorder can result from both acute intoxication and withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms = addictive substance.

    I am NOT downplaying its effects. Look at the studies on addiction. I feel pretty secure that I'm on solid ground here. We know how addictive the three I mentioned are. We know how addictive alcohol can be for some (can't predict who), and it is not at the same risk level as the first three. Marijuana appears to be much less risky than alcohol, and with much more upside for many medical conditions.

    Not for me it wasn't.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: smallcleanrat on February 02, 2022, 02:39:09 PM
    I'm obviously still too stupid to recognize when there's no point to making an effort.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Istiblennius on February 02, 2022, 03:00:19 PM
    Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 02, 2022, 02:39:09 PM
    I'm obviously still too stupid to recognize when there's no point to making an effort.

    You and me both! Why do we bang our heads against things that resemble solid, immovable rocks in more ways than one?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on February 02, 2022, 05:54:27 PM
    Just walk away...

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: smallcleanrat on February 02, 2022, 08:18:48 PM
    Quote from: mamselle on February 02, 2022, 05:54:27 PM
    Just walk away...

    M.

    I can walk away from a thread, but none of this stuff is restricted to internet forums. Even if I choose not to engage in arguments, those arguments still influence the world in which I live. If these weren't about real issues with real-world consequences I wouldn't care so much.

    I encounter the same sort of getting-nowhere discussions offline. The difference between here and there is that, here, with this community, I have slightly higher hopes that a discussion in good faith is possible. I make an effort to understand someone's post (reading it carefully, multiple times) before I reply. I try to take care with my wording and logic.

    When I fare no better here than offline, I'm never sure if it's because someone is deliberately ignoring/misunderstanding my point, failing to comprehend what I wrote, or if I'm failing at communicating effectively. I want to be able to 'talk so people will listen' online and off, but I don't seem to have figured out how.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 02, 2022, 08:22:33 PM
    IMO there's nothing you can say that will change their minds here. When they ignore or deflect, it's because you've scored a direct hit.

    That doesn't mean it isn't worth doing, though. I think it very much is, both for the overall health of the community and because, as you note, it all spills over into the real world.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 03, 2022, 03:57:34 AM
    It's actually happened already, as of the last five years or so. Only we don't have 'kiss me, I'm black' lapel buttons. We have 'confess your original sin here' and the self identifier is unnecessary. Consequently we're hearing more and more from Black individuals who don't want the Cold War, from people who've realize that that attitude will be attributed to them unless they disavow it. So more and more people are saying 'I'm not the guy who wants to carp about your privilege. Let's have a beer and make friends.' The grey sky of a cultural Cold Civil War, with occasional patches of blue.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on February 03, 2022, 08:13:39 AM
    Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 02, 2022, 08:18:48 PM
    When I fare no better here than offline, I'm never sure if it's because someone is deliberately ignoring/misunderstanding my point, failing to comprehend what I wrote, or if I'm failing at communicating effectively. I want to be able to 'talk so people will listen' online and off, but I don't seem to have figured out how.

    Smallcleanrat, if and when you do figure out how, you can write a book and probably make a great deal of money. I tend to agree, though, that the whole "changing someone's mind" thing probably shouldn't be the goal of any of these encounters. I don't know if my mind has changed about a particular topic, but I am starting to appreciate how much fear drives the disagreements. And I'm starting to work on what I'm afraid of and why, and what others might be afraid of, and why. Doesn't eliminate the whole annoyance thing, entirely, but it broadens my perspective a bit.

    And speaking of broadening my perspective, the only encounter I've had on this thread that I would really consider rather yucky happened with a moderator, and not with any of the regulars, however much I disagreed with anyone. I might well have contributed to the overall unpleasantness more than I first realized, but I have to decide for myself, as I guess we all do, the difference between valuable self-examination and pointless second-guessing.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: smallcleanrat on February 03, 2022, 09:01:57 AM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on February 02, 2022, 08:22:33 PM
    IMO there's nothing you can say that will change their minds here. When they ignore or deflect, it's because you've scored a direct hit.

    That doesn't mean it isn't worth doing, though. I think it very much is, both for the overall health of the community and because, as you note, it all spills over into the real world.

    Thanks for your response Parasaurolophus. Much appreciated.

    Thing is, these kind of thoughts/questions/rebuttals are in my head anyway as these issues are impossible to avoid unless I disconnect from society to go live as a hermit somewhere. It helps to have a place to put them into words.




    Generally, I'm not too much bothered if I don't change anybody's mind. But what I find most useful about an exchange is when I better understand the other person's reasons for why they hold certain opinions.

    If someone says something that doesn't make sense to me or seems to contradict something else they said, I want to know more about their thought process. There have been times I've changed my mind, or at least moved a thought from the category of Opinion to More Research Needed--Opinion Pending, because someone raises some aspect of the issue I hadn't yet considered.

    If I can at least walk away from a discussion with a better understanding of why someone said what they said, I consider that a success. That's why getting ignored or getting a response which seems to have nothing to do with the point I was making or the question I was asking is frustrating.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 03, 2022, 09:09:55 AM
    Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 03, 2022, 09:01:57 AM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on February 02, 2022, 08:22:33 PM
    IMO there's nothing you can say that will change their minds here. When they ignore or deflect, it's because you've scored a direct hit.

    That doesn't mean it isn't worth doing, though. I think it very much is, both for the overall health of the community and because, as you note, it all spills over into the real world.

    Thanks for your response Parasaurolophus. Much appreciated.

    Thing is, these kind of thoughts/questions/rebuttals are in my head anyway as these issues are impossible to avoid unless I disconnect from society to go live as a hermit somewhere. It helps to have a place to put them into words.




    Generally, I'm not too much bothered if I don't change anybody's mind. But what I find most useful about an exchange is when I better understand the other person's reasons for why they hold certain opinions.

    If someone says something that doesn't make sense to me or seems to contradict something else they said, I want to know more about their thought process. There have been times I've changed my mind, or at least moved a thought from the category of Opinion to More Research Needed--Opinion Pending, because someone raises some aspect of the issue I hadn't yet considered.

    If I can at least walk away from a discussion with a better understanding of why someone said what they said, I consider that a success. That's why getting ignored or getting a response which seems to have nothing to do with the point I was making or the question I was asking is frustrating.

    Para may share some of your views on the some of the topics, but seems to me to differ from you in that he or she wants to score 'direct hits.' He or she is not looking to understand why people state things by knowing more about their thought processes. Para knows everything already and wants to win the debate.
    What Para is not telling you is their academic work is in all probability being directly challenged by such academics as Dr. Jordan Peterson, so they don't just have a dog in the fight; they have, probably, like a mastiff.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on February 03, 2022, 09:22:10 AM
    Only someone who did not grow up in Western PA, WV, OH, IN, KY, TN IL (south of Chicago) or MO (heck, even a bunch of MI) would think my family is odd. Hence the "you don't know crap about this" comment.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 03, 2022, 10:19:18 AM
    Quote from: mahagonny on February 03, 2022, 09:09:55 AM

    Para may share some of your views on the some of the topics, but seems to me to differ from you in that he or she wants to score 'direct hits.' He or she is not looking to understand why people state things by knowing more about their thought processes. Para knows everything already and wants to win the debate.

    Some of that is, of course, true: I have a high opinion of myself and my opinions.

    But the standard I require from all my interlocutors is the presentation of valid (though preferably sound) arguments. If someone cannot manage at least that much, then they're not worth engaging seriously beyond a symbolic smackdown.

    Quote
    What Para is not telling you is their academic work is in all probability being directly challenged by such academics as Dr. Jordan Peterson, so they don't just have a dog in the fight; they have, probably, like a mastiff.

    I'm an analytic philosopher, so I'm afraid you'll have to redo your probability calculus. I have no truck whatsoever with non-empirical psychology, let alone Jung and Campbell. (I do have some small interaction with empirical psychology, but that's a relationship in which I defer to the results of [properly conducted] studies and meta-studies.)

    Although I'll readily admit that I've done a decent bit of logic, including deriving the incompleteness theorems, which Peterson thinks (due to a series of common early twentieth-century misunderstandings) somehow prove the existence of God. That's not much of a direct challenge, though. Interthreadually, it's about as much a challenge as telling someone they "can't prove a negative".
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on February 03, 2022, 10:53:36 AM
    Proof by contrapositive?

    ;--}

    M.*

       *(who occasionally remembers the tiny bit of logic we learned in 10th grade geometry, but may well have mis-applied it here.)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on February 03, 2022, 11:50:45 AM
    Goedal's Incompleteness Theorem rocks!

    mamselle: look up Cantor Diagonalization for a taste. First you assume you can line up all the positive real numbers from smallest to largest, then you...
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on February 03, 2022, 01:09:01 PM
    Aaaahhhhhhh!!!!!

      <<runs screaming for the nearest 13th c. manuscript calendar page with its Golden numbers, Egyptian numbers, and Roman numerals for solace...>>

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 03, 2022, 01:39:59 PM
    Quote from: mamselle on February 03, 2022, 10:53:36 AM
    Proof by contrapositive?

    ;--}

    M.*

       *(who occasionally remembers the tiny bit of logic we learned in 10th grade geometry, but may well have mis-applied it here.)

    Sure, that counts!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on February 03, 2022, 01:44:20 PM


          <<Pokes head out from under the manuscript cover....>>

    <<looks around warily>>

         Ah! Good!

                   <<Smiles and struts away...>>

    ;--}

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: smallcleanrat on February 03, 2022, 02:47:58 PM
    Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 03, 2022, 09:01:57 AM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on February 02, 2022, 08:22:33 PM
    IMO there's nothing you can say that will change their minds here. When they ignore or deflect, it's because you've scored a direct hit.

    That doesn't mean it isn't worth doing, though. I think it very much is, both for the overall health of the community and because, as you note, it all spills over into the real world.

    Thanks for your response Parasaurolophus. Much appreciated.

    Thing is, these kind of thoughts/questions/rebuttals are in my head anyway as these issues are impossible to avoid unless I disconnect from society to go live as a hermit somewhere. It helps to have a place to put them into words.




    Generally, I'm not too much bothered if I don't change anybody's mind. But what I find most useful about an exchange is when I better understand the other person's reasons for why they hold certain opinions.

    If someone says something that doesn't make sense to me or seems to contradict something else they said, I want to know more about their thought process. There have been times I've changed my mind, or at least moved a thought from the category of Opinion to More Research Needed--Opinion Pending, because someone raises some aspect of the issue I hadn't yet considered.

    If I can at least walk away from a discussion with a better understanding of why someone said what they said, I consider that a success. That's why getting ignored or getting a response which seems to have nothing to do with the point I was making or the question I was asking is frustrating.

    The other half of this is that I also want to be understood. Even if the other person still disagrees, if they are saying "You're wrong about [thing] because [reasons]." as long as [thing] is something I actually said, at least I know they heard me. But this part seems to be much harder.

    I'm not sure how much has to do with bad faith so much as bad experience. If the last 20 times you heard someone say 'This city has a rat problem' it led up to 'Every household should be required by law to own at least one cat', you might assume someone responding to a post saying 'There is no rat problem.' with 'The rat problem is very real.' is in support of the cat mandate.

    It's understandable why someone might jump to 'People shouldn't have to have cats if they don't want them' but also frustrating to the person you respond to if they don't agree with the cat mandate any more than you do.

    It's why I read posts slowly if I'm going to respond because I'm trying to avoid unwarranted inferences. Don't always succeed, but it's a conscious goal.

    But if someone seems to miss my point, it's really hard to tell if the mistake is on their end or if I explained things poorly.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on February 03, 2022, 03:06:31 PM
    Depends on the poster.

    Some have made a career of deliberately misunderstanding, it feeds their angst so.

    ('scuse my cynicism...but, been there, done that, walked away, am much the better for it...)*

    M.

    * I believe, anyway...I have retained my sense of humor, in any case... M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 03, 2022, 05:28:33 PM
    Didn't have the heart to rub it in on the thread: this is how I envision the sad, comical woke movement dying.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on February 03, 2022, 05:32:45 PM
    Quote from: mahagonny on February 03, 2022, 05:28:33 PM
    Didn't have the heart to rub it in on the thread: this is how I envision the sad, comical woke movement dying.

    ?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on February 04, 2022, 09:58:01 AM
    Don't ask.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 04, 2022, 12:18:09 PM
    I've been in virtual meetings all day (and I'm still in one) and I think my brain melted. It is currently pooling on the floor in a nice puddle of goo.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: smallcleanrat on February 04, 2022, 01:58:40 PM
    I still don't understand what the example (analogy?) of German immigrants to America immediately post-wwii is meant to illustrate. It seems extremely specific.

    I have no idea what percentage of those were ex-Nazis, and of the subset of ex-Nazis I have now idea  how many were actually proponents of the ideology vs. people who went along with it out of fear. Even so, they would be living in a country in which they were 1) foreigners and 2) the dominant culture was decidedly anti-Nazi. That seems like it would put significant restraints on the ability to cultivate and transmit their ideology. They couldn't be open about it and their children would grow up hearing lots of talk about the evils of the Nazis.

    Cultivation and transmission of anti-Japanese sentiments to the next generation immediately post-wwii would not have had the same constraints. They just came off a war in which Japan was the enemy and a threat to everything America held dear. There had been years of Scrap the Japs style propaganda. I'm not sure there would be anywhere near the pressure to keep your anti-Japanese sentiments to yourself as you would have for pro-Nazi sentiments.

    As for anti-black sentiments, there would be centuries of history behind it embedded in mainstream American culture. Ditto the point about fewer restrictions on cultivation and transmission, but even more so.

    Attitudes of previous generations are capable of influencing subsequent generations. I didn't say that made it right. Just that it's a thing that can happen.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on February 04, 2022, 02:56:10 PM
    Most German Nazi's went to South American, not North America, as far as I've heard. Several hid out in Brazil and Argentina for the rest of their lives.

    The rest of it, I don't know.

    I make full use of the freedom to ignore a thread from the time it begins, or any time thereafter, if it starts running off the rails (i.e., doesn't make sense).

    Other peoples' ideas don't have to make sense to me.

    M. 
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: arcturus on February 05, 2022, 12:09:08 PM
    Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 03, 2022, 02:47:58 PM
    [...] If the last 20 times you heard someone say 'This city has a rat problem' it led up to 'Every household should be required by law to own at least one cat', you might assume someone responding to a post saying 'There is no rat problem.' with 'The rat problem is very real.' is in support of the cat mandate.

    It's understandable why someone might jump to 'People shouldn't have to have cats if they don't want them' but also frustrating to the person you respond to if they don't agree with the cat mandate any more than you do.

    [...]
    Dear smallcleanrat - I haven't heard much about a rat or mouse problem in my area, but I am totally on board with your idea of a cat mandate. Just think of the associated destigmatization of "the crazy old cat lady" if everyone was required to have a cat. All would be educated (experiential education, which is even better!) about the wonderful qualities of small fuzzy creatures that have minds of their own. I can just imagine the overall increase in world happiness if everyone had a maestro of their own. Please keep these good ideas coming!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ergative on February 05, 2022, 12:33:32 PM
    Would the cat mandate apply to workplaces as well as personal dwellings? I proposed getting a department cat at our last department meeting, and it was favorably received by colleagues, but our chair is not acting despite the obvious agreement on the issue, and such a mandate may help move things along.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Puget on February 05, 2022, 12:56:08 PM
    Quote from: ergative on February 05, 2022, 12:33:32 PM
    Would the cat mandate apply to workplaces as well as personal dwellings? I proposed getting a department cat at our last department meeting, and it was favorably received by colleagues, but our chair is not acting despite the obvious agreement on the issue, and such a mandate may help move things along.
    Our department building definitely has a mouse problem so I'd be very much in favor of this. However, some people claim to have cat allergies.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: smallcleanrat on February 05, 2022, 01:54:41 PM
    So...people whose politics are left-of-center are intolerant bullies, but if wishing death on someone whose politics you dislike (pardon, "fear") became a ban-worthy offense on these fora, people whose politics are right-of-center would be disproportionately affected?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 05, 2022, 03:20:00 PM
    When everyone's views are attenuated, the status quo consolidates power while the dissenting position loses power.
      Why are we talking here? This can go on the thread.

    If we had agreed that it was unacceptable to express the desire for the life of Timothy McVeigh or Osama bin Laden to be terminated, the effect on people's opinions would have been minimal. It would have just been an agreement that 'we'll all be polite together.' Whereas if someone says 'talk show host Izzy Watkins ought to have died from a drug overdose rather than recovered from his addiction, and we'd be better off' one is prompted to ask 'why do you think he is that kind of a threat?' And the answer might be interesting. If everyone says "you can't say such a thing" and it turns out he's another budding Idi Amin, then we have shut up someone who was trying to warn us.

    QuoteSo...people whose politics are left-of-center are intolerant bullies,

    Not all of them are.

    Thing is, the left or today has roots in the hippie movement of the sixties and thinks that it is the counterculture, the freedom fighters. But they are not. They are the establishment.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 05, 2022, 04:40:03 PM
    I know friends online and at work where if Fox News were to be mentioned and you don't declare your hatred of Tucker Carlson you feel a draft right away. It's like being neighborly (or refusing to!)...'howdy, how about this weather, huh?; Tucker's an ass. How about a game of pool?'

    Where we are, 2-5-22.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: smallcleanrat on February 05, 2022, 06:09:15 PM
    Disclaimer: I'm not making an argument related to whether wishing someone dead should be ban-worthy or not, I'm exploring the question of what role the ability to wish someone dead has in discussion.




    I'm not really seeing how your ability to engage in a discussion of why you think a particular ideology is dangerous requires you to be able to say you wish death on someone.

    I think, if anything, it derails good faith discussion. If in the course of expressing your disapproval of someone's political opinions, you tell them society would be better off if the proponents of those opinions were dead, do you really think they will become more inclined to listen to you?

    Even if your intention is only to convey how strong the level of your concerns are, I doubt that will be how it is perceived. And I have a difficult time believing that your response to someone criticizing a conservative with such a statement would be to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they are only saying such a thing out of genuine concern for the good of society.




    Your story about certain social groups making their disapproval of Fox News apparent isn't really related to the necessity of being able to say you wish some people were dead. There are certain social groups in which not proclaiming your adoration of Fox News will put you on the receiving end of that chill. What of it?

    Suppose someone said, "Ugh...Fox News isn't properly a news channel. All they do is peddle lies and fearmongering." and someone else said, "Fox News is a menace to society. I hope every one of their hosts and execs dies of COVID."

    If you had to engage one of them in an attempt at rational discussion of your political differences, are you really going to pick the latter?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 05, 2022, 08:26:42 PM
    I dunno...I think it's like, if someone can't see when a person is dangerous, we are at an impasse. It's frustrating. And if they're super educated, it's even worse.

    I'll give it some thought.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: smallcleanrat on February 05, 2022, 08:53:51 PM
    Quote from: mahagonny on February 05, 2022, 08:26:42 PM
    I dunno...I think it's like, if someone can't see when a person is dangerous, we are at an impasse. It's frustrating. And if they're super educated, it's even worse.

    I'll give it some thought.

    The point is, if you say "I hope that person dies." that says nothing of substance about that person. It only says something about you.

    Not only is it not required when making the case that person is dangerous, it's not even relevant.

    ETA: Try this. Imagine someone says, "I hope Tucker Carlson dies." Why oh why would that prompt you to think, "Oh! Now I see! Tucker Carlson is dangerous!" Isn't it more likely you would conclude the person speaking just hates Tucker Carlson?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 05, 2022, 10:35:30 PM
    QuoteETA: Try this. Imagine someone says, "I hope Tucker Carlson dies." Why oh why would that prompt you to think, "Oh! Now I see! Tucker Carlson is dangerous!" Isn't it more likely you would conclude the person speaking just hates Tucker Carlson?
    Sure, but we were discussing the right to protest. If you hate Tucker Carlson, you can hold a protest with signs that say 'Fire Tucker Carlson!" because, obviously, you hate what he says on the air. Obviously it's the ideas you hate. Not his hair style. That would all be inferred. You could also hold up cartoons of his face with devil's horns. Someone else can think you're wrong, even everyone could. But you still have the right. Freedom of speech, freedom to assemble.
    You can publish a book titled 'Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat idiot.' Someone did.

    Quote
    The point is, if you say "I hope that person dies." that says nothing of substance about that person. It only says something about you.

    In the case of the person we were discussing, Ibram X. Kendi, what it says about me is I hope something happens, almost anything that's not illegal or catastrophic to innocent persons that will prevent the best nation in the history of civilization from descending into Marxist totalitarian rule. I think that's reasonable, and my position was well enough explained at that time.
    Besides, Kendi, unlike Carlson, is not surviving on the strength of his weekly ratings. He's got tenure, which means he can continue to say and 'teach' outrageous, execrable things with no fear of consequences and no silencing, for many years. Somebody just gave his Institute of Why White People are Evil ten million dollars, and he's the darling of rags like the New York Times. So the question presents itself 'is there any way on earth that this might not continue?'
    in any event, I posted it, and it stood, so I'm not complaining. Thank you, the fora.org.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: paultuttle on February 05, 2022, 10:51:48 PM
    Quote from: mahagonny on February 05, 2022, 10:35:30 PM
    QuoteETA: Try this. Imagine someone says, "I hope Tucker Carlson dies." Why oh why would that prompt you to think, "Oh! Now I see! Tucker Carlson is dangerous!" Isn't it more likely you would conclude the person speaking just hates Tucker Carlson?
    Sure, but we were discussing the right to protest. If you hate Tucker Carlson, you can hold a protest with signs that say 'Fire Tucker Carlson!" because, obviously, you hate what he says on the air. Obviously it's the ideas you hate. Not his hair style. That would all be inferred. Someone else can think you're wrong, even everyone could. But you still have the right.

    Actually, both. Well, they're not "his" ideas, or even ideas at all; they're just the propaganda points he's spouting to try to rile up people and get them to vote the way his masters want them to vote.

    But yeah, the hairstyle's peak 1980s frat boy--not quite as long as in the 1970s, not quite as fashionably short as the Dawson's Creek guys. If only his haircut and "his" "ideas" had both matured since that era. 

    Quote
    The point is, if you say "I hope that person dies." that says nothing of substance about that person. It only says something about you.

    In the case of the person we were discussing, Ibram X. Kendi, what it says about me is I hope something happens, almost anything that's not illegal or catastrophic to innocent persons that will prevent the best nation in the history of civilization from descending into Marxist totalitarian rule. I think that's reasonable, and my position was well enough explained at that time.
    Besides, Kendi, unlike Carlson, is not surviving on the strength of his weekly ratings. He's got tenure, which means he can continue to say and 'teach' outrageous, execrable things with no fear of consequences and no silencing, for many years. So the question presents itself 'is there any way on earth that this might not continue?'
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: smallcleanrat on February 05, 2022, 11:07:38 PM
    Quote from: mahagonny on February 05, 2022, 10:35:30 PM
    Sure, but we were discussing the right to protest. [...]

    Um...

    I really did my best to clarify I was addressing a very specific point you made about needing to communicate your wish for someone to die in order to communicate how dangerous that person is.

    You said it is necessary as it conveys your level of fear, and implied that without this people cannot see the danger.

    Your fear is not proof of danger. No one is made any more aware of the danger posed by Kendi than they were before they knew of your fear.

    If someone told you they were terrified of the harm white men would do to the world if they weren't kept in check by anti-racist policies, you would not take this terror as proof that white men are truly dangerous.

    Why should your fear be any more relevant to anyone else when evaluating whether or not Kendi is dangerous? It doesn't support your argument so much as distracts from it.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 06, 2022, 06:01:19 AM
    Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 05, 2022, 11:07:38 PM

    If someone told you they were terrified of the harm white men would do to the world if they weren't kept in check by anti-racist policies, you would not take this terror as proof that white men are truly dangerous.


    No I wouldn't. The tenure and promotion committee at Boston University did though.
    But Kendi's not afraid of anything, not really. It's an act, a straight up con game. The only thing he's afraid of is his daughter wondering what it might be like to be a boy.

    ETA: I do take your advice about the better way to make a point though. Thanks.

    I guess deep down I suspect that educated people already know the *whitey's racist world* narrative of the left is bullshit, but it's bullshit they still think they might be able to sell, so it's not a matter of them not having been shown that it is bullshit in a way that meets their rhetorical protocol. And hey, even if they don't convince anybody, they still have their tenure. Academics are famous for not caring what the world thinks.
    Look at the way the democrats are talking among themselves lately. They don't really give you the impression that they are serious about winning elections through convincing people they have the better platform.
    Here's the democratic version of optimism in 2022: https://www.salon.com/2022/02/04/are-the-democrats-in-trouble-gallup-editor-on-what-those-troubling-polls-really-mean/
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 06, 2022, 07:11:33 AM
    duplicate-redacted
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: smallcleanrat on February 06, 2022, 11:27:45 AM
    Quote from: ergative on February 05, 2022, 12:33:32 PM
    Would the cat mandate apply to workplaces as well as personal dwellings? I proposed getting a department cat at our last department meeting, and it was favorably received by colleagues, but our chair is not acting despite the obvious agreement on the issue, and such a mandate may help move things along.

    I've always enjoyed stories about strays who become a sort of mascot around their favorite haunts. Just saw a story about a cat who hangs about an auto repair shop. He joins the employees for lunch, getting scraps and skritches and often likes to lounge nearby and watch the work. When it was clear that he had no desire to be adopted as somebody's indoor kitty, one of the employees built him a small insulated container filled with warm bedding nearby the shop.

    It was adorable to see the cat sleepily emerge first thing in the morning from his little house and stroll into the shop to a warm greeting from half a dozen people.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: evil_physics_witchcraft on February 06, 2022, 12:01:48 PM
    Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 06, 2022, 11:27:45 AM
    Quote from: ergative on February 05, 2022, 12:33:32 PM
    Would the cat mandate apply to workplaces as well as personal dwellings? I proposed getting a department cat at our last department meeting, and it was favorably received by colleagues, but our chair is not acting despite the obvious agreement on the issue, and such a mandate may help move things along.

    I've always enjoyed stories about strays who become a sort of mascot around their favorite haunts. Just saw a story about a cat who hangs about an auto repair shop. He joins the employees for lunch, getting scraps and skritches and often likes to lounge nearby and watch the work. When it was clear that he had no desire to be adopted as somebody's indoor kitty, one of the employees built him a small insulated container filled with warm bedding nearby the shop.

    It was adorable to see the cat sleepily emerge first thing in the morning from his little house and stroll into the shop to a warm greeting from half a dozen people.

    So cute! It's nice to hear that there are some people giving that cat a shelter. We have a group of 'cat people' who feed the campus cats. I think they also try to TNR them and adopt those who are adoptable.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 11, 2022, 02:55:51 AM
    Of course not. Not even when they are doing the majority of the undergraduate teaching. And their presence tends to be seen more often negatively. And the people who are doing the seeing, the ones whose opinion rates, are also the ones who ask us to trust them to overhaul society in the interest of something they call 'equity.'
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: RatGuy on February 11, 2022, 11:35:59 AM
    I disagree with the premise that "academic is an industry like any other."
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: dismalist on February 11, 2022, 11:59:22 AM
    Quote from: RatGuy on February 11, 2022, 11:35:59 AM
    I disagree with the premise that "academic is an industry like any other."

    Almost everyone, in almost every industry, believes that his or her industry is special. Welcome to the club! :-)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on February 14, 2022, 12:36:00 PM
    The many Twitter responses to "gazpacho police" were hilarious! My favorite was Jose Andres!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on February 14, 2022, 01:05:45 PM
    Nothing goes with a winter evening like a piping hot bowl of gazpacho.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on February 14, 2022, 01:52:40 PM
    Quote from: apl68 on February 14, 2022, 01:05:45 PM
    Nothing goes with a winter evening like a piping hot bowl of gazpacho.

    Hah! I love it even in winter!

    https://twitter.com/chefjoseandres/status/1491540341006159886
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on February 15, 2022, 10:54:00 AM
    SPADFY people. 

    Do we need a SC(onditions)ADFY? 

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on February 16, 2022, 10:45:53 AM
    [unrelated]

    That's DEI, not DIE, for a reason.  One sees the plight of the adjunct so clearly yet feels threatened by current "lefty" efforts to address social and racial injustice.   Lived experience certainly shapes individual perception, yet it also may be applied toward recognizing the lived experiences of others.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 16, 2022, 03:46:44 PM
    Is it Hillary Clinton?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 16, 2022, 04:25:37 PM
    Quote from: aside on February 16, 2022, 10:45:53 AM
    [unrelated]

    That's DEI, not DIE, for a reason.  One sees the plight of the adjunct so clearly yet feels threatened by current "lefty" efforts to address social and racial injustice.   Lived experience certainly shapes individual perception, yet it also may be applied toward recognizing the lived experiences of others.

    I did that intentionally. These flea-brained diversity initiatives are the graveyard of hope and optimism.

    My problem with lefty efforts to address social and racial injustice is not how they affect me. How they affect me in mostly just the nuisance of hearing about them, and maybe being subjected to a bullshit accusation of using racially insensitive language or such My problem with them is they are idiotic and they hurt the people they purport to help by cast ing them as victims while they enrich the people with the snake oil. I don't have time to explain further, but the man after my heart is Coleman Hughes, if you're interested.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 17, 2022, 11:13:19 AM
    https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/covid-exposed-how-public-schools-are-failing-black-kids-will-progressives-care-opinion/ar-AATWXc4
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: permanent imposter on February 18, 2022, 02:33:45 PM
    Quote from: FishProf on February 15, 2022, 10:54:00 AM
    SPADFY people. 

    What does this mean? I've seen it around here more than a few times. Google thinks I'm asking about "Spotify" when I do a search.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: namazu on February 18, 2022, 03:35:57 PM
    Quote from: permanent imposter on February 18, 2022, 02:33:45 PM
    Quote from: FishProf on February 15, 2022, 10:54:00 AM
    SPADFY people. 
    What does this mean? I've seen it around here more than a few times. Google thinks I'm asking about "Spotify" when I do a search.
    SPADFY = "Some people are different from you."
    See also "Assembling the Lexicon" (http://thefora.org/index.php?topic=29.0).
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 18, 2022, 07:57:32 PM
    You're so 'Ignore Wars.' You probably think this song is about you.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on February 19, 2022, 05:58:00 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on February 15, 2022, 10:54:00 AM
    SPADFY people. 

    Do we need a SC(onditions)ADFY?

    In consultation with the Assembling the Lexicon thread, SCADFY yields due to priority to YMMV.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: smallcleanrat on February 20, 2022, 11:06:43 AM
    When I say a thing, I have really been trying to anticipate what someone might think I am saying (or implying), but am definitely not saying. At least, I'm not trying to say it.

    I try to include some kind of disclaimer remark on what I am not saying.

    It hasn't seemed to help much.

    I'm not sure how to do this better.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on February 20, 2022, 11:47:01 AM
    Many people don't listen to understand, they listen to respond (and they usually listen poorly).
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: smallcleanrat on February 20, 2022, 01:46:13 PM
    Quote from: FishProf on February 20, 2022, 11:47:01 AM
    Many people don't listen to understand, they listen to respond (and they usually listen poorly).

    It gets confusing.

    I don't know if it's to make fun of me or if that's really what they think I am saying.

    Though there are a lot of people who assume any discussion of the link between biology and behavior is the same as saying no one is responsible for anything they do and should never be held accountable.

    There are people who try to make arguments like this, but such arguments are not necessarily implied by the biology.

    I guess some people interpret statements about brain development or learning disabilities or mental illness as a precursor to a list of demands.

    I don't know why that is-ought separation is so difficult for some people, but it seems important to figure out how to communicate it.

    If an out-and-out disclaimer does nothing, is it hopeless?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on February 20, 2022, 07:30:17 PM
    Generally speaking, I don't think it's worth trying to cultivate relationships with people not interested in reciprocating. You deserve higher-quality engagement than they're able or willing to provide.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: smallcleanrat on February 20, 2022, 08:25:48 PM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on February 20, 2022, 07:30:17 PM
    Generally speaking, I don't think it's worth trying to cultivate relationships with people not interested in reciprocating. You deserve higher-quality engagement than they're able or willing to provide.

    I guess I'm more interested in cultivating good communication techniques more than specific relationships.

    I have a personal and a professional interest in promoting a better understanding of brain-behavior connections (for the sake of the science and for the sake of the social aspects, like reducing stigma and simplistic moral judgments).

    I hesitated to mention social aspects before because I didn't want to invoke assumptions that I was trying to justify throwing away accountability and standards. But that happened anyway, so...




    As one small example:

    I've had a lot of encounters with people who refuse to believe even that children have real limitations in their ability to reason or regulate their emotions or plan ahead. Everything comes down to choice and willpower and a child who "refuses" to stop crying or get straight A's or whatever is simply being defiant or lazy or manipulative. It honestly doesn't seem to occur to them that a kid might not know how to comply, and that a more effective solution might be to help them develop skills rather than shaming or punishing.

    And the pushback is very similar: "oh, so kids should be allowed to do whatever they want? Let's just throw away all discipline and values and raise a generation of spoiled brats?"

    Of course not. Discipline is necessary, just not always the most effective response. It's the hammer-nail problem.

    There is this all-or-nothing thinking that is difficult to get through.

    It still seems really important to try.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on February 21, 2022, 10:58:08 AM
    Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 20, 2022, 01:46:13 PM
    Quote from: FishProf on February 20, 2022, 11:47:01 AM
    Many people don't listen to understand, they listen to respond (and they usually listen poorly).

    It gets confusing.

    I don't know if it's to make fun of me or if that's really what they think I am saying.

    Though there are a lot of people who assume any discussion of the link between biology and behavior is the same as saying no one is responsible for anything they do and should never be held accountable.

    There are people who try to make arguments like this, but such arguments are not necessarily implied by the biology.

    I guess some people interpret statements about brain development or learning disabilities or mental illness as a precursor to a list of demands.

    I don't know why that is-ought separation is so difficult for some people, but it seems important to figure out how to communicate it.

    If an out-and-out disclaimer does nothing, is it hopeless?

    I was thinking of how to respond to this, and then:
    Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 20, 2022, 08:25:48 PM

    I've had a lot of encounters with people who refuse to believe even that children have real limitations in their ability to reason or regulate their emotions or plan ahead. Everything comes down to choice and willpower and a child who "refuses" to stop crying or get straight A's or whatever is simply being defiant or lazy or manipulative. It honestly doesn't seem to occur to them that a kid might not know how to comply, and that a more effective solution might be to help them develop skills rather than shaming or punishing.

    And the pushback is very similar: "oh, so kids should be allowed to do whatever they want? Let's just throw away all discipline and values and raise a generation of spoiled brats?"

    Of course not. Discipline is necessary, just not always the most effective response. It's the hammer-nail problem.

    There is this all-or-nothing thinking that is difficult to get through.

    It still seems really important to try.

    It's not clear how this avoids the all-or-nothing thinking; at least in the context of the best solution in a specific circumstance. Saying that discipline is not the most effective response in some situation is pretty definitive. As is saying that discipline is the most effective response in a different situation.

    If one wants to get beyond all-or-nothing thinking, then it seems that the best way may be rather to list the pros and cons of various approaches, since any approach is going to have at least some advantages and some disadvantages.



    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: smallcleanrat on February 21, 2022, 11:21:33 AM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on February 21, 2022, 10:58:08 AM
    It's not clear how this avoids the all-or-nothing thinking; at least in the context of the best solution in a specific circumstance. Saying that discipline is not the most effective response in some situation is pretty definitive. As is saying that discipline is the most effective response in a different situation.

    If one wants to get beyond all-or-nothing thinking, then it seems that the best way may be rather to list the pros and cons of various approaches, since any approach is going to have at least some advantages and some disadvantages.


    It's not meant to be definitive, but I do appreciate you explaining how you interpret what I wrote so I can address it.

    I'll try to articulate my point better.

    I mean exactly what you say in your last sentence. Depending on the specifics of any given situation, there will be pros and cons of various approaches.

    I was trying to say that treating every problem as a disciplinary problem has the potential to lead to situations in which discipline is applied inappropriately, because 'lack of discipline' is not the cause of every problem, and there exist problems for which discipline is not the most effective solution (this will depend on the specific circumstances).

    Does this still come across as all-or-nothing?

    How could I have said this more clearly?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on February 21, 2022, 11:55:47 AM
    Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 21, 2022, 11:21:33 AM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on February 21, 2022, 10:58:08 AM
    It's not clear how this avoids the all-or-nothing thinking; at least in the context of the best solution in a specific circumstance. Saying that discipline is not the most effective response in some situation is pretty definitive. As is saying that discipline is the most effective response in a different situation.

    If one wants to get beyond all-or-nothing thinking, then it seems that the best way may be rather to list the pros and cons of various approaches, since any approach is going to have at least some advantages and some disadvantages.


    It's not meant to be definitive, but I do appreciate you explaining how you interpret what I wrote so I can address it.

    I'll try to articulate my point better.

    I mean exactly what you say in your last sentence. Depending on the specifics of any given situation, there will be pros and cons of various approaches.

    I was trying to say that treating every problem as a disciplinary problem has the potential to lead to situations in which discipline is applied inappropriately, because 'lack of discipline' is not the cause of every problem, and there exist problems for which discipline is not the most effective solution (this will depend on the specific circumstances).

    Does this still come across as all-or-nothing?

    How could I have said this more clearly?

    I'm not trying to be snarky here; I really appreciate the way you try to be very "academic" in your discussion of things. Having said that, I think part of what you perceive as "all-or-nothing" thinking from other people is just that the absence of nuance is implicitly rejected by all but the most extreme people. So, for this example, how many people on here are likely to believe that discipline is the solution in EVERY situation? (I don't know of any conservative who lets two-year-olds play with knives; EVERYONE knows that there are limits to what discipline can achieve. On the other hand, most liberals think that it's wrong to restrict many choices that young people have, such as those involving substances or sexual activity DESPITE their real concern for protecting people from harm. So EVERYONE knows that people have to make some decisions for themselves, regardless of the possible negative consequences.)

    The real question which informed people want to discuss is where to draw the line.

    To put it another way, if brain development results in young people committing more crimes, causing more unwanted pregnancies, etc. (all of which are statistically established), in what ways should their environment (including things like house rules,etc.) be controlled to prevent their options for bad decisions, and to what extent should they be counselled, taught, etc. to self-regulate?
    I think you'd find virtually no-one arguing against either of those completely.

    "All-or-nothing" was never on the table in the first place for all but the most extreme.

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on February 21, 2022, 12:13:32 PM
    @ SCR: There is nothing wrong with the wording, phrasing, or referencing of information in your statements, in terms of output.

    But part of communication is not only hearing what is being said, but what is not being said.

    What you seem to be missing is that, at times, other individuals have no interest in taking in new information or being made to look closely at their assumptions in order to grow in their ability to analyze issues or face the potential need to change their opinions based on recently-discovered facts.

    That's a subtextual communication that is conveyed whenever they come back with nonsensical responses that take nothing of what's been said before in the way it was (very clearly) intended, and persist in 'misunderstanding,' cherry-picking, or just plain ignoring the well-put communication.

    In those cases, the 'return communication' is, basically, "La-la-la-I don't heaaaaar you!" and you're better off giving up.

    Because they don't want to hear you, are not communicating in good faith, and are taking advantage of your good will in continuing the exchange--they take the replies as ego strokes.

    It's taken forty years, for example, for my siblings to realize that, in addition to being in need of long-term care, which I can and do respect, our other brother is manipulative and whiny, and tries to use them all the time. We finally, just over this weekend, had the kind of conversation that was needed when they all got angry at me for pointing out these obvious issues, all those decades ago, deciding I, not he, was the "problem," for pointing it out, and cutting me out of large parts of the family's conversations overall.

    So I've had more practice in recognizing the signs, and in knowing that you can only wait it out, the other person isn't going to change until they think they can get something from it, and as long as anyone else keeps trying to mollify, placate, or correct them, that exchange sequence feeds their ego, so they won't.

    Let it go.

    It's not you, it's them.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: smallcleanrat on February 21, 2022, 05:16:57 PM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on February 21, 2022, 10:58:08 AM
    I'm not trying to be snarky here; I really appreciate the way you try to be very "academic" in your discussion of things. Having said that, I think part of what you perceive as "all-or-nothing" thinking from other people is just that the absence of nuance is implicitly rejected by all but the most extreme people. So, for this example, how many people on here are likely to believe that discipline is the solution in EVERY situation? (I don't know of any conservative who lets two-year-olds play with knives; EVERYONE knows that there are limits to what discipline can achieve. On the other hand, most liberals think that it's wrong to restrict many choices that young people have, such as those involving substances or sexual activity DESPITE their real concern for protecting people from harm. So EVERYONE knows that people have to make some decisions for themselves, regardless of the possible negative consequences.)

    Perhaps I should have clarified that the example RE: discipline and children is not based off of interactions with people on these fora.

    My own mom likes to brag that she never 'coddled' me by putting chemicals or sharp things out of reach when I was a toddler...




    QuoteThe real question which informed people want to discuss is where to draw the line.

    I generally believe people when they say this is what they want, but there are times when this is not consistent with the things they are saying.

    QuoteTo put it another way, if brain development results in young people committing more crimes, causing more unwanted pregnancies, etc. (all of which are statistically established), in what ways should their environment (including things like house rules,etc.) be controlled to prevent their options for bad decisions, and to what extent should they be counselled, taught, etc. to self-regulate?
    I think you'd find virtually no-one arguing against either of those completely.

    Which is why I didn't know what to make of you saying you were sick of hearing brain development being used as an excuse for "everything" in response to my posts.

    Especially after I included explicit statements that even if there is a biological factor involved, the student is the one responsible for managing it and for meeting their responsibilities.

    A lot of the studies related to adolescents and sleep do discuss solutions like student services running educational awareness programs to help young people learn to do just that. There isn't a universal push to make everything the problem of the professors.

    So it is unwarranted to assume that mentioning the evidence for a biological component to sleep regulation automatically implies the idea that students should not be responsible for their own lives.

    Quote from: mamselle on February 21, 2022, 12:13:32 PM
    @ SCR: There is nothing wrong with the wording, phrasing, or referencing of information in your statements, in terms of output.

    But part of communication is not only hearing what is being said, but what is not being said.

    What you seem to be missing is that, at times, other individuals have no interest in taking in new information or being made to look closely at their assumptions in order to grow in their ability to analyze issues or face the potential need to change their opinions based on recently-discovered facts.

    [...]

    mamselle, I see the wisdom in your message here, and I suppose it's the "at times" bit I still struggle with.

    I've had experiences with 'la-la-la-don't hear you' exchanges in which asking for clarification of the other person's perspective or taking another approach to communicating my point did lead somewhere. And I've had experiences in which it didn't.

    Often I've had both types of experiences with the same individual, and I think this is when it gets particularly difficult for me.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on February 22, 2022, 02:43:20 PM
    Quote from: smallcleanrat on February 21, 2022, 05:16:57 PM

    QuoteTo put it another way, if brain development results in young people committing more crimes, causing more unwanted pregnancies, etc. (all of which are statistically established), in what ways should their environment (including things like house rules,etc.) be controlled to prevent their options for bad decisions, and to what extent should they be counselled, taught, etc. to self-regulate?
    I think you'd find virtually no-one arguing against either of those completely.

    Which is why I didn't know what to make of you saying you were sick of hearing brain development being used as an excuse for "everything" in response to my posts.


    You're right. The fact that I used a universal statement undermines my point about avoiding all-or-nothing statements. What I could say that would be more accurate is that, other than your mention of having specific training to help young people learn to cope with the consequences of ongoing brain development, (which I think is a great idea, like study skills, etc.),  I can't immediately recall anyone raising the brain development issues as important if they were not essentially implying some sort of accommodation was in order.

    In other words, virtually every argument I have heard has been, "Suck it up" or "Poor baby!"
    A measured, rational approach to issues people face which admits the problem is both real, but still something which they themselves must learn to handle, is rare in our popular culture.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 24, 2022, 06:25:44 AM
    Perhaps he's taking the discrimination with humor, like an obedient white boy does.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ergative on February 24, 2022, 11:24:30 PM
    I think Russia the state is doing a Bad Thing, but even with that in mind I don't think it's appropriate to start invoking ethnic slurs to refer to Russians.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 25, 2022, 12:49:45 AM
    Quote from: ergative on February 24, 2022, 11:24:30 PM
    I think Russia the state is doing a Bad Thing, but even with that in mind I don't think it's appropriate to start invoking ethnic slurs to refer to Russians.

    If you're old enough like me you remember when President Reagan was skewered by the press for visiting Bitburg to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the end of WWII. Of the 2,000 buried there 49 were members of the Waffen-SS, and Reagan defended himself by stating that they were victims of the Third Reich too.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on February 25, 2022, 10:32:37 AM
    Quote from: ergative on February 24, 2022, 11:24:30 PM
    I think Russia the state is doing a Bad Thing, but even with that in mind I don't think it's appropriate to start invoking ethnic slurs to refer to Russians.

    Yes, especially given the thousands of Russians known to be protesting the Bad Thing, some of whom have been arrested for doing so.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ergative on February 25, 2022, 03:20:59 PM
    Quote from: aside on February 25, 2022, 10:32:37 AM
    Quote from: ergative on February 24, 2022, 11:24:30 PM
    I think Russia the state is doing a Bad Thing, but even with that in mind I don't think it's appropriate to start invoking ethnic slurs to refer to Russians.

    Yes, especially given the thousands of Russians known to be protesting the Bad Thing, some of whom have been arrested for doing so.
    Yeah, f'rreal.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: paultuttle on February 26, 2022, 07:24:21 AM
    Quote from: mamselle on February 21, 2022, 12:13:32 PM
    @ SCR: There is nothing wrong with the wording, phrasing, or referencing of information in your statements, in terms of output.

    But part of communication is not only hearing what is being said, but what is not being said.

    What you seem to be missing is that, at times, other individuals have no interest in taking in new information or being made to look closely at their assumptions in order to grow in their ability to analyze issues or face the potential need to change their opinions based on recently-discovered facts.

    That's a subtextual communication that is conveyed whenever they come back with nonsensical responses that take nothing of what's been said before in the way it was (very clearly) intended, and persist in 'misunderstanding,' cherry-picking, or just plain ignoring the well-put communication.

    In those cases, the 'return communication' is, basically, "La-la-la-I don't heaaaaar you!" and you're better off giving up.

    Because they don't want to hear you, are not communicating in good faith, and are taking advantage of your good will in continuing the exchange--they take the replies as ego strokes.

    It's taken forty years, for example, for my siblings to realize that, in addition to being in need of long-term care, which I can and do respect, our other brother is manipulative and whiny, and tries to use them all the time. We finally, just over this weekend, had the kind of conversation that was needed when they all got angry at me for pointing out these obvious issues, all those decades ago, deciding I, not he, was the "problem," for pointing it out, and cutting me out of large parts of the family's conversations overall.

    So I've had more practice in recognizing the signs, and in knowing that you can only wait it out, the other person isn't going to change until they think they can get something from it, and as long as anyone else keeps trying to mollify, placate, or correct them, that exchange sequence feeds their ego, so they won't.

    Let it go.

    It's not you, it's them.

    M.

    Thank you for making these points publicly here.

    These are helpful reminders of how some people act, along with ways to handle those actions.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on February 27, 2022, 03:26:38 AM
    Interesting news story:

    https://www.independent.ie/world-news/africa/riots-at-ugliest-man-competition-after-handsome-winner-defeats-favourite-for-title-34223475.html
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: smallcleanrat on February 27, 2022, 08:47:30 PM
    *sigh*
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on March 02, 2022, 09:37:05 AM
    Oh, right. I forgot those two words really trigger you guys.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on March 02, 2022, 09:45:03 AM
    Only two?

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on March 02, 2022, 09:56:03 AM
    Quote from: mamselle on March 02, 2022, 09:45:03 AM
    Only two?

    M.

    Touché!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on March 02, 2022, 10:30:26 AM
    [possibly related?]

    Ah, well. Back to ignoring.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 04, 2022, 10:25:54 AM
    Are elected democrats ever against funding?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 04, 2022, 03:43:10 PM
    I've had my pay cut before, along with all the adjunct faculty in the department. The tenured people had a union and were spared. One of them told me he didn't think it was fair. Of course their union had cut a deal with administration that they would never let us join. "People will say all kinds of things, but what they do is always the truth."  - P J O'Rourke
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 04, 2022, 05:29:24 PM
    ...So please, don't let it anyone tell you I never say anything positive about tenure.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 08, 2022, 08:37:03 AM
    Hey, not exactly...if the left doesn't love the poor, why are they always hiring them for another semester?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Juvenal on March 08, 2022, 01:43:53 PM
    No adjunct hires this semester in my (former) STEM department.  Why not?  So many sections cancelled from low enrollment that even the FTers seem to be teaching skimpy sections.  Well, they still have work.  This is at a CC.

    Once retired (not all that recent) and adjuncting since, found that the COVID classroom was no longer the forum I'd thought it (foolish me!) might be.  And so, health decline and student dearth(s) made it clear that masked or un-masked, my lectern chops will belong to others.  I really miss chalk!  Long since superseded at my CC by dried-out whiteboard markers.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on March 08, 2022, 02:50:29 PM
    I used to carry a pouch of fresh markers around with me for that reason.

    Does this mean you're really retiring (for the 2nd time, I believe)?

    Sorry it's come to that...

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 09, 2022, 07:30:38 AM
    Things are indeed getting dire when schools begin losing their opportunity to complain about having to use adjunct faculty.

    ********************************************

    I like the larger type, Professor Juvenal! At some point during the last 10 years the whole world made its font smaller. And they never asked us if was OK. They just went ahead and did it!

    Agree with you about chalk. I even liked the sound it made. The sound of information being revealed!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Juvenal on March 09, 2022, 08:49:39 AM
    Quote from: mamselle on March 08, 2022, 02:50:29 PM
    I used to carry a pouch of fresh markers around with me for that reason.

    Does this mean you're really retiring (for the 2nd time, I believe)?

    Sorry it's come to that...

    M.

    Well, that's what I did, too, but all the supply cabinet had were black ones.  When I used chalk I'd buy a bucket of sidewalk chalk every semester or so and bring it along to class.  My! How colorful my chalk work was!

    And yes, this retiree-adjuncting-retirement is conclusive.  Well, if they paid $6000/credit hour...hmm.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Juvenal on March 09, 2022, 08:57:37 AM
    Quote from: mahagonny on March 09, 2022, 07:30:38 AM
    Things are indeed getting dire when schools begin losing their opportunity to complain about having to use adjunct faculty.

    ********************************************

    I like the larger type, Professor Juvenal! At some point during the last 10 years the whole world made its font smaller. And they never asked us if was OK. They just went ahead and did it!

    Agree with you about chalk. I even liked the sound it made. The sound of information being revealed!

    I wonder why nearly everyone just takes the default typeface, when there is an easy choice of alternatives in both font and font size.  I truly dislike sans-serif type.  And my e-mails and anything else I keyboard is just about always "Times New Roman," and a generous font size.  Takes about twenty seconds to make the type here into what I think looks better.  But that's me--yearning for serifs, chalk, and powdered wigs.

    But if there was a general turning here to at least larger fonts--some folks' posts are so long they might take up a whole page at the larger font size.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Anselm on March 09, 2022, 09:07:40 AM
    Testing testing  1   2  3 ....
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 09, 2022, 09:25:09 AM
    Quote from: Juvenal on March 09, 2022, 08:57:37 AM

    I wonder why nearly everyone just takes the default typeface, when there is an easy choice of alternatives in both font and font size.

    Because I like to yell at people, but from a distance.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on March 09, 2022, 10:44:45 AM
    If you're going to go for it, go for it!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on March 09, 2022, 11:16:00 AM
    What fun!


         WHEEE!!!



    La-la-la!!!!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 11, 2022, 10:01:11 AM
    Life in 2022 liberal indoctrination centers college campuses, as they struggle nobly to maintain enrollment and graduation rates

    'Why didn't you tell me sooner that the student thinks he's a chicken?'
    'Well, I would have, but we needed the eggs.'
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Juvenal on March 11, 2022, 02:22:55 PM
    Quote from: mahagonny on March 11, 2022, 10:01:11 AM
    Life in 2022 liberal indoctrination centers college campuses, as they struggle nobly to maintain enrollment and graduation rates

    'Why didn't you tell me sooner that the student thinks he's a chicken?'
    'Well, I would have, but we needed the eggs.'

    And onward to the omelet.  Every part tastes about the same.  Just add some cheese.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 14, 2022, 05:42:45 PM
    Then again, so is Memphis. And you can get killed there.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on March 15, 2022, 07:22:01 AM
    Isn't that the truth!  I was there overnight less than two months ago, and the driving is so crazily aggressive that I don't see how dozens of people aren't killed on their roads and streets every week.  Evidently traffic laws simply aren't enforced there.  It's not hard to get around in for a city of its size, but the traffic is truly scary.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Juvenal on March 15, 2022, 08:51:12 AM
    Why is "General Academic Discussion" so empty?  No posts since the 10th.  Or am I missing something?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on March 15, 2022, 11:17:06 AM
    Quote from: apl68 on March 15, 2022, 07:22:01 AM
    Isn't that the truth!  I was there overnight less than two months ago, and the driving is so crazily aggressive that I don't see how dozens of people aren't killed on their roads and streets every week.  Evidently traffic laws simply aren't enforced there.  It's not hard to get around in for a city of its size, but the traffic is truly scary.

    Chuckles...

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 18, 2022, 04:10:36 PM
    Now is a good time to give away money, come to think of it. While it's still worth something.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Langue_doc on March 18, 2022, 04:26:52 PM
    Quote from: apl68 on March 15, 2022, 07:22:01 AM
    Isn't that the truth!  I was there overnight less than two months ago, and the driving is so crazily aggressive that I don't see how dozens of people aren't killed on their roads and streets every week.  Evidently traffic laws simply aren't enforced there.  It's not hard to get around in for a city of its size, but the traffic is truly scary.

    Ha! You haven't seen how people drive in NYC, have you? It's quite an experience. You get honked at for not running red lights, have large cars, vans, and trucks muscle their way in front of you, and people in the far right lane cut you off when making an illegal left turn without any warning or turn signals. I take my life in both hands when driving in the city.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on March 18, 2022, 08:31:47 PM
    Quote from: Langue_doc on March 18, 2022, 04:26:52 PM
    Quote from: apl68 on March 15, 2022, 07:22:01 AM
    Isn't that the truth!  I was there overnight less than two months ago, and the driving is so crazily aggressive that I don't see how dozens of people aren't killed on their roads and streets every week.  Evidently traffic laws simply aren't enforced there.  It's not hard to get around in for a city of its size, but the traffic is truly scary.

    Ha! You haven't seen how people drive in NYC, have you? It's quite an experience. You get honked at for not running red lights, have large cars, vans, and trucks muscle their way in front of you, and people in the far right lane cut you off when making an illegal left turn without any warning or turn signals. I take my life in both hands when driving in the city.
    Yes, but are they going 80 mph?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Langue_doc on March 19, 2022, 06:58:03 AM
    Quote from: aside on March 18, 2022, 08:31:47 PM
    Quote from: Langue_doc on March 18, 2022, 04:26:52 PM
    Quote from: apl68 on March 15, 2022, 07:22:01 AM
    Isn't that the truth!  I was there overnight less than two months ago, and the driving is so crazily aggressive that I don't see how dozens of people aren't killed on their roads and streets every week.  Evidently traffic laws simply aren't enforced there.  It's not hard to get around in for a city of its size, but the traffic is truly scary.

    Ha! You haven't seen how people drive in NYC, have you? It's quite an experience. You get honked at for not running red lights, have large cars, vans, and trucks muscle their way in front of you, and people in the far right lane cut you off when making an illegal left turn without any warning or turn signals. I take my life in both hands when driving in the city.
    Yes, but are they going 80 mph?

    40-50 miles in a 20-25 speed limit zone. There's a school on this route so us locals know about the speed cameras. I was once T-boned by a car making an illegal left turn. The driver was quite upset because he thought that I should have anticipated his left turn and let him through. I bought that car on a Monday and was T-boned on Friday of the same week.

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on March 19, 2022, 08:18:57 AM
    Don't hate me apl68: I am a juvenile. Disclaimer: active church member, long time choir member (probably where the following comes from). We donate 10% of net yearly.

    "... until they run out of Peter's"

    I'm going straight to Hell after I'm composted.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 21, 2022, 08:05:29 AM
    For example, my wife has a pet name for me: idiot.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on March 21, 2022, 10:55:27 AM
    No one should forget Red Green.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on March 21, 2022, 10:56:52 AM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on March 21, 2022, 10:55:27 AM
    No one should forget Red Green.

    He's very handy.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on March 21, 2022, 11:06:04 AM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on March 21, 2022, 10:56:52 AM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on March 21, 2022, 10:55:27 AM
    No one should forget Red Green.

    He's very handy.

    I was in the live audience for one of his shows.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on March 21, 2022, 01:08:56 PM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on March 21, 2022, 11:06:04 AM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on March 21, 2022, 10:56:52 AM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on March 21, 2022, 10:55:27 AM
    No one should forget Red Green.

    He's very handy.

    I was in the live audience for one of his shows.

    Probably more entertaining than the alternative.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on March 21, 2022, 09:43:45 PM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on March 21, 2022, 11:06:04 AM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on March 21, 2022, 10:56:52 AM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on March 21, 2022, 10:55:27 AM
    No one should forget Red Green.

    He's very handy.

    I was in the live audience for one of his shows.

    Oh, cool! I hope it was fun!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on March 22, 2022, 02:22:09 PM
    As a fellow musician, I would not regret not having bought an accordion, but perhaps we march to different drummers.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Anselm on March 22, 2022, 02:39:04 PM
    Quote from: aside on March 22, 2022, 02:22:09 PM
    As a fellow musician, I would not regret not having bought an accordion, but perhaps we march to different drummers.

    Elvis killed off the accordion industry.  I had one as a boy but never got proper lessons even though my father played one in a band.  They have been coming back due to popularity among Mexican-Americans.

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on March 22, 2022, 02:59:03 PM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on March 21, 2022, 09:43:45 PM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on March 21, 2022, 11:06:04 AM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on March 21, 2022, 10:56:52 AM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on March 21, 2022, 10:55:27 AM
    No one should forget Red Green.

    He's very handy.

    I was in the live audience for one of his shows.

    Oh, cool! I hope it was fun!

    Yeah the audience are all in "Possum Lodge", and during the closing credits the camera pans over the lodge members and so you can almost make us out if you know where to look.
    (If the show is still on some sort of streaming service; that would have been 30+ years ago.)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on March 22, 2022, 03:11:35 PM
    Quote from: Anselm on March 22, 2022, 02:39:04 PM
    Quote from: aside on March 22, 2022, 02:22:09 PM
    As a fellow musician, I would not regret not having bought an accordion, but perhaps we march to different drummers.

    Elvis killed off the accordion industry.  I had one as a boy but never got proper lessons even though my father played one in a band.  They have been coming back due to popularity among Mexican-Americans.

    Never were unpopular in certain areas:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1IPk5UmnHU
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on March 22, 2022, 04:10:40 PM
    Re: accordions: Not for all of us...

    1) Jazz:

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNCM_dBeWQk

    2) Orchestral:

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKptyDDBKIg

    3) Ethnic:

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zQ3dyGV0oI

    All those were either starting or already well-known before, during and after Elvis.

    I've met two in person.

    M. 
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 23, 2022, 06:20:03 AM
    And speaking of white achievement. A white musician, Gabor Szabo, forced his black piano player, Bobby Womack, to write a song they called 'Breezin'' which Szabo then performed, followed by weak record sales. But then George Benson, always with his ear to the ground, rerecorded it and had a smash hit. Dealing white colonialism another well deserved smackdown.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on March 23, 2022, 06:25:29 AM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on March 22, 2022, 02:59:03 PM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on March 21, 2022, 09:43:45 PM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on March 21, 2022, 11:06:04 AM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on March 21, 2022, 10:56:52 AM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on March 21, 2022, 10:55:27 AM
    No one should forget Red Green.

    He's very handy.

    I was in the live audience for one of his shows.

    Oh, cool! I hope it was fun!

    Yeah the audience are all in "Possum Lodge", and during the closing credits the camera pans over the lodge members and so you can almost make us out if you know where to look.
    (If the show is still on some sort of streaming service; that would have been 30+ years ago.)

    Did you get to see the Possum Van?  That's something rural Americans can identify with too.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on March 23, 2022, 06:36:43 AM
    Quote from: apl68 on March 23, 2022, 06:25:29 AM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on March 22, 2022, 02:59:03 PM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on March 21, 2022, 09:43:45 PM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on March 21, 2022, 11:06:04 AM
    Quote from: Parasaurolophus on March 21, 2022, 10:56:52 AM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on March 21, 2022, 10:55:27 AM
    No one should forget Red Green.

    He's very handy.

    I was in the live audience for one of his shows.

    Oh, cool! I hope it was fun!

    Yeah the audience are all in "Possum Lodge", and during the closing credits the camera pans over the lodge members and so you can almost make us out if you know where to look.
    (If the show is still on some sort of streaming service; that would have been 30+ years ago.)

    Did you get to see the Possum Van?  That's something rural Americans can identify with too.

    I don't think it was in the studio. I imagine the outdoor segments were filmed some other time without an audience.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: bacardiandlime on March 23, 2022, 08:45:48 AM
    Oh look, another thread that's a total dumpster fire. JFC
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on March 23, 2022, 09:21:53 AM
    I know, I give it three tries and then I give up.

    Trial 3 just went down. So, I'm out.

    Some folks just gotta...somepthin'...

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: OneMoreYear on March 24, 2022, 05:35:32 AM
    So . . . the swear word is censored, but you feel totally OK typing the other word?
    I need to remember not to click on that thread.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Langue_doc on March 24, 2022, 06:11:12 AM
    Whatever happened to Fiona the thread killer? Or was that someone else?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on March 24, 2022, 10:08:45 AM
    I often wish the same thing

    But Fiona (who was truly the thread-killler, yes) was fairly well along in years when the old Forum went away.

    Checking now to see if she even signed up for this one...nope, or if she did, she didn't use that moniker here.

    Someone needs to fill those shoes, indeed.

    But mostly, I just have a three-and-out rule for myself.

    If after three efforts to inject a little sense into the conversation, it's still running off the rails, I just stop posting to it, and let it go to the second-tier "New Replies" listing, where after a bit, when everyone else does the same, it stops showing up on my "Unread Posts" list at opening. (It's telling how many threads have the same few people in the last-poster position)

    Took awhile to figure that strategy out, but it contributes no end of peace to my sense of fora-well-being...

    You can't change others, and you can't change situations. You can only change yourself and how you respond to those situations.

    So I do.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on March 24, 2022, 10:13:52 AM
    Quote from: Langue_doc on March 24, 2022, 06:11:12 AM
    Whatever happened to Fiona the thread killer? Or was that someone else?

    I'm pretty sure she said she wasn't coming when the old forum died.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on March 24, 2022, 10:16:08 AM
    Now that you mention it, I think that's correct, too.

    Much missed.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 24, 2022, 10:31:08 AM
    Now, is that what you really want? How can you keep coming here to not look at things when some busybody is preventing them from happening?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ciao_yall on March 26, 2022, 08:46:49 AM
    Maybe it is your coffee...
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 26, 2022, 08:47:58 AM
    Cheap shot
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 28, 2022, 06:07:05 AM
    Is that everyone's problem?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on March 28, 2022, 11:20:08 AM
    Aside #1: I blame myself.

    Aside #2: Lighten up Francis.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on March 28, 2022, 01:17:15 PM
    Had to laugh.

    That made me think of this Francis:

       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-3p19Ymb8o

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on March 28, 2022, 04:07:16 PM
    Where is the evidence anyone ever gave a f*** about that one?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on April 05, 2022, 06:55:43 PM
    That's... not how that works.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on April 06, 2022, 02:51:59 PM
    If Trump agrees with something someone said then it's false.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on April 07, 2022, 06:29:59 AM
    And now you put on the sweet feminine charm to campaign for the gender-changing of children, while lamenting the fact that people fight over strongly held views, after calling me an idiot. I must give you credit. You know how cook on all four burners. But it does strain credulity.
    You have fight people who are wrong. We agree on that.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on April 27, 2022, 04:29:45 PM
    Does anyone seriously think that Musk taking over Twitter will make it worse than the shitshow it is now?

    Of course, he might allow Trump to start posting again. That could be a problem. But I think mostly it would just be annoying. We are used to annoying.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ergative on April 29, 2022, 02:36:48 AM
    Gosh, I'm clicking on a lot more threads these days.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on April 29, 2022, 07:45:46 AM
    Ditto.

    I've stopped ignoring several.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Istiblennius on April 29, 2022, 08:15:42 AM
    Definite sighs of relief on returning to threads.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on May 02, 2022, 08:43:58 AM
    [unrelated]

    Wahoo Redux wins the internet. Nicely done.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on May 05, 2022, 10:27:07 AM
    [unrelated]

    I don't think you did at all.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on May 05, 2022, 08:13:38 PM
    What the hell was that?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on May 05, 2022, 08:24:51 PM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on May 05, 2022, 08:13:38 PM
    What the hell was that?

    Yeah, really. Wearing a motorcycle helmet might have kept some of that spleen in.

    (Assuming it's the same post.)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: AmLitHist on May 06, 2022, 11:21:22 AM
    I can never keep up with what goes on here on the Fora.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Istiblennius on May 06, 2022, 03:21:24 PM
    oof. that is one heck of a lot of misogyny packed into one post.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on May 07, 2022, 03:31:44 PM
    ^ Unrelated.

    If no-one answers that last post, they might figure it out for themselves...

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on May 30, 2022, 08:33:09 AM
    I am rewriting a lecture on logical fallacies.  Thanks for the post.  It saves me having to manufacture an example of cherry-picking.  Well done!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on June 01, 2022, 07:23:43 AM
    Wahoo hates music that I think is da bomb, and should be banned from here and all other boards!!

    Say it with me:

    Cancel him! Cancel him! Cancel him!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on June 01, 2022, 07:27:54 AM
    De gustibus.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on June 01, 2022, 09:06:27 AM
    Quote from: mamselle on June 01, 2022, 07:27:54 AM
    De gustibus.

    M.

    Et tu?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on June 01, 2022, 01:50:28 PM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on June 01, 2022, 09:06:27 AM
    Quote from: mamselle on June 01, 2022, 07:27:54 AM
    De gustibus.

    M.

    Et tu?

    Sorry, I'm...puzzled.

    Are you saying there's not a chasmic, cosmic different between musical tastes and lethal societal pseudo-'values'?

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on June 01, 2022, 01:55:36 PM
    Quote from: mamselle on June 01, 2022, 01:50:28 PM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on June 01, 2022, 09:06:27 AM
    Quote from: mamselle on June 01, 2022, 07:27:54 AM
    De gustibus.

    M.

    Et tu?

    Sorry, I'm...puzzled.

    Are you saying there's not a chasmic, cosmic different between musical tastes and lethal societal pseudo-'values'?

    M.

    Sorry, guess I misunderstood. This was my poor attempt at humor, thinking you meant you were joining in with Wahoo. In this case, joking that there was no accounting for my taste in music.

    jim
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on June 01, 2022, 03:26:20 PM
    Got it, no!

    I meant it in the sense of being open to others' taste in music, generally.

    Given that I'm currently working with a middle-schooler on analyzing music written for computer games, I'd say my tastes were more eclectic than anything....

    ;--}

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: paultuttle on June 04, 2022, 01:39:19 PM
    I was lucky enough to see a red fox in my neighborhood a couple of weeks ago while on my morning walk. It looked both ways before negotiating a roundabout.

    I thought it was a good bit smarter than some of the drivers I've also seen negotiating that particular roundabout, since it went the correct way around (anti-clockwise) and then took off straight down the next road.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on July 16, 2022, 01:46:14 PM
    Compliments to a bunch of you. You have WAY more patience than I.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: lightning on July 20, 2022, 10:59:23 AM
    I was following along with well wishes and envy, but the new discussion has me perplexed and questioning if everything has been made up.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on July 31, 2022, 10:16:28 PM
    Your patent untruth has a hard time looking Wisconsin's lame-duck curtailments of gubernatorial power in the eye.

    Among other things.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: downer on August 02, 2022, 08:30:17 AM
    I recently heard about an FT professor who for many years commuted between Oxford and Long Island. I guess it required some flexibility on the part of their students and colleagues.

    I know another professor who commutes between Virginia and Manhattan. I heard something about them sometimes sleeping in their office.

    But neither are dept chairs.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on August 09, 2022, 12:22:18 PM
    Just wondering where I fit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jg7wFHWXT4
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: lightning on August 09, 2022, 01:25:06 PM
    Quote from: downer on August 02, 2022, 08:30:17 AM
    I recently heard about an FT professor who for many years commuted between Oxford and Long Island. I guess it required some flexibility on the part of their students and colleagues.

    I know another professor who commutes between Virginia and Manhattan. I heard something about them sometimes sleeping in their office.

    But neither are dept chairs.

    If the commute is from Northern Virginia (DC suburbs), it's doable by train, because you can sleep on the train. The Washington Flyer drops you off in Manhattan, and they have departures bound for Virginia in the very late evening. I know a former faculty colleague who did the commute in reverse. Yes, he used to sleep in his office, especially after hours--he scheduled office hours after lunch and it was rare for students to actually show up to office hours. His office was in the quiet basement and didn't have a window, and he liked it that way.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on August 11, 2022, 03:05:32 PM
    It's not hard to find how WTA ranking points are determined. It's VERY weighted toward being a Grand Slam winner or Finalist: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WTA_rankings
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on August 12, 2022, 04:12:24 PM
    Milton Friedbot.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on August 14, 2022, 04:17:35 AM
    An echo chamber in a hall of mirrors.

    Sartrean.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: paddington_bear on August 18, 2022, 04:19:46 AM
    A weird thing happened to me yesterday and I'm soliciting people for their opinions. Pretend this is ABC's "What Would You Do?" or some etiquette column online.

    About a week or so ago I ordered a purse online and it was supposed to come with four little "mini bags" (think make-up bags, etc.). The purse came on Tuesday, but no additional items. I emailed the company (it's a national company) to let them know. I took pictures to "prove" that I didn't receive the items and they said, "Sorry, we'll send them out!"

    You see where this is going....Yesterday, not only did the additional missing items come, but I got an additional bag!  So I ordered 1 bag + 4 things and now I have 2 bags + 4 things. And I think 4 more things are coming. So.....What would you do?  Email the company and say, "Hey, you don't need to send out the 4 items and how do I send back the extra bag?" Would you keep everything?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: AvidReader on August 18, 2022, 05:31:13 AM
    This happened to me last year with a small piece of technology (and accessories).  I emailed the company. They let me keep both; if they had wanted one returned, I would have expected a prepaid label/box or a place where I could drop it easily and for free.

    AR.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Puget on August 18, 2022, 06:38:55 AM
    Quote from: paddington_bear on August 18, 2022, 04:19:46 AM
    A weird thing happened to me yesterday and I'm soliciting people for their opinions. Pretend this is ABC's "What Would You Do?" or some etiquette column online.

    About a week or so ago I ordered a purse online and it was supposed to come with four little "mini bags" (think make-up bags, etc.). The purse came on Tuesday, but no additional items. I emailed the company (it's a national company) to let them know. I took pictures to "prove" that I didn't receive the items and they said, "Sorry, we'll send them out!"

    You see where this is going....Yesterday, not only did the additional missing items come, but I got an additional bag!  So I ordered 1 bag + 4 things and now I have 2 bags + 4 things. And I think 4 more things are coming. So.....What would you do?  Email the company and say, "Hey, you don't need to send out the 4 items and how do I send back the extra bag?" Would you keep everything?

    Probably that is what they sent out intentionally-- what I've found is that if a component is missing, companies just sent a whole new one, because they don't have a way of just sending the missing piece(s), as everything is packaged together. Don't worry about it.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on August 18, 2022, 07:50:02 AM
    Playing the game of 'Keep a Word, Change a Word' and my first instinct was a potentially racist term. 

    Glad I looked it up and picked a less loaded one.  The online debate about the term was, frankly, depressing.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on August 19, 2022, 07:57:26 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on August 18, 2022, 07:50:02 AM
    Playing the game of 'Keep a Word, Change a Word' and my first instinct was a potentially racist term. 

    Glad I looked it up and picked a less loaded one.  The online debate about the term was, frankly, depressing.

    The shifting sands of today's language politics make it all too easy to become an innocent (if perhaps clueless) victim of yet another cave-in in the Gemeinschaft.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: lightning on August 26, 2022, 09:43:41 PM
    <groan>
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on August 28, 2022, 05:27:47 AM
    I'm not worried about $10K per student giveaways to colleges causing more inflation. I'm worried about more of that zero per cent inflation like we had in July, that wasn't cause by anything.


    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ergative on August 28, 2022, 10:47:52 PM
    Quote from: lightning on August 26, 2022, 09:43:41 PM
    <groan>

    yup.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on August 29, 2022, 02:58:18 PM
    Not trying to be snarky, but that did seem to be a pretty US specific thread.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on August 30, 2022, 05:23:36 AM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on August 29, 2022, 02:58:18 PM
    Not trying to be snarky, but that did seem to be a pretty US specific thread.

    If it's the one I'm thinking of, yes it was. But, if the problem is unique to the US, then it is somehow rooted in the way the system works in the US, and perhaps changes might be made to be more like other places. On the other hand, if the problem is not unique to the US, then it's not specifically rooted in the way the system works in the US, and the solutions may be more universal.

    In other words, trying to determine whether the problem is localized or not is important in trying to figure out the cause(s) and potential solution(s).

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on August 30, 2022, 01:03:47 PM
    It was nice while it lasted.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on August 30, 2022, 01:42:01 PM
    I'm enjoying the "ignore" function.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 02, 2022, 11:14:45 PM
    It took me three weeks to 'get' Claude Debussy's music in full measure. But it was the best three weeks I'ver ever spent.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on September 04, 2022, 05:21:33 PM
    Thank god I'm happily retired and care not a whit about today's "tenure driven culture".
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 04, 2022, 06:57:58 PM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on September 04, 2022, 05:21:33 PM
    Thank god I'm happily retired and care not a whit about today's "tenure driven culture".

    Well, I was regularly called 'Breitbart' without ever having read it. I guess that's what happens when the USA sorts itself into tribes.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on September 05, 2022, 04:31:39 PM
    Quote from: mamselle on August 30, 2022, 01:42:01 PM
    I'm enjoying the "ignore" function.

    M.

    Just swim away, folks...

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on September 06, 2022, 10:25:41 AM
    The most sane, level-headed, intelligent, and compassionate voice I've encountered on these fora over the past 12 years or so? Yeah, you bet your sweet bippy I trust her.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 06, 2022, 02:13:23 PM
    I wouldn't leave my child alone with her.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on September 08, 2022, 07:49:56 AM
    There's a "who-gets-the-last-word" contest going on over on that thread...

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on September 10, 2022, 03:38:27 PM
    Sorry, but no. I hired almost all our adjuncts, knew most From K-12 teaching and was friends with them. Drinking with them was a common occurrence for me.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 10, 2022, 03:49:45 PM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on September 10, 2022, 03:38:27 PM
    Sorry, but no. I hired almost all our adjuncts, knew most From K-12 teaching and was friends with them. Drinking with them was a common occurrence for me.

    Why don't you leave them alone.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on September 10, 2022, 03:55:28 PM
    We were friends? Still are?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 10, 2022, 04:09:56 PM
    Well I don't recommend drinking with the boss. But that's just me.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 10, 2022, 06:38:26 PM
    I went to the doctor recently and the decor did not compliment my skin tone one bit. I think I'll complain.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mamselle on September 11, 2022, 02:15:14 PM
    When someone's riding a hobby horse, the only effectual "Whoa!" comes from the rider.

    M.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 12, 2022, 06:05:38 AM
    Wow, you are, once again, impressing me as super-educated, inquisitive, and ready to share your knowledge. Three cheers for white privilege.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on September 12, 2022, 06:00:40 PM
    NOT about you m.

    You are a fool.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 13, 2022, 07:13:44 PM
    Who gives a fuck about the murdered white woman jogger?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: permanent imposter on September 14, 2022, 09:56:49 PM
    Gender identity is not a joke. Also yikes.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 15, 2022, 06:06:32 AM
    Quote from: permanent imposter on September 14, 2022, 09:56:49 PM
    Gender identity is not a joke. Also yikes.

    If I had to take a guess I would predict that opening up more gender studies majors has already had its full effect on public opinion. Wouldn't you? Some are just not buying it. They tend to gather in Florida, but not just there. The FL attorney general is now warning against considering transgender procedures for children. Just to make it more interesting, he is a Black man. I am pretty sure BIPOC's are statistically less accepting of transgenderism than are ofays. As for thinking it's a joke, two words: Dave Chappelle.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 15, 2022, 05:44:51 PM
    Or when he stands between two Marines and says 'half of you are a threat to everything that is decent and humane' and then lies about it the next day.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on September 24, 2022, 11:45:50 AM
    Starting to feel a little like Fiona:)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 26, 2022, 03:55:45 AM
    We don't always agree, but thank you for your time and for taking the question seriously, fellow forumite.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 26, 2022, 04:51:35 PM
    "Former US president Donald Trump criticized the media for not covering the article. In a speech in North Carolina on September 23, Trump stated that "Just recently, a young 18-year-old man from North Dakota ... was targeted and killed, run down in cold blood with an SUV by a radical left maniac. This guy ran him down and not one mainstream media network has even mentioned this horrible crime... Think of it the other way. Supposing a mad person ran down somebody on the other side, it would be the biggest story you've ever seen." A Fox News investigation found that neither The New York Times nor MSNBC had covered Ellingson's death.[7]"

    A 'draft' available on Wikipedia

    Oh, but how could that be anything sensible? Donald Trump said it. LOL
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on September 26, 2022, 04:57:37 PM
    But that isn't accurate.  What a surprise.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 26, 2022, 04:59:54 PM
    Quote from: FishProf on September 26, 2022, 04:57:37 PM
    But that isn't accurate.  What a surprise.

    Tell us what really happened.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on September 26, 2022, 05:07:20 PM
    I know for a fact that CNN and the Washington Post covered it as I looked when Fox made the claim about no mainstream media.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 26, 2022, 05:10:13 PM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on September 26, 2022, 05:07:20 PM
    I know for a fact that CNN and the Washington Post covered it as I looked when Fox made the claim about no mainstream media.

    was it before or after the 'pre-owned autos for sale' section?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on September 26, 2022, 05:14:26 PM
    Quote from: mahagonny on September 26, 2022, 05:10:13 PM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on September 26, 2022, 05:07:20 PM
    I know for a fact that CNN and the Washington Post covered it as I looked when Fox made the claim about no mainstream media.

    was it before or after the 'pre-owned autos for sale' section?

    Don't have a clue what you mean by the above. I asserted what you stated wasn't factual (unless you don't count those two as mainstream media).

    That claim is made by Fox all the time. It is generally untrue, and is simply a marketing ploy.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on September 26, 2022, 05:21:21 PM
    Trump is quoted as saying "This guy ran him down and not one mainstream media network has even mentioned this horrible crime".

    That is simply not true.  You can move the goalposts to "didn't say it enough", or "was it before or after the 'pre-owned autos for sale' section?" but the claim made by Trump is simply incorrect.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 27, 2022, 03:53:31 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on September 26, 2022, 05:21:21 PM
    Trump is quoted as saying "This guy ran him down and not one mainstream media network has even mentioned this horrible crime".

    That is simply not true.  You can move the goalposts to "didn't say it enough", or "was it before or after the 'pre-owned autos for sale' section?" but the claim made by Trump is simply incorrect.

    You win. Just curious. Any editorials about this horrific, self confessed crime? They're very passionate about hate crimes over there at the NYT, you know.
    Oh, and I would posit that a new category of hate crimes needs to be recognized, if it's not already, given the current climate of our 'progressive' dominated society: violence or threats against people because they are or might be a republican.
    Here's an interesting item in the news.
    https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/police-investigate-fistfight-involving-gop-congressional-candidate-outside-somerville-theatre-saturday/ar-AA12eCUY

    Whether or not it turns out to be true or both true and legally proven by testimony that as some suspect, that Ayanna Pressley sent her associates to forcibly shut down the protest, one obvious thing: she had the means, motive, and opportunity. The motive being her public statement 'we don't need any more black voices who aren't black voices.'
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on September 27, 2022, 07:35:24 AM
    [not related]

    I've looked at this exchange a few times, and I'm just not sure how that answer is remotely related to the question. Reminds me of the sequence in The Catcher in the Rye when Holden is describing a class he disliked because the class would yell "digression!" whenever a speaker strayed from the topic. I'm starting to wonder if maybe yelling "digression!" in such cases might be a good idea after all.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 27, 2022, 03:53:54 PM
    And BTW does anyone understand a thing Stephen Colbert says any more?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on September 29, 2022, 11:05:07 AM
    I don't think clarifying one's title (or lack thereof) is a cheap shot. Relying on the go-to brush-off "hope you get some help" probably is, though.

    For the record, if anyone would like to suggest that I get help, I get weekly therapy and some nightly lexapro, thanks. Most days I'm okay-adjacent, and I don't seem to harbor resentments quite so much.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on September 29, 2022, 12:52:15 PM
    Quote from: little bongo on September 29, 2022, 11:05:07 AM
    I don't think clarifying one's title (or lack thereof) is a cheap shot. Relying on the go-to brush-off "hope you get some help" probably is, though.

    For the record, if anyone would like to suggest that I get help, I get weekly therapy and some nightly lexapro, thanks. Most days I'm okay-adjacent, and I don't seem to harbor resentments quite so much.

    Not to pry into your personal health maintenance, but would you want a pill that makes you stop resenting Adolph Hitler or Osama bin Laden? I would prefer to think resentment is 'what it is,' as they say. And please don't feel you have to answer. I'm jus' sayin.'
    You can offer to talk about your mental health treatment if you so choose, but someone else should not. It is rude. Not to mention an ad hominem. Which struck me as weird, because the poster resorted to the cheap shot after refuting my points, not well in my opinion, but at least showing that he understood that would be needed in order for him to stand his ground. So yes, 'hope you get some help' is a cheap shot. Thank you for noting it.
    That same poster also called me a 'right-wing whack job' before I was suspended. So, one can can call me names and risk getting thrown off the forum, or one can address me as 'friend', but they can't do both. Doesn't make sense. They ought to pick one or t'other.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: RatGuy on September 30, 2022, 11:02:20 AM
    QuoteYes, how dare the serfs fail to recognize you stature.   You should probably raise their taxes to teach them a lesson.

    This made me snort-laugh
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on September 30, 2022, 08:06:43 PM
    I'm channeling John McEnroe.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 02, 2022, 04:24:53 AM
    Now, thanks to Joe Biden and the media we've got something called 'the extremist conservative.' Kind of like saying 'I'm going to paint my car a shocking grey color.'
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 04, 2022, 06:59:58 AM
    I think you're right; they probably don't have the whole story. For some reason they didn't have the whole story on Hunter's laptop either.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 05, 2022, 05:58:24 AM
    Please stop it about the tuxedo already. <snip>
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: paultuttle on October 18, 2022, 07:51:30 AM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on September 24, 2022, 11:45:50 AM
    Starting to feel a little like Fiona:)

    Fiona the thread-killer on the previous fora, or Fiona as in Shrek's wife?


    :grins:

    :ducks and runs:
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on October 22, 2022, 05:34:45 AM
    Pot, meet kettle.   Kettle, pot.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 22, 2022, 05:55:25 AM
    So, let's suppose you're one of those who believes it should be a good thing to state 'Black Lives Matter' and it should be an considered an unacceptable, or menacing thing, to state 'White Lives Matter.' If this is going to be remedy for something, then what is the timeline? When are we done with this arrangement, never? If it's not a remedy that's meant to bring resolution, then what is it?
    What's weird about it, other than the obvious: the deal is now that we all understand ourselves to believe that white lives matter, but we must never say it aloud. And what do you do when a five year old says it?
    Can't have a world like that unless it is no longer a free world.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 23, 2022, 05:33:14 PM
    I thought it was what they do next after doing an episiotomy.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Ruralguy on October 23, 2022, 06:50:11 PM
    I think if I stated "my life matters," then nobody would care. If I said "my family members' lives matter", also not many would be sensitive to this.
    And so on, until we get to ethnic and racial groups. Then people start getting quite sensitive. My guess is that there are a couple of problems people have with "white lives matter." On one hand, they probably think you are mocking Black Lives Matter, which admittedly is more jerky than racist, but probably somewhat racist. On the other, it might also be feared that there is an element of supremacist thinking behind "white lives matter." Now, could it be that *some* people who state "Black Lives Matter" might have less than pure thoughts, i.e. less about defending black lives against police, and maybe a little bit of supremacist thinking? Maybe. I just don't know. I don't believe it is by any means the dominant thinking in that movement. Probably fairly minimal.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 23, 2022, 07:41:51 PM
    The idea that black lives don't matter is not dominant among non-black people, and has not been, in the USA, in many decades. Yet or some reason the phrase ''black lives matter" is thought of as an idea that was missing.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 24, 2022, 03:14:26 AM
    QuoteI think if I stated "my life matters," then nobody would care. If I said "my family members' lives matter", also not many would be sensitive to this.
    And so on, until we get to ethnic and racial groups. Then people start getting quite sensitive. My guess is that there are a couple of problems people have with "white lives matter." On one hand, they probably think you are mocking Black Lives Matter, which admittedly is more jerky than racist, but probably somewhat racist.

    Or perhaps fragile. But we are being told by the social justice crew that fragility is something to be identified and then overcome. But then for other people, it should be cultivated. Again, I maintain, the kind of of racialized unequal treatment that will only tear a society apart. And a proven by the example of Candace and Ye (and many others) not all black people want to be offended by a statement like 'white lives matter.' And it's mostly white liberals who need them to be offended. 
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on October 27, 2022, 07:18:35 AM
    [not related]

    You seem to fighting two futile battles at once. In the first case, you're proposing common sense solutions that work for a lot of people, but for all kinds of possible reasons, they don't work for everybody. I get that you're a bit frustrated, coming at the problem with a "But it's common sense, gosh darn it" attitude. But sometimes the answers lie beyond common sense, because the problems are more than what they appear on the surface. Kind of like Yossarian in "Catch-22" treating the wrong wound on the bomber and then witnessing the bomber's guts fall out.

    As to the second futile battle, based on a close study, reading, and re-reading of your adversary's responses, I'm guessing they're about 12. Or going to be 12. Probably best to say thanks and disengage.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on October 27, 2022, 08:52:34 AM
    Unrelated

    Well, immoral...compared to who? Not compared to me, by my estimate. 'Let him who is without sin throw the first stone' and all that stuff we got indoctrinated with.  But here's the thing I wonder wrt how today's democrats think: do these Black republican government officials or candidates for office such as Herschel Walker, Larry Elder, Winsome Sears, Tim Scott, et al, these black faces of white supremacy, envision themselves being exempt from slavery once it is brought back by the republicans? How is that expected to work? Or is it envisioned that they would like to be slaves? You cannot be a slave and a senator of GA or Governor of CA at the same time.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: onthefringe on October 30, 2022, 12:19:15 PM

    There are two whole generations between boomers and GenZ, and very few GenZ kids have boomer parents. Those of us in GenX are used to being overlooked, but people usually at least remember the Millenials, even if they for some reason think they are still in college.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on October 30, 2022, 01:19:04 PM
    Musk has cemented his asshole status with me by his actions today regarding Pail Pelosi. He is as bad as Dinesh DeSouza.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on October 30, 2022, 03:14:17 PM
    Quote from: onthefringe on October 30, 2022, 12:19:15 PM

    There are two whole generations between boomers and GenZ, and very few GenZ kids have boomer parents. Those of us in GenX are used to being overlooked, but people usually at least remember the Millenials, even if they for some reason think they are still in college.

    Yeah, I expected that. The point is that what the parents (of whatever generation) saw as a great freedom, their children see as grave danger.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: lightning on October 30, 2022, 06:02:45 PM
    Captain Obvious is a popular Halloween costume.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on October 31, 2022, 11:28:17 AM
    [unrelated]

    You should not have to date more than once to get a reference letter.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on October 31, 2022, 09:28:12 PM
    It's too bad your education in economics didn't include the principle of charity. Or fallacies of relevance. (Or economic history, for that matter, but I suppose that complaint of mine goes back too many months.)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on November 01, 2022, 06:34:03 AM
    [unrelated]

    I think everybody on that thread just kind of missed the exit ramp. It may well be that when the good Lord was passing out self-regard, that particular poster went back in line for seconds. But they also agreed to disagree, which probably would have been a good time to stop the pile-on.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on November 01, 2022, 11:05:22 AM
    EWU is [a forumite's] university.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: paultuttle on November 03, 2022, 07:46:04 AM
    Huh! Smart wife.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on November 05, 2022, 11:17:07 AM
    Jesus H. wept.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on November 06, 2022, 12:02:31 PM
    When any department in my field that is so toxic they have to bring in a person from off campus for chairing it's time for a funeral, not a moderator.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: RatGuy on November 08, 2022, 06:04:34 AM
    It's weird that you comment on a student's clothing when discussing their grade
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on November 08, 2022, 06:11:32 AM
    Quote from: RatGuy on November 08, 2022, 06:04:34 AM
    It's weird that you comment on a student's clothing when discussing their grade

    Not in the context of the student's comment.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: kaysixteen on November 13, 2022, 11:26:17 PM
    Maybe it is actually long past time for another involuntary medical leave here...
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on November 14, 2022, 12:37:42 PM
    The requested commentary would fill a much needed gap in the conversation.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ergative on November 16, 2022, 03:06:38 AM
    nebo113 can be quite eloquent and lyrical in moments of extreme passion.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on November 16, 2022, 12:22:56 PM
    I'll put it here in case anyone's interested. If you've read this far it's because you're curious, not because some 'troll' who has you pinned to the wall won't leave you alone.

    Question: (doesn't require an answer)

    What's the difference between two scenarios, other than how much you like or dislike the individuals involved?

    1. Forumites think Mahagonny is trolling or pissing on one thread or another (or maybe all through use of sig line) by indicating pronouns they/them/theirs; whereas, Mahag cannot possibly be serious about gender non-binary status unless they are aligned with liberal sensibilities, on board with DEI objective, training, etc.

    2. Mahag's non-woke non-academic blue collar guy friend (might as well label him 'MAGA') thinks liberals are trolling (gaslighting) the sane men and women of our society by saying anyone's gender is fact that get to choose, sort of like deciding which dress shirt you're wearing today.
    While there was no red wave, there were more popular votes cast for republicans. Your bubble is not happening North Dakota, for starters. Not only not happening. It is despised.

    Anyone can accuse someone of trolling. You believe what and whom you want, or not, for any reason you prefer. Twilight zone? Enlightenment?

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on November 17, 2022, 02:23:40 PM
    I bet you hold out until you can get a nuclear powered car:)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: mahagonny on November 18, 2022, 07:37:14 AM
    I could, but then again, I think you need the eggs.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on November 18, 2022, 09:28:54 AM
    I'm gonna need brain bleach after that image.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on November 19, 2022, 05:03:55 AM
    Nope.  Too soon.  Wait one week.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on December 21, 2022, 09:03:25 AM
    [unrelated]

    Yeah, you deserve the pile-on this time. Really shameful behavior, requiring some serious self-examination.

    I was told of this friend of a friend's child who liked to greet strangers by lifting up her dress and announcing, "I'm going to fart!" I'd now rate your credibility, logic, and impulse control slightly lower than hers.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Langue_doc on December 21, 2022, 10:15:48 AM
    Our very own trifecta of higher ed, politics, and religion https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/20/nyregion/bling-bishop-arrested-fraud-lamor-whitehead.html

    In higher ed news,
    QuoteN.Y.U. embezzlement: A director of finance and research at New York University, above, diverted $3.3 million intended for minority- and woman-owned businesses, spending some of the money to renovate her Connecticut home and build a swimming pool.

    She was subsequently hired by Yale, and has now been fired. I thought Yale and other institutions did background checks on potential hires, silly me!

    In politics,
    QuoteRepresentative-elect George Santos faced questions, as well as an uncertain future, after an article in The New York Times revealed that Santos, a Republican whose victory in a district in Nassau County and northeastern Queens helped his party claim a majority in the House, may have misrepresented parts of his résumé during his campaigns...

    Santos's campaign biography said he had worked at Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, but both firms told The Times they had no records showing he had ever been an employee. Officials at Baruch College, which Santos has said he graduated from in 2010, found no record of anyone who received a diploma that year with a name and date of birth that matched his.

    The bling bishop, who has had numerous encounters with the law has now been arrested.
    QuoteThe Brooklyn pastor Lamor Whitehead, who was robbed of a fortune in jewelry while he was preaching in July, was arrested on federal financial fraud charges.

    The 44-year-old preacher, who is known as Bishop Whitehead and built a persona as the so-called bling bishop, "bullied a businessman for $5,000, then tried to defraud him of far more than that," said Damian Williams, the United States attorney in Manhattan.

    Prosecutors said Whitehead offered to help one of his parishioners buy a new house, talking her into withdrawing $90,000 from her retirement account. "I am a man of integrity, and you will not lose," Whitehead texted the woman, but the prosecutors said he spent the money on luxury goods. When she asked for the money back, Whitehead said it was too late.
    Quote

    His followers, however, believe
    Quotehis expensive tastes are inspirational. "Rappers, singers, the way they attract people, that's what he's doing," one woman said last summer. "People want to know how you got all that. Once you get here, you see he is teaching God."
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on December 21, 2022, 10:22:11 AM
    Thanks for preventing my general opinion of people to climb unrealistically high.  I don't know what I was thinking.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on December 21, 2022, 10:23:44 AM
    Well, if bling is what attracts you to a spiritual leader, then I suppose you've effectively asked for what you end up getting.  I kind of suspected that once Bishop Whitehead got himself into the news the attention he was drawing to himself would lead to trouble for him.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on December 22, 2022, 08:03:20 AM
    Since I am both a professional librarian and a Christian, I have a perspective on that current debate that I really feel needs to be shared.  I also don't want to leave somebody to be dogpiled by a hostile board.  However, I have a lot of work to do today before we close for the Christmas holiday.

    And it's also about to be Christmas, which is about something that is so very much more important than any of these debates.  So for the time being, I'm going to leave the debate bait unbitten.   Maybe I'll see everybody on the relevant thread in the next few days.  Meanwhile, here's what I really want to say today:

    Yet with the woes of sin and strife
    The world has suffered long;
    Beneath the angel strain have rolled
    Two thousand years of wrong.

    And man, at war with man, hears not
    The love song that they bring;
    Oh hush the noise, you men of strife,
    And hear the angels sing.


    Wishing everybody here at The Fora a Merry Christmas!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on December 22, 2022, 01:41:59 PM
    I will aside a thank you to you apl. I wish you and your work well.

    I do take exception to the dog pile remark. I vehemently disagree with kay and marsh, and so does Wahoo. It is absolutely not a dog pile. And if I may, if someone is free to essentially hate my sister and her son (not sure how else you'd characterize the lose my lunch remark) I am certainly free to consider them a bigot.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Juvenal on December 23, 2022, 11:52:54 AM
    Not being much of a Christian myself, I do think well, however, of the "Beatitudes," and wish that Seussian wrangle would pay attention.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: AmLitHist on January 11, 2023, 12:33:49 PM
    Clearly, I'm not part of The Elect.

    (And I'm good with that.)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Istiblennius on January 11, 2023, 04:26:05 PM
    WTAF
    It's no wonder LGBTQIA++ folks die by suicide at higher rates.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on January 12, 2023, 05:20:08 AM
    Quote from: Istiblennius on January 11, 2023, 04:26:05 PM
    WTAF
    It's no wonder LGBTQIA++ folks die by suicide at higher rates.

    Actually, (at least for the "T" part), when you correct for other mental health conditions, the suicide rate isn't higher than usual. People with gender dysphoria have higher than normal rates of autism and depression. Just by itself, gender dysphoria doesn't have a high suicide rate.

    Long-Term Follow-Up of Transsexual Persons Undergoing Sex Reassignment Surgery: Cohort Study in Sweden (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3043071/)

    Quote
    Persons with transsexualism, after sex reassignment, have considerably higher risks for mortality, suicidal behaviour, and psychiatric morbidity than the general population. Our findings suggest that sex reassignment, although alleviating gender dysphoria, may not suffice as treatment for transsexualism, and should inspire improved psychiatric and somatic care after sex reassignment for this patient group.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Istiblennius on January 12, 2023, 08:39:38 AM
    Outdated and offensive terminology in that study aside, as you already noted, its cherry-picked.

    The Trevor project has some pretty extensive survey evidence on suicide awareness and prevention for LGBTQIA+ youth that is up-to-date.

    I don't think I'm going to change minds, and this is the asides thread, so that's what I've got for today.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on January 13, 2023, 01:58:00 PM
    Why was "female" a relevant qualifier?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: namazu on January 14, 2023, 08:27:17 PM
    Quote from: MarathonRunner on January 14, 2023, 12:45:48 PM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on January 13, 2023, 02:16:12 PM
    Quote from: MarathonRunner on January 13, 2023, 01:43:14 PM
    In both Canada and the USA, medicine is an undergraduate degree, not a graduate degree.
    Not in the USA. It is most definitely a graduate degree for doctors (medical, dental, vision).
    Not according to the medical schools I'm familiar with in the US. It's considered a bachelor's degree, not a graduate degree. Maybe it varies by state. It is definitely a bachelor's degree in Canada, despite the fact that some witless have another bachelor's, master's, or even a PhD before being admitted.
    Here's a statement from the American Association of Medical Colleges on Medical Education (https://www.aamc.org/media/19151/download?attachment).  It does (contrary to my previous (mis-)understanding and the conferred degree of "medical doctor") describe the 4 years of medical school as "undergraduate education" and residency as "graduate education".

    That said, most/all accredited US medical schools require a prior undergraduate degree and/or numerous prerequisite college-level courses in biology, chemistry, physics, math, etc., as a condition of admission, to a so medical education is not generally anyone's first undergraduate degree.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on January 18, 2023, 11:26:53 AM
    The mascot at University of Southern North Dakota at Hoople is the Mott, right?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ciao_yall on January 25, 2023, 02:19:38 AM
    Well... that was a reach.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Langue_doc on February 04, 2023, 07:08:19 AM
    Grow up--was that really necessary?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on February 17, 2023, 02:24:40 PM
    That's too bad. Rufo has the wit of Sean Hannity, and the sincerity of Tucker Carlson.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: bacardiandlime on March 02, 2023, 07:57:48 AM
    And the "applicant pools" thread is now the "international healthcare and cost of living" thread.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on March 02, 2023, 12:07:05 PM
    And the "hate on different states/countries/regions thread."  People have a lot of different reasons for where they choose to leave and choose to go.  It's not all reducible to a few predictable concerns or trends.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: dismalist on March 02, 2023, 01:11:59 PM
    Quote from: bacardiandlime on March 02, 2023, 07:57:48 AM
    And the "applicant pools" thread is now the "international healthcare and cost of living" thread.

    Well, the applicant pool is now faculty rather than students. And it's not about the quality of that pool, but rather about its location. :-)

    Quote from: apl68 on March 02, 2023, 12:07:05 PM
    And the "hate on different states/countries/regions thread."  People have a lot of different reasons for where they choose to leave and choose to go.  It's not all reducible to a few predictable concerns or trends.

    Oh, yes it is: Standard of living, broadly defined! :-)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: MarathonRunner on March 02, 2023, 01:22:29 PM
    Quote from: apl68 on March 02, 2023, 12:07:05 PM
    And the "hate on different states/countries/regions thread."  People have a lot of different reasons for where they choose to leave and choose to go.  It's not all reducible to a few predictable concerns or trends.

    Not hate. Just preference not to end up in places with radically different values.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on March 07, 2023, 07:26:03 AM
    [unrelated]

    Well, if that reader concludes that the culture is upside-down, it's the first hopeful sign I've seen that we might be on the right track.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on March 07, 2023, 08:11:56 AM
    Quote from: little bongo on March 07, 2023, 07:26:03 AM
    [unrelated]

    Well, if that reader concludes that the culture is upside-down, it's the first hopeful sign I've seen that we might be on the right track.

    If you mean me, why is it surprising that I would think spitting on someone is a bigger deal than using a word the person finds offensive?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on March 09, 2023, 06:58:38 AM
    It's not surprising so much. But here's the thing: I'm slightly younger than dirt. I lurk and read more than I post; it's taken me years to get to "senior member" status on the "new" fora (and I never could have made it that far in the shark-tank days of the old fora).

    So I read a response to someone getting slave-centered Bible verses quoted at them to encourage better team play--something along the lines of, "Well, what about using the term Nazi, huh? Huh? What about casual 'Nazi' use? Know what I mean? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh?" (This in the voice and stylings of late comic Jack Burns.) And I think, what a silly response on at least two levels: one, it has nothing to do with the subject, and two, as has been quite eloquently pointed out, people DO get mad at that kind of use of the word "Nazi." It happens.

    The conversation continues, and we learn that the coach has been accused of spitting (which he denies). And I read from the same person: "Well, what about spitting, huh? Know what I mean? I mean, that's assault, right? Spitting is assault? That's worse than words, right? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh?" (In the voice and stylings of Jack Burns again.) And I roll my eyes and think, again, not the subject. We don't argue that spitting is bad. We do argue and discuss the potentially hurtful use of language.

    Finally, if that same person concludes that the culture is upside down, I'm inclined to think--cool. We're probably okay, at least for now.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on March 09, 2023, 08:09:31 AM
    Quote from: little bongo on March 09, 2023, 06:58:38 AM
    It's not surprising so much. But here's the thing: I'm slightly younger than dirt. I lurk and read more than I post; it's taken me years to get to "senior member" status on the "new" fora (and I never could have made it that far in the shark-tank days of the old fora).

    So I read a response to someone getting slave-centered Bible verses quoted at them to encourage better team play--something along the lines of, "Well, what about using the term Nazi, huh? Huh? What about casual 'Nazi' use? Know what I mean? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh?" (This in the voice and stylings of late comic Jack Burns.) And I think, what a silly response on at least two levels: one, it has nothing to do with the subject, and two, as has been quite eloquently pointed out, people DO get mad at that kind of use of the word "Nazi." It happens.


    No "huh?huh?" intended. It isn't surprising that descendants of Holocaust survivors are indeed bothered by terms including Nazi. What is odd is the degree to which other people self-censor (or are expected to) about matters relating to slavery vastly more than they do for terms relating to the Holocaust. How many people would suggest that someone should get suspended or fired for using the term "<whatever> Nazi", as some are suggesting is appropriate for the coach for using the term "slave"? (As per the discussion above, if he'd said instead "employee" and "employer", this conversation would probably never have happened.)

    The vast difference in moral outrage expressed in those two situations suggest a high degree of hypocrisy, including from highly educated people who should see the connection very clearly.

    Quote

    The conversation continues, and we learn that the coach has been accused of spitting (which he denies). And I read from the same person: "Well, what about spitting, huh? Know what I mean? I mean, that's assault, right? Spitting is assault? That's worse than words, right? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh?" (In the voice and stylings of Jack Burns again.) And I roll my eyes and think, again, not the subject. We don't argue that spitting is bad. We do argue and discuss the potentially hurtful use of language.


    Again, no "huh?huh?" here; just that this seems like a ridiculous case of burying the lede. If, in fact, an incident of spitting on a student didn't bring any action, then it's hypocritical in the extreme to treat this specific action as egregious enough to warrant sanctions. Unless, of course, the message is, in fact, that the use of language has now become a more serious matter in our society than a physical action against a person.

    Quote
    Finally, if that same person concludes that the culture is upside down, I'm inclined to think--cool. We're probably okay, at least for now.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on March 09, 2023, 08:39:42 AM
    You find it odd that the incident EVERYONE agrees actually happened AND precipitated the current dust-up is getting more response and attention than an alleged incident that allegedly occurred previously and didn't result in a kerfuffle?

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on March 09, 2023, 08:49:08 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on March 09, 2023, 08:39:42 AM
    You find it odd that the incident EVERYONE agrees actually happened AND precipitated the current dust-up is getting more response and attention than an alleged incident that allegedly occurred previously and didn't result in a kerfuffle?

    If someone called their kid or spouse an idiot in a shopping mall with lots of bystanders, and then it came out that there were rumours of actual unreported physical abuse in the past, wouldn't you expect that any subsequent investigation would be much more focused on the physical abuse than the verbal insult? I sure would.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: sinenomine on March 10, 2023, 05:43:16 AM
    Unrelated to above.

    I certainly hope that the Saturday option on the Doodle poll about a chairs' meeting was an error and not an indication of how the new dean works.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on March 10, 2023, 06:15:35 AM
    Nice hypothetical, which doesn't address the story or what I said.   Nor does it relate to what little bongo said.

    Quote from: marshwiggle on March 07, 2023, 08:11:56 AM
    If you mean me, why is it surprising that I would think spitting on someone is a bigger deal than using a word the person finds offensive?

    I don't think anyone here thinks the words would be worse than the spitting, IF the spitting actually happened; which we don't know.  The words aren't in dispute, so that is what is getting the attention.

    Quote from: marshwiggle on March 09, 2023, 08:49:08 AM
    ... wouldn't you expect that any subsequent investigation would be much more focused on the physical abuse than the verbal insult? I sure would.

    Which investigation do you mean?  There isn't just one incident with two facets, there are two separate incidents, both of which should be investigated.

    Maybe I'm misreading you, but it sounds like you are saying the words aren't important in and of themselves, because there is this other allegation.  Please correct me if I have this wrong.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on March 10, 2023, 06:29:12 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on March 10, 2023, 06:15:35 AM
    Nice hypothetical, which doesn't address the story or what I said.   Nor does it relate to what little bongo said.

    Quote from: marshwiggle on March 07, 2023, 08:11:56 AM
    If you mean me, why is it surprising that I would think spitting on someone is a bigger deal than using a word the person finds offensive?

    I don't think anyone here thinks the words would be worse than the spitting, IF the spitting actually happened; which we don't know.  The words aren't in dispute, so that is what is getting the attention.

    Quote from: marshwiggle on March 09, 2023, 08:49:08 AM
    ... wouldn't you expect that any subsequent investigation would be much more focused on the physical abuse than the verbal insult? I sure would.

    Which investigation do you mean? There isn't just one incident with two facets, there are two separate incidents, both of which should be investigated.

    Maybe I'm misreading you, but it sounds like you are saying the words aren't important in and of themselves, because there is this other allegation.  Please correct me if I have this wrong.

    My point is that it sounds as if the spitting incident isn't (and perhaps hasn't ever been) a priority for investigation, and it also appears to have little or no bearing on the suspension, whereas the words got an immediate reaction, and serious investigation.

    In other words, if the words are just the tip of the iceberg, (which would include other things like spitting, if it turns out to be true), then suspension on the grounds of the entire "iceberg" makes much more sense  than it does on the basis of one quotation alone.

    The article (and subsequent discussion) seems to take the latter view, as though that single comment on its own would warrant suspension, while at the same time suggesting that the spitting doesn't even warrant investigation.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on March 10, 2023, 06:33:49 AM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on March 10, 2023, 06:29:12 AM
    My point is that it sounds as if the spitting incident isn't (and perhaps hasn't ever been) a priority for investigation, and it also appears to have little or no bearing on the suspension, whereas the words got an immediate reaction, and serious investigation.

    "Adams is also being investigated for an incident earlier in the season when he allegedly spat on a player. Adams told Stadium he had gone to the doctor, had a bad cough and slobbered on the player during the game."  - Sports Illustrated (https://www.si.com/college/2023/03/05/texas-tech-suspends-coach-mark-adams-slavery-comment)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on March 10, 2023, 06:38:26 AM
    Sorry, posted too soon.

    I would argue the words alone warrant a suspension and an investigation, and the spitting allegations, if true (with the alleged quotation also being true) would warrant a firing.

    Are you suggesting he should NOT be suspended for his words pending the outcome(s) of the investigation(s)?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on March 10, 2023, 08:53:23 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on March 10, 2023, 06:38:26 AM
    Sorry, posted too soon.

    I would argue the words alone warrant a suspension and an investigation, and the spitting allegations, if true (with the alleged quotation also being true) would warrant a firing.

    Are you suggesting he should NOT be suspended for his words pending the outcome(s) of the investigation(s)?

    Honestly, I don't think that suspension is warranted on the basis of the word alone.

    If a student had used the quotation in a class and the professor was upset by it, would automatically suspending the student be the "right" thing to do?

    The idea that the severity of sanctions to be applied for any action ought to be based on how offensive they were perceived to be by someone else completely undermines any principles of fairness. Imagine if every instructor at a university was completely free to decide how (and even whether) to punish plagiarism (and even what counts as plagiarism). The whole institution would lose credibility.


    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on March 10, 2023, 10:04:57 AM
    Suspended pending the outcome of an investigation is pretty standard.

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: permanent imposter on March 10, 2023, 08:55:34 PM
    Quote from: bacardiandlime on March 02, 2023, 07:57:48 AM
    And the "applicant pools" thread is now the "international healthcare and cost of living" thread.

    Also the "brag about how great my current situation is" thread. Maybe this belongs in the "Vent" thread or whatever but between the job market, inflation, and other mounting stresses even one does have a job, this stuff is not easy to read.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: bacardiandlime on March 11, 2023, 07:06:27 AM
    Quote from: permanent imposter on March 10, 2023, 08:55:34 PM
    Quote from: bacardiandlime on March 02, 2023, 07:57:48 AM
    And the "applicant pools" thread is now the "international healthcare and cost of living" thread.

    Also the "brag about how great my current situation is" thread. Maybe this belongs in the "Vent" thread or whatever but between the job market, inflation, and other mounting stresses even one does have a job, this stuff is not easy to read.

    yeah, the humblebrags are tedious.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: lightning on March 11, 2023, 07:35:43 AM
    Quote from: permanent imposter on March 10, 2023, 08:55:34 PM
    Quote from: bacardiandlime on March 02, 2023, 07:57:48 AM
    And the "applicant pools" thread is now the "international healthcare and cost of living" thread.

    Also the "brag about how great my current situation is" thread. Maybe this belongs in the "Vent" thread or whatever but between the job market, inflation, and other mounting stresses even one does have a job, this stuff is not easy to read.

    Humble-bragging comes in many forms, with some more obnoxious and more overt than others. Regardless, I wonder if we should start a "Victory Lap" thread for people to do their humble-bragging. And, I don't mean a "Share Your Good News" type of thread. I mean a real "Victory Lap" thread. That way, the humble-bragging can stay off of threads that are meant to discuss some real and very curious problems in current academic hiring such as shrinking applicant pools.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: kaysixteen on March 11, 2023, 10:54:16 AM
    Any possibility that the 'spitting' did not actually occur, is bogus, something made up afterwards to attempt to get more punishment for the coach?   Due process and innocence till guilt are proven are not, ahem, exactly hallmarks of modern American academe.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on March 11, 2023, 12:38:03 PM
    Quote from: kaysixteen on March 11, 2023, 10:54:16 AM
    Any possibility that the 'spitting' did not actually occur, is bogus, something made up afterwards to attempt to get more punishment for the coach?   Due process and innocence till guilt are proven are not, ahem, exactly hallmarks of modern American academe.

    I'm guessing (from experience) that the coach screamed in a player's face and spittle flew, rather than a straight up spit. I think that kind of behavior itself should be grounds for dismissal, but in fact it is relatively common and seldom punished.

    I think the more offensive to many is the alleged statement that a coach he can spit with impunity as it were. He does deny this.

    It is all somewhat moot in that he has resigned.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on March 12, 2023, 01:50:50 AM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on March 11, 2023, 12:38:03 PM
    I'm guessing (from experience) that the coach screamed in a player's face and spittle flew, rather than a straight up spit. I think that kind of behavior itself should be grounds for dismissal, but in fact it is relatively common and seldom punished.

    Yes, the coach made some claim about a "slobbering issue" (https://watchstadium.com/texas-tech-coach-mark-adams-suspended-pending-investigation-03-05-2023/).  So even this event is admitted into evidence, although the interpretation is in dispute.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Antiphon1 on March 12, 2023, 03:36:08 PM
    Referring to the coaching question, I can say from personal experience, this person is a product of his social environment and entirely capable of any and all the accusations.  However, he isn't too harmed.  https://www.kcbd.com/2023/03/10/texas-tech-pay-adams-more-than-39-million-forms-coach-search-committee/ (https://www.kcbd.com/2023/03/10/texas-tech-pay-adams-more-than-39-million-forms-coach-search-committee/)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on March 13, 2023, 07:11:31 AM
    I have a visceral objection to economic arguments that I've never quite been able to put my finger on.  This might be it: "Sure, not all individuals will do as well as the median. That's a personal problem rather than a societal problem, for we have a safety net."

    These discussions seem to lack compassion, as if the economist doesn't care about who gets run over by the train as long as the invisible hand is driving. 

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: dismalist on March 13, 2023, 10:28:14 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on March 13, 2023, 07:11:31 AM
    I have a visceral objection to economic arguments that I've never quite been able to put my finger on.  This might be it: "Sure, not all individuals will do as well as the median. That's a personal problem rather than a societal problem, for we have a safety net."

    These discussions seem to lack compassion, as if the economist doesn't care about who gets run over by the train as long as the invisible hand is driving.

    Next time I'll include a trigger warning. :-)
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on March 13, 2023, 03:11:24 PM
    Quote from: dismalist on March 13, 2023, 10:28:14 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on March 13, 2023, 07:11:31 AM
    I have a visceral objection to economic arguments that I've never quite been able to put my finger on.  This might be it: "Sure, not all individuals will do as well as the median. That's a personal problem rather than a societal problem, for we have a safety net."

    These discussions seem to lack compassion, as if the economist doesn't care about who gets run over by the train as long as the invisible hand is driving.

    Next time I'll include a trigger warning. :-)

    Anything to avoid the issue...
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: dismalist on March 13, 2023, 03:24:06 PM
    Quote from: FishProf on March 13, 2023, 03:11:24 PM
    Quote from: dismalist on March 13, 2023, 10:28:14 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on March 13, 2023, 07:11:31 AM
    I have a visceral objection to economic arguments that I've never quite been able to put my finger on.  This might be it: "Sure, not all individuals will do as well as the median. That's a personal problem rather than a societal problem, for we have a safety net."

    These discussions seem to lack compassion, as if the economist doesn't care about who gets run over by the train as long as the invisible hand is driving.

    Next time I'll include a trigger warning. :-)

    Anything to avoid the issue...

    I addressed the issue right away:  ... for we have a safety net!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on March 13, 2023, 06:35:04 PM
    That's just sidestepping the question I am posing.  Why is it that economists seem to ignore the individual suffering that is part of the "correction" that is so blithely proposed as the proper functioning of the market?
    Is it just not something the field considers?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: dismalist on March 13, 2023, 06:45:46 PM
    Quote from: FishProf on March 13, 2023, 06:35:04 PM
    That's just sidestepping the question I am posing.  Why is it that economists seem to ignore the individual suffering that is part of the "correction" that is so blithely proposed as the proper functioning of the market?
    Is it just not something the field considers?

    Au contraire! We probably merely disagree on what a good society looks like. I've said utilitarianism plus some insurance against destitution is my picture of a good society. That pretty much corresponds to reality in rich countries. If you have a different picture, please say so.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on March 13, 2023, 06:54:34 PM
    Maybe you have said that, but it isn't what you said above, to which I was responding.

    And I was carefully not saying YOU, Dismalist, but commenting about the field.  A brief Google search indicates that economics is often perceived to have an empathy deficit.

    So, I ask again, why is that?  Is it because the field isn't equipped to deal with individual cases?  Is it built-in so no one thinks to address it?  Are economists just heartless?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: dismalist on March 13, 2023, 07:06:15 PM
    Quote from: FishProf on March 13, 2023, 06:54:34 PM
    Maybe you have said that, but it isn't what you said above, to which I was responding.

    And I was carefully not saying YOU, Dismalist, but commenting about the field.  A brief Google search indicates that economics is often perceived to have an empathy deficit.

    So, I ask again, why is that?  Is it because the field isn't equipped to deal with individual cases?  Is it built-in so no one thinks to address it?  Are economists just heartless?

    The field of economics encompasses the ethics of distribution. It's not nearly all that economists do, and it's not what the press or their public want to hear.

    Individual cases, multitudes of them, are dealt with through the theory of insurance, private or public.

    Warm heart, cold head.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: kaysixteen on March 13, 2023, 07:19:50 PM
    And just what would that safety net look like, in 2023 America?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: dismalist on March 13, 2023, 08:01:01 PM
    Quote from: kaysixteen on March 13, 2023, 07:19:50 PM
    And just what would that safety net look like, in 2023 America?

    You'd be surprised how generous it is, as I was.

    The informational difficulty is that the Census Bureau does not count as income

    --food stamps, on account it's a payment in kind;
    --the Earned Income Tax Credit, on account it's a tax credit, not income;
    --Medicaid, on account it's a payment in kind.

    This goes on and on, and there are State benefits, too.

    Three economists -- left, right, and center -- collected everything, and it blew me off my perch. The book is The Myth of American Inequality: How Government Biases Policy Debate, 2022 by Phil Gramm, Robert Ekelund, and John Early. Fortunately, a review of a review is on-line that gives the major results of adding up all this stuff here

    https://johnhcochrane.blogspot.com/2022/12/calomiris-on-gramm-ekelund-and-early-on.html#more (https://johnhcochrane.blogspot.com/2022/12/calomiris-on-gramm-ekelund-and-early-on.html#more)

    Rather than get into all the details here, just look at the first graph [I wish it were in color, as in the book]

    https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_ttXkrYe6o1p2URDTr-aXZqOTvkztcBOffaznLbK57KPL_gHIjKxUJnuP8s40h-EQ9BlrJlxQVkA6G8v_NTaHb72SXFsL92c438Kybu4YWDswcYNZwvP-auyBS2Xkb33T749Og-D4A9D6ZiJN3_QE7fpXXHT6iySBbsQpRf9LHEPDbxhsjH9Zno/s1324/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-28%20at%208.16.07%20AM.png (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_ttXkrYe6o1p2URDTr-aXZqOTvkztcBOffaznLbK57KPL_gHIjKxUJnuP8s40h-EQ9BlrJlxQVkA6G8v_NTaHb72SXFsL92c438Kybu4YWDswcYNZwvP-auyBS2Xkb33T749Og-D4A9D6ZiJN3_QE7fpXXHT6iySBbsQpRf9LHEPDbxhsjH9Zno/s1324/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-28%20at%208.16.07%20AM.png)

    The bottom 50% of households [I believe adjusted for size, I don't wanna go back to the book this late at night.] all got $50,000 in 2017, financed by the top 50% of households. The numbers are fine by my tastes.

    My personal criticism about all  this is not generosity. We can all agree or disagree on that. The problem is that benefits dwindle when one works. The marginal tax rate of the bottom 20%, probably even the bottom 40% is close to 100%. It doesn't pay to work at those rates.


    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on March 14, 2023, 06:08:24 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on March 13, 2023, 06:54:34 PM
    Maybe you have said that, but it isn't what you said above, to which I was responding.

    And I was carefully not saying YOU, Dismalist, but commenting about the field.  A brief Google search indicates that economics is often perceived to have an empathy deficit.

    So, I ask again, why is that?  Is it because the field isn't equipped to deal with individual cases?  Is it built-in so no one thinks to address it?  Are economists just heartless?

    I'm not an economist, but this is partly a distinction between "liberals" and "conservatives". The former tend to focus on the individual level; the latter on the societal level. Neither one is inherently "correct"- but as anyone who has studied statistics knows, what is true at the aggregate level may not be obvious at the individual level. So, if the average income rises, that doesn't mean that no individual incomes have fallen. In a case like that, it makes sense to look at the individual cases for potential remedies, rather than to reverse the process which was responsible for the average increase.

    TL;DR There are various levels of analysis possible. The level at which an economist views society and the level at which a social worker views society are different, and both will provide important and meaningful guidance on how to make things better for everyone.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: lightning on March 14, 2023, 11:00:45 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on March 13, 2023, 06:54:34 PM
    Maybe you have said that, but it isn't what you said above, to which I was responding.

    And I was carefully not saying YOU, Dismalist, but commenting about the field.  A brief Google search indicates that economics is often perceived to have an empathy deficit.

    So, I ask again, why is that?  Is it because the field isn't equipped to deal with individual cases?  Is it built-in so no one thinks to address it?  Are economists just heartless?

    From and for my own personal experience, I don't believe that the field and economists in general are heartless. I have worked with enough economists who use their research for the advancement of social good/public good and for forging public policy that advocates for those that are less fortunate and/or less privileged.

    That being said, I can't generalize my own experience with empathetic economists, as a norm for the field as a whole, any more than I can generalize my own experience with broke-a$$ economists who can explain economics, but can't use their knowledge to better their own personal financial situation, as a norm for economists as a whole.

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: dismalist on March 14, 2023, 11:06:36 AM
    Quote from: FishProf on March 13, 2023, 06:35:04 PM
    That's just sidestepping the question I am posing.  Why is it that economists seem to ignore the individual suffering that is part of the "correction" that is so blithely proposed as the proper functioning of the market?
    Is it just not something the field considers?

    I had not paid proper attention to the word "correction". That's a word used when the stock market tanks [I quip how do you know it's correct now?], but I just googled it and found it to be used about house prices. Is this last what you mean?

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on March 14, 2023, 11:50:40 AM
    In repeated posts, in response to someone identifying a problem that involves individuals suffering or struggling, your typical response seems to be "that's just how economics works.  It's not a problem because it is doing what it is supposed to do". (That's obviously a paraphrase)  There seems to be a disconnect between the theory and the empathy for how the individual is affected. 

    Maybe that's just built-in to the field.  I can't tell.

    In my own field, when I talk about mate choice and who mates and who doesn't, I don't worry about the sad fish who goes without.  Is it just not part of the field?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on March 14, 2023, 12:00:37 PM
    Quote from: FishProf on March 14, 2023, 11:50:40 AM
    In repeated posts, in response to someone identifying a problem that involves individuals suffering or struggling, your typical response seems to be "that's just how economics works.  It's not a problem because it is doing what it is supposed to do". (That's obviously a paraphrase)  There seems to be a disconnect between the theory and the empathy for how the individual is affected. 

    Maybe that's just built-in to the field.  I can't tell.

    In my own field, when I talk about mate choice and who mates and who doesn't, I don't worry about the sad fish who goes without.  Is it just not part of the field?

    Presumably that would be for the fish psychologists to consider.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: dismalist on March 14, 2023, 12:28:45 PM
    Quote from: FishProf on March 14, 2023, 11:50:40 AM
    In repeated posts, in response to someone identifying a problem that involves individuals suffering or struggling, your typical response seems to be "that's just how economics works.  It's not a problem because it is doing what it is supposed to do". (That's obviously a paraphrase)  There seems to be a disconnect between the theory and the empathy for how the individual is affected. 

    Maybe that's just built-in to the field.  I can't tell.

    In my own field, when I talk about mate choice and who mates and who doesn't, I don't worry about the sad fish who goes without.  Is it just not part of the field?

    Yeah, then the first answer I gave is correct. Have an income floor for the worst off and leave everyone else to him or herself. That's utilitarianism + social insurance. I don't think many economists would answer differently. But that's not not caring about individuals. One cares about the mean [maximize the mean] and the bottom [insure the bottom at some level].

    I thought by using the word "correction" you were referring to some macroeconomic or financial phenomena. Macroeconomics can still screw up even though a Great Depression can be avoided. Examples are the 2007 financial crisis and the 2021/22 Covid inflation. This last was Europe + North America wide because the governments and central banks all did the same thing. It wasn't wrong, mind you, just too much. It's painful coming down from there [correction?], but it would be even more painful to not come down. Unsurprisingly, economics was very popular among the public in the 1960's when it looked like macro was delivering a free lunch.

    But that's just macro. Economics is about incentives, and at the margin people pretty much react to them the same way, so we can aggregate and not worry too much about individuals, but rather about groups with similar members [workers and capitalists, e.g.].

    And this Micro part of Economics is deeply unpopular and always has been. The reason is we explain that there are tradeoffs. Group A wanting more will cost Groups B in ways that can't be seen in any budget. Explain why relative prices are what they are and a blank stare overcomes the listener. Human beings follow their separate interests and justify them verbally to get more resources by whatever means. [Imagine the poor physicists if electrons were constantly waxing eloquent about what they were doing, or if they had human rights!] Supply and demand as concepts don't yield the moral satisfaction of "it's not fair" or "that's just greedy" that I can't get this item at a price I want.

    So, I think the premise of your question is wrong.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on March 14, 2023, 12:35:27 PM
    Thanks.  I think I have my answer.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on March 14, 2023, 02:11:03 PM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on March 14, 2023, 12:00:37 PM
    Quote from: FishProf on March 14, 2023, 11:50:40 AM
    In repeated posts, in response to someone identifying a problem that involves individuals suffering or struggling, your typical response seems to be "that's just how economics works.  It's not a problem because it is doing what it is supposed to do". (That's obviously a paraphrase)  There seems to be a disconnect between the theory and the empathy for how the individual is affected. 

    Maybe that's just built-in to the field.  I can't tell.

    In my own field, when I talk about mate choice and who mates and who doesn't, I don't worry about the sad fish who goes without.  Is it just not part of the field?

    Presumably that would be for the fish psychologists to consider.

    And, unfortunately, that field is so underfunded that it produces very little published research.  Which is why sad fish keep turning to pop newspaper and radio (and now online) columns whose advice often just makes things worse.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: dismalist on March 14, 2023, 02:20:27 PM
    Quote from: apl68 on March 14, 2023, 02:11:03 PM
    Quote from: marshwiggle on March 14, 2023, 12:00:37 PM
    Quote from: FishProf on March 14, 2023, 11:50:40 AM
    In repeated posts, in response to someone identifying a problem that involves individuals suffering or struggling, your typical response seems to be "that's just how economics works.  It's not a problem because it is doing what it is supposed to do". (That's obviously a paraphrase)  There seems to be a disconnect between the theory and the empathy for how the individual is affected. 

    Maybe that's just built-in to the field.  I can't tell.

    In my own field, when I talk about mate choice and who mates and who doesn't, I don't worry about the sad fish who goes without.  Is it just not part of the field?

    Presumably that would be for the fish psychologists to consider.

    And, unfortunately, that field is so underfunded that it produces very little published research.  Which is why sad fish keep turning to pop newspaper and radio (and now online) columns whose advice often just makes things worse.

    What does "underfunded" mean aside from saying I want more, or I deserve more, or you pay him more to make stuff I like? Hell, I'm underfunded. That's far more important!
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on March 15, 2023, 05:56:47 AM
    In this case, it means someone doesn't get sarcasm.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on March 23, 2023, 10:34:57 PM
    When I put myself in the shoes of a twelfth-century Muslim, I can clearly see why I might decide to fight against the hordes of literally unwashed barbarians who decided to drop in on my four hundred year-old regional conflict with these other Christians whom they don't even like, and whom they would almost immediately betray anyway.

    Similarly, when I put myself in the shoes of an 18 year-old turn-of-the-century American who buys into the administration's transparent propaganda, I can clearly see why I might enlist to kill the Iraqi scum who want to give Osama bin Laden their nuclear weapons. I'd still be wrong, though. And Halliburton would still turn record profits.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on March 25, 2023, 11:48:14 AM
    I get your Ayn Rand view of the market. I just think the depths of irony and stupidity are worth mocking, and in this case, the hypocrisy.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: dismalist on March 25, 2023, 12:01:06 PM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on March 25, 2023, 11:48:14 AM
    I get your Ayn Rand view of the market. I just think the depths of irony and stupidity are worth mocking, and in this case, the hypocrisy.

    I'm sure Ayn Rand had nothing at all to say about the functioning of markets and competition. In many ways, to me she is a caricature. One can certainly mock what one doesn't agree with.

    Competition is a discovery procedure. Let it happen to find the better.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on March 25, 2023, 12:06:53 PM
    Quote from: dismalist on March 25, 2023, 12:01:06 PM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on March 25, 2023, 11:48:14 AM
    I get your Ayn Rand view of the market. I just think the depths of irony and stupidity are worth mocking, and in this case, the hypocrisy.

    I'm sure Ayn Rand had nothing at all to say about the functioning of markets and competition. In many ways, to me she is a caricature. One can certainly mock what one doesn't agree with.

    Competition is a discovery procedure. Let it happen to find the better.

    Yeah, i used her as she is a caricature. btw, I didn't mean you were a hypocrite, rather the people who market the school. I also believe the complaining parents are idiots, and the people who run the school are cowards. YMMV.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: dismalist on March 25, 2023, 12:55:34 PM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on March 25, 2023, 12:06:53 PM
    Quote from: dismalist on March 25, 2023, 12:01:06 PM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on March 25, 2023, 11:48:14 AM
    I get your Ayn Rand view of the market. I just think the depths of irony and stupidity are worth mocking, and in this case, the hypocrisy.

    I'm sure Ayn Rand had nothing at all to say about the functioning of markets and competition. In many ways, to me she is a caricature. One can certainly mock what one doesn't agree with.

    Competition is a discovery procedure. Let it happen to find the better.

    Yeah, i used her as she is a caricature. btw, I didn't mean you were a hypocrite, rather the people who market the school. I also believe the complaining parents are idiots, and the people who run the school are cowards. YMMV.

    So, you disagree with them. Maybe I do, too. That doesn't make them idiots. Competition will take care of the rest of it.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on March 25, 2023, 02:57:41 PM
    Would you accept uninformed consumers?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: dismalist on March 25, 2023, 03:03:12 PM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on March 25, 2023, 02:57:41 PM
    Would you accept uninformed consumers?

    Information about what one consumes is cheap. Eat a lot and you get fat. One sees it. We been doing this for about 250,000 years, give or take a month.

    We are not yet at the stage where diet is prescribed to everybody.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on March 25, 2023, 03:13:55 PM
    Quote from: dismalist on March 25, 2023, 03:03:12 PM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on March 25, 2023, 02:57:41 PM
    Would you accept uninformed consumers?

    Information about what one consumes is cheap. Eat a lot and you get fat. One sees it. We been doing this for about 250,000 years, give or take a month.

    We are not yet at the stage where diet is prescribed to everybody.

    Criminy! They chose the school; they aren't everyone.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: dismalist on March 25, 2023, 03:22:27 PM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on March 25, 2023, 03:13:55 PM
    Quote from: dismalist on March 25, 2023, 03:03:12 PM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on March 25, 2023, 02:57:41 PM
    Would you accept uninformed consumers?

    Information about what one consumes is cheap. Eat a lot and you get fat. One sees it. We been doing this for about 250,000 years, give or take a month.

    We are not yet at the stage where diet is prescribed to everybody.

    Criminy! They chose the school; they aren't everyone.

    Let them chose, not you or me.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on March 28, 2023, 06:21:21 AM
    My thanks again for the excellent examples for my lecture on logical fallacies.  Hasty generalization?  Check.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Anselm on March 29, 2023, 05:22:47 PM
    I hastily read denoms as demons.  I need to take a break from the internet.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on March 29, 2023, 06:02:10 PM
    That was a critique, not a request.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on April 04, 2023, 04:07:51 PM
    It's pretty cool to drive through Alberta's endless canola fields when they're in bloom.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ciao_yall on April 14, 2023, 01:22:26 PM
    Too much of the DEI! Poppies... poppies... poppies...
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on April 20, 2023, 05:59:47 PM
    ???
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on April 21, 2023, 10:19:08 AM
    Yeah, struggled with this one for a while, too. I have a few possibilities.

    1) DEI (officers, administrators, etc.), like poppies, act as a soporific, and put one to sleep.
    2) One would rather sleep than hear more DEI stuff.
    3) One wants to use poppies to put DEI staff and administration to sleep.

    Too much time on my hands, I guess. My own take is that DEI is like any-other well-intentioned set of ideas--some good comes from it, and some silliness as well.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on July 06, 2023, 04:47:22 PM
    Cold day in hell, etc. But that's right.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on September 18, 2023, 09:49:20 AM
    "The Gish Gallop" is tough to argue against--see also "Brandolini's Law." Maybe best to take a break.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: secundem_artem on September 18, 2023, 12:28:12 PM
    What should I do if somebody is triggered by the word "trigger" since it implies violence?
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on September 19, 2023, 01:23:09 PM
    Someone is off a couple of centuries.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on October 02, 2023, 08:44:37 AM
    Deeply silly questions, probably on purpose. Intelligent answers, though.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: sinenomine on October 02, 2023, 09:11:04 AM
    Watching a colleague in leadership implode is like watching a slow-motion train wreck.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on October 03, 2023, 07:36:23 AM
    "Seminars Without Tears" on the "Teaching" sub-forum shows up abbreviated as "Seminars Without Tea--" on the main screen.  I suppose maybe some have been reading it as "Seminars Without Tea."  Somehow whenever I see that, my mind wants to complete it as "Seminars Without Teachers."  YMMV as to which of these scenarios would be the worst.

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Morden on October 03, 2023, 02:33:46 PM
    I always think "Seminars without Teachers," sort of like Peter Elbow's book Writing without Teachers.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Langue_doc on October 03, 2023, 02:51:40 PM
    Quote from: sinenomine on October 02, 2023, 09:11:04 AMWatching a colleague in leadership implode is like watching a slow-motion train wreck.

    Watching our so-called leaders implode is like being in a slow-motion train wreck.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Juvenal on October 06, 2023, 01:56:16 PM
    "The Nutty Professor, or: Squirrel in my Pocket?"

    Today at one or the other of my docs, I pulled out my pocket calendar and an acorn came up with it.

    I think it came in when I windshield-wiped the car on setting out and had the side window open.  The wipers scattered a handful acorns in several directions and one direction must have been a bouncing towards my chest.

    One of life's little surprises.

    And, yes, it is a "mast year" around here.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on October 17, 2023, 07:46:13 AM
    At first glance I thought that thread was about "Ordering CRAP Supplies."  And wondered why we needed a thread about it, since if that's the kind of supplies you want we all know you can easily find them on Amazon.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on October 26, 2023, 06:45:30 AM
    [unrelated]

    Well, you're not wrong. To quote Oliver Wendell Holmes' "The Deacon's Masterpiece: or The Wonderful One-Hoss Shay," "Logic is logic. That's all I say."

    Nevertheless, I've found with increasing age that all answers that can't be found within musical theatre (and to be sure, most answers can) can be found within the children's show "Bluey." Young Bluey has a problem much like yours, and, I would submit, a similar solution.

    Bluey and her younger sister Bingo disagree as to whether Granny can do the "floss." It turns out Bluey is right--Granny can't quite manage the modern dance move, and Bluey makes a big deal out of it, hurting Bingo's feelings--now Bingo doesn't want to play with Bluey anymore. Bluey's mother asks a despondent Bluey, who doesn't understand why Bingo wouldn't want to play, "Do you want to be right, or do you want Bingo to play with you?"

    "Can't I have both?" Bluey asks.

    "NO," the mother and father reply.

    And there you have it, Bunky--a decision we all have to face at some point. Do we want to be right, or do we want to play with Bingo? It's up to us.

    Or, TL; DR version: you might want to back away from the keyboard for a while.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on October 26, 2023, 08:26:29 AM
    Please put the goalpost back where it was and step away....
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Parasaurolophus on November 29, 2023, 07:33:13 PM
    Quote from: Langue_doc on November 29, 2023, 06:04:59 PMHenry Kissinger (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/29/us/henry-kissinger-dead.html), 100.

    Obit (https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2023/11/29/henry-kissinger-dead-obituary/) in The Washington Post.

    Guess the Grim Reaper is a shoo-in for the next Nobel Peace Prize.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: Langue_doc on December 02, 2023, 10:31:24 AM
    Quote from: kaysixteen on December 01, 2023, 10:53:11 PMNot having been old enough to recall Kissinger actually serving in public office, I do realize that he is an enormously partisan/ controversial figure, and it is therefore hard to discern accurate remarks from, well, propaganda, hagiography, etc.  Anyone who is old enough care to comment?

    Five of HK's war crimes (https://www.liberationnews.org/five-of-the-worst-atrocities-overseen-by-henry-kissinger/):

    QuoteOn Nov. 29, Henry Kissinger died at the age of 100. As National Security Advisor and U.S. Secretary of State under Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, Kissinger was a primary architect of U.S. Cold War foreign policy to contain Soviet influence and ascendent left-wing movements across the globe.

    While ruling class figures celebrate Kissinger's legacy, his record is soaked in the blood of millions throughout the Global South. Below are five of the worst atrocities that Kissinger is directly responsible for, in no particular order.

    1-Carpet bombing Cambodia

    Under then-President Richard Nixon, Kissinger oversaw the genocidal carpet bombing campaign of Cambodia from 1969 to 1973. This bombing campaign was launched during the height of the Vietnam War and the U.S. administration was seeking to disrupt the supply route of weapons to the communist North Vietnamese army along the Ho Chi Minh trail, which ran from Laos and Cambodia, through South Vietnam to North Vietnam. Operation Menu, as it was called, was kept secret from Congress and American citizens, since public opinion of the Vietnam War was beginning to shift toward opposition to U.S. involvement. Only through declassified CIA documents was the operation later revealed to the public.

    In total, the United States dropped 540,000 tons of bombs over Cambodia, killing around 150,000 civilians. Not only that, but Cambodians are still living with repercussions of this terror campaign to this day: the country remains littered with unexploded ordnances and even decades after the war, civilians continue to be injured by these explosives. There are over 40,000 amputees in the country of 16.6 million — the highest per capita rate in the world.

    2-Engineering a fascist military coup in Chile

    Kissinger was also the "chief architect" behind the 1973 overthrow of Chile's democratically elected socialist leader Salvador Allende by fascist military dictator Augusto Pinochet. Nixon and Kissinger's campaign against Allende began during Allende's 1970 presidential run, knowing that if elected, he would nationalize Chile's key industries which were then dominated by U.S. monopolies and, in general, implement a foreign policy hostile to U.S. imperialism.

    In a secret cable sent in October of 1970, a month after Allende won his election, CIA deputy director of plans Thomas Karamessines bluntly relayed Kissinger's message to CIA station chief in Santiago, Henry Hecksher: "It is firm and continuing policy that Allende be overthrown by a coup."

    Up until Allende's eventual overthrow, Kissinger and the U.S. government did everything in their power to undermine the Chilean leader, including financially supporting opposition groups, meeting with military generals to pressure them into providing a "solution" to Allende, and funding anti-government worker strikes to destabilize the economy. Kissinger also oversaw other covert operations in Chile, including the assassination of its army commander-in-chief, General René Schneider, which the Nixon administration saw as necessary to ousting the Chilean leader, since Schneider stood as a "key bulwark within the military against coups targeting Allende."

    And when Pinochet wrested power from Allende in a coup, Kissinger threw his full support behind the military general.

    The human toll of Pinochet's dictatorial regime, which lasted from 1973 to 1990, was tremendous: Within weeks, as many as 20,000 leftists, intellectuals, workers, and supporters of Pinochet were rounded up and tortured in the National Stadium in Santiago. Many were executed. In total, over 40,000 people were killed, tortured, or detained in Pinochet's wave of political repression.

    3-Supporting Argentina's Dirty War

    In 1976, Kissinger gave Argentina's military junta approval for its wave of political repression against leftist civilians and political dissidents. In 2014, declassified documents include this account of a meeting between then-US Ambassador to Argentina Robert Hill, of Kissinger's conversation with Argentine Foreign Minister César Augusto Guzzetti:

    The Argentines were very worried that Kissinger would lecture to them on human rights. Guzzetti and Kissinger had a very long breakfast but the Secretary did not raise the subject. Finally Guzzetti did. Kissinger asked how long will it take you (the Argentines) to clean up the problem. Guzzetti replied that it would be done by the end of the year. Kissinger approved.

    In other words, Ambassador Hill explained, Kissinger gave the Argentines the green light.

    The account further states that Kissinger expressed to Guzzetti to "finish its terrorist problem [what the junta called leftists] before year end — before Congress reconvened in January 1977. At the time, Kissinger was concerned about Congress passing legislation barring U.S. aid to certain countries if those governments were in violation of human rights, and he wanted to make sure the junta could conclude their murderous state terror campaign before the laws came into effect.

    In the end, the military junta's Dirty War, as it is known, led to the deaths and disappearances of over 30,000 people.

    4-Backing Indonesia's invasion of East Timor

    In December of 1975, military dictator of Indonesia Suharto was planning an invasion of East Timor, after revolutionary leftist party Fretilin declared independence from Portugal. Suharto met with then-President Gerald Ford and Kissinger, his National Security Advisor and Secretary of State, for approval of his plans to annex East Timor into Indonesia. Kissinger essentially gave Suharto the "green light", and the latter invaded the Southeast Asian nation the very next day, on Dec. 7.

    The United States not only backed the invasion politically, but it also supplied Suharto's military with the necessary weapons. Documents reveal that roughly 90% of the Indonesian weapons used in the invasion of East Timor were provided by the United States.

    Suharto's bloody invasion of East Timor led to 200,000 deaths and launched a brutal 24-year occupation marked by extrajudicial executions, widespread massacres, rape and torture, and forced starvation of the population.

    5-Supporting Pakistan's genocide in Bangladesh

    In March of 1971, Bengali leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman won Pakistan's legislative elections on a platform of independence for East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). In response, Pakistan's president Yahya Khan launched a genocidal campaign against Bengali Hindus, which then triggered the Bangladesh Liberation War.

    At the time, Pakistan was a critical ally to the United States in its project of counterbalancing then-socialist-aligned India and containing Soviet influence on the subcontinent, and also a key player in establishing relations with China.

    As India entered the war on the side of East Pakistan, Kissinger and Nixon approved weapons shipments to Yahya Khan, including the illegal transfer of ten fighter bombers from Jordan. When Archer Blood, a top U.S. diplomat to East Pakistan, protested the U.S.-backed atrocities being carried out, Kissinger responded by having him recalled.

    The genocide ended when Pakistan's military forces surrendered on Dec. 16, 1971, and Bangladesh achieved independence. In total, three million Bangladeshis were killed.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on December 15, 2023, 12:14:58 PM
    It is tragically clear that most people don't have a clue what intafida means, or it's origins.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: marshwiggle on December 15, 2023, 03:52:45 PM
    Quote from: jimbogumbo on December 15, 2023, 12:14:58 PMIt is tragically clear that most people don't have a clue what intafida means, or it's origins.

    Or how it's spelled.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: jimbogumbo on December 16, 2023, 08:33:46 AM
    I am so ashamed. Woe is me.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on February 06, 2024, 10:28:51 AM
    Rats is rodents, even in Arkansas.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: apl68 on February 06, 2024, 11:06:13 AM
    And most Arkansans, at least of a certain age, know that.  This younger generation....
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: aside on February 26, 2024, 10:18:57 AM
    QuoteInformation on education, ethnicity, etc., is supposed to be filled out by funeral director, presumably in consultation with the deceased family.

    Hmmm...
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on February 27, 2024, 06:36:08 AM
    [not related]

    Well, bigots gonna bigot and fear-mongers gonna fear-mong. The song remains the same.

    It's taken me a long, long time to figure out that if you take what works and leave the rest, the huffing and puffing of the evil forces of woke and/or anti-woke don't have to take up a great deal of la vie quotidienne. Besides, something something something competition blah blah blah choice, right?

    Or as Voltaire noted, "Il faut cultiver notre jardin." Yeah, I'm French today. Not ashamed.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: ciao_yall on February 27, 2024, 07:10:57 AM
    Probably should be posting here instead of directly on the thread, but I got a little extra snark in my coffee this morning.
    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: FishProf on February 27, 2024, 09:04:22 AM
    Did some economist read Voltaire's Candide and not recognize the satire?  "Just let the market sort it all out" might result in the best outcome, a long as you don't count the human suffering, misery, and death along the way.

    77 years of slavery was worth it to get the 14th amendment. Right?  Right?

    Title: Re: Post your asides here
    Post by: little bongo on February 28, 2024, 07:38:40 AM
    [unrelated]

    Yup, I believe it's fair.