taysteewonderbunny

Maybe you should get an umbrella.

Forgive me, darling, but that just made my day. Not your upset, but getting something different than what we have in the way of health care. No, I don't know that it is going to work, but I am hopeful. Anyway, despite all our differences of opinion, hugs to you. I hope something you like comes along and makes the rest of today, or maybe tomorrow, a little brighter for you.

Regressed? I don't think Milgram posited that the human tendency to obey authority fluctuated over time. It is not as if he had the opportunity to repeat the experiment. In spite of the fact that the "shocked" individual suffered no actual harm, reviewers of the study determined that the participants doing the shocking were psychologically harmed when confronted that they had been willing to commit acts they themselves found morally repugnant. [Most participants did not report, however, that they felt they had been harmed. Though many expressed shame at their reaction, they expressed gratitude to Milgram for enlightening them. Still others, one individual in particular, a survivor of Fascist Italy under Mussolini, expressed pride in his obedience even after the experiment was explained to him.] There haven't been thorough studies comparing response in various decades, or even between people from different cultures or geographical regions. There haven't been any studies to try to determine if there are common features between those who resisted authority. The only thing Milgram proved was that the rate of participants who continued the experiment to the end, even in the case that they voiced a feeling that they were doing the wrong thing, was higher than anyone had predicted and that class, education, intelligence, age, and gender were not factors in resistance. You say we have regressed, but I doubt it. Authority, whether merely perceived or actually enforceable, holds considerable sway over us all and has, I think, for likely all of the history of humanity. It is the nature of our obedience to authority that allows sociopaths to hold sway over us. It is the basis of cults. But it is also what gives the military its power. It is the basis of religion. It is the basis of community. Yet, it also allowed Pol Pot and Hitler to massacre millions of people. If we are to believe in free will, if we are to believe that morality is chosen and not merely programmed, we need to know--what is that essential element that allows some people to resist, even when their noncompliance is punished harshly? Can we make this a conscious property of ourselves? Can we learn it? But we also need to know what factors are likely to reduce noncompliance. Yet I fear that knowledge will be abused. I'd rather know the other. Many people self-report that they would resist. Still, a vast majority complied with little to objection. This suggests that many of us, even those that believe vehemently that they would resist, won't. That scares the crap out of me, personally. I know what I believe is right....would I be able to do it, though?

Really? You looked alright the couple of times I saw you walking by just after last call, unlike whomever it was who left the noodles on the stairs. I had a really good time. I arrived much later than usual, but that's because I much needed to get a dose of Tone & Niche who played at Small's that same evening. bean was kind enough to grace me with her presence at Small's and City, and Spook awaited our arrival at the club. I was able (hooray, employment!) to buy the always lovely Pomba Gira a birthday drink, pass on hugs or greetings to Tanuki, DarkChylde, Crank, TheOsakaKoneko, Gothkytten, Storm Knight, Fin, Skye, Eevee, Lord of Sins, Slogo, Lillylu, SaechaLyn, Cat, Riku Namako, Gimp, Msterbeau, Tyger, and Xillatoxic, and I saw girlwithtail and littlemissluckycunt only in passing--my apologies to anyone whom I may have omitted. I enjoyed conversation and cuddles with Aequorea--I am so glad to see you again...for the first time since the last DGN Appreciation Night! You don't get out often enough, or I don't.

She's wearing a dress? I was just reminded of another picture posted in a different topic.

I am neither bored nor sleepy. I had a wonderful night last night and I am looking forward to the rather full day ahead of me. Winter's rally last night was weak; this spring should be a warm one in spite of the lower temps at the moment.

It is astounding what a well placed foot can do.

You Persuade People Through Logic You feel like facts should be enough to persuade people, and you always focus on making a reasonable argument. You never appeal to emotion - you feel like it's beneath you. You are much more concerned with evidence. Once someone is convinced of the facts, you show them the logical steps to reach your conclusion. You rather have someone totally convinced and persuaded than not, even if it is a lot of work. How Do You Persuade People?

You Are Cheerful and Colorful No matter what the occasion, you feel like celebrating. It's always time for cake, and it's always time for a party. You are a true entertainer. You love to bring a large crowd together - the bigger the bash, the better! You indulge in every little treat or reward that comes your way. You don't believe in restraint or guilt. Your taste can be a bit decadent, but you also remember that you only live once. You don't skip or scrimp on dessert. The Birthday Cake Test

I am so poorly coordinated that I would not ever play disc golf--I'd likely end up taking off the head of an endangered owl or something and get substantial jail time and penalties for it. Yet, I do well in grammar. Consequently, it is my compulsion to tell you, Darkmatter, that although you employed "friends and I" correctly in your initial post, regarding whether anyone should want to join you in your title query, it ought to read, "Anyone want to join my friends and me?" Yes, I am that much of a bugger. I do hope you have fun!

^ Wow.

I know, but where else would one best take sanctuary?

Aw! You are so cute! When was it, man? I'll have to get you a bucket.

One day my fear of Z-Day will force me to overcome my phobia of guns. On that day, Scott had better have my Power of Attorney.

Pssst. Pomba, that baby isn't Downs, it really is Mongoloid!

I don't believe in an afterlife, but if I did, I would swear that heaven touches Earth somewhere in the Appalachians.

I am glad you are employed too. I am glad I am employed. I think that, even if I were a billionaire, I would have to find some work to do or else go mad. I can't believe how much happier I am slaving away in a kitchen than I was when I had all my time to myself and my own devices. Call it a slave mentality if you wish. I just like to be useful in a morally positive, or at least neutral, fashion. It has also given more meaning, structure, and direction to my free time. Oh, and having even a modicum of cash is nice too.

I am sorry. I had to repair your grammar and punctuation.

I would hope so. Seriously, wouldn't someone be offended?

Redistribution of wealth happens every day to some degree or another. In societies where leveling mechanisms aren't consciously deployed to redistribute some of the wealth to the masses, violence is usually the norm. True, muchof the violence is directed intra-strata versus inter-strata (that is, people of the same economic class are typically the most brutal to each other), but coups (usually a small band of a lower class overtaking the ruling class) and genocides (typically a higher class eliminating all members of a subjugate class) are more likely too. It rather behooves us all to allow a little of our own go for the sake of the many. Oh, and historically, the most peaceful societies are tiny, have no hierarchy, and are horticulturally (no commercial farming) based. There is no need for a leveling mechanism because no one has anything but what they carry with them and all share between them. So, if you like your things, pay your taxes. That way your cousin doesn't get beaten over the head for a Twinkie and some tennis shoes.

I love you.

I don't think that he meant it as an attack against Christianity as a whole. He is not saying Christianity is bad. He himself belongs to the Church of Latter Day Saints. But his statements are divisive, offensive, and representative of only a small segment of Christian believers. Most Christian churches feel that they have a social responsibility to, at the minimum, convert non-believers, and, more often, alleviate some suffering of their fellow human beings, or offer them comfort and prayer. Many who engage in these practices fall all over the political spectrum. To equate them with fascists or communists because they feel that there could be more love and fellowship in the world, to declare some followers "untrue" Christians because of a sincere desire to help other people is rude and close-minded. It would be one thing if he denounced a tactic or policy or movement on the basis of its efficacy. It would be fine if he would clearly delineate this distinction he has drawn (because I don't understand how the one thing is clearly identifiable from the other) between acceptable acts of Christian charity and Christian-defined social justice, that Jesus would support one and denounce the other, and how his OPINION is supported in fact. How does that work? How was Jesus NOT a proponent of social justice? If I were to suggest to large numbers of people that they should abandon their faith, I would want to be very clear on the facts and my intentions, even if I meant it jokingly. I am an atheist, and yet I have no desire to encourage people to leave their churches if they feel it necessary to give them direction, meaning, and morality.

Only that there ought to be a comma between "Nice try" and "cupcake." [if there IS more to it, I have dibs on the cream filling.]

Indeed. Oh, I thought you meant me. Sorry.