RANT: i am obese and on a phone

[mjw8204]

And that is their choice and why they are the real reason programming like that exists. How many different ways do I have to say it? People want to blame someone else when the real root cause is themselves.

You can't just cherry pick a select few people and point at them and say "Look! They're FINE! So this can't be the problem." That's an incomplete comparison...

You guys are engaging in a pointless chicken vs. egg argument.

[PeterGibbons316]

As I am off beginning next friday until after the new year, I plan on playing a plethora of video games, drinking a fair amount of alcohol, and generally staying up past my bed time.

Exciting stuff, I realize.

What are you guys doing?

Celebrating Christmas with various parts of my family this weekend and next, driving to Chapel Hill on Christmas Eve to spend the week with the in-laws. Music City Bowl on NYE

[Final_Rep]

You guys are engaging in a pointless chicken vs. egg argument.

I honestly thought you'd see the difference.

This kind of media programming exists because people want it to exist. It doesn't exist because of some other mysterious reason.

[mjw8204]

Does anyone else think it's kind of sad to see how many people dread spending time with family over the holidays?

[mjw8204]

I honestly thought you'd see the difference.

This kind of media programming exists because people want it to exist. It doesn't exist because of some other mysterious reason.

Yes, I can keep up with your logic and agree with you that it is a cultural problem. The media exploits the problem and people grumble about it while tacitly accepting it at the same time. I think most of us know this already.

What I'm saying is that your specific argument with Chalupason is a waste of time.

[adamdavidson47]

Where did I blame anything on video games? I'm agreeing with MJW that it could be more related to our decreasing sensitivity as a society.

It's a well known phenomena that people who get hooked on porn, for example, become callous to simple nudity and require increasing degrees of hardcore materials to get them going. These aren't just deviant individuals (though those are a subset) but simply normal people who become desensitized. I don't see it as a stretch to assume that something similar is going on at a more macroscopic level to our society in general. As we are ever more inundated with information of all types, including violence, our natural gauge of what is "normal" or "appropriate" also becomes more extreme.

To a mentally balanced individual, this may manifest itself simply in a greater degree of apathy. But for the bottom of the bell-curve, it may manifest in a greater tendency toward more extreme levels of violent behavior.

There's probably also an effect in that we interact with others on a more virtual basis now, and therefore may have fewer and weaker ties to others as actual individual human beings.

I never said you blamed video games, I was trying to make a point. My point was, we aren't/weren't desensitized from watching violent movies/tv shows/video games. I don't know if society, as a whole, has been either. I look at various social media pages like twitter and ********, and just about everyone is shocked/saddened/sickened/etc by what happened today.
I do see your point about everything being so readily available, and it stems back to what Dom said earlier. Porn used to be sneaking your dad's Playboy's, and watching a Rated R movie was damn near impossible if you weren't 18. Not that you couldn't, somehow, but it took a lot of effort. You are right, stuff is much more available, and it's going to get worse. As a parent, this scares the shit out of me. But, what do we do? The internet will probably never be censored, at least not completely, and kids are still going to find a way to see what they think they want to see. I guess what's frustrating to a lot of us is that we don't know what needs to be done to make the world a safer place.

I didn't mean to argue with anyone, today's events got me worked up, I apologize.

[chazzy1864]

Does anyone else think it's kind of sad to see how many people dread spending time with family over the holidays?

I do. I dunno, I'm not even "super close" with my family, but I have what I felt was a pretty solid upbringing. I am looking forward to being home with my family. Even if various extended family members annoy me, I'll gladly spend time with them on the holidays.

[adamdavidson47]

Does anyone else think it's kind of sad to see how many people dread spending time with family over the holidays?

I would love Christmas a lot more if people wouldn't expect you to be in 2 places at once. It takes all the enjoyment out of it when half of the time is spent eating and the other half driving/rushing to get to the next place. I want to make a rule that we go nowhere on Christmas, and if you want to see us, you come to our house.

[mjw8204]

As a parent, this scares the shit out of me. But, what do we do? The internet will probably never be censored, at least not completely, and kids are still going to find a way to see what they think they want to see. I guess what's frustrating to a lot of us is that we don't know what needs to be done to make the world a safer place.

I'm not a parent, but it makes sense to me that the best thing a parent can do for their kid(s) today is to show them that a world exists beyond their computer and smart phone. That along with the regular stuff about respecting others (except in the Rant), being conscientious, etc.

[Final_Rep]

Yes, I can keep up with your logic and agree with you that it is a cultural problem. The media exploits the problem and people grumble about it while tacitly accepting it at the same time. I think most of us know this already.

What I'm saying is that your specific argument with Chalupason is a waste of time.

Fair enough, but I'm going to stand up and say something when anyone tries to lay the blame on the media.

I'm no expert on culture, including how to make positive change, but I'd think a lot of this comes back to good old fundamental parenting and upbringing. Divorce rates are at what, historical highs? Seems like a big coincidence, probably too big to just be a coincidence.

Maybe we simply haven't figured out how to raise kids in this quickly-changing modern world where divorce rates are high and information of all kinds is right at our fingertips. Maybe it's information overload. I dunno.

[VoxExMachina]

I never said you blamed video games, I was trying to make a point. My point was, we aren't/weren't desensitized from watching violent movies/tv shows/video games. I don't know if society, as a whole, has been either.

I guarantee that you are desensitized. Anyone is, unless they're living under a rock. That doesn't mean that you can't control yourself or have ceased to recognize right from wrong.

But, what do we do? The internet will probably never be censored, at least not completely, and kids are still going to find a way to see what they think they want to see. I guess what's frustrating to a lot of us is that we don't know what needs to be done to make the world a safer place.

To a degree, it is what it is. It will be frustrating to everyone, which is why the politicians immediately jump to changing laws. It will give us the illusion that our leaders are doing something meaningful. Bread and Circuses. In the end of the day, though, they can't really control many of these macroscopic factors.

[Orlando1234977]

You got me. The attitude of society in general definitely seems to has changed, but I don't pretend to have the answers as to why.

Violent crime and homicide rates have steadily been in decline since 1980. Homicide rate nearly cut in half.

[Final_Rep]

I find it intriguing that most of us appear to be circling around the same central concepts, only in different words.

Really. Fascinating.

Edit: And it's not just the USA: http://www.latimes.com/news/world/wo...,6383015.story

"Man slashes 22 children near China school."

[adamdavidson47]

I'm not a parent, but it makes sense to me that the best thing a parent can do for their kid(s) today is to show them that a world exists beyond their computer and smart phone. That along with the regular stuff about respecting others (except in the Rant), being conscientious, etc.

My daughter's goal in life is to pwn MJW in the rant one day. She told me this in between episodes of Dora.

Fair enough, but I'm going to stand up and say something when anyone tries to lay the blame on the media.

I'm no expert on culture, including how to make positive change, but I'd think a lot of this comes back to good old fundamental parenting and upbringing. Divorce rates are at what, historical highs? Seems like a big coincidence, probably too big to just be a coincidence.

Maybe we simply haven't figured out how to raise kids in this quickly-changing modern world where divorce rates are high and information of all kinds is right at our fingertips. Maybe it's information overload. I dunno.

Good for you for standing up for what you believe in. You're still Frep, however.

To a degree, it is what it is. It will be frustrating to everyone, which is why the politicians immediately jump to changing laws. It will give us the illusion that our leaders are doing something meaningful. Bread and Circuses. In the end of the day, though, they can't really control many of these macroscopic factors.

I agree completely.

[Final_Rep]

Good for you for standing up for what you believe in. You're still Frep, however.

No matter what I do I will be.

You, however, will always be Dorito Taquitoson

[mjw8204]

To a degree, it is what it is. It will be frustrating to everyone, which is why the politicians immediately jump to changing laws. It will give us the illusion that our leaders are doing something meaningful. Bread and Circuses. In the end of the day, though, they can't really control many of these macroscopic factors.

What really amazes me is how quickly we see paradigm shifts these days. The "rules" have always been dynamic, but they would change over a period of 15-20 years, and then 5-10 years, once every couple of years, etc. Now it seems like they shift within months. I can see it in my own profession. If you aren't always "plugged in", you're missing out. Whoever is the fastest to draw is the one that gets to make the rules for everyone else. Then rest of us shrug and go along with it.

In the midst of all of this, we are losing our skepticism - our ability to critically evaluate our decisions and their potential consequences. It seems like society has settled into a "move forward as fast as possible" mentality, and we've stopped asking questions. No matter which way the pendulum swings, the people calling for moderation are always going to be ignored.

[Final_Rep]

What really amazes me is how quickly we see paradigm shifts these days. The "rules" have always been dynamic, but they would change over a period of 15-20 years, and then 5-10 years, once every couple of years, etc. Now it seems like they shift within months. I can see it in my own profession. If you aren't always "plugged in", you're missing out. Whoever is the fastest to draw is the one that gets to make the rules for everyone else. Then rest of us shrug and go along with it.

In the midst of all of this, we are losing our skepticism - our ability to critically evaluate our decisions and their potential consequences. It seems like society has settled into a "move forward as fast as possible" mentality, and we've stopped asking questions. No matter which way the pendulum swings, the people calling for moderation are always going to be ignored.

This was an excellent post.

Edit: Despite all of the other crap that happens in the Rant, from me, to me, whatever, this ^^^ is why I'm really here.

[Hishiad]

Eh, people are lazy today and don't want to work for anything. Everyone wants the quick fix...that's why divorce rates are up, why obesity is up, why shootings are up too. Most these folks who've been shooting have been using some sort of mental drugs of some sort. They were a little hyper or sad and they started taking something for the quick fix and go off the deep end.


But it does ultimately fall back on parenting once you finish chasing the trail.

[Final_Rep]

Eh, people are lazy today and don't want to work for anything. Everyone wants the quick fix...that's why divorce rates are up, why obesity is up, why shootings are up too. Most these folks who've been shooting have been using some sort of mental drugs of some sort. They were a little hyper or sad and they started taking something for the quick fix and go off the deep end.


But it does ultimately fall back on parenting once you finish chasing the trail.

I've given this a lot of thought now... and I think parenting is huge but parents are being handed a much more difficult task than in the past. They need help. I don't know how, but I think they do. Can't society help them out somehow? Even the best parents aren't going to be able to be with their kids 24/7.

[Hishiad]

I've given this a lot of thought now... and I think parenting is huge but parents are being handed a much more difficult task than in the past. They need help. I don't know how, but I think they do. Can't society help them out somehow? Even the best parents aren't going to be able to be with their kids 24/7.

I disagree that parenting has gotten "harder" I think raising a kid is still raising a kid. Parent's today might have it a bit easier because of all the technological babysitters they can use (TV, video games, the internet, etc. etc) so perhaps THAT is the issue, no physical person is raising their kids anymore and when you allow technology to raise them well....things go south.

[Final_Rep]

I disagree that parenting has gotten "harder" I think raising a kid is still raising a kid. Parent's today might have it a bit easier because of all the technological babysitters they can use (TV, video games, the internet, etc. etc) so perhaps THAT is the issue, no physical person is raising their kids anymore and when you allow technology to raise them well....things go south.

I think it's harder... When your kid can get into the 2 girls 1 cup video with a few clicks on an iPad (or their own smartphone) then parenting is harder.

[Miketoc]

I think it's harder... When your kid can get into the 2 girls 1 cup video with a few clicks on an iPad (or their own smartphone) then parenting is harder.

You have failed as a parent if your kids are getting into videos like that. I believe the law requires parental consent before children can be filmed, plus there are laws against children in those types of films.

[Final_Rep]

You have failed as a parent if your kids are getting into videos like that. I believe the law requires parental consent, plus there are laws against that.

I wasn't saying the parent didn't fail, I was saying it's harder not to.

You think every website or every google search a kid does is just going to be safe and have things like parental consent built in?

[Farley1324]

RE: What has changed.

What has changed is that the media worships people based upon how many innocents they can kill. You want to be famous? You want to make a splash? Go kill a bunch of people, children preferable...then everybody will know who you are, and remember you. You will, at least temporarily, become the most popularly discussed person in the country.

[Lencho]

I wasn't saying the parent didn't fail, I was saying it's harder not to.

You think every website or every google search a kid does is just going to be safe and have things like parental consent built in?

ltfol

Not enough faces, not enough palms.

[Final_Rep]

ltfol

Not enough faces, not enough palms.

???

[therorschach]

lmao

[Final_Rep]

What am I missing?

Edit: what, the parental consent that is already in google images? You REALLY think that's going to stop a kid from finding a shady website when they do a google search and start clicking around? Please don't tell me you guys are that easy.

Edit: Anyway it's not real parental consent in Google Images, it's just an extra thing you add into the search. Any 12 year old could get around that in seconds.

[Hishiad]

I think it's harder... When your kid can get into the 2 girls 1 cup video with a few clicks on an iPad (or their own smartphone) then parenting is harder.

One reason Dom hates Apple!



See this is where parenting happens...you don't let your kid just play on your iPad as a "babysitter" that's kind of the point I was making...Kid's not driving shouldn't have cell phones...and they sure as fuhk shouldn't have smartphones. Sure we can all say "that's how things are today" but I mean come on...I got my first cellphone out of high school, and didn't have my first computer until I bought it after high school. I'm no further behind the "technology" curve than kid's today who've had 'em since they could walk. I think it kills critical thinking and goes along with what mjw was saying about the guy speaking about budgeting, portion control, and moderation getting overlooked. Same principle when it comes to technology you don't NEED to be online 24/7 or at a computer, in front of a TV, holding a smartphone "connected" all the time. The world turns whether you're watching the updates or not.

[Lencho]

What am I missing?

Edit: what, the parental consent that is already in google images? You REALLY think that's going to stop a kid from finding a shady website when they do a google search and start clicking around? Please don't tell me you guys are that easy.

1. Go back and read miketoc's post
2. Slap yourself
3. ???
4. Slap yourself again