Things you're shocked people don't know

[Miss Chicken]

Congratulations, Mr. Troi, I think that was the first time I've seen Miss Chicken swear in a post, at least like that.

Yeah, I've read few of the HP books. One perks of being very intelligent and mature is being able to play and know when to be a kid, rather than be jaded. Life is too short not to read HP. Yes, it is generally geared toward kids. But it is a healthy way to pass the time.

I haven't read the books but I have watched all the HP movies. I have also read all the Narnia books. The only one I read as a child was 'The Witch, the lion and the Wardrobe"


I also read a wide range of adult books. I especially like Scandanavian crime mysteries especially Karin Fossum and Arnaldur Indridason. I also read quite a bit of non-fiction.

The book I have just started is called "Three Bags Full". An old shepherd is murdered and his flock of sheep lead by Miss Maple decide to investigate.

The other book I am currently reading is "Dry Storeroom 1: The Secret History of the Natural History Museum" by Richard Fortey.

I wonder if Mr Troi approves of my reading habits.

 

[trekkiedane]

How do you account for so many depressed people in society?

Chemical embalances in the brain brought on by genetic defects. and/or poisonous chemicals/'additives' in the air/water/food and/or an altogether unhealthy attitude towards what can be expected from people.

Or obese people or people...

Consumption of more energy than is being expended, also genetics.
And that it is cheaper to produce fat/oil than healthy food and/or an altogether unhealthy attitude towards what can be expected from people.

with cancer...

Exposure to enviromental contaminants, genetics, and the fact people always died of cancer we just didn't know what it was until recently.
(my emphasis)

or divorced people?

Shit happens.
Plus: the nuclear family is a modern invention and apparently not for everyone

Or adults who read Harry Potter?

People enjoy different kinds of fiction.
Indeed they do!

Why is it that 1 billion people go hungry in the world?

Not all nations have developed, care to develop, or have he means to develop an economic system capable of sustaining a population.
Well... basically it's because we've been 'too good' at eliminating disease but not good enough at limiting our number to fit our resources.

Why do people buy clothes that were manufactured in sweat shops?

Most people simply don't know and don't care. Also, the problems with "sweat shops" are bit over-rated.
This problem could be eliminated altogether by marking such items with their origin.

Why do people watch so much TV and play so many video games?

Because entertainment makes life worth living. Things have simply changed. 300 years ago, the same may have been said about going to plays and reading books.
Because we don't have to work from sunrise to sunset in order to feed ourselves - and we have invented ways to light the night -we have more leisure time than people have ever had before.

Why do people not know how to hunt deer?

Because the grocery store is, like, right there. So there's no need to go hunt. Also? Deer tastes like ass.
Indeed, why would I even want to now that? -I'd much rather eat bacon!

 

[Mr Troi]

How do you account for so many depressed people in society?

Chemical embalances in the brain brought on by genetic defects.

Or obese people or people...

Consumption of more energy than is being expended, also genetics.

with cancer...

Exposure to enviromental contaminants, genetics, and the fact people always died of cancer we just didn't know what it was until recently.

or divorced people?

Shit happens.

Or adults who read Harry Potter?

People enjoy different kinds of fiction.

Why is it that 1 billion people go hungry in the world?

Not all nations have developed, care to develop, or have he means to develop an economic system capable of sustaining a population.

Why is it that we think we can solve the worlds problems with charity singles?

We don't think that. We do think we can ease the burden.


Why do people buy clothes that were manufactured in sweat shops?

Most people simply don't know and don't care. Also, the problems with "sweat shops" are bit over-rated.

Why do people watch so much TV and play so many video games?

Because entertainment makes life worth living. Things have simply changed. 300 years ago, the same may have been said about going to plays and reading books.

Why do people not know how to hunt deer?

Because the grocery store is, like, right there. So there's no need to go hunt. Also? Deer tastes like ass.

I was kidding about Harry Potter, I'm sorry I wrote that.

You make some very good points but you have completely forgotten about free-will. I don't believe you can just cite genetics or the environment to account for so many people being depressed or obese or getting diseases. You say chemical imbalances cause a person to be depressed. It is true to a point but isn't reasonable to argue that a strong person is one who can overcome his disadvantages, one who can overcome his chemical imbalances? Obviously there are mentally unwell people and they deserve to be cared for and helped back into society but they are not the ones who are simply depressed.
I agree that a lot of people don't care where their clothes come from.
I vehemently disagree that entertainment makes life worth living. That was a staggering thing to write. Playing video games all day is a horrible waste of life.
I know so many people who wander through life apparently confused about why they are so unhappy, why the relationship with their partner is so destructive, why they're obese, why they are unhealthy. They don't take responsibility for their own lives.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I haven't gone inside to pay for gas in ages. Always pay with the card at the pump.

I stopped paying with cash as soon as they started having mandatory Pre-Pay.

Me too.

 

[Trekker4747]

Depression isn't simply just "being sad."

Depression is quite often a chemical-embalance in the brain that can only be corrected through medication.

 

[Miss Chicken]

While researching my family history I came across quite a few family members who died of cancer in the 1800s. It is hardly a new thing or an unusual thing.

However many of my ancestors died of things that no longer usually kill. These ancestors might have also ended up dying of cancer if something else hadn't killed them first.

I also came across several cases of marriage breakup (without divorce). In fact I think there was more breakups in my family in the 1800s than in the 20th century.

 

[Mr Troi]

While researching my family history I came across quite a few family members who died of cancer in the 1800s. It is hardly a new thing or an unusual thing.

However many of my ancestors died of things that no longer usually kill. These ancestors might have also ended up dying of cancer if something else hadn't killed them first.

I also came across several cases of marriage breakup (without divorce). In fact I think there was more breakups in my family in the 1800s than in the 20th century.

My point was that people are dying of certain diseases because they are leading unhealthy lives. Although I agree there are a lot of people who are just terribly unlucky.
I take your point about divorce but don't you have to ask yourself why it is that people still get married and expect to live happily ever after if our ancestors discovered that marriage doesn't work like that?

 

[trekkiedane]

That's Just the diamond industry and bridal magazines.

Aka. Society demanding unreasonable things from people.

 

[Miss Chicken]

My point was that people are dying of certain diseases because they are leading unhealthy lives. Although I agree there are a lot of people who are just terribly unlucky.

Most of them are aware that they are leading unhealthy lives, so they are not ignorant. It is totally their choice to live how they want to live even if it shortens their lives.

I take your point about divorce but don't you have to ask yourself why it is that people still get married and expect to live happily ever after if our ancestors discovered that marriage doesn't work like that?

I think a lot of people enter marriage knowing that if it doesn't work out they can escape it. They do not neccessarily think that they will live happily ever after. In fact some marry because they know they will be better protected if the relationship fails than they would be if they don't marry.

Besides, many people do not marry these days. Probably only about half of my 'married' friends are actually legally married they others are just living together as a couple, some of these couples have children and still have not been legally married.

 

[trekkiedane]

^Now, that's reasonable.

 

[Kestra]

You say chemical imbalances cause a person to be depressed. It is true to a point but isn't reasonable to argue that a strong person is one who can overcome his disadvantages, one who can overcome his chemical imbalances?

No, that's not reasonable at all.

 

[thestrangequark]

You say chemical imbalances cause a person to be depressed. It is true to a point but isn't reasonable to argue that a strong person is one who can overcome his disadvantages, one who can overcome his chemical imbalances?

No, that's not reasonable at all.

Precisely. That's about as reasonable as saying that if I were a strong person I could will my pancreas into making insulin again, and would never have to take another shot!

 

[Trekker4747]

You say chemical imbalances cause a person to be depressed. It is true to a point but isn't reasonable to argue that a strong person is one who can overcome his disadvantages, one who can overcome his chemical imbalances?

No, that's not reasonable at all.

Precisely. That's about as reasonable as saying that if I were a strong person I could will my pancreas into making insulin again, and would never have to take another shot!

This.

I can't "will" my brain to start maintaing its chemicals correctly.

 

[Nardpuncher]

How come a guy with this kind of mind set is calling himself Mr. Troi???

 

[Count Zero]

If I had to go camping, I'd die.

I love camping. So long as there is a hot shower and clean toilet within a 2 minute walk.

Nature and I don't get along, sadly.

Allergies? Sorry to hear that. Camping really isn't that terrible. I don't like it very much, either, though, but during archeological digs one often has to live like that. It usually has very little to do with how life would be after modern civilisation breaks down because then you won't be able to just buy stuff from a nearby store, drive around in your car, eat beans from tin and you's run out of propane for your cooking gear pretty fast.
Thanks to my academic education I know a few things at least in theory. The point is people would adapt to a new lifestyle rather quickly. All these skills aren't that hard to learn, really, and you'd have a lot of time on your hands.

 

[captcalhoun]

i'm shocked people haven't learnt it's a bad idea to post details of your party on Facebook unless you want a bunch of twats turning up and trahsing your place.

 

[Spot's Meow]

^Related to that, I'm shocked at how many people post pictures of themselves getting drunk at parties, holding a bottle of Captain Morgan in their hands as they look glassy eyed and hanging on several people. It's not hot whatsoever, it only makes you seem irresponsible and it is (or should be) embarassing. The worst is that these photos are often posted by people under the drinking age. Sure you're not going to get arrested, but why would you willingly go around showing people that you are breaking the law and looking like an embarassment while doing it?

 

[Kemaiku]

You say chemical imbalances cause a person to be depressed. It is true to a point but isn't reasonable to argue that a strong person is one who can overcome his disadvantages, one who can overcome his chemical imbalances?

No, that's not reasonable at all.

Indeed.

Even with medication I struggle to keep the depression under control at times, I was only diagnosed properly last year, but have been suffering since I was at least 5 years old. Its been a terrible few months since the diagnosis and I can tell you that it is *not* a matter of 'getting over it'.

 

[Thespeckledkiwi]

Paranoia is what people don't understand. Sad really that people who are paranoid are often categorized as nutcases that think the government is out to get them, when usually that's not the case.