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Posted
This is not a choice, though. There is a certain neurobiological protocl involved in socializing - it's the reason that our brains are as large as they are. Other primates with their complex and multi-layerd social groups also share this trait. To approach a person you interact with frequently as if it were a fresh start every time would get exhausting and it's inefficient because you NEED to be able to make an educated guess on how people will respond to you. It's a protective measure.

it would be hard work at first, but ultimately far less draining as a result of improved relationships and loss of baggage.

By necessity we have mental shortcuts in place that are difficult to consciously choose. I think we have all established pre-conceived notions when it comes to the loved ones in our lives. Like, my Dad is deaf and refuses to wear a hearing aid. So if, every time I tried to talk to him, I acted as if I didn't know he refuses to wear his hearing aid, we'd go through the same dance every time we spoke.

it isnt the same thing. you have a memory which you can use to remember basic things such as he is deaf and doesnt wear a hearing aid. i am talking about expected personality traits/behaviour. when you expect something of someone, you sometimes exhibit a reaction before they even do anything, triggering their own automatic behaviour.

it's behaviorism at it's most basic. This is why, when I went to marriage counseling with my exH, the therapist advised that it would be difficult. You get habituation to a certain method of interacting with someone, it is difficult to re-write that habituation. It's the way our brains are structured. which is why it simply takes TIME, and endurance, when it comes to learning the complexities of socialization.

which is why i believe in meditation and halting the thinking process whcih makes you react to things in the same way continuously. kind of ties back to original thought.

Posted
Now actually - that ties in quite interestingly with the whole concept of individualism as expounded by our old friend Ayn Rand. She was (or struck me as) being fervently against notions of altruism in that they were used to place obligations on artists and intellectuals to use their gifts for the good of society...this being a form of constraint on their talent.

The thing is, which is problematic in my view, what is the good of society? In some municipilaties in this country only accept art, that has been approved of by those in power, and serves to glorify our nation. However, the question is if art is possible given such constraints. However, in the case of applying some extremely potent nerve gas to people by some specialist in that field of research, such constraints need to exist.

You cannot know beforehand what will be discovered. And at the same time, if you give a promising writer a steady income, that might have a very detrimental effect on his / her writing.

 

How to contribute to the good of society? That is always very hard to figure out. One problem is, is that the good of society does not coincide with monetary incentives. Often it is opposed to that.

 

As for altruism, I think that it is needed for and by the talented anyway. You cannot make discoveries on your own anymore, so you need to cooperate with many people, discuss things. Only the absolute geniuses (we are talking on the level of Einstein) can accomplish things single-handedly. The down-side is, that if you have 100 altruistic talents, and 1 greedy talent, the greedy one will take the copyrights and credits.

 

It is not a coincidence that massification seems opposed to individuality. Think of mass fashion, the movies one has to see. The music one has to listen to. Of course, not everyone follows the trend, but with the increased technical possibilities, it is easier to make people conform to particular trends. And with the ongoing rationalization of society, it seems to become worse. Think of radio-stations that are airing more and more the same songs, in their attempt to improve their market share. Or TV.

 

But it is easy to make a wrong estimate of things.

It is easy for me to find all the songs and lyrics of the Beatles online. I know of the existence of a few bands of the same era that are far less well-known outside the UK. It is nigh impossible to find anything about a few of those other bands from the same era, in which I am interested.

But thirty years later, it is as if the smaller bands have not existed (lack of referencing, lack of availability of the music and lyrics), thus creating a false history. Which is of course reinforced by the return of the 60's, 70's or 80's trends we see time and again. Only the common denominator shows, adding to a false sense of conformity / stereotyping of the past.

 

Is the concept of individuality inevitably opposed to spirituality, if spirituality stems from helping others and improving the fate of mankind?

It is not opposed to spirituatility at all, in my opinion. We simply have a very weird sense of individuality; that being egotistical is the greatest thing a person can do for the good of society. If you define individuality as egotism, then surely individualism is alive and kicking. Which is, interestingly enough in direct and flagrant contradiction (the egotistical idea of creating the greatest good) with most established religions.

 

What is it that people want for themselves when they say "I am an individual"

It is a form of "ideological" (not in the political sense) self-justification. People try to make sense of the world, with their behaviors, thoughts and beliefs. It does not even have to be original - we are so often reminded that we should be individuals, but we are never taught on what that exactly means. Don't forget that the whole term individual is a politically (and ideologically) loaded one, all with their own assumptions, that are often not made explicit.

 

I think you did a check on "One Dimensional Man", you will be reading a bit more about that.

 

...and what would be the repercussions of having a planet full of people who were committed to individualism rather than collectivism?

Individualsm in the classical sense? That would be disastrous. We are already seeing the effects of that, in some areas of the world. But equally as disastrous would be a system in which we are made into little ants, who do not know of a purpose, other than the task that a higher authority has assigned to us.

Posted
I keep on picturing your avatar and Smoochie's adorable bunny going at it. :bunny::laugh: (And I hear "boing, Boing, BOING" in my head...:confused: )

 

Yeah, well, *Arthur* and whatever that thing is aren't *going at it* - at least not any more. *Arthur* is being ignored.

 

Oh well... such is life. :)

Posted
Yeah, well, *Arthur* and whatever that thing is aren't *going at it* - at least not any more. *Arthur* is being ignored.

 

Oh well... such is life. :)

 

Well, Arthur can cum play with my funny lookin' redheaded duck avatar anytime. :)

:confused: I think my avvie is a duck? (933, is it an ugly duckly that I stole from you?)

Posted
Yeah, well, *Arthur* and whatever that thing is aren't *going at it* - at least not any more. *Arthur* is being ignored.

 

Oh well... such is life. :)

 

Arthur is dah wabbits name...... is this a RLRabbit or a fantasy rabbit?

 

a4a- is going temp. blind again because of migraine onset..... seeing really really cool graphics tho......aztec neon designs right now :)

Posted
Well, Arthur can cum play with my funny lookin' redheaded duck avatar anytime. :)

:confused: I think my avvie is a duck? (933, is it an ugly duckly that I stole from you?)

 

As long as your duck doesn't bite... :p

Posted
Arthur is dah wabbits name...... is this a RLRabbit or a fantasy rabbit?

 

No, he's real... just not mine though. :(

Posted
As long as your duck doesn't bite... :p

 

:lmao: Or go up any unwanted holes! :laugh: :laugh: Couldn't resist!

Nah, it doesn't bite (sadly, I don't know if it's a boy or a girl....LOL! Though, I guess it is a girl as it has my red hair!)

Posted
:lmao: Or go up any unwanted holes! :laugh: :laugh: Couldn't resist!

 

Oh absolutely! :laugh:

Posted
Oh absolutely! :laugh:

 

:lmao: Exit only!

 

Now, wtf can we do with D'A's duck...His duck looks abit kinky eh? :laugh:

Posted
:lmao: Exit only!

 

Now, wtf can we do with D'A's duck...His duck looks abit kinky eh? :laugh:

 

That's right! :D

 

I dunno... perhaps he should come in here and lend some ideas.

Posted

I guess it would be kinda sick and twisted of me to make a HOT Friday thread about our avatars eh??? Though, it could be quite humourous too, don't ya think???? HEHEHEHE! (I'm laughing here, big time...)

Posted

The duck looks like it wants the quack spanked outta it! :D

begging for it...

Posted
I guess it would be kinda sick and twisted of me to make a HOT Friday thread about our avatars eh??? Though, it could be quite humourous too, don't ya think???? HEHEHEHE! (I'm laughing here, big time...)

 

Well, you're the Hot Thread expert and I haven't seen one about our avs so that should prove to be interesting. Go for it! :D

Posted
Well, you're the Hot Thread expert and I haven't seen one about our avs so that should prove to be interesting. Go for it! :D

I will get one going ... Don't you worry and get that fluffy tail of yours worked up...Save it for Friday. Which means...;) YOU have to participate (in detail ofcourse!:D ) and tell me (us) what that bunny of yours does and all it's tricks! :bunny:

 

(Is it Friday yet?)

Posted
I will get one going ... Don't you worry and get that fluffy tail of yours worked up...Save it for Friday. Which means...;) YOU have to participate (in detail ofcourse!:D ) and tell me (us) what that bunny of yours does and all it's tricks! :bunny:

 

(Is it Friday yet?)

 

Yeah, well, here's a preview...

 

http://www.islandgems.net/breeding.html

Posted
Yeah, well, here's a preview...

 

http://www.islandgems.net/breeding.html

 

:lmao:

 

So, if you knock me up, we can sell our little ones!! :laugh: It says so in the link! (You can sell some as pets)

 

Oh and I love the picture about how to breed successfully! :bunny:;)

Posted
:lmao:

 

So, if you knock me up, we can sell our little ones!! :laugh: It says so in the link! (You can sell some as pets)

 

Oh and I love the picture about how to breed successfully! :bunny:;)

 

:lmao: ...

 

The pic and description make it seem oh so simple compared to people mating. Bunnies do it without all the drama and BS. :)

Posted
:lmao: ...

 

The pic and description make it seem oh so simple compared to people mating. Bunnies do it without all the drama and BS. :)

 

Really eh? No I love you's, will you cuddle with me afterwards...Just fvk, and then leave little pellet poo's behind...:laugh:

 

I wonder though, do they ever do it in any other position other than doggie style?? :confused::laugh:

Posted
Carry on . . .

 

Hey I posted and was bout to go read what you put in next...Now I see it's gone. Why? (I shouldn't be thread stealing, but SF and I are on a bunny/duck roll right now.

Posted
Hey I posted and was bout to go read what you put in next...Now I see it's gone. Why? (I shouldn't be thread stealing, but SF and I are on a bunny/duck roll right now.

 

LH was posting about the Aspie subject but she started her own thread.

Posted
I wonder though, do they ever do it in any other position other than doggie style?? :confused::laugh:

 

Nope. That's the only way for them. :)

Posted

Aww how boring for them eh? Only one position...LOL!

Posted
Aww how boring for them eh? Only one position...LOL!

 

It gets the job done though... and the fact that bucks will *squeal* shows that position really doesn't matter to them. They get off regardless. After all, it IS all about the males. :p

 

The females sorta just hunker and take it... :p

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