"Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

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1182 days, 10 hours, 47 minutes ago

"Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same (virtual) breath I explained that it's done me no real good in life, and that I'd be much happier without it."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genius

Good news, you are NOT a genius.

1182 days, 10 hours, 40 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Also, anyone going on about IQ tests determining one a genius, see above source: "By the 1937 second revision of the Stanford-Binet test, Terman no longer used the term "genius" as an IQ classification, nor has any subsequent IQ test."

1182 days, 9 hours, 55 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Gnerphk: Instead, 'smart' or 'intelligent' can suffice for your uses Gnerphk... however if neither do you any good... then you are doing it wrong, or simply don't value what mental capacities can enable you to acquire and achieve.

Often, persistent unhappiness is actually mental illness... and intelligent people often mistake this as part of their personality instead, because they can logically deduce that they shouldn't be happy.

But if you ever visit a '3rd world' country you'll quickly realize happiness and logic don't correlate.

I feel sorry for those born to wealth, they cannot rise as high or appreciate as much of reality as those that came from nothing.

1182 days, 8 hours, 47 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

It's an interesting subject, and one that's drawn my attention for some years. I doubt the value of the tests, especially knowing as I do how one might excel at them.

I do use "genius" advisedly; I do _not_ present my achievements for review. There are several; two of them in particular are sources of extreme pride for me. They are not subjects for discussion here, save only thus: Should I get hit by a bus tomorrow, I'm content that I've improved the world far more than I've harmed it.

But on to a more specific thesis:
I dispute the common assertion that depression is always a disorder.

- Sometimes life just sucks. In that condition, extreme cheerful optimism might properly be considered a non-sane approach to life. A grim and accepting perseverance might be more proper -- for some personalities.
- Sometimes present circumstances are unfortunate. In this case, again, sadness or discontent are appropriate reactions. Care must be taken that they do not cyclically self-reinforce or self-generate, but that is all.
- For many of us, persistent circumstances are unpleasant. I would at some time welcome a discussion with regard to persistent general societal conditions, but the background is almost immaterial. Here, again, one must take care that sadness or discontent do not create themselves; when one cannot change the world sufficiently to make reality acceptable, one must cope nevertheless. Depression is a severe danger in these cases.

This third class impacts a large percentage of us, sufficiently that suicide for cause has a larger death toll than does suicide from depression in the developed world. (Self-poisoning from drug overdoses may alter that statement; there's different ways to read the statistics. Even so, suicide for cause is extremely common.)

And this is where I now stand -- not suicide, to be sure, nor even close, but rather in a position where conditions are unacceptable and yet outside my personal control. I think of it as "Matrix Syndrome" and am presently composing a paper on the subject. And it is on this subject in particular that I am always delighted to hold long discourse with an intelligent and reasonable human being.

1182 days, 8 hours, 22 minutes ago

singularity

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"What is the Matrix? Control. The Matrix is a computer generated dream world, built to keep us under control in order to change a human being into this..."

[holds up a copper-top D cell battery]

Nah. That's sci-fi. Isn't it?

http://www.simulation-argument.com/simulation.html

1182 days, 7 hours, 29 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"Gnerphk: Care must be taken that they do not cyclically self-reinforce or self-generate"

That is basically why depression becomes labeled a disorder/illness.
__

As a firm believer in evolution theory (due to the fact of historical evolution), I don't really believe unhappiness outside environmental stimulus to be normal... especially having witnessed hundreds of domesticated animals live their lives out going through every 'human' emotion... but depression.

In other words, if you are intelligent and not happy, intelligence may be a contributing factor, but if of above average intelligence... one should beable to understand and rise above.

Thus if claiming to be very intelligent... you should be happier than most.

I also tend to consider wealth, proof of ones intelligence, unless some 'odd' reason has caused one to choose to not take advantage of the fact intellect provides easy money.

I of course am not spiritual as you probably recall, and look down on those that are, as foolish... but if you aren't even happy and wish you weren't intelligent... I doubt that you are intelligent to begin with, or simply unhappy due to mental illness.
___

Normally I say the 'scale' should be based on how stupid you are, which then focuses on simply what you are incorrect about... rather than how knowledgeable someone is. This is because less bright people with a good upbringing can appear more intelligent than vastly more intelligent individuals who simply didn't have the same advantages.

This is why even though I can program, I don't brag about it as if it is special... it really is actually very simple and far less complex than most other sciences.

1182 days, 7 hours, 25 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

I think depression is by definition a disorder. Certainly every depressed person is experiencing persistent unpleasant circumstances, to their mind. Whether externally these conditions actually exist are almost irrelevant, and certainly trying to determine whether they do or do not is judgemental on the part of the outside observer: for the person experiencing the depression, they exist. And certainly there are many people in conditions far more unpleasant and severe, who remain upbeat and do not experience depression because of it.

1182 days, 6 hours, 52 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

I think admin should once again consider a "Block Post from Feed" button.

Just sayin.

1182 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Dotman, you have stated quite concisely that precise position with which I disagree.

Psyches, situations, circumstances: All of these are unique and individual. To classify a set of reactions by a unique person to a unique situation with unique circumstances as a general disorder is at best simplistic and at worst can be criminal. (Not implying that you are, mind. :o)

One of the major side effects of a large class of anti-anxiety medications is suicide. This appears paradoxical, and yet it's amenable to solution; common thought among practitioners is that, in many cases, the act of suicide is an attempt to assert control by an individual that recognizes they haven't been in control for quite some time. It's pleasantly neat, and as a solution it has logical appeal.

I would postulate, however, that from time to time, suicide is appropriate. Not to say that I'd recommend it to anyone, _but_ -- if the pain gets too bad to handle and I know it'll never go away... if the job sucks, the alimony's killer, the kids hate me, I really _am_ an @$$hole, and I can't escape any of that... if I've just done something unforgiveable and need to stop hurting people... Sometimes -- rarely -- suicide can fall in the category of appropriate responses to circumstance.

I bring this up because thoughts of suicide are considered a diagnostic marker for depression. There are several others, and each of them can be appropriate for a situation.

The psychiatric profession as a whole, particularly when practiced by the partially skilled or the uncaring, tends to classify people by symptoms into categories of disorder. This completely misses the fundamental truth that people are people; we are individuals, and our problems are individual. Always.

And yet no care system can function if it bypasses diagnostics and classification. Society would not stand for individual treatment at an effective level; the expense even if only measured in time would be truly vast. Instead, we prescribe pills that are listed in the manuals as proper to treat the disorder in question.

Given this, a cynic might be surprised that anyone ever recovers. It is true that, often, there's a physical cause that actually can be treated with a pill; I can think of dozens. For myself, I know that if I don't get sunlight a couple of times a month, I get the blues; if I don't get my ascorbic acid, I get down (and my gums bleed). These are two very common causes of depression, and a pill can cure them, just as other different pills can each treat a vast number of disorders based in chemistry.

But sometimes a person is just sad. Sometimes, life sucks. Sometimes, telling jokes or grinning is inappropriate; sometimes, hope is the wrong thing to express.

Sometimes, your government is assassinating people via drone strikes without proper cause. Sometimes, your political party ignores your vote and the will of the people. Sometimes, injustice is rampant and corruption endemic.

In those times, discontent is appropriate.

I am discontented.

1182 days, 6 hours, 37 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Singularity:
I enjoyed that article. Interesting, if derivative -- and there's nothing at all wrong with it being derivative. It's a very nice viewpoint.

Did I post a link to this? (One of mine.)
https://gnerphk.wordpress.com/2016/04/28/the-matrix-is-real/

1182 days, 5 hours, 21 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Issen+Adtur,

> I think admin should once again consider a "Block Post from Feed" button.

If you have a problem with this thread, or any individual post therein, I urge you to use the CONTACT button at the bottom of the page to inform the Admins.

@Glyn,

> Thus if claiming to be very intelligent... you should be happier than most.

Interesting theory. Please try to apply it to Robin Williams.

1182 days, 3 hours, 38 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Issen+Adtur: Well, I've expressed my concern about Gnerphk stating he wishes he was less intelligent, and he has posted in here, so I wouldn't mind it being hidden from the Activity Feed now.

But I actually like Gnerphk, and his blog (check it out!), and I do consider him very intelligent, despite our opposite theological stances... which is something I usually don't tolerate instictively.

But wishing to be less intelligent is a huge warning sign I think.

___

"Whisperer: Interesting theory. Please try to apply it to Robin Williams."

Robin Williams had a mental illness... he is a perfect example of why we should discuss mental illness, when people aren't happy, something is wrong. If someone is succesful, or should be, but isn't happy, something is wrong.

You don't seem to understand my hypothesis.

1181 days, 18 hours, 40 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

It has taken me a fair amount of time to figure how to address a major point, mainly because I'm finding it difficult to quantify it in order to oppose it. It's plainly wrong, but it's not stated coherently.

(I'm not calling you incoherent, @Glyn; I'm saying that you haven't formulized your thesis.)

I guess my opposition can best be summed up in this fashion:
Money does not lead to or indicate happiness, and intelligence does not lead to contentment.

These are separate topics; rather than conflate them, I'm going to ignore the second and refer people to my blog rather than address it here. The link's above but I'll repost anyway. The final section is that which, in part, makes it germane.

https://gnerphk.wordpress.com/2016/04/28/the-matrix-is-real/

So -- money as a measure of happiness: As I understand it, the argument would go thus: Lack of money causes all sorts of problems, as anyone who's been poor will know. You can't keep an apartment, you can't feed your kids, suddenly you've got real troubles and life sucks. Even when money is merely tight, you get all sorts of arguments with the wife and you can't do any of the things you've been dreaming about for years, so instead you're trapped in a dead-end job doing something you hate.

And, so far as it goes, that's true. A lack of money will cause unhappiness. So having enough money to avoid the big problems can be said to stop the causes of unhappiness, making the person happy. Right?

But it turns out that almost an opposite effect holds true. Again, I'm going to talk suicide numbers, in this case because they're the most palpable evidence of depression. Here's some very high risk groups:
- People from Russia and the former Soviet republics.
- People who have just retired.
- People with life-threatening illnesses.
- People who have just lost a lot of weight.
- The wealthy.

The lowest incidence of suicide is observed in Catholic countries and those at war.

That last is worthy of exploration, and it's been studied widely: In countries which are suffering severe economic and social hardship due to war, in demographic groups outside the range eligible for regular military service, suicide numbers drop drastically. A more direct case-by-case analysis shows that, in general, it's very rare for people employed in high-pressure environments to kill themselves in wartime, whereas without war that's one of the bigger risk groups.

From examining trends, it seems evident that the suicide question is not a simple one, that there are several distinct suicidal populations, each with its own set of motivations. And yet, certain tendencies hold true across the board.
- People kill themselves when they feel hopeless.
- People don't kill themselves when they feel useful.

Wealth is no bar to suicide, as mentioned above. Neither is youth, nor good health, nor any of the conventional measures of success. Religion and patriotism in wartime are, however. Charitable workers rarely kill themselves.

And so I propose that true success, measured in one currency with equal value to all -- one's will to live -- lies not in financial success or in professional achievement but rather in serving a cause greater than oneself, and in helping other people.

1181 days, 13 hours, 48 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"Money does not lead to or indicate happiness"

No one has said it does... intelligence however should lead to money, and unhappiness is not 'normal'.

"intelligence does not lead to contentment."

It should.

1181 days, 13 hours, 34 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

>"...unhappiness is not 'normal'"

Considering one in a hundred people kills themselves, I think unhappiness is fairly normal. There's civil wars across almost 10% of the globe and 200m+ refugees; this doesn't lead to happiness. There's famines and plagues and hardship.

So I'd say happiness is less likely than one might think.

>>"intelligence does not lead to contentment."
>It should.

In a perfect world, improved intelligence would lead to improved perception of that perfection. Since the world is imperfect, increased intelligence often increases awareness of the imperfections -- and a sane and morally responsible individual should not find contentment in that.

1181 days, 12 hours, 21 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

I should clarify, thus:

The world's imperfections, if minor, merely lend it charm. Clouds in the sky improve the sunset, for instance; rainy days help the crops grow, and snow on the ground gives us a perfect excuse to sit home, drink hot cocoa, and read something amazing.

Even more major problems are less than crushing; muggings are on the rise on Manhattan, so you take cabs. Cabbies can't speak English, so you learn a little Pakistani. There's a hole in your shoe, so you slap on some duct tape. Life goes on.

But there are many problems that are rather more severe, and some we can't cope with. Homelessness is epidemic, and all we can do is give a bit to Covenant House and volunteer at a soup kitchen. So that's what we do, and the rest of the time we worry a little about people that sleep wet and cold. It's getting harder to earn a living and pay the rent, so we cut corners and give up the second car maybe, and we worry. Some twit just blew himself up outside your favorite diner, and so now all you can do is go to funerals and worry some more, and in the mean while you don't know a place to get a cup of coffee and you kinda hate to get to know a waitress somewhere else.

And then we've got this war thing, and the economy, and the elections aren't going right, and you just feel like you've got to _do_ something. But what?

Well, I've got some thoughts about that last one -- but maybe not for here. Point is, unless you know what to do, you're going to stress, and be discontented.

Or you've got a heart the size of a raisin, which is fine too. We all have our coping mechanisms.

1181 days, 11 hours, 6 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=wfYbgdo8e-8

1181 days, 7 hours, 23 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Interesting. I'm not sure how it applies; is someone of two minds about something? :o)

1180 days, 22 hours, 47 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

I find the points presented interesting, albeit generally too extreme and inflexible. A couple of thoughts:

1. Suicide is nowhere near as common as you describe @Gnerphk. Not even close. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_suicide_rate
Even if you lived in Guyana (the highest rate 44.2 per 100k), you would be far less likely than you state. The developed world is generally a fraction of this, or about 10 per 100k.

2. Rating intelligence is frankly unintelligent. Some people are dumber than a box of rocks, but can calculate mathematical problems in an instant with 100% accuracy. Or can speak 27 languages, but can't understand instructions on how to operate a DVD player... in any language. Intelligence is like artwork, and very difficult to rate. The "Mona Lisa" is a terrible sculpture, but a damn fine painting. So comparing it to the Statue of David is plain silly; they are both beautiful pieces of artwork but share nothing in common (except for being created by an artist). So comparing individuals based on intelligence depends on the lenses looked though: financial acumen, artistic abilities, problem solving, communication skills, humor, ad infinitum.

3. Happiness is indeed a state of mind, and one which is entirely controllable if you are of normal mental health, in my opinion. Intelligence may play some small part, as those that are truly wise recognize what they can control and what they cannot. You only worry about what you can control, and take actions to keep those items positive. Worrying about politics, war, famine, sun spots, or ascension into paradise is illogical and beyond the individual sphere of influence. Yelling at a storm cloud won't make it go away, so accept it and move on to things you can control, like filling sandbags to keep your house intact. The truly unintelligent spend too much time yelling at clouds, and then act shocked when their houses get flooded.

4. If you feel you cannot control your own happiness, then you are by default mentally ill and should seek professional assistance. I'm not saying you are crazy, but something is indeed wrong with you if you cannot feel in control most of the time. I'm not saying you can always smile and never have things happen which make you unhappy, like deaths of family members, etc. But being able to recognize the normality of feeling sad when a loved one dies, and then recovering, is healthy. Being in a perpetual funk because Bernie Sanders is not going to be elected President, or the Earth is slowly warming, or Guyana has the highest suicide rate... well, that is simply "unhealthy" and indicates a mental imbalance somewhere.

5. True happiness is having the countdown start after a hard fought game of VGAP... with yourself in the top spot of course. And hearing the lamentation of my enemy's women as I drive their men before me. Oops, that was happiness in Conan... sorry.

1180 days, 20 hours, 20 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Lord+Pollax,

> Intelligence may play some small part, as those that are truly wise recognize what they can control and what they cannot.

A clarification for those who might be confused by your choice of words.

Intelligence != wisdom

Intelligence - Knows what can be done

Wisdom - Knows what should be done

1180 days, 20 hours, 16 minutes ago

captain storm

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"God grant me the serenity to accept those things I cannot change, the courage to change those things I can, and the wisdom to KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!"

1180 days, 17 hours, 9 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Oh, that all is certainly true, especially as stated in the Serenity Prayer. (Notable: I agree with Storm as rarely as I do with Glyn.)

I do hope, however, that "happiness" and "contentment" aren't conflated. One can choose to be happy even in the darkest of times, _but_ when one has the power to act to change the world and instead opts to pursue happiness... well. Some would say that a tendency to do this is common, and contemptible; some might even say that this is the reason things are as bad as they are.

Personally, I'm inclined to think that it's the way humans work, and that there's a number of methods that could be employed to use these human tendencies to generate social change not in spite of but rather because of our propensity to seek happiness rather than -- what would be the alternative? Rage? Obsession? Or my own discontent, without which I would have little to write about?

1180 days, 13 hours, 12 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Lord+Pollax: Absolutely love your post! Thank you for contributing!

@Captain+Storm: I also grew up hearing that... and it is definetly valuable wisdom that everyone can benefit from.

1180 days, 10 hours, 3 minutes ago

captain storm

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"All that is needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

1180 days, 9 hours, 56 minutes ago

captain storm

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Gnerphk: I don't think we disagree that often? And when we do, I am right of course! :-)

PS: I know you will disagree with that last statement. See how smart I am? :-)

Seriously, I have been tested and have an IQ of 190, which is well above the thresh hold for being considered genius. But if you do nothing with genius, nothing will be achieved. In my long lifetime I have achieved every thing I wanted to do. If I died tomorrow I would die happy.

BUT I don't ascribe my accomplishments to myself or my genius. I give that accolade to God and his grace which knows no bounds!

1180 days, 9 hours, 51 minutes ago

cyrus

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Amen!

1180 days, 9 hours, 50 minutes ago

captain storm

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Glyn: I respectfully disagree with you. I was tested the first time in the early 60's and was told I scored well above the genius level. To put it in perspective I was told my score was higher than 99.5%+ of all those taking the test.

Be that as it may, I would MUCH rather have people NOT think of me as a genius, but rather a good and loyal friend!

1180 days, 9 hours, 17 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

That's kind of where I'm coming from, Storm. Though, to be sure, the difference is rarely so cut and dried as between "good" and "evil". If you'll permit, I'll present an example.

https://gnerphk.wordpress.com/2016/02/10/causes-of-autism-including-an-addendum-on-vaccines/

Some very influential people keep shouting about how vaccines cause autism, and therefore how vaccines are dangerous. For right now, I'm not going to go on about how rubella is pretty dangerous too; instead, I'd like to mention that there's a lot of truth to what they're saying. Not the conclusion, which is that vaccines are bad, but rather that there can be side effects, instances of poor quality control, and corrupt practices in both distribution and dispensation.

If you read my little work on the subject (above), you'll see that my conclusion is that vaccination cannot cause autism, but some of the side effects have been linked to something called Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. And doctors often treat CDD as though it were autism -- which it isn't, though the DSM 5 does classify it in the spectrum for purposes of treatment.

This is rather a fine distinction, and if even professionals don't differentiate the two (save for research), it's hardly surprising when prominent and well-meaning individuals start preaching to us about the deadliness of vaccination.

However, the consequences that occur when large segments of the population mistrust medical science can be horrific. Rubella infection in a pregnant woman can actually cause autism in the child, though it's more likely to be deadly. In a pre-vaccinated society or one where herd immunity doesn't exist, a large number of children are born with Congenital Rubella Syndrome, and the prognosis for that isn't good at all.

So the struggle here is one where there are several factions, most well-intentioned people, and the overwhelming majority of whom -- even within the medical profession -- are insufficiently informed. The ideal solution would seem to be education combined with continual research into CDD. What has happened, however, is that dissent is suppressed without the corresponding benefit of disseminating complete and pertinent information, and as a result there exists a powerful counterculture movement that resists immunization.

Good? Evil? All I can see is that most sides in this discussion seem to be at least partly wrong, and research into the causes of CDD is one of the least sexy and poorest-funded types of project out there today.

(The above is an oversimplification of aspects of my article, which in turn is the merest broad summary of trustworthy research. I've offered it as an example of my thesis, which is that life isn't often about obvious good versus obvious evil. If anyone's interested in further discussion on the specific subject of vaccination, I'd encourage you to comment at my blog or start a new thread here in the Feed.)

1180 days, 7 hours, 33 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Captain+Storm: Since 1937 IQ tests no longer used the label genius (which I already stated and provided a link for above).

"Two pupils who were tested but rejected for inclusion in the study (because their IQ scores were too low) grew up to be Nobel Prize winners in physics, William Shockley, and Luis Walter Alvarez. Based on the historical findings of the Terman study and on biographical examples such as Richard Feynman, who had an IQ of 125 and went on to win the Nobel Prize in physics and become widely known as a genius, the current view of psychologists and other scholars of genius is that a minimum level of IQ (approximately 125) is necessary for genius but not sufficient, and must be combined with personality characteristics such as drive and persistence, plus the necessary opportunities for talent development."

--99.5%--

One in two-hundred people are NOT geniuses, there are NOT 350 million geniuses alive right now... if that is your idea of genius, then it is meaningless. Being in the top 99.5% of intelligence is not rare or exceptional. Should I assume you were you your schools valedictorian?

The following is just so you understand where I'm coming from;

I took Canadian and American IQ tests as a teenager, the lowest I ever scored was the top 2%, but usually in the top 1%... what I noticed is the test was really easy and basically a joke. I'm willing to bet most people on Planets Nu would score that high. I took many online IQ tests between 1998-2008, they are all a scam, everyone scores high on them.

In every Chemistry course I've ever taken all the way through University, I achieved a perfect score... not a single question answered wrong ever. For the CAT exam in grade 9, I scored the absolute highest in Alberta... which most will probably disregard since Alberta is considered the Texas of Canada.

Never studied or paid attention in 1-12 Public school or post-secondary. When I arrived at the UofA I was hoping to meet others as interested in information as I was... no one even came close to knowing as much as me. And that was mostly BEFORE a decade long internet addiction which averaged 8-12 hours a day online.... I've BARELY had to work due to getting moderately wealthy before I was 21.

Never thought once in my entire life, "I'm smart"... but rather, "*#&@ people are stupid," but as far as I'm concerned, it is a choice. Just like people that work out become muscular, those that draw/paint become artists and those that choose to learn become intelligent. I'm actually dyslexic, the highest I've ever scored in English was 74%, and I was literally "pity-passed" by my two English 101 professors... course they failed over half of the class, and it wasn't even on the bell curve grading system.

Many here on this site have shared incorrect information about copyright law... this is something I consider more significant than being correct about a thousand other things. This is because I believe one's knowledge should be perfect, it is better to not-know than believe the wrong thing.

I can hunt, fish, trap, sword fight, build (electric-motors, carbon-fiber, fiberglass, concrete/epoxies/urethanes, wood, sheath/board, stucco, plumbing, wiring, roofing), repair (clothing, cars, concrete, homes), program, build robots, farm cattle and crops... which has proven quite valuable and useful.

Knowing history, understanding politics, religions, sciences (astronomy, most chemistry, most physics, most biology) are pretty worthless in comparison, especially now that everyone has the internet. Besides being able to talk about pretty much anything with women, I'd not waste my time on those subjects if I could re-live my life.

Only goals left to accomplish are to build my own; metal forge, glass forge, CNC machine, and a C02 extractor (like the ones perfume companies use).

I suffered from dysthymia for most of my youth, when I finally learned about it, after wasting years having my thyroid and other things checked out... I pretty much did a 'facepalm', because I had almost every single symptom (except suicidal thoughts and not-enjoying things I used to). I quit going on the internet cold-turkey, got a real job just to keep busy and tossed my regrets out the window. Takes awhile to self-correct, but the first step is realizing you have a problem. But intelligence made me rich right out the gate, but not happy, because something was wrong... of course intelligence enabled me to fix the problem .. but I had to first stop denying something was wrong, learn what was wrong, and getting to work to fix myself.

Given enough time, I can make "anyone" as intelligent as myself, because we are simply biological machines operating with the illusion of freewill... and brains are fairly similar enough that they can all accomplish the same tasks with training and thus being knowledgeable or smart isn't special at all

Source for all quotes above: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genius

1180 days, 7 hours, 32 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"The noun is related to the Latin verb genui, genitus, "to bring into being, create, produce". Because the achievements of exceptional individuals seemed to indicate the presence of a particularly powerful genius, by the time of Augustus the word began to acquire its secondary meaning of "inspiration, talent".[3] The term genius acquired its modern sense in the eighteenth century, and is a conflation of two Latin terms: genius, as above, and ingenium, a related noun referring to our innate dispositions, talents and inborn nature."

I don't accept the modern variation as scientifically accurate... but no matter what, unless you bring something new to humanities knowledge set, you aren't a genius.

1180 days, 7 hours, 0 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Glyn: "Given enough time, I can make "anyone" as intelligent as myself, because we are simply biological machines operating with the illusion of freewill... and brains are fairly similar enough that they can all accomplish the same tasks with training and thus being knowledgeable or smart isn't special at all"

Well, this part is simply untrue.

@Gnerphk: "And so I propose that true success, measured in one currency with equal value to all -- one's will to live -- lies not in financial success or in professional achievement but rather in serving a cause greater than oneself, and in helping other people."

Helping others yes. Serving a cause greater than oneself... this is a short term happiness by your measure, as evidenced by suicide statistics of returning or active soldiers, and frequency of PTSD and related ailments among those who have returned from the horrors of war, most of whom would adamantly say they served a cause greater than themselves.

Trying to find happiness by any measure of the world as known to most is fleeting at best.

1180 days, 6 hours, 45 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

I think of Alberta more as the Oklahoma of Canada.

Actually, @Glyn, you've neatly described my resistance to pressure to join Mensa. Celebrity IQ is a bit of a joke.

Einstein's particular genius, for example, was in quantifying and then restating an abstract framework of thought in a manner that people with more concrete mindsets could follow (albeit with difficulty). General Relativity was not entirely his brainchild, just as Special Relativity could (in a broad sense) be said to have been invented by Galileo in his revised "Dialogue" and "Two New Sciences". Einstein's contribution was in formulating and formalizing the practice and then applying it to space-time -- an impressive contribution, but a capstone rather than a monolith, if you will -- or a monolith atop a mountain-sized tumulus.

And yet genius in potentia as opposed to genius in actus nevertheless must exist, else genius would never exist until after someone has created or contributed. This would logically imply that genius is not required for the creation, which is ridiculous. Ergo, logically, untapped or unrecognized genius must exist in any world which admits the fruits of genius. To dispute this is to enter into the world of logical impossibility.

In short, while you can cite any number sources that support your position, it appears that you're logically incorrect, Glyn.

Having said that, I'd again agree that most IQ tests are somewhat valueless, especially with respect to fringe results.

Discerning genius in advance is difficult. Discerning it after the fact is also tough; one creation could be stolen, or luck, or mere discovery. Quantifying genius is beyond standard comprehension; exploring the task should show why.

1180 days, 6 hours, 35 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Dotman: "Well, this part is simply untrue."

So genetics DO NOT determine human mental capacities? Because they have proven highly intelligent couples do not produce highly intelligent children. Eugenics was proven entirely wrong when it came to mental capacity.

I assume putting 'anyone' in quotations would indicate I was excluding outliers like autism and downs syndromes etc.

1180 days, 6 hours, 32 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

That eugenics has been discredited doesn't entirely negate the role of genetics in intelligence. Just because a few evil people burned humans wholesale doesn't tell us anything aside from that judging people based on ethnicity is morally abhorrent.

1180 days, 6 hours, 29 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Gnerphk: I just mention Asia Carrera is also in Mensa and they usually stop gloating about being in Mensa... not that I trust people online claiming to be in Mensa actually are.

Is someone still a genius if they get in a car accident and can't even spell their name? How about being dead like Einstein is? Genius is a label applied to humans that accomplish tasks, there is no such thing as untapped/unrecognized genius and it is absurd to think it does.

1180 days, 6 hours, 25 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

I'm Albertan... were pretty much the worlds authority on eugenics.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Eugenics_Board

1180 days, 6 hours, 24 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

I would say you've presented evidence that precisely the opposite is true, but that's perspective. :o)

1180 days, 6 hours, 4 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

If it's absurd to suggest untapped genius exists and, as I've logically demonstrated, it's illogical to assert genius exists only after the act of creation is accomplished, the only conclusion would be that genius either doesn't exist or can't be detected.

And that would be absurd.

No; genius must exist in potentia for it to exist at all. One can take a rather zen approach to it and say that it exists primarily in its exercise, that genius only ever occurs during the act of creation, but that would be equivalent to stating a definition of "genius" that excludes its comprehension externally.

Since this is something that's proverbially problematic to define, ("Nothing is foolproof because fools are so ingenious." -Murphy) I would say rather that our fundamental disagreement here, @Glyn, which lies within the framework of the definition of "genius", is one of semantics rather than substance. It would be possible among reasonable and intelligent individuals to overcome any such barrier and achieve mutual understanding, if not necessarily agreement.

1180 days, 5 hours, 54 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Genius is not a thing or state of being or anything scientifically determinable or measurable... it is a label only.

If Einstein was in a bus accident and couldn't even count to potato afterwards, people would not say "he used to be a genius"... he is a genius because of his accomplishments for life and death.

Einstein IS a genius, not WAS a genius.

1180 days, 5 hours, 54 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

(Or, in short, you seem to be saying that genius is what you say it is because you say it is.)

1180 days, 5 hours, 41 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"Gnerphk: because you say it is."

Seeing as I started off saying your interpretation is incorrect, you can assume I implied that you think you are a genius "because you say it is" as well. So that goes without saying, however I've provided at least a basic source backing up my interpretation. And even mentioned the modern eugenics spin on 'genius' is scientifically incorrect... leaving scientific studies as the arbiter.

How about a pile of Mensa 'geniuses' according to your lazy-web-dictionary definition saying that you have to be accomplished to be one?;

http://nautil.us/blog/how-is-a-genius-different-from-a-really-smart-person

1180 days, 5 hours, 35 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Our posts seem to be crossing.

Permit me first to observe that it was you, not me, that suggested that a person must be accomplished in order to be a genius. I refuse to support any such assertion, which is evidently false. It also contradicts almost every point I've attempted to make.

Having observed that, I'll drop back and respond to your earlier statement that "genius... is a label only" in a following post.

1180 days, 5 hours, 17 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"Some equate genius with IQ or creativity; others see it as extraordinary accomplishment." Source; http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/streams-of-consciousness/how-do-you-spot-a-genius/

Since there isn't any authority to determine whom is correct, which the first paragraph of my Wikipedia link also goes into as well... it isn't like this can actually be resolved or I'm attempting to... casting doubt and showing there is no consensus was my goal.

But genius is clearly a label, and that means the majority has more say in whom it applies to than two individuals such as you and I... and people don't reference non-famous people as geniuses ever. People claim they are one, and everyone rolls their eyes...

I started off in, "agree to disagree" mode for this topic, but if I don't consider you a genius, and I'm not alone in that... then what is the point of considering yourself a genius?

Which isn't even important, what you should take away is that everyone for the most part is equipped with the necessary intelligence to be happy, and since being intelligent is an advantage, it should be helping you achieve happiness.

Used to think long time ago that, "ignorance is bliss", and that 'stupid' people were happier... but once I started renting rooms out of my house when I turned 20, I met a really diverse crowd of people.

Rig pigs to college students, drug addicts to hippies... and I realized the correlation was purely naive speculation on my behalf... people choose to be intelligent or not, for many it simply doesn't interest them and they are just perfectly happy bumbling through life learning everything the hard way instead, never really thinking first. Anyone can arrive at the same conclusions as 'smar't people if they actually invest time in it.
_____

I found those into conspiracy theories the most puzzling however, but understood they WANT to believe and thus start with a conclusion instead of trying to arrive at one... it just takes emotions to start doing that type of thinking I noticed... so basically not surprising since emotions make pretty much everyone illogical, that is how we evolved.

"OH SHIT, SABER TOOTH! AHHH!!!" -runs away- VS "Is that a saber tooth? Hmmm, what am I supposed to do in this situation, hmmm... climb a tree? Oh my, he is eating my face now!"

1180 days, 5 hours, 16 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

So you're saying, then, that "Genius" is a word without definable meaning. It's purely a compliment, and not descriptive of any particular property save that a person has been successful, or as you stated above, has achieved wealth.

I dispute this.

Look, Galton may have designed eugenics and used less than stringent academic methods in his work, but that doesn't discredit "genius" as a concept. It may be that its definition (at our present level of societal development) properly falls within the realm of philosophy rather than hard science, but that does not discount its existence.

Words can be said to be defined according to a collective agreement of their meaning by those that use them. Dictionaries, therefore, are authorities only insofar as their authority remains relevant; for this reason, as language grows over time, dictionaries modify their definitions.

And yet, "genius" is definable. In the sense in which we're using it, Merriam-Webster defines it thus:
a: a single strongly marked capacity or aptitude
b: extraordinary intellectual power especially as manifested in creative activity
c: a person endowed with transcendent mental superiority; especially: a person with a very high IQ

Now, one might easily assert that Merriam-Webster hasn't caught up with modern psychological thought, but it would be difficult to support any assertion that there are no geniuses, or that the line between genius and mere ability can't readily be seen. We can agree that the work of Einstein was that of genius; we can mostly agree that Da Vinci and Newton were both geniuses. Ergo, it must needs exist as a concept in our collective minds, and from that idea we can arrive at a meaningful definition. The preceding qualifies.

I want to be clear here: I have no wish at all to prove to you that I am a genius. I assert it, but your acceptance of my assertion is immaterial. I do not assert that I'm another Einstein or Da Vinci, but then I don't have to.

I would also say, as a blanket statement, that there are hundreds of highly accomplished people here, and some of them likely qualify as geniuses under a commonly accepted definition. It would also be a safe assumption that many of us here suffer from (or enjoy the benefits of) Asperger's, mild schizophrenia, and other alternative versions of normal thought.

Again, I don't desire to prove this to you. I merely state it.

The only proofs I'd like to present are along the lines of the preceding logical ones: what is, what defines, what can be. Demonstrating philosophic concepts and explicating the abstruse also fall within my purview.

There is no burden placed that you must agree with me. However, in logical or reasoned disputation or discussion (whichever), there are forms; one ought to respond in kind if one wishes to participate.

1180 days, 4 hours, 58 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"Gnerphk: I dispute this."

Nothing is stopping you from joining the debate to alter the article; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genius

"There is no scientifically precise definition of genius, and the question of whether the notion itself has any real meaning has long been a subject of debate, although psychologists are converging on a definition that emphasizes creativity and eminent achievement."
_______

The etymology of a word plays significance to its meaning... faggot will forever mean a bundle of sticks whether you like it for not... genius originally meant exactly what I've stated... and most people do not go around calling 2% of the population geniuses... we reserve if for those like Einstein and Newton that achieve and contribute to humankind in significant manner.

"Gnerphk: have no wish at all to prove to you that I am a genius."

You can become a genius still, you can become a genius after you are dead even... your definition excludes people accomplishments to influence humanity after they are dead.

I will never agree with you without being made aware of accomplishments that raise you to the prestigious label of genius... as a classification everyone and their dog could be a genius if all it takes is scoring well on an IQ test... something the creators of those tests stopped doing in 1937.

1180 days, 4 hours, 54 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Hm. Oddly, my post seems to answer your most recent one.

While I'll accept that your experience is that anyone can choose to be intelligent, I'd warn you that anecdote is not equivalent to data. In other words, your experience of human nature is not statistically significant; it's also subjective, prone to bias, and collected in a non-scientific manner.

Rather like Galton, in fact -- though the conclusions are opposite. :o)

As to intelligence being an advantage (though not, as you say, in every situation): Certainly.

As to happiness being a matter of choice: Sometimes.

As to intelligence granting happiness: Rarely, in my experience; rarely, by the authorities I've consulted. Marcus Aurelius has a great deal to say on the subject, and I'd intended to quote him, but instead, how's this:
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave..."
...and also:
"For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow."

I value and honor the wisdom that's in the Bible as I would any wisdom I find anywhere, and these principles are echoed by many that I honor likewise. Even Thoreau, who inveighs against the sayings of the old, found that there is grief in knowledge and a burden in wisdom.

And yet, I wouldn't change what I have for something easier to bear. Neither, I think, would many of the rest of us here.

1180 days, 4 hours, 53 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Heh. Fortunately for both of us, @Glyn, I have no need to prove the truth of my assertion to you. I wager we'd both weary of the discussion. :o)

1180 days, 4 hours, 35 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Hmm. "Genius", I think, originally referred to inspiration, a muse, or a spirit of place or time.

And Wikipedia is hardly authoritative; nor has any contribution to it any likelihood of outliving its author. While I might choose to contribute here or there, it will be in places where my knowledge is somewhat unique or where the errors are egregious -- a place where I might add some value.

1180 days, 4 hours, 33 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Gnerphk: Honestly, all I've done is quote; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genius

And a quick google search to provide two articles; One backing my claim to show I'm not alone (using people that would be considered geniuses by your choice of use of the word that refuse the title for the same reasons I do).

And another one basically saying there is no possible consensus.

All I wanted to do, is make it clear, not everyone is operating under your definition of genius... robbing the word of its influence over you whether you like it or not.

This isn't really an argument, like I said, I started with "agree to disagree"... I like providing information.

Everything I take seriously I make sure I can debate both sides of the issue, but when it comes to labels, you more or less are stuck with what the majority say.

Mainly I hear, "smartest person I know" thrown around by women a lot... but never once heard anyone call another non-famous person a genius. The most I've ever heard the word used, was for my friends Counter-Strike Clan "Evil Geniuses", they took 2nd in WCG in Korea. Woo! Go Canada!

1180 days, 4 hours, 21 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

I'm aware of your sources, @Glyn, and I've attempted to speak to them (above). Again, Wikipedia is hardly authoritative, and as for random blog posts got off Google-- !

By the Merriam-Webster definitions I gave, I've been privileged to know and work with a few geniuses in my time, and speak at length with several others. Some geniuses are here playing; I've read from a couple of their papers. I don't mind placing myself among their number; I know genius and ability as well as most.

But that's subjective; there's no need for you to take my word on it. I expect there are some who will, but acceptance doesn't alter the fundamental nature of the assertion, whether true or false.

You have a different definition of "genius" than I do. That's fine. It means we can't have a meaningful discussion on the topic save to debate definitions, and we've done that. I had hoped for more, but... well. I can be content with this.

1180 days, 4 hours, 1 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

This whole thread is just a waste of opportunity.
I mean seriously you had a chance of calling it the glyntervention thread and you didn't take it.

1180 days, 4 hours, 1 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"Gnerphk: Wikipedia is hardly authoritative"

I trust a not-for-profit that utilizes the public's knowledge and shows sources for its claims more than a for-profit dictionary that lacks source information, and is often vastly different than every other dictionary (not that encyclopedias aren't different in that aspect).

At least all the thesaurus are similar.

I don't really accept or take any authority seriously... if every dictionary and source disagreed with me about something, and everyone I met disagreed... I'd remain in my original position that I take on everything... skeptical.

In a way... that is how many people became geniuses, they dared disagree with the status-quo. But were talking about word meaning/usage and meaning so status-quo is very relevant.
__________

Anyhow... back to why I created this thread... for you, and everyone reading this... I suggest keeping a journal. I thought I made this post already but I think I pasted over it with a link from the looks of it.

When I quit the internet I started my journal, I kept it simple using a smiley/frowny faces for how I felt, and a brain with a smile/frown for how I thought I should feel about the day. Overcoming regrets is hard, and I just made a choice to stop myself from thinking about regrets ever, even just saying, "*#&@ regrets" anytime they started to influence a decision.

Another thing I started doing was closing my eyes and talking to myself about what I want to feel like and do the next day, which seemed to influence my attitude and ambition the next morning.

(same link as way above) https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=wfYbgdo8e-8
_____

But seeking out a therapist isn't a horrible idea, never done it myself, but had I not shown improvement, that was my 'plan B'. But if they start prescribing drugs, ask what the success rate WITHOUT using them is and how much longer it'd take... because the side effects, costs, and time it takes for the drug to take effect and then ween yourself off, is often worse than just seeing the therapist more often.

1180 days, 3 hours, 56 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Siggi: "glyntervention"

That is way funnier than my "The Intervention Thread!" title! I'm renaming the thread right away! I remember when "intervention" was a serious thing... not it is just another TV comedy trope.

1180 days, 3 hours, 51 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

And I'm stealing this from Mihai's thread; http://markmanson.net/not-giving-a-*#&@

1180 days, 3 hours, 48 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

I have been pleasantly surprised by this thread; I didn't expect serious discussion.

The journal is an excellent tool, especially when used in this fashion or similar. I've used one similarly in an attempt to determine in advance what will or will not be a good writing day based on conditions. (Best as I can tell, a good night's sleep combined with regular vitamins, some sunlight, a bit of exertion, and a healthy BM make for excellent productivity. My best ideas come during periods of high fever.)

Except in cases of acute anxiety or extreme passion (anger etc.), I find that ignoring the potential for future regrets is something that makes me highly odious to those around me. _Not_ something I recommend.

1180 days, 1 hours, 26 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Gnerphk: I'm trying to be more varied when it comes to cooking... I'd keep a journal for that except I don't feel like writing down 'spaghetti' 3-5 times a day! But perhaps I should plan and stick to future meals, rather than buying steaks and watching them rot!

"good writing day"

Good ideas seem to just pop into existence randomly for me... sometimes all it takes is doing an activity, and then seeing something later on and then the brain makes connections and you get your "Eureka!" moment.

[Random example] For repairing concrete floor cracks you v-groove them, pour a 1:1 chemical from a cup and sprinkle sand on top, and then re-saturate it and trowel it flat (it expands a bit and hardens). Once cured you grind it flat.

Saw disposable squeeze bottles at Dollarama, realized they would be way quicker to both mix and disperse the chemical. This has saved me hundreds of hours of time so far, and informed the manufacturer who was using beer-cups and popsicle sticks.

Tried mixing both chemical and sand in the squeeze bottle, but the sand settles and clogs the nozzle after a few seconds. Stopping to shake it works, but ends up taking longer than just dispersing them separately. So I'll get a bar magnet that fits inside and make a sleeve that forces the magnet to spin using electromagnetism.

So part randomness, part technical knowledge applied to real world problems.

1179 days, 17 hours, 17 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Cooking should be fun, else why bother?

I've found that doing all my prep in advance makes it far more straightforward. My gumbo veggies are all frozen; the Trinity is in the proper proportion in leftover Chinese restaurant soup tubs, which once emptied of pre-diced veg will serve to store a meal's worth of gumbo for later use.

The main benefit (in my mind) of a food like gumbo, chili, or beef stew is that one vat, made at the beginning of the week, can provide tasty non-pasta food for four to five days. With proper planning, thawed other-stuff on Day 3 can break up the monotony plus provide a second freezer container at the appropriate time.

Pre-mixing the sand strikes me as counterproductive. The fast stuff will actually start to set in-bottle -- but you know this. Have you tried a two-bottle arrangement?

Back to the thread: I still disagree with the value of Wikipedia as a source guide on "genius". In a reference, the profit motive is less important; in a public wiki, popularity rather than authority will guide the information flow. Language, philosophy, psychology, medicine -- these are oligarchical rather than democratic, as well they should be.

There's a place for authorities in the technical aspects of determination of language and meaning, and this is it. A therapist might avoid the use of (for example) "genius" entirely; a socio- or psychological researcher may well find the term essential and descriptive. The first would tend to follow the DSM; the second may write to the Committee with notes for modification in the same way that I write indignant letters to the Times as regards their position on the Oxford comma (but with a bit more authority).

It's along the same lines as asking Dungeonmaster for advice on Cyborg logistics, checking in with Mentar on diplomacy, or talking to Emork about... well, about anything else Planets-related.

And yet, our present self-proclaimed experts on the subject of genius -- or even on the value of measuring intelligence -- are anything but, nor would we expect them to be; as practitioners rather than creators, their appreciation for the existence of anything beyond merest talent is bound to be limited. Instead, for true knowledge of the subject, I would go to those who teach gifted children or those who farm creativity for industry. (The latter are less prone to sharing their wisdom, alas.)

1179 days, 9 hours, 36 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"Gnerphk: Cooking should be fun, else why bother?"

I cook so that I can digest the food more efficiently, fend off starvation and have the energy to be active all day. I shower while the spaghetti boils... so were talking ~3 mintutes spent preparing a meal. I get variety when I'm not at home for lunch, otherwise just spaghetti and crepes for dessert here and there.

A lot of my female tenants would make me eat their hippy food, as well as my past ethnic gfs, "Do you like it?" "NO! -SPIT- Why you do dis!"

1178 days, 8 hours, 11 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Curiosity drives me to ask: What qualifies as hippy food?

Thus far, what I've read suggests your diet consists of pasta, crepes, and occasional meat. Is there more?

(Prying, I know -- don't answer if you don't feel like it.)

Brewing up a vat of chili tonight; ought to be interesting. The beans are fast-soaking at present, and (in honor of the Texas State Penitentiary) the lowest grade of ground beef is preparing to brown.

Does anyone else start their chili with a roux, or is that just me?

1178 days, 7 hours, 53 minutes ago

rkious

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Around here hippy food and rabbit food seem to run along the same line (Salads, veggie, ect) but I must confess I have never made chili from scratch. Seems if I do not start out early trying to thicken my potato soup it ends up being runny :\

1178 days, 7 hours, 23 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Gnerphk: "Is there more?"

Saskatoons (year round as I have pails full frozen), crab apples, rhubarb, oatmeal w/brown sugar, rice, milk, potatoes, tuna, crepes, bought lunches, coffee, energy drinks... but mainly spaghetti w/pasta sauce. I usually get 'flamethrower' wraps at DQ and ham "footlongs" at Subway.

Sometimes Kraft dinner/hot dogs at relatives, and once a year ham/turkey/duck.

That is everything I've eaten for last few years... I honestly expected a mainly starch diet to result in feeling unwell, but besides trying a sugar free energy drink that turned out to have a laxative as the sweetener... I eat more than ever before and have way more energy and feel great.

I'm allergic to sugar, which I've tried and failed to remove from my diet... which will be the main aspect for making food from scratch, as even pasta sauce I buy has sugar.

Now three years back I would buy canned beans, soups, Shreddies w/berry sugar, vegetables and steaks/bacon but stopped... and tended to ignore hunger back then because of the hassle of cleaning dishes etc.

Hippy food as in vegan and many obscure spices, beans, etc that you can't even get except online or the crazy ethnic stores.

Although the Newfie food section hands down is the most crazy of them all.

1178 days, 7 hours, 21 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Oh and margerine on the potatoes... yeah yeah I should buy butter but it's more convient to buy a big ass tub of margerine than blocks off butter.

1178 days, 6 hours, 12 minutes ago

captain storm

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

That "big ass tub of margarine" will clog your arteries! Butter is better for you! Especially if you can find organic butter with no added preservatives!! More expensive, yes, but what exactly is your life worth?

1178 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Agree with Storm here. Butter is much better for you. Plus, it tastes better.

Hmm. Ever read Dufty's book, "Sugar Blues"? I seem to recall some excellent advice in there for substitutes.

1178 days, 4 hours, 26 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Glyn,

As this thread has absolutely nothing to do with Planets.nu, I feel I should inform you that there's some self-righteous, power-hungry jerk going around posting crap in them, inappropriately trying to strong-arm the poster into stopping such posts.

Just thought you might want to be warned.

Good luck.

1178 days, 4 hours, 10 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

> even pasta sauce I buy has sugar

You could always try to make your own sauce. It's not really all that difficult.

1178 days, 2 hours, 45 minutes ago

macros the black

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Being italian, I'd rather not read that one prepares spaghetti while taking a shower...

Anyway, to go back to the original theme, my opinion on the genius issue is more or less summed up by Edison's: "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."
I'm an engineer and in my view everything has/is potential. Whether it develops depends on context, will, dedication.... i.e. like an equation and its boundary conditions. Like a thread that may become a tapestry.
Moreover, in my most humble opinion the qualification of genius is posthumous, therefore I'd say that Leonardo was a genius, Einstein was a genius, Gandhi was a genius etc. simply because they're dead. But their contributions to the world are generally considered milestones in human history.
Being smart, wise, inventive, ingenious etc. could all lead to achievement as well as not. And even if that happens how it will be considered by history is unpredictable.
This is just to say that a self applied label is in my opinion worthless. As well as contemporary evaluations like, for example, the Nobel prizes (Einstein received it for the photoelectric effect.....).

On the subject of happiness, I agree with Lord Pollax's reasoning though I think that there are no subjects outside intervention. An individual can always try and convince/involve others to change/influence a larger context. That's politics or religious proselytism or environmental involvement or participating in workers unions etc. The outcome can be planned, prepared and looked for but there's always a possibility that something goes awry.
Life is sometimes a bitch and slaps hard and mean but it also offer opportunities. Again, potential.
Happiness is about choices and what you make of your life, day by day and in perspective. Lucifer was not happy in Paradise and there can be happiness in the worst situations.
Future geniuses may or may not be happy like everyone else. I do not see correlations between intelligence and happiness.

1178 days, 1 hours, 30 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Hey Glyn, have you evolved to the point where you only need one hand to be happy? Or are two still necessary? Can an intelligent person drafted into a hell of a war be happy? Is he mentally ill because he has not adapted his environment to be happy? Or does he show mental wellness by being unhappy, scared, afraid and wishing at the worst of times perhaps that his life would end? If you are allergic to sugar and you are very intelligent, what mechanism sees you still consuming sugar? I would suggest the same mechanism which causes some others to make choices which in their case may be more harmful than your consumption of sugar. Can / should they still be happy in such a case? I recall seeing a documentary on drug taking in the U.S. A very intelligent former stock broker was living on the street, and was very happy every time he got his hit. He danced and clapped in great anticipation. He perhaps is the smartest of all? He is achieving instant gratification, does not have a house and assets to weigh him down. As my Grandfather used to say "Theory is fine until it slips on ice and cracks it's tailbone".

1178 days, 0 hours, 26 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Whisperer: Gnerphk is a Planets Nu player and the thread was created to continue the topic Gnerphk began discussing about himself in another thread... far better to create a new thread than go off-topic.

"Whisperer: You could always try to make your own sauce."

I implied that, "Glyn: which will be the main aspect for making food from scratch, as even pasta sauce I buy has sugar."

"Whisperer: I feel I should inform you that there's some self-righteous, power-hungry jerk going around posting crap in them, inappropriately trying to strong-arm the poster into stopping such posts."

Don't be so hard on yourself... it isn't like you are suceeding.

1177 days, 22 hours, 47 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Cardno: "have you evolved to the point where you only need one hand to be happy?"

Evolved? Do you mean that figuratively? There are people with no hands, and I'd wager some of them are happy.

"he has not adapted his environment to be happy?"

Environment does not correlate with happiness... people tend to adapt to any environment as well as change it, our biological traits forces us to survive and create/protect offspring, even in such conditions as slavery.

"Can an intelligent person drafted into a hell of a war be happy?"

Of course, war is often a very social event, you fight for your friends beside you.

"mental wellness by being unhappy, scared, afraid and wishing at the worst of times perhaps that his life would end"

The definition of mental wellness excludes being unhappy as well as being scared/afraid... it means you can cope with what life throws at you... not succumbing to them. And definitely not being suicidal since that is defined as a mental illness.

"If you are allergic to sugar and you are very intelligent, what mechanism sees you still consuming sugar?"

Almost all food has sugar added to it, even bacon. In fact, it took them multiple tries at the UofA Hospital to determine I was allergic to sugar in the first place, because everything has sugar in it. They think it is the proteins in the cell walls.

I just don't consume excess sugar and take diphenhydramine hydrochloride... and a real sugar-free diet is no easy task. Go ahead and list off food that doesn't have sugar if you think it is easy.

Drugs do make people happy... it's all about the DOSE!

As in Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, Endorphins.

1177 days, 21 hours, 55 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Hm. I think we may be splitting on the definition of "happy".

Most raw proteins and green leafys lack sugar, but that diet generates so very much gas...

1177 days, 20 hours, 37 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Gnerphk: Food allergies are mainly caused by proteins.

Kale, all lettuces, cabbage, spinach, collards, turnip greens, mustard green and swiss chard all have sugar.

I don't believe in souls, were just biological machines... happiness is purely biological chemistry... free will is just an illusion we can't escape. Everything that is occurring around us and will occur was determined long before Earth even existed, the entire universe is just playing out like dominoes falling in order.

1177 days, 20 hours, 28 minutes ago

rkious

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Glyn you sound more like some that believes in "The clockmakers theory" in this post than a true atheist .

1177 days, 19 hours, 34 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Rkious: Well I don't believe in the existence of deities, so that makes me an atheist... and in addition actively oppose theism, which makes me an antitheist also... not that I've ever wasted time arguing about that online, I just mean if given the opportunity I'd strip religions of tax exemptions and treat them like corporations.

Watchmaker analogy asserts a deity with free will... I don't believe in free will... the entire universe is just matter/energy non-randomly interacting with matter/energy. IF there is true randomness, it is at the quantum level only, and doesn't negate free will being an illusion.

I take it you've never heard of hard determinism before? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_determinism

My mother espoused a universe intelligently designed to test you and allow free will... the "devil" just an angel whose job is to tempt you, no demons or any of that... but the watchmaker analogy is simply a claim that the universe looks intelligently designed... which actually isn't that common of a thing with Christians... they rely on faith and not evidence.

No one knows the truth, and very few claim to know the truth, so were all agnostic and thus pretty moot point... especially since to me I can't change the outcome of what others believe anyhow.

1177 days, 18 hours, 38 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Heh. I can see it now: going door to door; "I'd like to talk to you about... uh... nothing."

1177 days, 18 hours, 0 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Glyn,

> Gnerphk is a Planets Nu player and the thread was created to ...

Don't tell me. Tell the Vigilante Moderator when he/she comes to destroy your thread. I expect them to post soon.

> "Whisperer: I feel I should inform you that there's some self-righteous, power-hungry jerk going around posting crap in them, inappropriately trying to strong-arm the poster into stopping such posts."
>
>Don't be so hard on yourself... it isn't like you are succeeding.

As I have always been of the opinion that Joshua created four forums for exactly this sort of posting, and have posted that opinion, you obviously picked the wrong target. Try again.

1177 days, 17 hours, 29 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

*sigh*

Some people simply do well on tests, whether or not they're skilled in the subject. I maxed out the Defense Language Aptitude Battery, but I'm abysmal at actually acquiring new languages. I can (and have) aced neurosurgical exams (out of curiosity), but I can guarantee you that you do not want my fingers exploring your grey matter or severing synapses.

1177 days, 16 hours, 40 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

One factor which, in my opinion, doesn't get enough consideration in this type of discussion is the impact of modern nutrition, health care, and basic education on the population.

In the era of Da Vinci, people died young. Newton fried his brain on mercury fumes before writing the actuarial tables. Michelangelo only worked because the Church was both rich and corrupt.

Today, more than just the children of the extremely wealthy have the chance to read, or learn music, or maybe understand mechanical design. The advances of times past were significant, but show a Huey to Heron of Alexandria and he'd freak.

1177 days, 13 hours, 12 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"Whisperer: Tell the Vigilante Moderator when he/she comes to destroy your thread. I expect them to post soon."

A self-appointed moderator who is a singular person "he/she" but also "them" who will destroy the thread by posting in it.... alrighty then.
_____

@Gnerphk: A knock at my door one day had me inspecting my security camera feed, to my surprise I saw an atheist friend of mine with another gentleman, both well dressed clasping a Bible. Now normally I don't waste my time on Jehovah Witnesses, but I had to see how it would play out! So I'd like to say atheists don't waste time knocking on doors, but it happens!
-----
The study of epigenetics ("above genes") has lead to knowledge that women who are starving while pregnant give birth to babies that have genes that are "switched" and more adapted to survive in harsh conditions. Also they found the nutritional conditions nearing the start of puberty for males even affects their grandsons. In fact smoking before puberty seems to have a distinct effect on their offspring, and grandchildren as well!

As a libertarian, epigenetics is a reason I consider/allow laws regulating children... for example we know males finger nerve endings don't develop as fast as females, and by teaching writing when girls nerve endings are finished developing, and boys have not... it results in boys brains having to cope with the nerve information patterns changing with time and thus very ugly handwriting is the result.

Children missing part of the DNA of chromosome 15 turn out different based on which parent they inherited it from. Fathers passing it on resulted in d Prader-Willi syndrome, and from mothers Angelman syndrome.

1177 days, 12 hours, 46 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Gnerphk: Very interesting stuff, so much so, that I on purpose would stress marihuana plants in various ways, create seeds, to see if I could use epigenetics to develop desired traits faster than traditional breeding methods. Now you can clone them, meaning while I didn't create permanent new strains, I still developed a plant which was more adapted to certain conditions perfect for 'sea-of-green' growing. Unfortunately the RCMP destroyed everything so I wasn't able to submit my research for peer review.... and since it has been more than a decade now since then, and epicgenetics has become well known, everyone and their dog is researching epigenetics using plants and no longer has much glory left to spread around.

So I've relegated myself to time saving inventions, stockpiling materials/skills/knowledge for the inevitable zombie apocalypse... physical fitness is my the only arena I need to really improve... after chasing a burglar this winter for many blocks I accepted tripping fat people won't cut it!

The closest to a sugar free diet I've ever managed, consisted of homemade beer (not light or non-alcoholic as they have sugar), coffee with coconut/canola/rapeseed oil, certain kinds of olives and of course fish/shellfish/poultry/meat... with seafood having so much mercury, and growing up eating mainly chicken... I favoured bacon (which is hard to find without sugar added) and beef.

The difference really wasn't worth the effort, and so after a week I just went back to lazy/quick food... I'll probably end up caving and hiring a Filipino maid to cook for me despite my disdain for hiring others to do what one is capable of doing themselves... making hand over fist money doing really easy labour is slowly eroding my DIY attitude.... but sometimes you just have to delegate tasks.

Mainly I have used my sugar allergy to argue with vegans and accuse them of being naive simpletons, and jokingly give my mother grief for passing her food allergies to me!

1177 days, 12 hours, 6 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Gnerphk: But back to the original topic, I have never wished to be less intelligent... I wish I could recall facts better, especially since that tends to impress people the most. Having general information about an eclectic array of topics is great for conversation though.

I never listened to music until I was thirty, now I always have headphones on while I work. One of the main reasons my experiment working for a corporation was ended. When I refused to go to the new morning "5 minute meetings" because when I was being interviewed I specifically said I don't like meetings... so my headphone privileges were cut (female bosses are petty and I wasn't even surprised).

Before I listened to music, I thought way too much all the time... and I think distractions/stimulation helps the brain function in a healthy manner.

In late 2007 when I kicked my tenants all out, I went an entire month without even talking or really hearing any sound for the most part (internet/learning addiction), upon finally doing so, I noticed immediate changes and euphoria of the biochemistry kind... all of a sudden the average bullcrap conversing with public was noticeable to myself... like I had just had sex! Normally it was just an annoying but tolerable aspect of society, but it became clear that the brain craves social interaction and rewards it immediately to me then.

Now I grew up with two older sisters, and was forced to preach in Church against my will... and basically have always been self employed (not counting my time as a crop inspector for the CSGA during a few summers and year of hell working for a corporation)... so I've never been "Gnerphk: highly odious to those around me" for the most part.

Originally I faked a lot of it to simply avoid people becoming concerned and thus feeling shame... but now I'm the guy that starts up conversations with strangers while waiting in lines and hits on women even with a girlfriend in tow (I really like the Homeland Generation, the entire Millennial Generation is just awful).

I have always considered men that are mean, get angry, or rude to have something wrong with them. And that is probably mental illness and why they don't have much regard for others because you should find social interaction pleasant, even though you pretty much have to be deprived of it to actually truly notice how much the brain likes/rewards you.

1177 days, 11 hours, 55 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

After shingling during this winter, and experiencing my home broken into while I was sleeping, but then being totally fine the next day, I'm confident I can be happy in ANY environment now, it doesn't even take effort, it is natural to be happy.

@Cardno: I did assume you were trying to imply internet addiction = masturbating, but the two hand comment threw me off... I'd like to know if my initial assumption was correct. And while I'm at it... a long time ago you stated you were a druid... I couldn't tell if you were serious or not. I don't think I've ever conversed with a druid ever... and I tend to converse with all groups, even neo-Nazis and SJWs.

1177 days, 9 hours, 31 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

So much to pick and choose from. I think I might leave most of it for the time being and pick on:

Music:

I've often thought of music as a mood controller, a tool which can (gradually) alter someone's disposition accordingly. I use it as an aid to my own productivity, but sometimes white noise is just as effective. And this is quite possibly due to the train-of-thought interruption-and-stimulation thing you mention. "Harrison Bergeron" style, except for in a good way.

Nutrition / Epigenetics:

That's not the direction I'd have taken it, though there is something there. Most of my (secondary) research has been in teratogenetics, especially with regard to Fragile X, but yeah -- there's a great deal there to learn.

I was actually hoping to express that a larger population, most with access to about enough food for development, something resembling basic health care, and widespread (though hardly universal) effective literacy should, ideally, generate about ten thousand times more geniuses than had the opportunity to develop in the time of Newton or Da Vinci.

On the other hand, we've taken the greatest advance in information-sharing since the creation of the book and turned it into a venue for Twitter and funny cat pictures. And, yes, porn. So maybe an overflow of genius is too much to expect.

Happiness:

I don't strive to be happy. "Ode To Joy" is a wonderful place to visit, but then so is "blues" from time to time. Sometimes, I'm in the mood for "Mission: Impossible"; other times, it's the "Imperial March" for the win. Just occasionally, it's the Minions singing "YMCA" or Captain Jack Harkness singing "Springtime For Hitler".

So while less intelligence might make me happier, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't accept the bargain.

Oh, and @Lord+Pollax -- Missed this before. 1 in 100 is over a lifetime, not in a year, and it's not precise. Accurate to within an order of magnitude, more like.

PS: Food -- The chili turned out very well. A bit sweet; there's a hair too much honey in this one. Maybe shoulda stuck with molasses, but I was curious.

1177 days, 8 hours, 15 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"Gnerphk: So while less intelligence might make me happier, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't accept the bargain."

Well... that kinda ends the thread for me then.

Currently this remix is my favourite music; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-XUu3akUJc

1177 days, 7 hours, 36 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Hunh.

I'm almost never in that mood.

And I'm sometimes in this one. Not now, but sometimes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGyPuey-1Jw&list=PLUjZ-3a3MlwXXILAo2l8qiwI9cYaVHo9U&index=2

So that's pretty indicative of personality differences. Go figure.

Well. Again, I'd like to observe that, contrary to all of my expectations, this has been an interesting thread. I was anticipating invective and unpleasantness and I'm delighted that there's been very little here.

We still disagree on most points, particularly the definition of genius, the pursuit of happiness, what constitutes a decent diet, and what might be good music. But that's OK.

1177 days, 4 hours, 47 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Glyn,

> A self-appointed moderator who is a singular person "he/she" but also "them" who will destroy the thread by posting in it.... alrighty then.

Apparently you want a grammar lesson. This one is based on your favorite source (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pronoun).

The simplified 3rd-person personal pronouns (including possessive) are:

He, she, him, her, his and hers - 3rd-person singular, gender specific.
It and its - 3rd-person singular gender non-specific.
They, them, their and theirs - 3rd-person plural, gender non-specific.

There's a problem with that, in that a human should never be referred to as 'it'. There are a few solutions to that problem.

1. Historically, the male pronoun was frequently used as gender non-specific. This is the solution that's commonly taught in grade school. Unfortunately, it's sexist, so I try to avoid it.

2. Recently, some writers have switched to the female pronoun. This is still sexist, and again, I try to avoid it.

3. He/she, she/he, him/her, her/him, his/hers and hers/his - 3rd-person singular gender non-specific. This can be quite cumbersome, especially when it's needed frequently.

4. When dealing with a human, 3rd-person plural may also be used for 3rd-person singular, similar to 2nd-person.

As you see, it works fine.

English is a pain. It takes time, experience and an open mind to understand parts of how it works. On the other hand, I believe you'd be well served if you were to spend some time actually learning how it works.

BTW, "them" vs. "he/she" (or "she/he") saves two keystrokes.

1177 days, 4 hours, 44 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"Gnerphk: still disagree on ... what constitutes a decent diet"

I have not even slightly stated what is a decent diet in my view. I have only explained my current diet at your request, and I implied I was surprised I feel well; "Glyn: I honestly expected a mainly starch diet to result in feeling unwell."

If I was you in this situation. I'd admit I was mistaken, but I'm aware that isn't how you roll... unless I admit I was wrong, you can assume I disagree. Silence is how everyone else here "admits" they were wrong, which is a really bad practice... Martinr, Siggi, Rhunter have never admitted the times I proved they were wrong and then they wonder why I disregard them as just being petty, on purpose trolling, all on an incorrect assumption that I'm trolling.

"Gnerphk: I was anticipating invective and unpleasantness "

You imagine the vast majority of it... I'm overwhelmingly happy and kind person... doesn't come off in text because I post from a phone and try to use as few words as possible. Yeah, it comes off as abrasive, but I shouldn't have to be worrying about adults feelings online to begin with... especially people I would assume are above average intelligence. Maybe being bullied and having and easily influenced ego is why, don't know, don't care... it is only the opinionated people that can't handle different opinions giving me grief.

One person took the "Hodor!/Host Order!" thing wrong, which I admitted was my bad and provided proof of how I meant it not as an insult but that I feel like Hodor because "Host Order" is the answer to most questions that I was answering.

When opinionated people, like yourself Gnerphk, give me grief for having a different opinion, and then try to change my opinion by arguing with me... I do not appreciate it... and I will at most explain why I have that opinion, or just repeat it so they realize I will not change my mind.

1177 days, 4 hours, 43 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Gnerphk: I probably said it enough that everyone has seen me say it, but you can't convince people what their favourite colour is.

1177 days, 4 hours, 39 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Whisperer: So... are you talking about Big Beefer, Joshua... Mechnomaniac?

Who is this "Vigilante Moderator"...

1177 days, 4 hours, 6 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Tough to argue with someone who holds no opinions. The "opinionated" thing, then, I think I can let pass without objection, especially as I for one hold many opinions about most things. Life would be far less interesting else.

Hm. Strikes me I ought to further explore the food thing, since I seem to be misunderstanding. On the one hand, it's not really a topic of common interest; on the other, it's one about which I've done a bit of research, so it may be of interest to me and of use to you, or vice-versa, or parts of each. I am moderately confident we disagree on several aspects of nutrition; I'm not confident you believe you eat properly. Can we agree on that last as my status?

(The observer can probably tell I'm not writing from a phone.)

I confess, I was actually fishing around with the "invective and unpleasantness" bit, though I wasn't expecting you to bite on it; it wasn't aimed in that direction. One can often find both near you, @Glyn, and yet you rarely employ invective proper. This is a phenomenon that has been of some interest to me, and as such I've been exploring it.

At one time I attempted to convey my impression that, here at Planets, we have rather more than our share of -- I'm not going to say "personality disorders" because it's not precisely correct -- different personality affects. Mild schizophrenia, what were until recently termed neuroses, and Asperger's are all common among those of us with high intelligence. As a consequence of this, I fully expect that people here will take offense to things that, in conversation, would pass as humor, hyperbole, or metaphor. (Nevertheless, I don't classify any of these as "disorders"; people are interesting in part because they differ, not due to their similarities.)

As such, I think we at Nu tend to be more courteous than others for the same reason they were so in the seventeen nineties: Offense might otherwise be given quite easily. Back then, a duel was likely; today, a heated discussion is more common.

(Incidentally, this is my motivation behind the overly-detailed text. It may be boring, but it's less likely to accidentally cause offense. Which is good, because offense is rarely intended.)

Where I'm going with all this is that I happen to think we _should_ be careful of one another's feelings, because we're not normal here, a fact for which I'm often grateful.

And due to the relative importance of this last, and that it's less susceptible to opinion as a matter of favorite color, I propose it may be worth discussion.

1177 days, 1 hours, 12 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Gnerphk: "I'm not confident you believe you eat properly"

I'm not confident you are reading my posts and coming away with the correct understanding of what I said... it happens quite a bit and it takes a lot of effort to convince you that you are mistaken and I rarely bother correcting you... but lets give it a shot;

"Glyn: I'm trying to be more varied when it comes to cooking... I'd keep a journal for that except I don't feel like writing down 'spaghetti' 3-5 times a day! But perhaps I should plan and stick to future meals, rather than buying steaks and watching them rot!"

Exclamation points are to emote that I've made a joke. I clearly indicate my diet isn't varied enough.

"Glyn: Oh and margarine on the potatoes... yeah yeah I should buy butter" (edit typo fixed)

In my case, because margarine has no sugar while butter does, in my case is isn't better... but I clearly pre-emptively predicted others would say butter is better.

This is what I'm talking about, you arrive at conclusions I never suggested and often actually the OPPOSITE of what I was implying... I used to think it was trolling because I didn't (and still don't) get how you come to the opposite of what I was saying.

"Gnerphk: I am moderately confident we disagree on several aspects of nutrition"

Unless you can read minds over the internet... I doubt it. I've actually discussed nutrition/diet enough that I have a standard list of things I just repeat each time it comes up, and I haven't done that here, nor will I, because I was just answering your questions and don't want to go off on that tangent.

And seeing as you incorrectly stated, "Gnerphk: green leafys lack sugar", I'm going to go ahead and assume I actually have superior knowledge about nutrition and diet.

Not that I expect you to remember, nor could I find the proof I told you already... but I have said my father ran the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and that I grew up on a farm before... so I know what to feed horses, cows, pigs, rabbits, goats, sheep, poultry, fish (we had 3 dugouts), humans, pets (even turtles) and what not to feed them so that they don't die, which is actually a lot more things than most realize (and I'm not just talking about dogs and theobromine). My father took every opportunity he could to educate me about food, among many other things. So I seriously doubt you know a single thing I don't... there are topics I know you have more knowledge about than me, but this isn't going to be one of them.

Definitely don't take advantage of my own nutrition knowledge, which is why I started off being critical of my eating habits to begin with... and you concluding I was espousing a good diet erroneously, really doesn't encourage me to continue that topic.

1177 days, 1 hours, 12 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Gnerphk: You can quote what I have said that is espousing an opinion on ideal diet/nutrition, the onus is on you to prove that, since I can't prove what I haven't espoused.

1176 days, 19 hours, 15 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Ah, well; I won't force the subject on you, @Glyn. I just thought it might be an interesting one.

Only because it's unlikely to come up again elsewhere: I'd find it difficult to state that my two statements are untrue. We do seem to differ on matters of nutrition, and you do seem to believe you don't eat properly. I won't say I don't care, but I will say that second is a matter not likely to impact my life -- or, to be perfectly frank, yours either. On the first... well, it's an interesting topic.

But no, I'm not terribly interested in proving what you said about the subject; if I'd made a mistake, then I did, and I won't cry over it. I'm more interested in what you think, believe, or feel on the subject, and then only if you want to talk about it.

-----

So -- what about the other point I raised? Any thoughts?

1176 days, 19 hours, 12 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

And: I think I'm missing a minor point -- "fish" and "dugouts". I read "dugout" and I think "canoe made from carving out a tree". Care to educate me?

1176 days, 14 hours, 38 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"fish dugout"

Dig a hole in the ground. Fill with water. Add fish. This article goes into more detail.

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex1348#Design

1176 days, 11 hours, 42 minutes ago

captain storm

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@ Glyn:

"Good news! You are not a genius, unless you have 'high achievements'"

Who sets the bar for those "high achievements"?

All of you non geniuses out there? I thought so!

I set the bar for my own achievements, and have accomplished every thing in life that is important to me. Plus more.

I am a happy person, and that is an achievement worth having in my life.

Because unlike some, I KNOW happiness is a chosen state of mind independent of any outside influences!

We can and DO choose to either be happy or unhappy! The only important question is why do some choose to be unhappy?

As for genius, who gives a snap? You can be a genius and still be an unpleasant unhappy person! And you can any thing but a genius and still be a pleasant happy person.

Genius is simply a definition given to that word, and opinions of what exactly it is vary greatly!

1176 days, 10 hours, 37 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Captain+Storm: "Who sets the bar for those 'high achievements'?"

"There is no scientifically precise definition of genius, and the question of whether the notion itself has any real meaning has long been a subject of debate, although psychologists are converging on a definition that emphasizes creativity and eminent achievement."

Source; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genius

eminent - famous and respected within a particular sphere or profession.

1176 days, 10 hours, 26 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

...whereas I champion an alternate set of definitions. Just in case the past 90-odd posts prove too much to wade through.

Thanks RE "dugouts"; we're not generally allowed to do that in the US. Too bad, really.

1176 days, 8 hours, 55 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Gnerphk: The government here (Provincial and Federal together) will cover 1/3 the cost of building a dugout in exchange for rights to the water. Some county "governments" (in Alberta, our counties are not actually a part of government unlike most of Canada) will install a standing pipe if the dugout is near a road, and in exchange for letting them use it for fire-fighting, you can get your fire-insurance rates lowered, although you have to maintain access to it in the winter then. I was sent out to feed the fish near the edge of the dugout to draw them to the edge so none were scooped up by helicopters grabbing water to fight a nearby forest fire. Also oil companies buy water off you, and sometimes the county as well to spray on the gravel roads (with either sodium/calcium/magnesium chloride as a dust suppressant).

When building/improving roads they often offer to make a free dugout for you in exchange for the clay they will haul away (I assume they only pay 2/3 and government the other 1/3).

They also put them near streams/rivers to help mitigate flooding.

____________

In the US, dugout mainly implies shelters, which were built by pioneers and during war... and of course Baseball dugouts.... "excavated ponds" in the US and Eastern Canada is the most used term... dugout is mainly a prairie term.

Also in the US, ponds are heavily regulated, discouraged being built near streams/rivers, but if built for agriculture they are exempt for having to pay for the permit (still have to apply to be exempt).

The US has millions of ponds/dugouts from what I recall, way back when I researched the future of water, as nutters claim there will be wars over water soon.

____

You still haven't admitted that "leafy greens" don't lack sugar like you claimed... and by not quoting proof that I espoused an opinion on diet, you DO NOT get to claim we are in disagreement.

1176 days, 8 hours, 27 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Interesting about dugouts, and yes, I've seen farm ponds, even here. Nice to have learned something.

You're correct RE "leafy greens"; in truth, most foods contain some form of sugar. I was intending "added sugar", and I suppose since it's a point at issue I'll go back and edit it. Cell phone post.

Since I equivocated, using words like "seem", I think the later points are correct as modified; we do seem to have differing opinions, at least to me. My perspective on that is rather unique. If you object to my earlier plain statement I'm willing to withdraw it.

What about the other point on differing personality affects? Again, I don't demand a response, but I'm interested to know if one might be in the works. It's a subject that is of strong interest to me, and I think it's possible you might hold an opinion.

And I truly wasn't expecting you to bite on "invective". That caught me quite off guard.

1176 days, 8 hours, 0 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Gnerphk: invective- insulting, abusive, or highly critical language.

critical- synonyms: evaluative, analytical, interpretative, expository, explanatory

skeptic- a person inclined to question or doubt all accepted opinions

Who has two thumbs and is a skeptic?

d(￣ー￣)b This guy!

1176 days, 6 hours, 16 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Hyperbolically, the proper response to any claim of skepticism is "I'm not sure I believe you."

Just putting that out there because it's mildly hilarious.

Have you called yourself an iconoclast yet? It may fit. I've been one myself from time to time, though only rarely literally.

Hm. Not the way I'd been intending to employ invective, but I suppose...

1176 days, 5 hours, 0 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"Gnerphk: Hyperbolically, the proper response to any claim of skepticism is 'I'm not sure I believe you.'"

http://livelythought.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/wc201.gif

"Gnerphk: Have you called yourself an iconoclast yet?"

You should already know the answer to that from past conversations; http://planets.nu/discussion/host-order-question-minesweepmine-scoop-are-both-listed-as

1176 days, 4 hours, 52 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

> are you talking about Big Beefer, Joshua

Those are the REAL moderators.

> Mechnomaniac

I have no recollection of her posting in any thread, stating that the very existence of that thread on this site is inappropriate. In addition, I don't believe that's her style. Of course, this doesn't mean that it didn't happen, as I have more important things to remember then every post to this site, or even any significant portion of them.

> Who is this "Vigilante Moderator"

That is left as an exercise for the student. I've eliminated four of the thousands of players on this site. I expect that, with a few hours of research and thought, you'll be able to figure it out ... but maybe not.

UNSUBSCRIBE.

1176 days, 4 hours, 29 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"Whisperer: I have no recollection of her posting in any thread"

That doesn't surprise me. She told you to shut up.

1176 days, 4 hours, 28 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"Whisperer: you'll be able to figure it out"

Oh I did, it's called 'trolling'.

1176 days, 1 hours, 6 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"Whisperer: UNSUBSCRIBE."

@Whisperer: Seeing as you've said this before... and then returned to post again multiple times... it has become meaningless.
_________

@Gnerphk: I think we're done here now anyhow... I didn't succeed in changing your outlook, but no one can't say I didn't try. And you don't have to worry about me bringing it up again, I mistook it for a superiority complex, but it appears to not be that... to avoid confusion, here is the definition;

superiority complex- an attitude of superiority that conceals actual feelings of inferiority and failure.

1175 days, 18 hours, 38 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Well -- that's right, because I really _am_ superior...

(Self-deprecating humor... or IS it?)

Heh. I just got the "Vigilante Moderator" reference.

Semi-final question: Do you currently have tenants? I ask only out of semi-idle curiosity; you mentioned having kicked them all out, but not whether you acquired new ones.

1175 days, 17 hours, 25 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Also, I'd like to drag something in from a different thread, if you're willing to discuss it, @Glyn. I don't want to re-derail the Jellico thread all over again; there's people having their own conversation now and it might be thought rude to interrupt.

"Whisperer: I was given a warning? ... 'stop this or we'll ban you'?"

warning- a statement or event that indicates a possible or impending danger, problem, or other unpleasant situation.

Gnerphk informed me... so no point pretending I don't know about it... but I don't know the exact specifics used, but your definition of warning is far too narrow, and more similar to 'threat' than 'warning'."

I'm not certain of what it is that I informed you. I do recall several private messages that I sent you, but according to that recollection their intended meaning wasn't as above. I think it was on the subject of the policy of thread deletion rather than personal ban.

Did you by chance keep copies? I'd be pleased to correct misstatements on my part or misapprehensions on yours.

1175 days, 5 hours, 52 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Didn't see this post till now, I've exited the other threads.

1175 days, 4 hours, 48 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"Vigilante Moderator"

Pretty sure he meant me, and by questioning my sex while being 100% aware I'm male... has lead me to assume he is sexist, as the only reason to do that is if you think women inferior than men... honestly I wouldn't be surprised if he eats kittens for breakfast at this point.

AND, pretty ironic considering over a year ago he himself tried to act like he was a moderator himself for no good reason; http://planets.nu/discussion/bug-every-time-i-try-to-enter-the-character

Everytime he whines about me calling him out for violating Rule One... I just remember that thread and how he treated me way worse than I have ever done to him for NO-REASON, pretty much wrote me a blank-cheque that day... still, I only interject when I'm justified in doing so... I could just spout crap at him for no reason at all like he has done to me... but I like having the 'high ground'.

"Do you currently have tenants?"

Nope... Although for awhile I had a friend I took pity on living with me, I even forced him to play this game... but he didn't like it.

I actually hoped to play with the original people I played VGAP3 with and also one friend I made way later that turned out to have played it with his brother and dad... alas... either too busy or not interested. Which is why my Sectors were all experiment/training and I stopped playing once I unlocked everything.

"personal ban."

I never implied that, neither did you... I never said he was given a caution, and it was far more than an advisement, nor was it a 'strike'.... a warning however fits perfectly... he was just trying to deny that it occurred, let us not pretend he didn't know EXACTLY what I was talking about.

And him not apologizing to EJ makes it clear to me he did mean it as an insult...

1175 days, 4 hours, 47 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

but I hope that isn't the last we see of EJ... I liked his questions.

1175 days, 4 hours, 46 minutes ago

captain storm

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Can some one inform as to why certain individuals like to argue and posture so much over really trivial stuff?

This whole thread would be laughable if it weren't so painful to read!

Who cares what is or isn't "genius"? Being a "genius" doesn't give you a free pass in life! You still have to live it and make your way through the minefields!

Nor does being retarded, which I am beginning to suspect some in this thread are!

Let me ask all you "geniuses" out there. Can any one of you create a new universe? Can any one of you create a world like this one which was basically in total harmony till modern man kind of messed it up? NO? Then let's not call ourselves geniuses! Let us reserve that title for the creator of the universe and all it's marvelous contents!

1175 days, 4 hours, 24 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Captain+Storm: In your email, click 'unsubscribe'.

We've moved on from that topic... I'm not worried Gnerphks going to hang himself... and this is actually pretty far from arguing.

You joined Planets.Nu only recently... I'd say 'exhausted but defiant' is the mood... where 2015 was anarchy... you haven't seen the kind of conversation Mule and Ted would result in (not saying they are bad, just things went bad in a different way). Mule hated the lack of a game ladder... and I really have no clue about Ted, those arguments I wisely never dipped my toe into.

1175 days, 4 hours, 16 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Oh man... I said the 'T-word' in a thread with Gnerphk... shit shit shit.... uh!

CANDYMAN CANDYMAN CANDYMAN CANDYMAN CANDYMAN

Better double bag it!... BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE

VOLDEMORT!

1175 days, 4 hours, 6 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Thank you for that, Storm. Generally, unless it's already been stated in context, I don't pretend to believe that any level of ability has intrinsic value; it must be combined with opportunity and action to become, and it is that which it becomes that has the value. Sort of. It all gets kinda wibbley-wobbley there.

I'd also disagree that it's modern man that messed the world up. Basically, since the advent of free will, I'd say people have been in the habit of exercising it to make the wrong decisions -- and, rationally, that this is the evidence that free will exists, because without it we'd always make proper choices.

---

@Glyn -- Cool. Just so we're clear on that, I'm content. Thanks.

And I have no information on the subject of warnings that everyone doesn't have, to be perfectly frank. The Admins don't often confide in me.

I'm mildly intrigued by the absence of tenants, but I presume you've got sufficient income without and they can be a hassle. Neh?

As to moderators: They don't exist, and I think there's a good reason for that. It's difficult to act in authority without having a healthy ego, and yet ego and moderating frequently come into conflict. All things being equal, I believe we'll lose fewer players without them. Of course, I could be wrong.

Pulling in something from another thread: If you feel I've given you permission to call me anything but Gnerphk, you're mistaken. Of course, what could I possibly do if I were to be offended by being termed an idiot or a cheater? It's the Internet; I've been called worse. Worst case, I might leave the site if I'm offended enough -- though, considering the level of offense I've borne already, I think that unlikely. More likely, I'd just be unhappy, perhaps even downright sad.

Besides, while "arrogant" or "pompous windbag" might well stick, I'm pretty sure "idiot" wouldn't. :o)

Pollax was primarily provoked initially by the existence of the thread, and one could logically argue that he provoked the thread. Again, speaking personally and without any authority at all, I think the thread ought not to exist -- but then, without the ability to blow off steam, where would we be?

But demonstrating right or wrong with words... well. While I'm willing to take up verbal arms myself from time to time, and while I do like Pollax more than I do Chaos... no, I'm just not feeling it. It's another "he said/she said" thread, and I just don't care enough.

1175 days, 3 hours, 56 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

*ahem*

NinjaBunny, NinjaBunny, NinjaBunny

Not all his ideas were horrible. Some were interesting.

1175 days, 2 hours, 51 minutes ago

ace rimmer

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Gnerphk - NinjaBunny commnet

Whatever your smoking I want some! LOL

Still waiting for the admins to implement the Cloaking SSD with 16 4x recharging lasers banks and 20 bays that can Hyperjump that NB proposed. As a player who favors playing the EE I am excited for the time when NB becomes Emperor and implements this ship.

Ace

1175 days, 2 hours, 27 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Sounds great ... every Emporer ship has a disadvantage ... when this ship variant will be possible, the disadvantage would be a destroy planet event with a probality of 25% after each jump :)

1175 days, 2 hours, 9 minutes ago

ace rimmer

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Frostriese

I'm trying to figure out how your proposed disadvantage is actually a disadvantage. A hyper jumping Planet Nuke ... even better! LOL

Ace

1175 days, 0 hours, 14 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Gnerphk: It sounds like you don't care about Rule One at all... I did comment once that if it isn't enforced then there is no point having it myself... but that was before MJS68508 quit due to the endless arguing.

"Gnerphk: mildly intrigued by the absence of tenants"

"Glyn: I've BARELY had to work due to getting moderately wealthy before I was 21."

I wasn't that subtle about intelligence = wealth.

1174 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Gnerphk: "If you feel I've given you permission"

You cannot pick and choose who can hurl insults and whom can't... either no insults are ok, or all insults are ok... you seem to take it on a case by case basis instead of realizing that insults accomplish nothing.

Look at all the insults and names W has called me over the last 524 days since his first attack on me... what has it accomplished?

What comes around, goes around. W and you both seem able to dish it out, but unable to take it.

Potu, Acezzz, Thrane... yeah, I get why you think it was ok to attack them... but Edward Jellico?!?!!?

WTF did he ever do to you two?

1174 days, 17 hours, 49 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Glyn,

> pretty ironic considering over a year ago he himself tried to act like he was a moderator himself for no good reason; http://planets.nu/discussion/bug-every-time-i-try-to-enter-the-character

Read that thread and tell me where any of what you claim is supported.

If you're going to post "evidence" to support a claim or actions, it would probably be wise to make sure that it actually offers support. In this instance, it doesn't.

1174 days, 17 hours, 32 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

...did I insult Jellico? I recall complimenting him over his choice of names and admitting that his last idea (submitted, as you may recall, in jest) was reminiscent of the Lapin of Ninjaness. (Who did present some seriously warped concepts, especially when he first began, but eventually began to show a grasp of the game structure.)

I'm quite certain that I never attacked Thrane or any of his cohort. I gave some interesting advice, much of which they took, but-- No, I think you're conflating me with someone else, or more likely many others.

Hm. I'm not famed for my intuition, but -- is there a chance NinjaBunny was personally known to you?

--At any rate: This was not, I think, your ticket to insult me. At one point, I described my perception of you rather thoroughly, and it was hardly complimentary. If you wish to cast insults -- if you think they would be profitable -- then doing so on your own behalf would be more appropriate, and regardless of my regret for that incident, if you opt to own offense therefrom, who am I to gainsay you?

You see, I disagree in principle; one can indeed pick and choose with regard to insults. In many modes of converse, especially among a certain class of competitors, the casual insult is considered a pleasantry. Granted, it's an art form, but it's one with enough history for the name to have its origins in Middle French. Badinage, it's called.

There are complex rules, most of which aren't clearly understood by the participants, and mild offense is common. Text, being as it is a medium without inflection, is ill-suited to the effort. And yet, despite this, it's undertaken throughout the Internet.

I am a man who has assumed a mantle of some dignity, and common badinage ill-suits my persona. Nevertheless, it's incumbent on us all to take our turn as butt of joke or to toss in a witticism, even from afar. This is because mild badinage is beneficial in any closed community as a 'verbal grease' to ease tensions, a method of blowing off steam.

---

So I'm thinking what might serve your cause better would be a more proper formulation of Rule 1, one that details appropriate behavior. "Polite" is a very broad concept, and it's certainly susceptible to regional variations. Having a door held for me in Canada was awkward, for instance; I seem to recall feeling like I ought to jog.

The rule at present is worded vaguely; "considerate" implies far less rigor than does "polite", just as "refrain" comes closer to "avoid" than "forswear". My apprehension of this has been that the intent was to make a deliberately vague and nonbinding rule in order to guide rather than instruct behavior.

But it would be reasonable to create a multi-level Feed model with differing codes depending on channel.

(The question there is whether complicating the model would have greater benefits than costs. But that's for later; it's difficult to tell that sort of thing when one is still conceptualizing.)

1174 days, 16 hours, 51 minutes ago

cyrus

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

What?

Will google translate help me understand Gnerphk?

Please, NO insult intended.

1174 days, 16 hours, 46 minutes ago

nickomadus

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Please...take a room!

1174 days, 16 hours, 45 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Heh. None taken. :o)

Alas, no. There are some dictionary add-ons, though none I'd recommend.

Any particular element that's particularly confusing, just ask.

1174 days, 16 hours, 44 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

...and yeah, a dictionary. Merriam-Webster has a decent website once you get used to the annoying "word of the day" feature.

1174 days, 13 hours, 32 minutes ago

captain storm

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Glyn

"@Captain Storm: Since 1937 IQ tests no longer used the label genius (which I already stated and provided a link for above)."

I don't give a $%^& about your source of information. I only know what I was TOLD! So my source was wrong? Or maybe your source is wrong? Who gives a $%^&?

Also whom ever posted that 99.5% would mean I was like 1 in 200? NO! That is not what I said! I was told I scored 99.5% PLUS higher than all people who TOOK that IQ test. PERIOD! Nothing more! I have no clue how many took it nor do I CARE! I was also told that "probably" would place my IQ score above 99.9% PLUS of the population at whole as many do not take IQ tests.

That said, so what? I never wanted to be thought of as a genius. I said I would rather be considered a good and loyal friend than any thing other! I did not go around bragging about it.

My accomplishments spoke for themselves. I was valedictorian of my high school class in a high school where it was almost unheard of for a guy to be valedictorian! I excelled at many sports!

I was always considered a hard and great worker by my employers! One of my lovers boasted to her co-workers I was "The best piece of ass she ever had!" And she probably had more than all my other lovers combined!

SO, am I bragging now? Hell no! Just statements of fact!

The only thing I am proud of in my life and WILL brag about is I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord And Savior!

AND even that is not of myself, but by the unbound less grace of God!

All that I have and have accomplished are testimony to God's grace! God gave me every thing and he can take it all away in a moment! End of story!

1174 days, 8 hours, 59 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Gnerphk: "...did I insult Jellico?"

Did I say you did?

"Glyn: I get why you think it was ok to attack them... but Edward Jellico?!?!!?"

Apparently not, I said you think it was ok to attack them, which is a fact for each individual name, but I'm only going to waste time proving the relevant one, EJ;

"Gnerphk: I'm not entirely sure the comparison between our new friend Jellico and the infamous NinjaBunny is entirely unwarranted."
___________

"Gnerphk: Lapin of Ninjaness"

I was unable to find this account or any reference to him, but I recall you saying something very similar once before.
___________

"Gnerphk: is there a chance NinjaBunny was personally known to you?"

Is there a chance your memory sucks? :P

5 days ago; "Glyn: @Lord Pollax: You and I are both guilty of being inconsiderate towards NinjaBunny... the difference is I started out defending him and reluctantly gave up on him once he started posting the exact same thread topics a week later."

Example of how NinjaBunny should have always been treated;
http://planets.nu/discussion/i-think-the-borg-should-have-an-advantage-they-regenerate

Examples of me defending NinjaBunny;
- http://planets.nu/discussion/can-a-cloaked-ship-lay-mines-without-decloaking
- http://planets.nu/discussion/how-is-a-war-game-a-war-game-and-balanced-when-really-the

Examples of my own Rule One Violations against NinjaBunny;
- http://planets.nu/discussion/has-anyone-considered-tried-limiting-the-game-to-just-9
- http://planets.nu/discussion/what-are-you-doing

"Glyn: I don't know... I instinctively want to meet him (NinjaBunny), put my hand on his shoulder and say, 'Its ok... it's OK, it's not your fault man. It's not your fault that no one cares.'" Source: http://planets.nu/discussion/who-will-join-our-fight-against-this-atrocity-called-emok
___________

Found this in the NB examples (http://planets.nu/discussion/how-is-a-war-game-a-war-game-and-balanced-when-really-the) 668 days ago;

"Glyn: I remember kids always saying, "wow, I wish I could draw as good as you", I'd force them to draw saying there is no way they can't draw. Everyone can draw, I've proven that people limit themselves and all they need is one person to say, 'no, you CAN do it' and w/ time they all drew as well as me.

Programming has been proven easier than writing an essay. They teach it to Elementary kids in Canada, even here in Alberta.

French is harder for people to learn than programming, even non-english readers can learn to program and slowly learn english also.

I roll my eyes at my fellow programmers that think this is a valuable skill, there are more poor Filipino programmers than you can count, India is proof that programming will end up a poor mans job... the only reason
it isn't already is because of language barriers."

So I've been saying everyone is capable of everything for YEARS, so rest assured I didn't just make it up for this thread, being smart is a choice, like any skill in existence, it just takes time and effort.
______________________

@Captain+Storm: "I only know what I was TOLD!"

That tends to be my assessment of theists in general.

"That said, so what?"

That is pretty much the consensus from the start... it was Gnerphk claiming to be a genius AND implying he wishes he wasn't, that was my area of concern. I've never heard, "I wish my penis was smaller", and this was the first time I'd witnessed someone implying that they wished they weren't as intelligent... that has since been clarified as a.... misunderstanding.

If Gnerphk offed himself, who do you think they'd blame around here? Me!
_______

Look, I'm not interested in arguing with people that don't share the same values as me... and I don't like arguing in general... the only time I want to argue is if I think I might be mistaken about something.

So I suggest just accepting that we won't agree on much... there's nothing wrong with that. I dated a Muslim woman for four years, I got along great with her.

Don't make the mistake of ever assuming I'm trying to change your mind... I'll state my opinion and you can take it or leave it. The only reason I repeat something is because it drives those that try to change people's minds nuts and their suffering amuses me, what comes around goes around.

The only reason I waste any time with Gnerphk, is the naive hope he will drop his support of W. Whom like children misbehave more so when together than apart, one usually on the side lines encouraging the other... course sometimes Gnerphk leads the attack; http://planets.nu/discussion/what-are-you-doing

1174 days, 8 hours, 58 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

"W: UNSUBSCRIBE"

"Glyn: Seeing as you've said this before... and then returned to post again multiple times... it has become meaningless."

Did not even go ONE day before posting again! He can't even resist trolling for a single day.

1174 days, 8 hours, 40 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

Yes, my memory does suck. I'd provide references to previous posts where I said that except I can't quite... Ya know what? Never mind. It's not as funny as I thought it was when I started writing this.

If ever I off myself, it's murder. I've never believed in suicide except proactively, and that's rare and wouldn't apply. Just saying.

So not personally known to you; got it. I'll use that as my base presumption going forward. Struck me as an interesting conjecture, though.

With regard to @Whisperer - He's useful, highly productive as a documentation writer, occasionally pleasant to converse with, and works well with others within a structured development zone. He's also a reliable tester. Given our salaries for documentation, I wouldn't part with the man.

If ever I criticize Whisperer, it'll be privately. Thus far, when he's criticized me, he's done it privately. Given what we do, that's appropriate. It's also all I plan to say on the subject.

---

No opinions about the propriety of badinage, a possible restructuring of Rule 1, or a redesign of the Feed? I'd thought that all were well-made points and practicable suggestions.

1174 days, 8 hours, 23 minutes ago

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

PS: "Miscommunication" rather than "misunderstanding" wouldn't offend me.

1170 days, 9 hours, 24 minutes ago

captain storm

RE: "Gnerphk: one who has proclaimed my genius. In the same...

@Glyn:

"@Captain Storm: "I only know what I was TOLD!"

That tends to be my assessment of theists in general."

Rest assured I am NOT a theist because of what I was TOLD! At one time in my life for around 20 - 30 years I was a confirmed atheist! Based on what I was TOLD! You see I grew up in a Catholic family, was sent to Catholic school and served as an alter boy and in the choir as a youth. At the age of 18, as soon as I got out from under my parents control, I rejected ALL that!

But then I started doubting even that and started seeking the truth.

During the seeking period I had some thing happen to me which is personal but convinced me BEYOND A SHADOW OF DOUBT there IS a God. So my next step was to seek out who and/or WHAT God was! That took me another 10 years or so!

If you had time and about 10 - 20 hours to sit down with me personally I could explain it all clearly to you.

My assessment of you is that personally you don't give a snap about much I have to say! Especially about God!

Be that as it may, I will pray for you and your soul!

Please don't put down theists just because you are atheist or agnostic!
My beliefs are based on things which happened to me during my search AND a long time of seeking the truth!

You know the old saying "you shall KNOW the truth and the TRUTH shall set you free"? Well, I HAVE BEEN SET FREE!