averygoodun42 | Quotes and thoughts

Borrowed from

keladry_lupin: Here is a random quote page. Your job is to go through the quotes available until you find five that speak to you or reflect what you believe or whatever, and post them.

"He's the kind of a guy who lights up a room just by flicking a switch."
Unknown

"There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality."
Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973)

"I've arrived at this outermost edge of my life by my own actions. Where I am is thoroughly unacceptable. Therefore, I must stop doing what I've been doing."
Alice Koller, An Unknown Woman, 1982

"A person who trusts no one can't be trusted."
Jerome Blattner

"Saying what we think gives us a wider conversational range than saying what we know."
Cullen Hightower

Okay, that last one does strike me, but not as a truth. Recently I've been struck by how little some people actually think. They may know even less, but I've been highly disappointed lately. One person in particular (RL) has struck me forcibly as a perfect example as the difference between Intelligence and Ability. First, though, I'll define Intelligence as the ability (heh) to think, ie: process actions and consequences in a manner that relates to one's life and the lives of those around them. Ability is being able to do things. It isn't synonymous with Accomplishment, which requires a combination of Intelligence and Ability.

Anyway, maybe I'm being harsh about this person, because he is only a kid. About 7, I believe. And maybe if there weren't other children to compare him to, I would be more patient. However there are other kids, and he... well, let's just say I have a very low tolerance for stupid people of any age.

He can do things, of that there's no question. He helps his relative fix electronics. That doesn't prove him to be intelligent, however. It only proves him able to memorize functions. Yes, there probably is a bit of problem solving ability in there as well, but it's within a confined margin. If the VCRs' head isn't spinning, it's because this, this or this is malfunctioning. Replace this or this, or clean this and that, and voila! It works again. There are finite reasons for mechanical failure, and it's relatively easy to memorize the relationships and solutions if one has the knack (or Ability) for it.

That doesn't translate to real life, however.

*hedges with a sigh*

It is possible I'm being overly harsh on this kid, but, the thing is, he doesn't seem to get it where people are concerned. Granted, I am not one to lecture about social graces (I've been meaning to ask, does anyone know of any books or classes to help learn how to interact with other people? LOL. I need some help, with maybe a refresher course on etiquette as well), but this kid has NO sense whatsoever. He purposely does things to annoy people, even when he's the center of attention. If he gets told to stop something (by a grown-up or peer) he just cranks it up a notch. If he gets ignored afterwards, he doggedly tries to reclaim the attention by doing the same things that got him ignored in the first place!

How does that quote go? "Insanity is believing you'll get different results from doing the same thing." Something like that anyway. And, as I said before, he is young, but there are younger kids around here who get it. They might do the same obnoxious things, but when they get told off or are ignored, they regroup and approach the situation differently. They THINK about it. They process the consequences of their actions and decide whether it's worth it to pursue that course or a different one.

Otherwise said, they're intelligent.

Maybe they just have more Ability when it comes to interpersonal relations, but I think it goes beyond that. I know someone else whose Ability is with people. This person lacks all logical facility, which, of course, affects their relationships, but because they don't think they can't see the root of their personal problems. Instead they blame circumstance. (The way I've described it doesn't make it sound like the person has people skills, but they do. I'm not going to offer proof, though. You'll have to trust me on it.)

I believe that the Smart Kids around here have been encouraged and taught how to think, whereas Obnoxious Kid hasn't. I don't think Obnoxious Kid has less raw potential than the other kids, but I suspect his chance at achieving that potential isn't as high because he hasn't been taught or encouraged to think. And it's not like the Public School system encourages thought, either. They do encourage rote memorization and technical ability, but not thought. Not until college, anyway, and by then it might be too late.

All this makes me worry about raising Babe properly. I really, really don't want a thoughtless spoiled brat for a son.</lj-cut>

In other news, my parents went on a cruise on my Uncle's boat and saw lots and lots of wildlife. I am so incredibly jealous. They saw wolves, for pete's sake! I haven't even seen a stinking orca (in the wild).

*grumble* I'm a wildlife repellent. Except for bugs. They don't seem affected by my anti-wildlife pheromones. Or birds... I wonder how many people have seen a flock of bluebirds all puffed up in their winter coats, resting on snowy branches while they make their sojourn South. And the red cardinals around here are stunning against the snow. And that hawk that haunted the "swamp" two winters ago...

Okay, I'm only a large mammal repellent. Hmm. Maybe that's why I have problems making friends? XD

Cheers!