"The Mindless Menace of Violence"

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OmSigDAVID wrote:

Where is your friend living?

I think he said Mayberry.

David

I don't think there is a real MAYBERRY, North Carolina. I know the real town the fictional Mayberry NC was based on in the Andy Griffith show is this little town called Mount Airy, North Carolina. It's located north of Winston Salem and not too far south of the Virginia border. It's a cute little town - but I wouldn't want to live there...(especially without Andy, Barney, Aunt Bee and Opie to make it entertaining).

Talk about constricting (as you did on that other thread)- small town/small mind constriction can be the worst David- having lived in NYC your entire life- I don't think you have any idea.

Has your friend had anything to say about that aspect of it?

You said you didn't like to be constricted on that nudity/sex on tv and children thread.


I remember, because I remember thinking that I don't like to be constricted either.

The whole small town thing is really interesting.
I think a lot depends on the mindset of the people.
There are definite advantages to living in a small town I think.
I was really afraid to go live in the first small town that I did-
I had heard so many negatives about people being in your business, etc.

But what I found was that people really got to know you and care about you -
for instance when my books were due at the library, the librarian would call
to remind me and ask me if I was coming in or did I just want her
to renew them - stuff like that- the guy at the corner store would save a
copy of the NY Times for me every Sunday...you know the postman's name -

everyone knows and is looking out for your kids' safety,

there was even still an avon lady where we lived - it was nice.

The downside is that you lose any sort of anonymity
you might have had in a larger setting.

But like I said, it can go either way. I went to this small, alternative

college that attracted people with VERY open minds and the smallness of the place pretty much intensified the feeling that everyone was free to be what they wanted to be and do what they wanted to be - it was almost like this little oasis of freedom in which the rules of society either might or might not apply-

which would be scary if you had people who were looking
to take advantage maliciously (or who were predatory to use your word)

but was wonderful because the people who were there were not only
extraordinarily accepting and tolerant -

they were creative thinkers who were interested in making a
positive contribution and were not interested in hurting anyone.

Maine was kind of like that too- we lived in this town that was almost where
the roads stopped and the unadulterated forests began- and same thing-
the rules were just different.

In fact I think there is more of a hedonistic sort of mindset that goes
along with those situations - and a fierce spirit of individualism-
which as long as its directed positively is wonderful.

The downside only comes when you have a group of people in a small
town who have decided its their way or no way - and the environment is
closed enough to impact another persons' ability to function in the town.

As much as I felt accepted and embraced by that small town in Maine,
I watched a friend of mine just really suffer - because she wasn't and
couldn't be what they thought she should be (she was a single mom with
a drinking issue) and JESUS did they come down hard on her. She finally just had to move.

So I think it all depends on who you are and the collective mindset of the town-
because the sense of collective is much stronger in a small town.

I'm glad your friends like it -
I always love to go back to my college (going back next weekend)
and the town I lived in in Maine.

It always brings me a real feeling of connectedness and wonderful memories.

OmSigDAVID wrote:

aidan wrote:

You said you didn't like to be constricted on that nudity/sex on tv and children thread.


I remember, because I remember thinking that I don't like to be constricted either.

I wonder Y I was considering the issue
of constrictedness; I 'll have to check that thread.

Marriage - I said it can be constricting - that's how it came up.

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I don 't believe that we ever got a plausible answer
qua Y some parents superfreak out if their child sees nudity.

Well, I think I have a plausible answer- I think it's all about how the parent feels about his or her own nudity. Are they comfortable with it? Are they uncomfortable with it? However they feel, that's most likely the feeling they will then project upon how their child might feel experiencing viewing nudity.
Although, as I said, I don't believe this has to be adopted by a child as his or her own attitude. I think how they intrinsically feel within themselves will trump any embarrassement the parent subconsciously communicates or even consciously tries to instill.
I think the bottom line is that people gotta be who the;y gotta be.
That's why constriction is such a drag.

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One parent called the police on a little boy of about 5
for playing "doctor" (I don 't beleive that he had a real doctorate)

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accusing him of being a pervert.

how ridiculous

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I don 't know whether he was put on the sexual predators list.

I hope not.

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The whole small town thing is really interesting.
I think a lot depends on the mindset of the people.
There are definite advantages to living in a small town I think.
I was really afraid to go live in the first small town that I did-
I had heard so many negatives about people being in your business, etc.

Was it Roosevelt who said that the only thing
we have to fear is boredom ?

I don't know - is that what he said? I try my hardest to keep from getting bored- luckily I have a lot of interests and am very, very curious - so I can usually find some entertaining and amusing way to keep myself occupied. I feel sorry for people who can't and who have to look for their entertainment by prying into the lives of other people. What the hell does that say about their own life - except that it's so boring they'd rather think about someone elses.

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But what I found was that people really got to know you and care about you -
for instance when my books were due at the library, the librarian would call
to remind me and ask me if I was coming in or did I just want her
to renew them - stuff like that- the guy at the corner store would save a
copy of the NY Times for me every Sunday...you know the postman's name -

That sure is friendly.

I don't know why David - but that made me laugh picturing you saying in your very measured tone of voice -' That sure is friendly.'
Hey maybe you'd fit in down there in Mayberry, North Carolina too.

Yes, it was a very friendly place. I liked it.

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everyone knows and is looking out for your kids' safety,

How does that sit with the kids ? in terms of privacy n autonomy ?

Well, I don't think my kids were out raising hell - or at least I never heard about it - so actually it was more just peace of mind- knowing that people who cared about them almost as much as I did were all around them and willing to step in and help them if they needed it.

(Which reminds me- I'd have wished I'd had a gun to shoot that guy who was beating that toddler - and I'd have used it too. I kept meaning to vote in your poll today).

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The downside is that you lose any sort of anonymity
you might have had in a larger setting.

I value my anonymity.
I 'm glad I 'm not famous.

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But like I said, it can go either way. I went to this small, alternative

How was it alternative ?

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college that attracted people with VERY open minds and the smallness of the place pretty much intensified the feeling that everyone was free to be what they wanted to be and do what they wanted to be - it was almost like this little oasis of freedom in which the rules of society either might or might not apply-

I was an individualist-libertarian when I went to college.
It did not occur to me that my freedom might be in question.
Truly, it never occurred to me to question the degree to which
anyone 's mind was open.

How did this matter arise to your scrutiny or analysis ?

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which would be scary if you had people who were looking
to take advantage maliciously (or who were predatory to use your word)

I use malice too,
when discussing politically correct authoritarian-collectivists.

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but was wonderful because the people who were there were not only
extraordinarily accepting and tolerant -

What did thay tolerate ? How did this sit with your father ?

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they were creative thinkers who were interested in making a
positive contribution and were not interested in hurting anyone.

What thinking did thay create ?

What did thay contribute ?

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Maine was kind of like that too- we lived in this town that was almost where
the roads stopped and the unadulterated forests began- and same thing-
the rules were just different.

In fact I think there is more of a hedonistic sort of mindset that goes
along with those situations - and a fierce spirit of individualism-
which as long as its directed positively is wonderful.

Yeah; have u tried Las Vegas ? U might like it better than England
( and u can understand the natives better ).

Elvis was RIGHT !

How did thay gratify their hedonistic mindset ?

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The downside only comes when you have a group of people in a small
town who have decided its their way or no way - and the environment is
closed enough to impact another persons' ability to function in the town.

Do thay have jurisdiction for that ?

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As much as I felt accepted and embraced by that small town in Maine,
I watched a friend of mine just really suffer - because she wasn't and
couldn't be what they thought she should be (she was a single mom with
a drinking issue) and JESUS did they come down hard on her. She finally just had to move.

Some folks don 't like that.

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So I think it all depends on who you are and the collective mindset of the town-
because the sense of collective is much stronger in a small town.

I c.

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I'm glad your friends like it -
I always love to go back to my college (going back next weekend)
and the town I lived in in Maine.

What do u DO there ?

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It always brings me a real feeling of connectedness and wonderful memories.

I 'd imagine that u 'd find a lot of strangers.

Do u still have another response outstanding ?

I don 't believe that we ever got a plausible answer
qua Y some parents superfreak out if their child sees nudity.

Well, I think I have a plausible answer- I think it's all about how the parent feels about his or her own nudity. Are they comfortable with it? Are they uncomfortable with it? However they feel, that's most likely the feeling they will then project upon how their child might feel experiencing viewing nudity.
Although, as I said, I don't believe this has to be adopted by a child as his or her own attitude. I think how they intrinsically feel within themselves will trump any embarrassement the parent subconsciously communicates or even consciously tries to instill.
I think the bottom line is that people gotta be who the;y gotta be.
That's why constriction is such a drag.

The whole small town thing is really interesting.
I think a lot depends on the mindset of the people.
There are definite advantages to living in a small town I think.
I was really afraid to go live in the first small town that I did-
I had heard so many negatives about people being in your business, etc.

I don't know - is that what he said?

I try my hardest to keep from getting bored-
luckily I have a lot of interests and am very, very curious -
so I can usually find some entertaining and amusing way to keep myself occupied.

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everyone knows and is looking out for your kids' safety,

How does that sit with the kids ? in terms of privacy n autonomy ?

Well, I don't think my kids were out raising hell - or at least I never heard about it - so actually it was more just peace of mind- knowing that people who cared about them almost as much as I did were all around them and willing to step in and help them if they needed it.

(Which reminds me- I'd have wished I'd had a gun to shoot that guy
who was beating that toddler - and I'd have used it too.
I kept meaning to vote in your poll today).

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college that attracted people with VERY open minds and the smallness of the place pretty much intensified the feeling that everyone was free to be what they wanted to be and do what they wanted to be - it was almost like this little oasis of freedom in which the rules of society either might or might not apply-

I was an individualist-libertarian when I went to college.
It did not occur to me that my freedom might be in question.
Truly, it never occurred to me to question the degree to which
anyone 's mind was open.

Yeah well, it only becomes an issue when people try to tell you what to do.

And if their minds are only open to what they want you to do
and closed to what you want to do yourself, the question of how open
their mind is becomes a big issue.

Well, that presents u with the opportunity
to assert your autonomy to whomever is involved.

How did this matter arise to your scrutiny or analysis ?

At college - it never did.
It was almost immediately apparent that I was free to be or do whatever
I needed to be or do. It was a very liberating place. I was really happy there.

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which would be scary if you had people who were looking
to take advantage maliciously (or who were predatory to use your word)

I use malice too,
when discussing politically correct authoritarian-collectivists.

Malice? Are you sure it's just not standing up for your own rights?
I wouldn't call that malice - even if you feel negatively toward those people -
don't you think you have a right to if they're trying to constrict you
and limit your freedoms to which your entitled?

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Maine was kind of like that too- we lived in this town that was almost where
the roads stopped and the unadulterated forests began- and same thing-
the rules were just different.

Maine is known for having good submachinegun rallies.
Did u attend those ?




In fact I think there is more of a hedonistic sort of mindset that goes
along with those situations - and a fierce spirit of individualism-
which as long as its directed positively is wonderful.

Yeah; have u tried Las Vegas ? U might like it better than England
( and u can understand the natives better ).

I enjoy a British accent and understand it perfectly.

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So I think it all depends on who you are and the collective mindset of the town-
because the sense of collective is much stronger in a small town.

I c.

That's what I like about communicating with you -
I think we understand each other very well. I seldom feel that you insert
your own preconceived notions about things or me - and that's refreshing.

Do u still have another response outstanding ?

I'm confused. Are you asking if I owe you a response or if you owe me a response? I don't know...do I (or you?)

Was it Roosevelt who said that the only thing
we have to fear is boredom ?

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I don't know - is that what he said?

No; I was having a little fun.
He said that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

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I try my hardest to keep from getting bored-
luckily I have a lot of interests and am very, very curious -
so I can usually find some entertaining and amusing way to keep myself occupied.

There r lots of things to do.
U shud try to do them in Las Vegas.

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college that attracted people with VERY open minds and the smallness of the place pretty much intensified the feeling that everyone was free to be what they wanted to be and do what they wanted to be - it was almost like this little oasis of freedom in which the rules of society either might or might not apply-

I was an individualist-libertarian when I went to college.
It did not occur to me that my freedom might be in question.
Truly, it never occurred to me to question the degree to which
anyone 's mind was open.

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Yeah well, it only becomes an issue when people try to tell you what to do.

I 'm sure it WUD.
I don 't remember ever having that problem.

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And if their minds are only open to what they want you to do
and closed to what you want to do yourself, the question of how open
their mind is becomes a big issue.

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Well, that presents u with the opportunity
to assert your autonomy to whomever is involved.

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How did this matter arise to your scrutiny or analysis ?

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At college - it never did.
It was almost immediately apparent that I was free to be or do whatever
I needed to be or do. It was a very liberating place. I was really happy there.

I was in some doubt about the free agricultural labor,
but if u signed up for it . . .

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Maine was kind of like that too- we lived in this town that was almost where
the roads stopped and the unadulterated forests began- and same thing-
the rules were just different.

Maine is known for having good submachinegun rallies.
Did u attend those ?

Why do you ask questions you already know the answer to (you've already asked me that - I said no).

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So I think it all depends on who you are and the collective mindset of the town-
because the sense of collective is much stronger in a small town.

I c.

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That's what I like about communicating with you -
I think we understand each other very well. I seldom feel that you insert
your own preconceived notions about things or me - and that's refreshing.

That 's how libertarian-individualists r.
Have u found any in England ?

Happily - YES! Actually, surprisingly enough (given the history or our two countries) many more there than here. That's why I like living there...

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or in Scotland ?

I don't really know any people in Scotland - have only visited there.

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Do u still have another response outstanding ?

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I'm confused. Are you asking if I owe you a response or if you owe me a response? I don't know...do I (or you?)

I believe that I sent u another PM
in response to yours.

Okay - now I'm really confused...we were talking on this thread...then you disappeared. Then out of the blue - you pm'd me and I told you I was interested in your responses to my last post on this thread - then we started talking on this thread again...at least that's my memory - although I guess I did pm you initially in response to your pm to tell you I'd rather talk on this thread. Is that what you're talking about?

If you have a question you need answered - please feel free to ask me, okay? If I want to answer it I will - if I don't - I'll tell you that.

(Just so you'll understand- I don't have time to go searching back through pm's. Today's my last day of work and I have to make brownies for our party - and when I get home I have to get the rest of my stuff packed and then I'm on the road for about a month so access to the internet will be sporadic and limited from here on out.)

Have a great day David.



Have a good night Rebecca
David.

Was it Roosevelt who said that the only thing
we have to fear is boredom ?

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I don't know - is that what he said?

No; I was having a little fun.
He said that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

I hope you don't think I didn't know that -
I was having a little fun back at you.

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I try my hardest to keep from getting bored-
luckily I have a lot of interests and am very, very curious -
so I can usually find some entertaining and amusing way to keep myself occupied.

There r lots of things to do.
U shud try to do them in Las Vegas.

I think I've told you - Las Vegas holds absolutely no appeal to me -
although I acknowledge it seems to be very, very popular with other people.
I'm not a desert person - David. I like cities - but not in the middle of the desert.
I'm not into all that neon and glitz and ****.
The gambling might be kind of exciting though -
I think I'd prefer Atlantic City though - by the ocean.

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college that attracted people with VERY open minds and the smallness of the place pretty much intensified the feeling that everyone was free to be what they wanted to be and do what they wanted to be - it was almost like this little oasis of freedom in which the rules of society either might or might not apply-

I was an individualist-libertarian when I went to college.
It did not occur to me that my freedom might be in question.
Truly, it never occurred to me to question the degree to which
anyone 's mind was open.

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Yeah well, it only becomes an issue when people try to tell you what to do.

I 'm sure it WUD.
I don 't remember ever having that problem.

Or maybe you're just really good at ignoring it.
Which is a good thing - hey- I give you much credit David....

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And if their minds are only open to what they want you to do
and closed to what you want to do yourself, the question of how open
their mind is becomes a big issue.

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Well, that presents u with the opportunity
to assert your autonomy to whomever is involved.

I don't like to have to assert stuff.
I just like to try to get along...

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How did this matter arise to your scrutiny or analysis ?

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At college - it never did.
It was almost immediately apparent that I was free to be or do whatever
I needed to be or do. It was a very liberating place. I was really happy there.

I was in some doubt about the free agricultural labor,
but if u signed up for it . . .

Yeah - I always wanted to live and work on a farm.
Actually it wasn't for free - it defrayed the cost of room and board.

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Maine was kind of like that too- we lived in this town that was almost where
the roads stopped and the unadulterated forests began- and same thing-
the rules were just different.

Maine is known for having good submachinegun rallies.
Did u attend those ?

Why do you ask questions you already know the answer to
(you've already asked me that - I said no).

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So I think it all depends on who you are and the collective mindset of the town-
because the sense of collective is much stronger in a small town.

I c.

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That's what I like about communicating with you -
I think we understand each other very well.
I seldom feel that you insert your own preconceived notions about things or me -
and that's refreshing.

That 's how libertarian-individualists r.
Have u found any in England ?

Happily - YES! Actually, surprisingly enough
(given the history or our two countries) many more there than here.
That's why I like living there...

or in Scotland ?

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Do u still have another response outstanding ?

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I'm confused. Are you asking if I owe you a response or if you owe me a response? I don't know...do I (or you?)

I believe that I sent u another PM
in response to yours.

Okay - now I'm really confused...we were talking on this thread...then you disappeared. Then out of the blue - you pm'd me and I told you I was interested in your responses to my last post on this thread - then we started talking on this thread again...at least that's my memory - although I guess I did pm you initially in response to your pm to tell you I'd rather talk on this thread. Is that what you're talking about?

If you have a question you need answered - please feel free to ask me, okay? If I want to answer it I will - if I don't - I'll tell you that.

(Just so you'll understand- I don't have time to go searching back through pm's. Today's my last day of work and I have to make brownies for our party - and when I get home I have to get the rest of my stuff packed and then I'm on the road for about a month so access to the internet will be sporadic and limited from here on out.)

COUNTERFUN

I don't like to have to assert stuff.
I just like to try to get along...

That just shows that your memory is better than mine.
See what happens when u get too old, too fat n too ugly ?

(Just so you'll understand- I don't have time to go searching back through pm's. Today's my last day of work and I have to make brownies for our party - and when I get home I have to get the rest of my stuff packed and then I'm on the road for about a month so access to the internet will be sporadic and limited from here on out.)

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COUNTERFUN

Hey, yeah...

The odds are dismal in A.C.
relative to Las Vegas.
I explored it once,
at the behest of the OM SIG.
It flunked.

I don't like to have to assert stuff.
I just like to try to get along...

That just shows that your memory is better than mine.
See what happens when u get too old, too fat n too ugly ?

(Just so you'll understand- I don't have time to go searching back through pm's. Today's my last day of work and I have to make brownies for our party - and when I get home I have to get the rest of my stuff packed and then I'm on the road for about a month so access to the internet will be sporadic and limited from here on out.)