The Van Nevis Chat Thread

[TXGhost]

Originally Posted by Furious D 18

Yes but I think the point is that if we don't start working toward that goal now, we won't get done by the time that space exploration becomes a necessity. We'll need massive leaps in technology if we're going to be successful, and those types of advancements take time.

Right now, it could be argued that we have spare resources to spend on this. But in the future, all our resources may be needed just to maintain survival.

True but more than Space Travel, or Deep Sea Exploration. We need to learn to communicate with our fellow man, to live to learn to exist with each other. To not be so hate filled. I don't know why people haven't understood this. I learned to not be angry with people. And I like it.

[Predicide]

Ghost, I was just trying to say somethin like that but couldn't figure out how to word it. Something along the lines of "what the hell does 'human progress' mean anyway"? Can of worms...

Rick: Invader Zim was my life-defining event. Yeah, that's a cop-out. I'll come up with something better.

[TXGhost]

I don't think I have reached my "Life-Defining Event" just yet, I am looking forward to it to see if I rise to the challenge that it will present to me.

[Furious D 18]

Originally Posted by TXGhost

I learned to not be angry with people. And I like it.

You reminded me of the "vanity cards" of Chuck Lorre, one of the creators of the tv shows Dharma & Greg and Two And A Half Men. Here are two of his vanity cards.

#47

I recently found myself in a room with a group of complete strangers. As each one spoke, I noticed I was making a snap judgement about that person. Sometimes the judgement was warm and appreciative. But more often, it was of the "Geez, what a vacuum tube this guy is" variety. At first I was troubled by this ugly mental reflex. But then I was hit with a flash of insight. As I gazed around the room I realized that if each person was animated by the same energy -- call it God, call it carbon-based, chemical doowhackies -- then each person was essentially life doing the best that it can. Suddenly my judgements were replaced by a pervasive feeling of love. Emboldened by my epiphany, I meditated upon a TV executive with whom I'd recently had difficult relations. I visualized this person not as an arrogant prig, but as "life doing the best that it can." Which is when my insight grew deeper. I now believe that the ability to suspend judgement and flow love works really well with complete strangers.

#56

Let's try a little experiment. Turn and look at someone near you -- a loved one, a friend, a co-worker, a stranger -- it doesn't really matter. Now, as you look at this person, consider this: he or she is a completely unique, never - before - in - the - history - of - the - universe - has - there - been - anyone - exactly - like - this - person... person. Reflect on the fact that you are gazing at an impossibly complex and totally original work of art which will never be duplicated. I'm sure you see where I'm going with this. We so easily lose sight of how truly magnificent we are. Which is something to keep in mind if you chose to look at a stranger for this exercise. Even though he's looking back at you with grinning, spittle-covered lips that are a miraculous construct of living tissue -- even though perverse thoughts of what he'd like to do to you are racing through a meat-based computer that no Pentium chip will ever approximate, he is a masterpiece. If he were hanging in a museum, a security guard would most likely tell you, "Don't touch."

If you liked those, read more here. Most of them are deep and most of them are funny. The great ones are both.

[TXGhost]

Well I have learned (I know I am 16 and have many wonders to learn of life and yes, I do know I do not everything), that you really have to step back and just think, before you say most stuff. I have been watching people, not in the creepy stalker way, lately and have really been trying to know how a person reacts to certain things, certain words. Mostly so I can control people (I have always wanted Jedi Mind tricks but I have learned that this suffices). It is working, I can influence parents, teachers, friends. Its all so very cool. And all I have to do is stay calm, and watch people.

[Furious D 18]

Originally Posted by TXGhost

It is working, I can influence parents, teachers, friends.

Just use your powers for good, not evil. But be careful because many people despise manipulative people. It will make them think you are dishonest and they will stop trusting you.

And one of the most valuable lessons I've learned is that no one can make you angry. You let them make you angry. There is no secret button that they can push to control you. You can consciously choose to remain calm. And often by remaining calm in a situation where they're trying to make you mad is the best way to "fight" them. People get so angry when they are trying to piss you off and it doesn't work.

[TXGhost]

Well not manipulative but... well... I guess that is the right word for it. Not that I see it this way, I feel it is a bad thing.

Originally Posted by Furious D 18

And one of the most valuable lessons I've learned is that no one can make you angry. You let them make you angry. There is no secret button that they can push to control you. You can consciously choose to remain calm. And often by remaining calm in a situation where they're trying to make you mad is the best way to "fight" them. People get so angry when they are trying to piss you off and it doesn't work.

This is a great lesson to be learned.

[haruki jitsunin]

Hey, guys. I thought I'd come by here and introduce myself before I post. My name is haruki jitsunin, real name is stephen, and I'm currently a graphic design student... The actual reason I didn't post in the 1k post topic was because it looked like mostly spam...
Now onto the conversation at hand:

And one of the most valuable lessons I've learned is that no one can make you angry. You let them make you angry. There is no secret button that they can push to control you. You can consciously choose to remain calm. And often by remaining calm in a situation where they're trying to make you mad is the best way to "fight" them. People get so angry when they are trying to piss you off and it doesn't work.

My mother actually told me that a lot when I was growing up. It didn't actually sink in till I was about 15, but I do agree this is a strong lesson to be learned. Since then it takes a whole lot to get me angry, which is good because as it looks right now, both my parents have high blood pressure and I could, basically, be a walking blood pressure time bomb... XD

[Poztar]

So Furious, I was reading your 'lil story in the first post (about Van Nevis) and I was just wondering: has anyone here met anyone in real-life that they first met online? That sounds like a pretty crazy thing to me, and even more so to get married.

By the way, I'm Max. I like kiwis and keytars and motor boats and race cars. I also dig the ladies.

[haruki jitsunin]

Originally Posted by Poztar

So Furious, I was reading your 'lil story in the first post (about Van Nevis) and I was just wondering: has anyone here met anyone in real-life that they first met online? That sounds like a pretty crazy thing to me, and even more so to get married.

By the way, I'm Max. I like kiwis and keytars and motor boats and race cars. I also dig the ladies.

Oh, I have one better than just meeting someone IRL that I met online. I had this online friend who was a great person. We talked a lot about all things ranging from politics (especially) and morality to art. He, like me, lived in missouri, but he lived almost 4 hours away. We never planned to meet or anything, it was just something we had in common. I had another friend, real life this time, he and I were schoolmates. He was into D&D and planned to study french at truman university. He went there for a year, then the next year I found out my online friend was going to go to truman to study political science and he was into D&D. They met, in real life, at the D&D club at truman. It was really freaky having a two separate friends I never thought would meet that, by some odd coincidence, met in real life... I still have yet to meet my online friend in real life.