Human Nature

[DarkReign]

[DarkReign]

As it were, my response to ES's original post made little sense and didnt address the question...

I dont believe the extreme leftist represents any significant portion of the liberal catalogue. Should I say, no more than Young Earthers represent conservatism and their bat- insane take on the natural world and humanity's place in it.

Then again, I cant say that I know too many liberal people in general (beyond those here at ST). I have never attended college or been in an environment that could be stereotyped (rightly or wrongly) as a cornucopia of liberal thought and ideology.

Most people I encounter have only enough information politically to pick a "side" and staunchly support it with whatever rhetoric is being used of the day. Not much personal reflection s needed, nor inquisitiveness required to regurgitate talking points taken from cable news networks. Like a lion in the tall grass, they wait for their uniquely mundane opportunity to sound informed and outraged, mimicking their information taskmasters almost verbatim.

Some people may be impressed with such an individual because their own level of knowledge may be lacking (or their give-a- scale is far from tipped).

Me, I just mime a sock-puppet with my hand and say "Ok, Hannity/Franken, anything else on the docket today? Maybe a conclusion you have drawn on your own?"

Extremism, left or right, was summed up pretty damn well by Cry Havoc....

I think the leftist in question represents the most extreme type of jaded individual -- one who has been so frustrated in his pursuits to explain the question posed that he basically decides that it all has to go.

I've seen it before, in professors and certain students. There are probably a number of psychological factors at play that are destroying this person's ability to think rationally. So they give up on good sense and seek an easy, overarching solution to their lack of ability to explain society.

[Extra Stout]

Should I say, no more than Young Earthers represent conservatism and their bat- insane take on the natural world and humanity's place in it.

Young Earthers are not rare, though.

[MannyIsGod]

DR - you've become one of my favorite posters because you're not afraid to admit when you're wrong or might not know something which is a trait you find in the most intelligent of individuals, IMO. It signifies an open mind and even though you've never attended a college or university to date, I hope at some point in your life you're able to interact in that type off environment because your open mind would gain a lot from that, IMO.

In any event, I'd say there are definetly more young earthers than bat crazy liberals. But thats because the batship liberals tend to be a segment of our "educated" population while the young earthers tend to be a segment of our christian population. Sadly the latter far outnumbers the former.

[Cry Havoc]

In any event, I'd say there are definetly more young earthers than bat crazy liberals. But thats because the batship liberals tend to be a segment of our "educated" population while the young earthers tend to be a segment of our christian population. Sadly the latter far outnumbers the former.

Eh. I dunno. Anytime you see someone espousing a view like the one mentioned in the OP, it becomes that much easier to toss them in the "crazy bin" and not have to listen to anything they feel the need to say.

[MannyIsGod]

I have no idea where you're going CH.

[101A]

Sometimes a real discussion breaks out. That's what I like the best.

Yeah, that was nice.

[Cry Havoc]

Yeah, that was nice.

Yeah, that thread was nice.

[DarkReign]

Young Earthers are not rare, though.

True, but as a percentage of conservatives, do they comprise more than 15%?

Obviously, it would be a guesstimate from both of us, but if only 15% of your cons uents are bat- crazy (phrase of the day, btw), youre doing alright.

I mean, I am/was a Ron Paul supporter and I dont even care to guess what percentage of his supporters were (drumroll...) bat- crazy.

EDITED: please dont require clarification of my support of Paul. My support of him does not extend beyond his fiscal conservatism.

[Blake]

In any event, I'd say there are definetly more young earthers than bat crazy liberals. But thats because the batship liberals tend to be a segment of our "educated" population while the young earthers tend to be a segment of our christian population. Sadly the latter far outnumbers the former.

it's easier for some to believe kooks like John Hagee than it is to listen to the Pelosis of the world.

I'm wondering though if the cowsh1t freaky rightwingers outnumber the batsh1t crazy liberals. In this year of 2009, I'm guessing no......but that pendelum can swing either way in any given year.

[Blake]

I have no idea where you're going CH.

CH has no idea where CH is going.

[RandomGuy]

Young Earthers are not rare, though.

Yup, and we wonder why science education is in the ter...

[DarkReign]

@ Manny

Well thanks, man. Thats about all I have to say, I try to emulate my hockey idols when it comes to this sort of stuff. Without this forum and the people in it, I'd be far more ignorant and intolerant. Reading the varying sides of the political spectrum (from NBADan, all the way through Yoni) has in the very least opened my mind to different perspectives and reasonings I would otherwise not understand (nor care to, in some cases). I am quite sure there are other, more hardcore political forums where one could probably gain a little more perspective, but this is unique in that commonality has a way of rearing its head when the tires meet the road, so to speak. All the stereotypes I had about Texas and Texans were quickly and swiftly guillotined a mere 2 months in. This site has put Texas on my to-do list, for sure.

Admittedly, I do dream of going to college/university. But to be honest, I dont have the time. Running a small business that has the chance to grow into something much more in the next few years with some hard work takes all my time and effort. Ten adult individuals count on our company to feed their kids, pay their bills and provide a means to retire at some point. That number will only increase in a short amount of time and I just couldnt see sacrificing any of my current responsibilities in an effort to satisfy my hunger for knowledge and expertise.

Its my great regret (as I am sure it is for many others) that I wasnt a more focused individual when I was younger. But, there is a flip side to that coin that I wouldnt trade for my doctorate. I met my wife when I was that head-strong teenager and she is far more important to me than any personal aspirations for formal education or wistful regrets of a youth gone astray.

[RandomGuy]

@ Manny

Well thanks, man. Thats about all I have to say, I try to emulate my hockey idols when it comes to this sort of stuff. Without this forum and the people in it, I'd be far more ignorant and intolerant. This site has put Texas on my to-do list, for sure.

Admittedly, I do dream of going to college/university. But to be honest, I dont have the time. Running a small business that has the chance to grow into something much more in the next few years with some hardwork takes all my time and effort. Ten adult individuals count on our company to feed their kids, pay their bills and provide a means to retire at some point. That number will only increase in a short amount of time and I just couldnt see sacrificing any of my current responsibilities in an effort to satisfy my hunger for knowledge and expertise.

Its my great regret (as I am sure it is for many others) that I wasnt a more focused individual when I was younger. But, there is a flip side to that coin that I wouldnt trade for my doctorate. I met my wife when I was that head-strong teenager and she is far more important to me than any personal aspirations for formal education or whistful regrets of a youth gone astray.

A couple bits of advice from a guy who does some bookkeeping on the side, and has seen a few small businesses:

Take about 3 or 4 accounting classes, at least ONE basic finance class, and if possible, macro and micro economics. Not all at once, but maybe one or two per year or so.

There are two sets of skills needed for any successful small business:

1)Technical
You have to know your . If you are a print shop, you have to know about paper, ink, presses, machines, etc, if you are a restaurant, you have to be able to cook decent food, etc.

2)Business
You have to know HOW to make money at the business. You have to know how much to charge, how much you are spending, etc. etc.

Small businesses that fail most often because of a lack of the second kind of skill, I say this both from what I have seen personally and understand from reading about others' experiences.

I would guess that since your business is doing well, you have the first one down pat, and have acquired at least some of the second kind of skills.

At some point, you may grow your business, or have the opportunity to do so, or simply be faced with some change in the environment. THAT is when you will most need to develop some business process knowledge. This knowledge can be acquired without cracking a book, but it is much faster and more efficient to read up on it.

You don't really need a business degree to be successful in a small business, but some basic fundamentals will get you farther faster.

If you ever need any more technical accounting advice, feel free to PM me.

[RandomGuy]

101A can probably attest to all of that as well, from what I understand.

[DarrinS]

@ Manny

Well thanks, man. Thats about all I have to say, I try to emulate my hockey idols when it comes to this sort of stuff. Without this forum and the people in it, I'd be far more ignorant and intolerant. Reading the varying sides of the political spectrum (from NBADan, all the way through Yoni) has in the very least opened my mind to different perspectives and reasonings I would otherwise not understand (nor care to, in some cases). I am quite sure there are other, more hardcore political forums where one could probably gain a little more perspective, but this is unique in that commonality has a way of rearing its head when the tires meet the road, so to speak. All the stereotypes I had about Texas and Texans were quickly and swiftly guillotined a mere 2 months in. This site has put Texas on my to-do list, for sure.

Admittedly, I do dream of going to college/university. But to be honest, I dont have the time. Running a small business that has the chance to grow into something much more in the next few years with some hard work takes all my time and effort. Ten adult individuals count on our company to feed their kids, pay their bills and provide a means to retire at some point. That number will only increase in a short amount of time and I just couldnt see sacrificing any of my current responsibilities in an effort to satisfy my hunger for knowledge and expertise.

Its my great regret (as I am sure it is for many others) that I wasnt a more focused individual when I was younger. But, there is a flip side to that coin that I wouldnt trade for my doctorate. I met my wife when I was that head-strong teenager and she is far more important to me than any personal aspirations for formal education or wistful regrets of a youth gone astray.

The wealthiest man in the world dropped out of college. A lot of people are far too creative to suffer through academia.

I think, for the most part, all a college degree proves is that you can commit to a long-term goal. I've met a lot of people that have gone to graduate school who have very little REAL WORLD experience.

[DarkReign]

101A can probably attest to all of that as well, from what I understand.

101A and I have had our conversations. He knows his , thats for sure.

[MannyIsGod]

The wealthiest man in the world dropped out of college. A lot of people are far too creative to suffer through academia.

I think, for the most part, all a college degree proves is that you can commit to a long-term goal. I've met a lot of people that have gone to graduate school who have very little REAL WORLD experience.

Going to school isn't necessarily about making money. I lament how our ins utes of higher learning have been turned into glorified trade schools in many regards.

[CuckingFunt]

Going to school isn't necessarily about making money. I lament how our ins utes of higher learning have been turned into glorified trade schools in many regards.

This. A thousand times.

[101A]

101A can probably attest to all of that as well, from what I understand.

Absolutely.

Best hire we EVER made; and it was a leap, was hiring a real, honest to God, CFO - ex bank president with his CPA - had no real training at all on mine, or my brother's own; what I have learned I've picked up from him; but I ain't him!

Your point 2:

You have to know HOW to make money at the business. You have to know how much to charge, how much you are spending, etc. etc.

was the most enlightening, and valuable; we were WAY off; basically we were working our asses off, "growing", but losing money on half our business.

[101A]

101A and I have had our conversations. He knows his , thats for sure.

Head......growing......can't......accept.......pra ise...........Winhole, quick get in here and make me feel like an idiot.....

[DarrinS]

Going to school isn't necessarily about making money. I lament how our ins utes of higher learning have been turned into glorified trade schools in many regards.

You don't need to go to school to learn how to think, just as you don't need to go to church to be spiritual.

[101A]

Going to school isn't necessarily about making money. I lament how our ins utes of higher learning have been turned into glorified trade schools in many regards.

Actually, the non, or only slightly, selective State Schools have become 13th - 16th grade.

[Blake]

Going to school isn't necessarily about making money. I lament how our ins utes of higher learning have been turned into glorified trade schools in many regards.

I lament that out ins utes of lower learning lack trade school options for many students so that they can make some money.

[MannyIsGod]

You don't need to go to school to learn how to think, just as you don't need to go to church to be spiritual.

Its posts like this that make it all too easy for the asshole in me to thrive.