Your survey does not represent my demographic and it never will….

January 26, 2010 at 7:10 pm | Posted in Statistics | Leave a comment
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….because I never take part in surveys.

It sounds like a flippant, throw-away remark but I feel there’s something to ponder here.  The willingness to take part in surveys, opinion polls and phone-in votes etc is a significant personality trait.  My unwillingness/indifference to such things represents a fundamental difference in my decision making process to someone who chooses to take part.

In fact I don’t even have to go as far as a blanket refusal to take part in any type of survey at all.  By choosing not to take part (whether consciously or not) when the opportunity exists, in any poll, which supposedly relates to you immediately separates you from those who do.

Of course, the issue here is just how important this difference is in the context of the question being asked (and indeed, the method in which it is asked).  But I do wonder if this simple fact is taken into account by those who regularly compile survey data.

The minimum-wage genius.

January 25, 2010 at 11:17 pm | Posted in Intelligence | Leave a comment
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I consider myself lucky.  For, while I’m able to understand enough to get by, I could never be described as a genius.  Although I envy their ability to perceive life in such a way, it is a burden that I’m not certain that I could carry.

So what of unused genius?  They’re out there.  Stacking your shelves, waiting your tables.  I’ve known at least one but how many more are there?  The great untapped potential of the human race.

How does someone of such potential greatness come to be here pouring my coffee?  Blame society?  Maybe.  After all, school systems are there to cater for the masses, not the tiny fraction at the top. But surely it’s in society’s best interests to find the great minds and put them to use for the benefit of all.

It could be argued that a genius should be able to carve their own path through education.  Is it the fault of the individual that they do not excel?

Or perhaps genius is defined by ambition and dedication. But is this something a person is born with?  Or is it something that is learned?

All I really have tonight is questions, questions which lead me round in circles.  Although I have drawn one hypothesis from writing this:  Perhaps this greater understanding is what has led them to be here, knowing something that we do not, something which relieves them of the ambitions that drive the masses.

God is here.

January 23, 2010 at 1:10 pm | Posted in Internet, Religion | 1 Comment
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First, some context:  You’d describe me as an atheist.  I have beliefs but your concept of God, as described in the main religions is not one of them.  I like your gods though because they give a great insight into the cultures which worship them.

So today I’ve been thinking about the internet.  A vast, ethereal entity which appears to be everywhere.  A collection of all human knowledge, lies, idiosyncrasies and  neuroses.  For many it is the first port of call when answers are needed.  For some even, it is a source of comfort and familiarity.  It is also fickle.  It does not always provide the answers you were looking for.  Sometimes it’s as if it isn’t even there at all.  I wonder what would happen if it ever realized that it existed.  The birth of your first man-made God perhaps?  Made in your own image.

Homosexuality and social bonding.

January 22, 2010 at 10:29 pm | Posted in Sexuality | Leave a comment
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I’ve been observing something over a length of time and I think I’ve finally got some plausible ideas.

Finding a new social group with which to socialize in the evenings (“night-clubbing” being the example here) appears to be a much faster and easier process within the “homosexual community” than in the “straight community” (for want of better phrasing).

There are several possible reasons for this, the most obvious in my mind is the “Us & Them” way of thinking that you all seem so fond of.  Even in a country where homosexuality is happily accepted there is still a clear distinction between the gay and straight “communities”.  And, as the gay community is generally in the minority there is already a preexisting “Us” side for people to feel a part of, making social bonding easier.  All very straight forward so far.

Recently however, I’ve considered that gender-specific factors may play a far more important role.  In short, men are more likely to become friends with men, women friends with women.  In a heterosexual club setting, strange men and women will flirt, swap phone numbers or possibly even go home with each other.  These encounters seem always to lead to one of two outcomes;  a relationship, or, no further contact.  I’ve never seen any anecdotal evidence of a situation such as: “We met in a club, had a one-night stand and just became friends”.  It’s not to say that men and women can’t be anything other than friends, it’s just highly unlikely to happen as a result of such a brief encounter.

Things seem different in the gay community however.  Where it seems reasonably commonplace for such encounters to result in one party becoming integrated into the social group of the other without any long term romantic relationship occurring.  Is it that it’s simply easier for 2 men or 2 women to become “just friends” under these social circumstances?  To this outside observer, it would appear so.

Well Hello.

January 21, 2010 at 7:15 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Well hello.  I’ve been watching you for the last 29 years and frankly I’m still mystified by your behavior.  I’ve decided to keep this blog as a place to “say out loud” many of the things buzzing around my head in an attempt to rationalize what I’ve experienced so far.  Although I’m really only writing this for my own benefit, passers by are still welcome to say “hi” and comment if you like.

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