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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
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Originally Posted by
Lady_Springtime
I don't understand the concept/appeal of drinking for the purpose of intoxication. For that matter, I don't get why people who don't drink at all are assumed to be moralizing against those who do. I do, however, understand why I don't understand. Having been on a daily regimen of psych meds for over a decade on reaching the legal drinking age where I grew up, and being a more than a bit scared of side effects, I've never gotten drunk. I know that all alcoholic beverages taste good to at least some people, but I've also seen people who don't care about that adding as much high proof stuff to their drinks as they can.
I kinda don't get the appeal either, but in my case I think there might be something weird about me. I don't seem to experience the loosened inhibitions or other "fun" aspects of getting drunk the way most people do. I don't feel any different than normal until I reach the point where I start getting queasy. As a result, I've only been really drink (as in, enough to get sick) three times in my life - once to find out what it was like and twice for stupid emotional reasons that just made me feel worse. Now I'll occasionally have a drink or two for the taste, but stop after that.
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Originally Posted by
Knaight
There's plenty of people who will take "Nah I'm good, thanks though" as a personal attack on them and start getting really pushy about drinking, regardless of the tone and justification for not drinking. In my experience said group overlaps almost completely with the people who get really aggressive about other people not eating meat, and fairly heavily with people who get really upset when you don't share some hobby they love (maybe it's football, maybe it's videogames).
I've experienced this, too. I used to gather to watch WWE pay per views at a friend's place a few years ago. He would invite this one guy that most of us didn't like very much, but was at least tolerable most of the time. Let's call him M. M is certainly generous enough, and brings beer that he likes and happily shares with anyone who wants some. But I wasn't in the mood and he didn't want to take no for an answer. He bugged me 4 or 5 times until one of my other friends went off on him to shut up and stop trying to push it on me.
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
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Originally Posted by
Velaryon
I kinda don't get the appeal either, but in my case I think there might be something weird about me. I don't seem to experience the loosened inhibitions or other "fun" aspects of getting drunk the way most people do.
I haven't drunk alcohol in 20 years, but when I did have the occasional tipple, I can remember *one* occasion where I'd drunk enough to be tipsy--I don't think I was fully drunk because I remember everything quite clearly, and one of the things I remember clearly was that I didn't like the feeling. It felt like I was controlling my body from some distance using a slightly unreliable and difficult to use remote control, which is why I nearly walked into a lamp-post on the way home.
It's quite easy for me to be teetotal, though, because I hate the taste of most alcohol. About the only things I ever did drink were either mixtures like rum and coke or snowballs, or maybe an occasional Bailey's Irish Cream at Christmas, and when I figured out that the main reason I could drink those was because the major component of the flavour wasn't the alcohol part, it was quite easy to give up entirely.
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
It being considered polite to wait until everyone's got their food to start eating. So if you're the first person served, you'll just have to settle with your food getting colder for absolutely no benefit to the person served last.
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
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Originally Posted by
Grey_Wolf_c
Heck, from a strictly actuarial perspective, you are in an advanced stage of alcohol poisoning the moment you are too drunk to drive, which happens before the ataxia sets in.
From a strictly actuarial perspective this kicks in specifically because of people driving, and given the other related driving issues around distracted driving (texting, eating) and wide acceptance of speeding I'd chalk that up more to a culture thoroughly unwilling to really consider cars as the highly dangerous heavy machinery they actually are.
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
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Originally Posted by
NovenFromTheSun
It being considered polite to wait until everyone's got their food to start eating. So if you're the first person served, you'll just have to settle with your food getting colder for absolutely no benefit to the person served last.
At least were I grew up, if there are more than 7 people sitting at the table, you are not expected to wait, precisely to prevent the food from becoming cold.
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Originally Posted by
Knaight
From a strictly actuarial perspective this kicks in specifically because of people driving, and given the other related driving issues around distracted driving (texting, eating) and wide acceptance of speeding I'd chalk that up more to a culture thoroughly unwilling to really consider cars as the highly dangerous heavy machinery they actually are.
The lengths you will go to be defensive about not finding issues with drinking beyond the point of self control (or people minimizing its dangers, which you clearly are doing at this point) are concerning enough to me that I am ceasing this conversation immediately.
Grey Wolf
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
Re: alcohol.
If you get no high from drinking, it might be educational to read on the exact mechanism of what alcohol does. It may prove revealing about yourself or others.
To wit, ethanol itself is just pain killer. It doesn't cause euphory in itself. However, to counteract its effects, your body emits more neurotransmitters such as dopamine, adrenaline and testosterone. It is these substances which are more directly to blame for loosened inhibitions, increased risk taking and sense of pleasure.
It's also why alcohol withdrawal can be more immediately lethal than withdrawal for many less legal drugs. If your body is used to presence of alcohol, your body already is in sort of constant "overdrive" to function normally. So when there's no longer ethanol to counteract, you go into a neural shock, see pink elephants, spit blood, convulse and die.
Hangover is just lesser version of the same crap. That's why all the sounds are too loud and all the lights too bright when hung over.
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
I don't get why you write the recipient's name on the outside of a birthday card envelope. It's their birthday, everyone knows who it's for. You should put the name of whoever is giving the present on the outside.
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
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Originally Posted by
FlammySenpai
I don't get why you write the recipient's name on the outside of a birthday card envelope. It's their birthday, everyone knows who it's for. You should put the name of whoever is giving the present on the outside.
...If you happen to have multiples of that envelope lying around, it might be easier to grab the correct one. Not that I would be such a forgetful person like that!
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
Also note that things like twins, triplets etc. exist--how are you going to differentiate the cards for those if you don't write their names on the outside?
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
How come there is people that praise my country's government and it's allies around the globe for "standing up" against the dominant economic model when they themselves don't live in these countries and have all the things we, the common citizens who live in said countries, have no access to.
World of Warcraft gold is currently worth more than my country's currency. Imagine that.
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
Aaaaaand I'm noping out of this thread.
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
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Originally Posted by
Mikemical
How come there is people that still believe Communism/Socialism/Marxism can work when there's heaps of evidence and dozens of failed economies that prove otherwise. I live in a Socialist Banana Republic, and the only reason I can think of is that they're buying into the propaganda that remains from the Cold War-era.
World of Warcraft gold is currently worth more than my country's currency. Imagine that.
Pretty sure real-world politics is not allowed here. There's plenty of places to discuss it online.
Suffice it to say that most economic philosophies have some level of flaws, and we won't resolve those here.
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
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Originally Posted by
ve4grm
Pretty sure real-world politics is not allowed here. There's plenty of places to discuss it online.
Suffice it to say that most economic philosophies have some level of flaws, and we won't resolve those here.
Oh shoot. Think if I change the post to make it less explicit will help?
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
On naming the "To:" person on gifts. . .
Also some people with close birthdays will celebrate together. The "to: X" becomes useful.
Also in many gift giving situations multiple people are receiving gifts at once leading proper identifiers being necessary. This leads it to just be norm even when at events like b-days and weddings when it is not strictly necessary.
Also lots of people get a bit of a high on seeing their name on a gift. It reinforces the dopamine rush of "mine".
And finally. It is dang useful if you have multiple presents laying around prepping to off to various recipients. Makes sure you don't send an adult themed wedding shower gift to your nine year old niece's birthday (or other such embarrassments).
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
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Originally Posted by
sktarq
Also in many gift giving situations multiple people are receiving gifts at once leading proper identifiers being necessary. This leads it to just be norm even when at events like b-days and weddings when it is not strictly necessary.
Putting two names onto a gift can be symbolic of welcoming the newcomer to the family, or the beginning of them coming together to form their own household.
If you don't believe me, put one name on the next wedding gift you give and check out the results!
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
Professional sports team loyalty. It doesn't make any sense even when the team you're rooting for is your own 'home team' but it makes even less sense when you're a fan of some other place's team.
In the modern era, the players change all the time, they're rarely (if ever) from the place where they play, and even the coaches and managers move around quite a bit and playstyles change all the time.
So what are you loyal to? If you live, say, in Toronto, and you're a Montreal Canadiens fan, then what exactly are you a fan of? The stockholders? The picture on the uniform? Or do you just like fighting? There's no stable THING there that remains year after year.
It doesn't make any sense to me. It never has.
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
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Originally Posted by
truemane
Professional sports team loyalty. It doesn't make any sense even when the team you're rooting for is your own 'home team' but it makes even less sense when you're a fan of some other place's team.
In the modern era, the players change all the time, they're rarely (if ever) from the place where they play, and even the coaches and managers move around quite a bit and playstyles change all the time.
So what are you loyal to? If you live, say, in Toronto, and you're a Montreal Canadiens fan, then what exactly are you a fan of? The stockholders? The picture on the uniform? Or do you just like fighting? There's no stable THING there that remains year after year.
It doesn't make any sense to me. It never has.
Its tribalism, basically. Its a group that you can identify with and compete against other groups that you don't identify with. It doesn't matter if the actual team itself changes, its the group that's important.
My home town is a college football town (we become the biggest town in our state on football weekends, much to the chagrin of the locals who just want to go grocery shopping), and while I have no particular knowledge or interest in football, I still cant help but get a little excited when our local team does well.
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
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Originally Posted by
Keltest
Its tribalism, basically. Its a group that you can identify with and compete against other groups that you don't identify with. It doesn't matter if the actual team itself changes, its the group that's important.
My home town is a college football town (we become the biggest town in our state on football weekends, much to the chagrin of the locals who just want to go grocery shopping), and while I have no particular knowledge or interest in football, I still cant help but get a little excited when our local team does well.
I really, really love not living in Tuscaloosa or Auburn. Game days are the greatest days ever for shopping. Streets are clear, parking lots are empty, nobody is crowding me in the stores, it's glorious.
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
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Originally Posted by
Mikemical
Oh shoot. Think if I change the post to make it less explicit will help?
If you really want to try, I'd recommend starting a new thread, just so the big thread doesn't get locked if there's a problem. Or derailed, which it probably would.
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Keltest
Its tribalism, basically. Its a group that you can identify with and compete against other groups that you don't identify with. It doesn't matter if the actual team itself changes, its the group that's important.
My home town is a college football town (we become the biggest town in our state on football weekends, much to the chagrin of the locals who just want to go grocery shopping), and while I have no particular knowledge or interest in football, I still cant help but get a little excited when our local team does well.
Amusingly enough, it can also be the fans themselves. Some teams, and the associated cities, and their fans, have, justly or unjustly, certain associations. So one team might be the team of the "simple working man", so to say, and their fans might pride themselves on their rough but warm behaviour, their down-to-earth decorations, or whatever. That can be a powerful "spirit", so to say, and can be tapped into by trainers or club presidents, or at least represented by past individuals. Never mind, of course that each of the players probably makes more in one season than most of their fans will see in 10 years.
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
It is also an excuse to drink or party. Who cares if you can't name all of the people for that team, understand what the positions are, or even name the sport! Celebration time!
Also, butts. Probably doesn't apply to all fans, but it might apply to some.
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
Hooligans tend to see the team as important, and players as mercenaries. That's why players changing isn't an important factor.
However, I know Ukrainians who were for AC Milan because Sheva played there. So sometimes it's the opposite, people can follow a beloved player across teams.
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
Plus, I mean it's not like the entire team just ups and leaves every year to be replaced by a whole new crew of guys. Every years some players retire, sign on with other teams, or get cut, and then new guys are added through the draft or free agency. Eventually every player will be gone, but that's just part of the ever shifting world around that we all experience no matter where our interests lie. What's constant is the team, that despite being an ever shifting entity also remains as a constant.
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
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Originally Posted by
An Enemy Spy
Plus, I mean it's not like the entire team just ups and leaves every year to be replaced by a whole new crew of guys. Every years some players retire, sign on with other teams, or get cut, and then new guys are added through the draft or free agency. Eventually every player will be gone, but that's just part of the ever shifting world around that we all experience no matter where our interests lie. What's constant is the team, that despite being an ever shifting entity also remains as a constant.
In short, sports teams are an excellent example of Theseus's paradox.
GW
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
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Originally Posted by
Grey_Wolf_c
In short, sports teams are an excellent example of Theseus's paradox.
GW
Along with any long running organization staffed by human beings.
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Grey_Wolf_c
In short, sports teams are an excellent example of Theseus's paradox.
GW
Let us pretend for a moment that I am not a smart man. What is Theseus' Paradox? It's it the same thing as the Ship of Theseus?
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
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Originally Posted by
Peelee
Let us pretend for a moment that I am not a smart man. What is Theseus' Paradox? It's it the same thing as the Ship of Theseus?
Yes, it is.
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
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Originally Posted by
Peelee
Let us pretend for a moment that I am not a smart man. What is Theseus' Paradox? It's it the same thing as the Ship of Theseus?
Yes, it's just another name for it.
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post yours here.
.
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:yuk:
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Much like the person using "SJW" earlier, using the phrase "virtue signaling" says a lot more about you than it does about the person you're referring to.
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Something that I don't "get" is that some choose to mangle the meaning of words to tick people (well me) off.
I first encountered the previously unknown to me term "SJW" at this Forum about a year ago, and "Virtue signalling" quite recently (what can I say, I'm old and out-of-it), and after a quick web search I learned, to my bewilderment and annoyance, that it was a slur and that the letter "J" contained in it stood for "Justice".
Some months later I saw a delightful webcomic, that articulated my confusion and annoyance:
http://www.dorktower.com/files/2017/...kTower1394.jpg
Know that someone responding "Those terms are used ironically" does not lessen my annoyance.
What's next, "Orphan feeder" as a slur?
How about "Caretaker" and "Honorable" as slurs as well?
:confused: :annoyed:
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Re: Stuff I just don't understand, post here yours.
It's more along the lines of "Holier-than-thou" (isn't being holy a good thing?). Someone who makes a glorious crusade out of some percieved injustice that does not even directly affect them, usually when the people it actually affects don't care. The slur is the "warrior" part, not the "justice" part. I'll admit it's not the best word to describe it, but a true SJW is someone who goes on a multi-page rant on a forum about how someone is oppressing someone else by not using the right kind of language when no one else cares, least of all the person "Oppressed". Someone who makes a mountain out of a molehill while ignoring more urgent problems and who loves leaping to the defence of people who don't need it.
They aren't that rare on the internet. However, through general internet dickishness, it pretty much has come to mean "Anyone who cares about anything remotely social-related I don't care about".
*shrug*. It's the internet.