The Original
DarkWhiteWolf
AKA Mike In Boise

Mike S.'s posts with tag: reflection

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Blog EntryWOO HOO! I am not a meanie!!! Jun 15, '08 1:40 PM
for everyone

Whew I am not a cold-hearted mean, cruel, evil, amoral individual. Anyone who knows me knows I love seafood. Yummy! Being fathers day guess who gets to pick dinner. Woo hoo!

One draw back about seafood that haunted me in the back of my mind. To cook shellfish they take the crab or lobster, and throw it in a pot of boiling water alive. Some claim to hear it go EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Being the overtly macho guy I am, I think that is terrible I can’t do that to a living thing!  You can hit it between the eyes with an ice pick before boiling, but I doubt many go to the trouble.

Hurrrray for research, and the evidence. A meta-study of literature, EKG & brainwave studies show that they do not suffer. Crustaceans are relatively unchanged for over a billion years, they survive as is and had no reason to change. They are in no way direct ancestors.  More importantly they are nothing more than bugs we are not grossed out eating.

Their nervous system is primitive and it has a nerve bundle not a brain. It can do very very simple learning, but most of its reaction is instinct not thought. So when it thrashes for a few seconds it is reflex not suffering, the nerves and brain cannot register pain, just a rapid temperature change.  The screaming sound is steam going through the shell. Where a higher animal would be terrified, a lobster can’t be, it is not equipped to be.

Yes much of this research was to investigate PETA claims. PETA claims that dropping a pig or a dog into boiling water is the same as a lobster. No it is not, a dog or a pig will suffer and be terrified as they are highly evolved animals with excellent brains and nervous systems. So PETA’s full-page ad is essentially bunk. Say straw man!

I support not being cruel to animals, but when we can eat with no more guilt than squishing a spider, that is different.  A cabbage feels no more suffering being picked, than a lobster being cooked. Crabs are essentially spiders, actually less evolved than spiders. Spiders are much more intelligent tests have shown, some scientists wonder why they never became sentient, they are predatory and can grasp like our early ancestors did, and they do think strategically. (Cold bloodedness and un-evolved respiratory system is probably the answer to no higher evolution)

So pass the plate and some drink, I am not an evil bastard for enjoying my seafood.

 


Blog EntryNegotiationMay 13, '08 11:42 AM
for everyone

It is funny how things work very similarly in micro scale and macro scale. I was thinking how this works with appeasement, negotiation, and bullies.  I am saying that appeasement is not negotiation.  It is a horrible strategy actually.

On a micro scale remember the bully to took lunch money? Nearly every school had one. Each day certain kids would just pony up, and go hungry or hide other money.  Then in history when the viking would invade, often kings would pay tribute to not be invaded. I am sure the viking laughed as they hauled off the money.  All the vikings had to do is return anytime and collect more easy money.  They had no reason to do otherwise.

Another appeasement I see alot of, and really annoys me is bratty kids.  Bratty kids are bratty because they learned to get what they want by being brats. The brat in a checkout line crying and screaming to get a candy bar, on and on, and finally the parent just gives them one to shut them up.  No requirement of asking properly, no negotiation of how to earn a candy bar, here you go let me reward your bad behavior. It might just start with a candy bar, but where does it end?  Criminal appeasement? Let's not go there, ski mask or suit, both types of criminals think they are entitled to appeasement.  Then laugh when the "criminal sentence" is a joke.

Romantic relationship bullies look for women (or persons) with low esteem that can be isolated. Nothing a little baby boy mind fears more than to think of relating to a woman as an equal. That is hell on earth to the relationship bully.  If the woman is confident, and has people she can depend on, a stalker will choose an easier target.  When a woman (and some men) think they cannot live with the other, their life becomes a huge appeasement fest. Academically called an enabler.

The only time I would think appeasement is prudent is say a mugger jumps out and points a weapon, and demands your wallet. Especially if I am with family, the money is not worth it. But once the mugger clears out, I am going to the police, I am writing to the paper, I am giving each and every detail I remember.  Might even consider returning to that spot if the criminal works that area, only this time the odds are even. Bullies hate an even match. Or if the vikings or barbarians are going to attack, pay tribute to buy time for form alliances and raise an army.

Appeasement only rewards bad behavior.  I am all for creating a culture of law and order. I appreciate that some folks are disadvantaged, were abused, and even worse. That is a separate issue. If Tommy is walking down the street and a bully knocks his ice cream cone to the ground. Don't demand Tommy "just understand" and do nothing, because the bully is "just that way." Nor should Tommy suddenly go knocking others kids ice cream cones to the ground.  Don't punish Tommy for trying to trip the bully as he runs away after spilling the ice cream. Reward the bully with consequences appropriate to his actions.  Work to pay back the ice cream, a visit to parents (provided they care), a talk with the sheriff, something to guide the bully to better choices. Anything but "put up with it."

Bullies come in all shapes and sizes. Bratty kids, immature romantic partners, terrorists, barbarians, corporate suits, elected suits, even other nations. Obviously these bullies will do some damage and cause inconvenience in the short term, but in the long run we are all safer because they will not be appeased, and will be denied their unlawful demands. 

 


Blog EntrySome peace and quiet. May 4, '08 11:03 AM
for everyone

I am the early to bed and early to rise person at my house. One thing I do enjoy, the quiet, noone else cluttering my mind with their thoughts and question.. :)  My own time belongs to me, and is not all about somebody else, as most of one's day is.  I love (most) people, but I recharge when alone.  Some mood music and cool wolf pictures.


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