Old soul forum

[Lanolin]

Now AI can do your essays for you and bullet point everything. Or was it chatGPT. Everyone was talking about it at one point.

But you can totally tell when someone's copy-pasted a ream of AI. Plagiarism at it's finest.

 

[JohnDB]

My ideas rarely gather much interest. I mean, who wants to think of themselves as old?
People are always saying things like, "age is only a number," or they'll say, "You don't look at day past bleh bleh." Even my granddaughter has assured me that I'm only just a little old. Why did she, among they youngest of age, think that I might even need such consolation?
Then again, who has ever said, "I'm old!" as any sort of announcement of such as "I have arrived!" So, I want to start a trend to bring back the dignity that the world has managed to successfully strip the aged of in exchange for butt lifts.

It is so very very annoying to discover you have inadvertently attained a goal you never meant to achieve.

I have lived an itinerant life....not quite gypsy but close.
Very much intentionally did not consider myself to be a part of the community....just passing through.
Then, one day, much to my chagrin, I discovered I had become a pillar of the community.....one of the people who epitomize what it meant to be from that community.....but then not only that....a freaking leader of that community.

So....to escape such notions.

We moved the very next year.....
To a small town.
Where it happened even faster.

Uggghhhhhh!

Last night we were at a party with pillar of the community members and they were talking about upcoming elections and how they want my wife to run for school board office. My wife, nor I were amused. Yes, my wife knows the "W's" of the job....and this county is one of a few that does not have vouchers....because they are successful in teaching children. (Which relates to property values and a host of other things) Some of the current board wishes to retire from these positions....where they have done a good job. And the city is very concerned about finding replacements. They do NOT want the schools to go bad.

 

[seoulsearch]

As @seoulsearch would say, "Le sigh." If it weren't for the requirement of completing a course in public speaking, I'd have graduated summa cum laude.
I aced the term papers though and no longer have to feel so alone in thinking that I was the only one that had to deconstruct the body of my essay in order to come up with an outline.

Upon discovering that there are others like me who had to write their class-mandated outlines AFTER they wrote their papers...

I'm thinking we need to start a support/awareness group:

"The Obstinate Outline Outliers"

This might even warrant its own thread... (thinking mode, ACTIVATED!)

I'll need some time to mentally chew on this... and I'll probably put it in the Family Forum, because now I'm curious what people who did "the opposite of what they were told to do" are now teaching their children and grandchildren.

When we were young, it was CRIMINAL to do things a different way.

But I wonder how it is for kids in school now?

 

[Lanolin]

So you first did the colouring, then did the lines on top?

 

[Mem]

It is so very very annoying to discover you have inadvertently attained a goal you never meant to achieve.

I have lived an itinerant life....not quite gypsy but close.
Very much intentionally did not consider myself to be a part of the community....just passing through.
Then, one day, much to my chagrin, I discovered I had become a pillar of the community.....one of the people who epitomize what it meant to be from that community.....but then not only that....a freaking leader of that community.

So....to escape such notions.

We moved the very next year.....
To a small town.
Where it happened even faster.

Uggghhhhhh!

Last night we were at a party with pillar of the community members and they were talking about upcoming elections and how they want my wife to run for school board office. My wife, nor I were amused. Yes, my wife knows the "W's" of the job....and this county is one of a few that does not have vouchers....because they are successful in teaching children. (Which relates to property values and a host of other things) Some of the current board wishes to retire from these positions....where they have done a good job. And the city is very concerned about finding replacements. They do NOT want the schools to go bad.

Nobody wants the fill the spots with hollow pillars who are just there for the prestige, except the hollow pillars, of course. Just saying.

 

[Mem]

Upon discovering that there are others like me who had to write their class-mandated outlines AFTER they wrote their papers...

I'm thinking we need to start a support/awareness group:

"The Obstinate Outline Outliers"

This might even warrant its own thread... (thinking mode, ACTIVATED!)

I'll need some time to mentally chew on this... and I'll probably put it in the Family Forum, because now I'm curious what people who did "the opposite of what they were told to do" are now teaching their children and grandchildren.

When we were young, it was CRIMINAL to do things a different way.

But I wonder how it is for kids in school now?

Did you really 'just winging it" though? Or were you just following an actual, though vague and undetected, outline but running with it so fast that it looked like a blur to you? and it was only when you finally slowed down and looked over your thoughts, that you could then see it more clearly?
As you can see, I've yet to get a good enough grip on how to control run-on sentences that don't just jump the fence, but they break out of the gate at full gallop and keep on running and kicking and raring their heads.

 

[Mem]

So you first did the colouring, then did the lines on top?

Hmm, now that I think about it. I would start off with a trace and then go back to point one and rinse and repeat, taking it in sections. Is that weird? Idk, it might've been an early hint toward my propensity for shading. And, in my profile avatar, pictured here, I 'erased' her smile. But, yea, that does sound somewhat 'unconventional.'

 

[seoulsearch]

Did you really 'just winging it" though? Or were you just following an actual, though vague and undetected, outline but running with it so fast that it looked like a blur to you? and it was only when you finally slowed down and looked over your thoughts, that you could then see it more clearly?
As you can see, I've yet to get a good enough grip on how to control run-on sentences that don't just jump the fence, but they break out of the gate at full gallop and keep on running and kicking and raring their heads.

Maybe it depends on how one defines an "outline." When I was in school, I saw an outline as a rigid framework that, once put onto paper, dictated how and what you had to write -- and I couldn't stick to that.

I've gotten to the point where I'm so used to writing out thoughts, when I ponder certain subjects for threads, my thoughts play out like typewritten sentences. When other people say they "don't know how to put something into words," I'm pretty much the opposite -- I actually think in "written words" (I can envision the type across the page,) and, if I'm in person with someone, sometimes I have to think of how to "translate" those thoughts into conversational communication (like translating a book into a movie.)

I've always been someone who sat down with a completely blank screen or piece of paper (lol, I'm old enough to where, in grade school, we turned in hand-written papers, before computers.) I don't write rough drafts. I can only think of one time when I completely started over on a school paper. Otherwise, I just type and go, then edit the final product.

The author Dean Koontz has said that when he develops characters for his books, they "come to life" AS he writes them, and the more he "gets to know them," the characters "starts to speak to him," "telling him" where who they are and what they're going to do.

I'm very much the same way. Whether a formal paper or thread here on the forum, I have a general "idea" of "how" it has to go -- present the subject, justify why it should even be talked about, give a brief history of said topic if necessary, share a personal story if applicable, summarize and (for threads,) ask discussion questions. So over time, I've developed a basic framework -- but to me, it was always just logic following the formula of who, when, why, where, and what.

If that qualifies as an outline, then yes, I suppose I do use one. But to me, the difference is that I can never describe each of those parts of the "outline" before I actually write the piece. I might want to write some background info and have 5 facts to share, but don't know which ones until the words on the page start to "speak" to me. I might start writing and omit the background info and other parts altogether, because it doesn't fit with the "feel" of how things are going. The words start to "come alive" and dictate to me what should and should not be included, and the order in which it should go.

If I wrote an outline first, it would be useless, because it would look nothing like the finished product whether in order or in content.

Writing to me is like a maze -- you start off in one direction, run into a wall, then back up and have to start trying other directions.

Some musicians "play by ear" -- I write by "inner voice", going by what "sounds like" the "right" flow to me.

Is this that what it's like for you, too?

Now that the topic has been started, I am VERY interested in how writing develops, start to finish, for others.

 

[Mem]

I want to share an antedote that left me wondering what my granddaughter, the one offered argument for my 'just a little bit old'ness, thought of me. I sat with her the other day when it was overcast with the residual effects of the smoke streams, so we were stuck inside. She's one that, if she notices that she is sitting still then she has to do something about that, so she told me that she wanted to go outside but I told her 'No." This started the waambumlance sirens going as she asked, "Wwwwwhhyyyy?" And I said, "Because it's raining (although it was not)." But this only compelled her to run to the window and look out and let me know, "Noo, it's notttt!" And I stepped into my best impression of Mother Nature getting angry and calling down rain and, as if it had been waiting on my cue, rain started pouring down buckets! The look on her face was priceless.... and I've been put in a great place to threaten her with fire next time.

 

[seoulsearch]

I want to share an antedote that left me wondering what my granddaughter, the one offered argument for my 'just a little bit old'ness, thought of me. I sat with her the other day when it was overcast with the residual effects of the smoke streams, so we were stuck inside. She's one that, if she notices that she is sitting still then she has to do something about that, so she told me that she wanted to go outside but I told her 'No." This started the waambumlance sirens going as she asked, "Wwwwwhhyyyy?" And I said, "Because it's raining (although it was not)." But this only compelled her to run to the window and look out and let me know, "Noo, it's notttt!" And I stepped into my best impression of Mother Nature getting angry and calling down rain and, as if it had been waiting on my cue, rain started pouring down buckets! The look on her face was priceless.... and I've been put in a great place to threaten her with fire next time.

Next time you can tell her that you "might just be a little bit old," but -- you're old enough to control the weather!!

 

[Mem]

Next time you can tell her that you "might just be a little bit old," but -- you're old enough to control the weather!!

I'm going have to devise a list of excuses as, surely, she's going to test my skills. How am I ever going to follow that?!

 

[seoulsearch]

I'm going have to devise a list of excuses as, surely, she's going to test my skills. How am I ever going to follow that?!

That's the great thing about being "old" -- we have a myriad of excuses -- for everything!!!

"I needed 5 naps this week, and only got 2."

"My dentures aren't aligned."

"My bunions are acting up."

You could even incorporate other sneaky "excuses" in for a wholesome double whammy:

"It only works when you have to eat all your vegetables and clean your room!'

If she actually does all of this and is expectantly tapping her toes...

That's when you just start to rinse, repeat, and recycle all the other excuses!

Let us know how it goes, and good luck!!

 

[Mem]

The words start to "come alive" and dictate to me what should and should not be included, and the order in which it should go.

I've currently been contemplating on something to this (drawing blank on the word), the reality that 'the word is living,' and indeed, even our thoughts are (blank again until the word that's supposed to be there decides to get back with the group), well, God considers them reality anyway. For example, I'm paraphrasing, "if you so much as think of it, then you've done it." So, technically, no, Oz isn't just a dream! And all the more reason that I love a really 'good' movie!

 

[JohnDB]

Nobody wants the fill the spots with hollow pillars who are just there for the prestige, except the hollow pillars, of course. Just saying.

The tough part....
Nobody doubts my wife as far as being able to know the job....nor does she. She knows and has performed successful teaching and strategies in every environment possible....to the point she can make others look ridiculous in their efforts. (The kids learn)

That's not the issue.

The issues surrounding are whether she can inspire a few stubborn teachers to do as instructed....despite parents protests.
Then there's the discussion we had about skilled trades.

Lots of the requisite knowledge (reading, writing, mathematics, and chemistry) all play heavily into skills needed later BY EVERYONE IN EVERY CAREER.

All the time when I was school not one teacher could ever explain why I needed to know the subjects they taught except that I needed the credit to graduate high school.

Not a single one.
Ever....

Shop teachers could teach rudimentary skills needed....but that was it.

However....when someone goes to become a professional plumber, electrican, HVAC, Roofer, diesel mechanic, or whatever....every last one of those lessons in High School that at least one person will say "I will never need to use this in the real world in my career ever"

And it will absolutely not be true.

If she can fix that.....that will be good.

Even successful OnlFans starlets can do mathematics and marketing strategies....there's lots of unsuccessful starlets out there too who cannot do math or marketing strategies or read.

 

[Mem]

The tough part....
Nobody doubts my wife as far as being able to know the job....nor does she. She knows and has performed successful teaching and strategies in every environment possible....to the point she can make others look ridiculous in their efforts. (The kids learn)

That's not the issue.

The issues surrounding are whether she can inspire a few stubborn teachers to do as instructed....despite parents protests.
Then there's the discussion we had about skilled trades.

Lots of the requisite knowledge (reading, writing, mathematics, and chemistry) all play heavily into skills needed later BY EVERYONE IN EVERY CAREER.

All the time when I was school not one teacher could ever explain why I needed to know the subjects they taught except that I needed the credit to graduate high school.

Not a single one.
Ever....

Shop teachers could teach rudimentary skills needed....but that was it.

However....when someone goes to become a professional plumber, electrican, HVAC, Roofer, diesel mechanic, or whatever....every last one of those lessons in High School that at least one person will say "I will never need to use this in the real world in my career ever"

And it will absolutely not be true.

If she can fix that.....that will be good.

Even successful OnlFans starlets can do mathematics and marketing strategies....there's lots of unsuccessful starlets out there too who cannot do math or marketing strategies or read.

My high school guidance counselor suggested I take up accounting, but he stopped short of 'selling me the idea.' If he'd have been successful at glamourizing it, like let me know that an entry level accountant's wage average $50K, well I might've been bringing in a comfortable upside of $100K by now.

 

[Lanolin]

For the outlines are you all talking about the initial opening post?
Because some are mine are just one or two sentences.

I think of a title, maybe ask a question, or several, then invite people to discuss. I may or may not give an example it depends. Sometimes I wait for people to respond first and take it from there.

Sometimes I quote scripture, word for word, otherwise I'll just paraphrase it. But I do try to give the references so people can look up themselves. I aint' typing out or posting an entire chapter of the Bible!

Plus I will only give one or two scripture references at a time, not half a dozen all at once. That's just too much looking up for people. We wanna read straight through not read and flip/skip back and forth all the time.

I don't assume anything. I don't assume people will necessarily respond, understand what I'm asking, discussing, or agree with me. They could be anywhere on the planet, but I'm tired of having to say 'my country' all the time. I've got my avatar - it tells you where I'm coming from!

 

[Mem]

For the outlines are you all talking about the initial opening post?
Because some are mine are just one or two sentences.

That's the 'introduction' in an outline

I think of a title, maybe ask a question, or several, then invite people to discuss. I may or may not give an example it depends. Sometimes I wait for people to respond first and take it from there.

This offers an atmosphere of "live" chat.

Sometimes I quote scripture, word for word, otherwise I'll just paraphrase it. But I do try to give the references so people can look up themselves. I aint' typing out or posting an entire chapter of the Bible!

I do like the recently develop 'auto-linking' whenever a verse is mentioned, so that it doesn't need to be written out. i.e. Ps 27:1.
I do try to limit the reference, for example I do not cite entire paragraphs of scripture, so that no one has to navigate away from the page to see what the rest of it says, and in those cases that I do cite more extensive texts, I offer summary of it with the citation.

Plus I will only give one or two scripture references at a time, not half a dozen all at once. That's just too much looking up for people. We wanna read straight through not read and flip/skip back and forth all the time.

And you demonstrate similar concern, which should now be obvious, that I appreciate.

I don't assume anything. I don't assume people will necessarily respond, understand what I'm asking, discussing, or agree with me. They could be anywhere on the planet, but I'm tired of having to say 'my country' all the time. I've got my avatar - it tells you where I'm coming from!

I'm pretty sure that I've transitioned into a supernova empath and my origin story as a Heyoka is too complicated to even try to pinpoint. It would be characterized as entering into "dark mode" so, characteristically speaking, it's obscure anyway.

 

[Lanolin]

I'm already an alien. According to all the people that live in the US, anyone outside US soil is one!

 

[Mem]

I'm already an alien. According to all the people that live in the US, anyone outside US soil is one!

What do kiwis call them?

 

[Lanolin]

What do kiwis call them?

Call what?