Another day.

[silveradept]

Public Service announcement, notice of trademark, copyright, whatever: I am the only person allowed in any circumstances to worry, wonder, be emo, angst, or otherwise think that the image presented in the journal is different than the person. If you want that ability, you can license it from me, but I'll bet you can't afford it. I am also the only person allowed to worry, wonder, be emo, angst, or otherwise be concerned about my social, academic, or other life. Licensing fees for those abilities are also available. The rest of you, by reading this notice, are prohibited from infringing upon my rights without a license, and have agreed to the terms of this statement, whether you like it or not. Period.

With that out of the way, Much work accomplished, although some results were not as encouraging as they could be. Got back an assignment that was three of five. However, there had been a deduction for what looked like incorrect style. Enough of us raised objections about it that a point came back. Not making that mistake again, have now switched styles for that grader. Still, getting things like three of five from the first graded assignment is not always a good thing. If that trend continues, I'd better hope that my other grades are so pristine they shine to make up for it, or I'm going to be in academic danger before I even get out of semester one. I sincerely hope this trend does not continue. And that all of my other courses simply rock out and give me excellent grades. (Maintaining a B average is the necessity. With some of my courses being graded on a curve, that is difficult to do. Will rave about "grade inflation" v. enforced curves later.)

Fighting dolphins on the loose! It's not quite Sharks With Frickin' Laser Beams Attached... but it'll do. It's also not Satellites monitoring panda nookie. Also, A rose by any other name might not smell like a rose. Some things, when marked as such, might smell like other things.

License plate jokes, through girtygrin. Some of them you might have to be a resident to fully comprehend, but they're pretty well spread out. If you're not quite sure about all this, read some Waz and come back to it.

Colouration memage, and such.

Silver_Adept's Existing Situation: Needs warm companionship, but is intolerant of anything short of special consideration from those close to him. If this is not forthcoming, is liable to shut himself away from them. So I'm a spoiled brat who wants everyone to notice me. We're off to a wonderful start already *narrows eyes*

Silver_Adept's Stress Sources: Unfulfilled expectations have led to uncertainly and an apprehensive watchfulness. Badly needs to feel secure and protected against further disappointment, being passed over, or losing standing and prestige. Doubtful that things will be any better in the future, but inclined nevertheless to make exaggerated demands or reject compromise. I didn't get what I wanted, and now I'm trying to hedge myself in a way that I won't be disappointed ever again. Sorry to break it to you, self, but that's impossible, and we both know it.

Silver_Adept's Restrained Characteristics: Becomes distressed when his needs or desires are misunderstood and feels that he has no one to turn to or rely on. Egocentric and therefore quick to take offense. Able to achieve satisfaction through sexual activity.So I'm anti-social, but I get emo when people actually leave me alone. This is a contradiction that's very disturbing. Sounds like I'm being painted as an attention-whore. And perhaps, some other type of it, too.

Silver_Adept's Desired Objective: Seeks the determination and elasticity of will necessary to establish himself and to make himself independent despite the difficulties of his situation. Wants to overcome opposition and achieve recognition. Getting out from under the shadow - that's cool. But it sounds like I'm the one putting obstacles in my way as I try. Something about being one's own worst enemy comes to mind.

Silver_Adept's Actual Problem: Disappointment and the fear that there is no point in formulating fresh goals have led to anxiety. Desires recognition and position, but is worried about his prospects. Reacts to this by protecting at any criticism and resisting any attempt to influence him. Tries to assert himself by meticulous control of detail in an effort to strengthen his position. #2: Afraid that he may be prevented from achieving the things he wants and therefore demands that others should recognize his right to them.Fair enough. I do want to plot things out to the details, and in some things, that's just not going to work. Have to get to the point where I can say, "Meh, let it ride."

Huh. Well, that's certainly a rosy picture being painted of me. Now is the time I laugh it off by saying "'tis just a meme, right? I'm not really like this, right?... Right?!" Just because I happen to like dark colours and blues and blacks doesn't mean I'm someone who's screaming for attention. Then again, I do have a Livejournal... and I do write in it regularly... and I do complain about a lot of things... frack. I'm digging a hole here. And before you all jump in at me, I know that there's some redeeming qualities to me.

So that's that. Next, rant #2: "Grade Inflation" and the Curve. Some, maybe all, of my courses are graded on the curve, where the average score equates to a B grade. There are only so many A grades that can be given out of X course. I find that to be very disturbing. If we are, indeed, a bunch of Bright Young Scholars, as they tell us we are, since we're at university, then there should be no worries - if we all do A work, we all get As that we deserve. Utilizing the curve means it is theoretically possible for a score of 95 out of 100 points to be a B, a C, or a D, although that last one would be a little weird. But is still theoretically possible. Understand why I might not like the curve? If I busted my nuts doing these assignments that turn out to have only been worth a B or C grade, that's unacceptable to me. I care not that all I have to maintain is a B average - if I did A-class work, goddammitall, I expect to obtain an A for it.

Thus, I hate the curve, although in my earlier years, I might have been a curve-wrecker.

Last thoughts for the night - Is religion harming our morality? There are probably more than a few people who would say "Absolutely" to that question. And more than a few that would wonder why I separated the terms. rain_luong brought it to my eyes by posting it himself, and he's likely to have a vibrant discussion in his comments.

Comments

[idan-cohen.livejournal.com]

Excuse me if I eye that article a bit askance. Perhaps i've not been following, but I find it hard to believe that a bloody majority of Americans disbelieive in evolution.

Of course, I could be wrong. Hooray for optimism?

[silveradept]

Honestly? Depends on where you survey. In some places, everyone is a creationist, in other places, perhaps only 1 or two percent of them are.

Also depends on whether you count the people who think that evolution doesn't discount the idea of a principle guiding the universe that may have created it. Numbers can be massaged, as always. I'd rather work with the concepts.

[wanderingbhikkh.livejournal.com]

I'm skeptical of that last article. Think there might be other factors involved, guys?

And...well, anthropological theory dictates that if it's stuck around so long there's got to be a reason why.

[silveradept]

That same question appeared in Rain's journal. A few said that the study wasn't claiming causation, just suggesting a possible correlation. There's plenty of alternate possibilities as to why things are the way they are here.

Anthro theory says that it sticks around for a reason. But some of us wonder what that reason is, and whether it's on life support through institutions it created.

[girtygrin.livejournal.com]

You missed one important fact about the licence plates, and what actually makes it funny; all of them slip past the restrictions on what a plate can be.