(no subject)

[shadowkat]

1. Meme that worked on FB but I don't think works here.

Come up with a movie that starts with the letter L. And I'll give you a letter to repost said meme on your journal.

Curious to see if anyone responds or can come up with movies. L's not easy.

2. For Fans of Gary Larson's The Far Side (you know who you are), he's come up with three new cartoons.. I actually chuckled looking at them. HERE.

He says not to judge - he's experimenting.

3. New York Times Briefing this morning - with it's daily summary/round up of links from other publications stated the following interesting tid bit:

"At the center of his re-election message. He did so in two aggressive speeches over the weekend and defended the Confederate flag yesterday. “Almost every day in the last two weeks, Mr. Trump has sought to stoke white fear and resentment,” Maggie Haberman writes. (She’s also on today’s episode of The Daily.)

And yet this time seems different: The strategy isn’t working. Trump’s poll numbers are slumping, and some of his 2016 supporters cite racial issues as a reason they plan to vote for Joe Biden.

Why is the Southern strategy suddenly flailing? I count four main reasons:"



* The country is changing. It becomes more racially diverse each year. And most Americans under age 35 are quite liberal. The horror of the George Floyd video and the ensuing protest movement have also changed the minds of many Americans.

* People are afraid. Historically, many white Americans didn’t see how racism hurt them, Belcher said. But he now hears white voters in focus groups say they’re worried that the country is coming apart. “They talk about, if we continue on this trajectory, it’s going to be dismal for our kids,” he said.

*Trump has gone too far. Most white Americans remain moderate to conservative on immigration, affirmative action and more. But many also believe police departments are biased, and many don’t like symbols of slavery. Reagan offered an optimistic, patriotic message that let many voters downplay or overlook his racial appeals. Trump is practically forcing voters to take sides on racism, Terrance Woodbury, another Democratic strategist, told CNN’s Ron Brownstein.

*Voters are simply too unhappy with Trump’s handling of the coronavirus. “As long as that’s true,” The Times’s Nate Cohn told me, “I don’t see how he has the freedom to employ wedge issues.” Of course, the usual caveat applies: The campaign still has four months left.

For more: FiveThirtyEight’s Clare Malone has written a brief history of how the Republican Party “spent decades making itself white.” And The Times’s Emily Cochrane reports from Maine on Senator Susan Collins’s effort to win re-election despite Trump’s unpopularity there.

With any luck he'll take the Racist Republican Party down with him.

4. NASA Releases Decade Long Lapse of the Sun.

5. The NY Times keeps trying to scare me regarding the Virus. Honestly I'm finding their coverage confusing. Also, I don't need people to scare me regarding the virus - already scared, but mostly by how others are handling it. Super did put up the entire NY Forward Plan requirements in the lobby - posted. Also guidelines. I figure I'm safe in my apartment without additional air filters. Also safe doing laundry. No one congregates there.
And I've done laundry off and on for the past four months.

Comments

[rose_griffes]

Trump has a harder time leveraging some of his usual racist & misogynistic tactics against another white dude.

[atpo_onm]

I found out a few months ago (via a link from one of the online comics websites) that Larson was planning on getting back into it again. He had set up the website you linked to, but 'twas mostly "it's in the works, folks" material there, along with some info on where/what he had been up to since discontinuing the original toons.

Have to bookmark it, natch! He's one of the medium's truly unique artists.

( And now for something completely different...)

Interestingly enough, an episode of Bull earlier this year was illustrative of one of the things that has always puzzled me about Trump's handling of people.

In the ep, Dr. Bull and his team are called to defend a young woman accused of murdering her brother within possibly hours after being overheard having a loud, unpleasant argument with him at a party. She woke up the morning after, seemingly hungover or otherwise dazed, and found his body on the floor. Without going into details, evidence found at the scene pointed to her very strongly as the killer.

What was unusual about this case is that the woman had previously been diagnosed by mental health professionals as a sociopath-- she lacks the empathy gene, does not feel emotions in the way almost all other humans do. She is aware of her condition, and does not dispute it, has adapted over time to accept the limitations it places on her day-to-day life.

The trial team is reluctant to put her on the stand, because her only real defense is her statement that she blacked out and truly does not remember whether she killed her brother or not. Also-- her lack of emotion is not likely to engage a jury in any positive way.

Anyway, things do not go well, and she finally is put on the stand to testify. During her testimony, when asked by her defense lawyer if she cared for her brother, she begins to speak, becoming gradually more and more apparently bereft over several minutes, eventually almost crying. The jury finally starts to feel a human connection with her, and then--

-- she switches it off. Click-- and she's totally calm and unemotional. (Actors do this all the time in many roles-- that's what this was like). The jury is stunned at how they've just been hoodwinked so readily.

The woman explains that she knows that she isn't like them, but she's also learned the hard way that if she can't mimic normal human emotions when dealing with other people, her life becomes far more difficult. It's essentially just a practical way to deal with her nature. She does care for her brother, just not in a way that she can easily explain to them.

So now to Trump, who certainly fits the definition of a sociopath. I've often thought he's not so much of a racist as he is simply only cares whether or not people benefit him personally or not. If they do, great. If they don't, who needs them? Very binary. More white people than people of color support him, so it's less racism than "what's in it for me"?

What I find so puzzling is, why he hasn't developed the techniques used by the woman in the Bull story to a similar extent? If he did, he could pass off his BS far more effectively, which would benefit him. Stable genius? Not so much, methinks. Over the past few months, he's seems to be failing ever more severely in this regard, he's no longer ever convincingly deceptive, if you get my drift.

[shadowkat]

Regarding Trump? Actually, he did develop those techniques - and is very charming. I watched him on The Apprentice, then I met people who worked with him and my Aunt met him in person. Her description sent chills down my spine - she described him as having what amounts to bug eyes. There was nothing there. But boy could he turn on the charm, and make people feel important.

Note - with the woman in Bull, which ...a couple of things? You are getting a television writer's take on sociopaths. And television writers aren't necessarily a good source - they tend to have a superficial view of it. (See Dexter). Particularly since I remain unconvinced that Dr. Phil, whom Bull is actually based on is NOT in fact a sociopath or close second, narcissist, himself. I blame Oprah - who got charmed by Dr. Phil - she's easily charmed by narcissist's and sociopaths, I've discovered. Dr. Phil is another Trump, and really frightening. Don't believe me? Pull up the video of what he does to the actor Nick Brendon, who he piled with alcohol back stage,prior to the interview, knowing the actor was an alcoholic. And I don't think the television writers have figured that out yet or possibly don't care. And is also played by a narcissist. (Don't believe me? Read Eliza Dushku's take on her time on that series and why she left.) So, I don't think you can realistically compare the woman on Bull to Trump.

But..for the sake of argument, let's say that woman is real - the differences between her situation and Trump's are huge. For one thing she's only on trial for murder, with a lot of handler's behind her. Trump is President of the US. The woman convinced the jury of 12 (jury's aren't know for their critical thinking skills and often easily swayed) then switched it off and let them see her -- Trump convinced Americans to vote for him, watch his television series, and adore him, for years. He has people who attend his rallies. I interviewed for a job back in the early 00s, it was with Planned Parenthood, in the Human Resources/Legal Department, the Director that I interviewed with "loved" Trump - she considered him her baby. She was a black woman, in her mid-thirties. He had her completely bamboozled. My Aunt described watching him turn on the charm and off...and how he charmed folks.

I'd say Trump developed those techniques.

[mefisto]

Last Tango in Paris.

[shadowkat]

Good one. You get the letter M if you wish to repost and play on social media, but since you never post despite urging from various people...no pressure.

[shadowkat]

Very true. Biden isn't just another white dude, he's another "old" white dude.

Poses a lot of problems - there's a reason Trump tried to dig up dirt on Biden and almost got fully impeached over it. He saw Biden as problematic in regards to the people whose vote he acquired in the last election. (There's a lot of closet racists and misogynists in our country that have no clue they are racist and misogynistic. Also a lot of crazy pro-life idiots, mainly Catholic, who voted solely on the abortion issue. ) So, he tried to dig up dirt, only to expose his own actions to the extent that he got impeached for them.

Also with Biden - he can't play the anti-abortion card as effectively as he could with Hillary, since Biden is kind of ambivalent on the issue.

[mefisto]

:D

[cjlasky7]

I could have cheated and looked up "L" movies on the internet, but the first two that came to mind were "Ladyhawke" and "Let the Right One In."

[shadowkat]

You only get one. LOL! Although both are new ones and no one on FB came up with them.

If you wish to play? Your letter is J.

[tellshannon815]

The first one that came to mind was one that may not be allowed because it was Lord of the Rings (I know a lot of people refer to it as that but I can remember one of my ex's friends making a big point of correcting her friend = "I think you'll find it's THE Lord of the Rings!" and everyone else wondering why she made a big deal of it). Does it count?

[shadowkat]

I don't know - it's the name of a trilogy, and each individual film was released separately. So most likely not. Since we have the Fellowship of the Ring, the Two Towers, and the Return of the King. On the other hand Star Wars and Star Trek are serials or trilogies. Eh...I guess so.

I'll give you a letter...your letter is "T".

[atpo_onm]

Dr. Phil is another Trump, and really frightening.

I've only seen the man very briefly and occasionally over a number of years, but I don't doubt you at all. Even after a mere ten or so minutes watching him, listening to him, I get the exact same creepy vibe I get from Trump.

I agree that the woman on the Bull episode is not an exact analog for Trump, or even in the ballpark-- for one thing, she was depicted as reasonably sane overall, certainly not a likely murderer, just mentally ill. An interpretation of a TV writer? No doubt. However, it did make me think about the idea that one could be bereft of the empathy gene, or essentially have no conventional human emotions, and still manage to function in society without harming that society.

the Director that I interviewed with "loved" Trump - she considered him her baby. She was a black woman, in her mid-thirties. He had her completely bamboozled. My Aunt described watching him turn on the charm and off...and how he charmed folks.

You're certainly not the only person who's noted this. I'm guessing that many people just have very weak BS detectors? I've had any number of people over the decades of my working life try to charm me (most often salespeople, sometimes customers, sometimes just various acquaintances) and I always get this negative vibe off of them, at least to the extent that I'd proceed carefully if I was obligated to deal with them.

I'll close with another interesting thought I had never considered before re: The Donald. A pundit posting in the local paper last week stated that he suspects the Trump of very recent times as becoming afflicted with "imposter syndrome"-- the realization that he is in way, way, way over his head, and that he's secretly hoping to lose the next election to free himself of it, while continuing the bluster and defiance to cover himself when he does.

Not sure I agree, but... any thoughts?

[shadowkat]

I'm guessing that many people just have very weak BS detectors? I've had any number of people over the decades of my working life try to charm me (most often salespeople, sometimes customers, sometimes just various acquaintances) and I always get this negative vibe off of them, at least to the extent that I'd proceed carefully if I was obligated to deal with them.

Not everyone is an "energy empath" or someone who feels the energy from another. (Oprah clearly doesn't - she has no radar at all - she furthered not one but two narcissist/sociopath careers - Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz). Many loners are empaths - it's why we are loners actually. Kind of goes hand in hand. We pick up easily on the energy, body language, etc from others. Often places as well. I've been in places that I want to leave immediately, while a realtor or those around me will think "what's the problem? this place is fine" and I'm like - no it's not. And make an excuse to get out. Same with people - I pick up on it most of the time. Sometimes, I don't. But most of the time I do.

You can feel empathy but not be an empath. So they aren't the same thing.

Anyhow, you may be confusing narcissist with sociopath. A sociopath is a bit of a sadist, they are...hmmm, they are incapable of feeling emotion. Like the woman in the murder trial - they can mimic it but don't feel it. A narcissist does feel things, but is incapable of feeling empathy for others, the narcissist has a huge ego, actually they may be nothing but ego. There's nothing else.

A pundit posting in the local paper last week stated that he suspects the Trump of very recent times as becoming afflicted with "imposter syndrome"-- the realization that he is in way, way, way over his head, and that he's secretly hoping to lose the next election to free himself of it, while continuing the bluster and defiance to cover himself when he does.

They said the same thing about the last election. Except what they don't seem to understand is that Trump is a narcissist (and I think a sociopath). He needs the rallies, the power, the attention, and he gets all that as President of the Us. He sees the Presidency as the best reality television series ever. He does not care about any of the things that the political pundits think he cares about.

[shadowkat]

Just got reminded of something by the NY Times - Trump's defense team has been keeping him free of state and federal prosecution with the claim that as long as he is in office he's protected from State prosecution or Federal. Only Congress can impeach him - which has a higher standard and is harder to do.

So, the moment he leaves office? Expect NY and the FBI to fight over who gets jurisdiction over his ass. NY has gotten permission finally to review his tax returns - they have a pending case against him for failure to file and pay income taxes. The reason he changed his place of residence to Florida is partly due to that. New York have over 100 cases pending against him. (Yes, NY hates him. He's not welcome here - his home state and birth state. LOL!)

[atpo_onm]

He needs the rallies, the power, the attention, and he gets all that as President of the Us. He sees the Presidency as the best reality television series ever. He does not care about any of the things that the political pundits think he cares about.

Yep, you and I are on the same page here. I was dubious about the imposter syndrome thing, but I thought I'd run it by you.

Many loners are empaths - it's why we are loners actually. Kind of goes hand in hand. We pick up easily on the energy, body language, etc from others. Often places as well. I've been in places that I want to leave immediately,

Dunno about the loner part, although it's true I largely am one. I don't know if I ever think of it as "energy" that I get from someone, when I use the word 'vibe' it's a shortcut term for body language, facial expression, and for me-- most of all-- the way they sound when they speak.

I'm not a musician, but I do often react emotionally to sound and music, and I have noticed that has intensified as I've aged. A few months ago I was watching a TV show, and a song came on, and a minute later I was crying. The song wasn't so much a sad song as just a very musically evocative one about not being able to go back and live in the past. Sucker just went right past my rational forebrain, and... whew.

I also have had the advantage of dealing with literally thousands of people in my working life, by way of all the service calls I've made to people's homes plus interaction with people right in the stores I've been employed by. I tend to latch on to their voices first, the tonal way they speak, then the facial expressions and body language.

Oh, and... boy, are you right about "some places". That hasn't happened all that often to me, but when it does... Oh yeah, get outta there!

[shadowkat]

I think the word "empath" is kind of like "vibe" just slightly more descriptive. But it's not really that magical - it's just that some of us are more sensitive to the "vibrations" that others and places set off. Some see ghosts for example, some just feel a negative vibration and want out.

The scientific term would be "vibration". If you consider that all living things are made of "energy" and "organic materials" - some call the "energy" - soul or spirit. When we die - the energy disperses. Where it goes? No one knows. (I'm going with the science not the religious or new age interpretations of what I've observed and read.)

So, some set off negative "vibrations". If I'm in a nasty mood - I'm setting off "bad vibrations" and people want to stay clear of me.

I think we do pick up on in music - music is vibration and sound waves. Visual images - which send off a different type of energy. And facial and body language.

But I also think it's not just one of the above, but possibly all? And situational? I mean, if someone is smiling at you, and cheerful and charming, but you're picking up the opposite while your friend doesn't - that picking up on a "vibration".