More trees, less people..
Aug. 2nd, 2020 10:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkat1. The origin of the Karen Meme and Karen meaning racist meme origins.
Sigh. This is why I wish there were more trees and less stupid humans. Trees are nicer. My next life, I'm moving to a forest, with no people nearby and no access to the internet.
I also feel sorry for anyone named "Karen". How would you feel if I used your name as to mean an entitled bitch? Use the word "ding-bat" or "idiot" or "racist". Be clear and precise. Nicknames are for cowards and assholes. Actually say "asshole". Nice and descriptive.
And this The Art of the Smear
I feel like repeating something most people don't want to contemplate. Be careful about your arguments, the Universe enjoys throwing you on the opposite side of them. I've seen this over and over again in my own life and others.
There's a story in the New Testament, that many believe may have been a parable or not true - but is an interesting morality lesson. In it, a bunch of Pharisees condemn a woman, more to the point they use her as a way to test Jesus, who is being touted as a Messiah and teacher at the time. They inform him of her wrongs, and ask him how he wishes to proceed. He ignores them for a bit. They ask again. He says without looking at them. "He who has done no wrong, should cast the first stone" or something to that effect.
When he looks up, they've gone leaving the woman alone with him. She thanks him. He tells her that he bears her no ill will, and cannot condemn her - but advises she take a different path, and use this as a second chance.
The story reminds me of when I did Defender Project. I was helping a man get parole after fifteen years in prison. He was in for felony bank robbery - robbing a bank with a gun. He asked me if he deserved a second chance, if I thought he could do better, get a job, etc. I said I was not in a position to condemn him. I had not lived his life and I had no clue what I would do if I had. I didn't know what it was like to be black, poor, in Ohio, with kids, or be addicted to crack cocaine. I had no right to judge him and I could not forsee his path.
It is easy to judge others on what we think we would do in their shoes. But we don't know. We have no clue what we would do. We may actually make far worse choices than they did, and far worse justifications.
And if we aren't careful - The Universe with its wicked sense of humor may decide to find out exactly what we would do. I struggle with my desire to judge people daily, and whenever I do - I find myself, sooner or later, being judged in kind. The Universe is tweaking me, again.
2. Hugo Award Winners and Controversy
Apparently there was controversy again. This time GRR Martin got himself into trouble. It's referred to, but not given a lot of screen time.
List of Winners
3. Enough about humans... 10 Fun Facts About the American Robin
1.) There are dozens of different bird species across the globe—chats, flycatchers, thrushes—that include the word “robin” in their common name. The American Robin belongs to the thrush family, which also includes bluebirds and solitaires.
2.) Early colonial settlers named the American Robin for its resemblance to the familiar but unrelated European Robin, which is smaller but also sports an orange breast and upright posture. Today, the American Robin exists in the form of seven subspecies, subtly differentiated by their body size and plumage, with the exception of one subspecies in southern Baja California, which sports pale gray-brown underparts in lieu of rusty tones.
3.) Though known for being worm eaters, robins have varied diets. Research shows that American Robins mostly eat fruits in the fall and winter, and include more insects and worms in their spring and summer diets. Birders can occasionally spot tipsy robins in the late winter and early spring, thanks to fermented berries they have devoured.
4.) Often considered harbingers of spring, not all American Robins are migratory. While many northern robin populations migrate south during the winter in search of food, others remain somewhat local, forming groups that roam the countryside in search of the berries they prefer during the cold winter months. At night, these large and noisy flocks will roost in trees together.
They are also impossible to photograph well - due to an inability to sit still long enough for me to do it.
5. Misinformation on the Coronavirus is proving highly contagious
Yep, a very real problem. I was watching news reports from Daytona Beach on the upcoming tropical storm and people were acting as if there was no virus.
No masks in sight. Lots of people on the beach. None of the reporters wearing masks.
Sigh...another photo is in order..
Sigh. This is why I wish there were more trees and less stupid humans. Trees are nicer. My next life, I'm moving to a forest, with no people nearby and no access to the internet.
I also feel sorry for anyone named "Karen". How would you feel if I used your name as to mean an entitled bitch? Use the word "ding-bat" or "idiot" or "racist". Be clear and precise. Nicknames are for cowards and assholes. Actually say "asshole". Nice and descriptive.
And this The Art of the Smear
I feel like repeating something most people don't want to contemplate. Be careful about your arguments, the Universe enjoys throwing you on the opposite side of them. I've seen this over and over again in my own life and others.
There's a story in the New Testament, that many believe may have been a parable or not true - but is an interesting morality lesson. In it, a bunch of Pharisees condemn a woman, more to the point they use her as a way to test Jesus, who is being touted as a Messiah and teacher at the time. They inform him of her wrongs, and ask him how he wishes to proceed. He ignores them for a bit. They ask again. He says without looking at them. "He who has done no wrong, should cast the first stone" or something to that effect.
When he looks up, they've gone leaving the woman alone with him. She thanks him. He tells her that he bears her no ill will, and cannot condemn her - but advises she take a different path, and use this as a second chance.
The story reminds me of when I did Defender Project. I was helping a man get parole after fifteen years in prison. He was in for felony bank robbery - robbing a bank with a gun. He asked me if he deserved a second chance, if I thought he could do better, get a job, etc. I said I was not in a position to condemn him. I had not lived his life and I had no clue what I would do if I had. I didn't know what it was like to be black, poor, in Ohio, with kids, or be addicted to crack cocaine. I had no right to judge him and I could not forsee his path.
It is easy to judge others on what we think we would do in their shoes. But we don't know. We have no clue what we would do. We may actually make far worse choices than they did, and far worse justifications.
And if we aren't careful - The Universe with its wicked sense of humor may decide to find out exactly what we would do. I struggle with my desire to judge people daily, and whenever I do - I find myself, sooner or later, being judged in kind. The Universe is tweaking me, again.
2. Hugo Award Winners and Controversy
Apparently there was controversy again. This time GRR Martin got himself into trouble. It's referred to, but not given a lot of screen time.
List of Winners
3. Enough about humans... 10 Fun Facts About the American Robin
1.) There are dozens of different bird species across the globe—chats, flycatchers, thrushes—that include the word “robin” in their common name. The American Robin belongs to the thrush family, which also includes bluebirds and solitaires.
2.) Early colonial settlers named the American Robin for its resemblance to the familiar but unrelated European Robin, which is smaller but also sports an orange breast and upright posture. Today, the American Robin exists in the form of seven subspecies, subtly differentiated by their body size and plumage, with the exception of one subspecies in southern Baja California, which sports pale gray-brown underparts in lieu of rusty tones.
3.) Though known for being worm eaters, robins have varied diets. Research shows that American Robins mostly eat fruits in the fall and winter, and include more insects and worms in their spring and summer diets. Birders can occasionally spot tipsy robins in the late winter and early spring, thanks to fermented berries they have devoured.
4.) Often considered harbingers of spring, not all American Robins are migratory. While many northern robin populations migrate south during the winter in search of food, others remain somewhat local, forming groups that roam the countryside in search of the berries they prefer during the cold winter months. At night, these large and noisy flocks will roost in trees together.
They are also impossible to photograph well - due to an inability to sit still long enough for me to do it.
5. Misinformation on the Coronavirus is proving highly contagious
Yep, a very real problem. I was watching news reports from Daytona Beach on the upcoming tropical storm and people were acting as if there was no virus.
No masks in sight. Lots of people on the beach. None of the reporters wearing masks.
Sigh...another photo is in order..
Robins
Date: 2020-08-03 05:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-08-03 05:22 pm (UTC)