Tuesday Gallimaufry

[neadods]

Via a new member of crafty_tardis, a set of downloads to make paper printout tab A-slot B toys. Am linking to the whole page, as I know some of the members of the flist will be interested in the Justice League and Batman stuff as well as Doctor Who.

Never give an obsessive a new hobby (you may have noticed this about the whole bento thing.) Last night I skipped on just about everything I'm *supposed* to be doing in favor of fiddling with exercise mixes, to the point of testing one while it was fresh. And you know I'm not on the treadmill for the love of walking!

Two mixes, interchangeable songs, all the same beat. They work out to just about 1.20 miles each.

The First Mix
1 - Wind It Up (Barenaked Ladies)
2 - Black or White (Michael Jackson)
3 - Joyride (Roxette)
4 - I Don't Feel Like Dancin' (Scissor Sisters) What will I do with myself when I get sick of this song?
5 - Lawyers, Guns, and Money (Warren Zevon)
6 - I Run for Life (Melissa Etheridge)

The Second Mix
1 - Kung Fu Fighting (Karl Douglas)
2 - Tubthumping (Chumbawamba)
3 - Black Horse & the Cherry Tree (KT Turnstall)
4 - Billy's Got His Beer Goggles On (Neil McCoy)
5 - What I Go To School For (Jonas Brothers)
6 - How Do You Do (Mouth & McNeil) I grew up in the 70s, I have no taste in music
7 - Ticks (Brad Paisley)

Speaking of songs, I urge all Americans on the flist to learn the lyrics to "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" The Post reports today that Nasdaq is set to launch tomorrow what its executives are calling one of the most significant developments on Wall Street in decades -- a private stock market for super-wealthy investors... Any private firm can list on Nasdaq's new platform, which is called the Portal Market, and raise money by selling stock to an elite group of shareholders. These companies would remain private and not have to make public their financial statements or submit to federal regulation, such as the Sarbanes-Oxley corporate accountability law.

Yet again, people are forgetting that things have changed since "the good old days" because 1) the days weren't good and 2) THE SYSTEM DIDN'T WORK!

"Ya had plenty money 1922..."


PS - I never know whether the response to some people in fandom is to grit my teeth and try to be not utterly snarky when I respond "just because you say This Is The Way Things Are, Period doesn't actually make them so, sweetie" or just pat them on the head and say "there, there, it must really suck when you tell people the Right True Way to think and see, yet they persist in having their own opinions."

Comments

[steviesun.livejournal.com]

PS - I never know whether the response to some people in fandom is to grit my teeth and try to be not utterly snarky when I respond "just because you say This Is The Way Things Are, Period doesn't actually make them so, sweetie" or just pat them on the head and say "there, there, it must really suck when you tell people the Right True Way to think and see, yet they persist in having their own opinions."

My experiences on both sides make me suggest you do your best to just ignore them. It took me about a year to get to the point where even if people are responding to something I've said in a comment, if I really don't agree, I just ignore them. My mental health is so much the better for it. And if a certain comm had followed that method, they might have kept a few more of their very best fic writers (not talking about myself obviously).

[stoplookingup.livejournal.com]

Do you mind if I ask which comm you're talking about? I came to LJ late in the game (S3), and I gather I missed a lot of fireworks.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

time_and_chips, which has ended up in love-it-or-loathe it territory. The mods have pissed people off; the mods have made people grateful. I was a member, but have dropped off for a while; I do intend to go back.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Yes, but that sort of think rings every bell I have. And since it was down buried in a thread where sane people wouldn't see it and it was wrapped inside "You're the only person who thinks that because you're so wrong" I couldn't bring myself to just sweep on by.

if people are responding to something I've said in a comment, if I really don't agree, I just ignore them

That depends on *how* they're responding. I love a good, juicy "This is what I see (cite) (cite) (cite) to counterbalance your thesis" debate. I ADORE threads that go back and forth like that. But there's no give and take or acknowledgement of a counterbalance to "You're wrong. So wrong I don't even need to cite opposition, just insist you're wrong. With a side order of patronizing insult in case you might challenge me."

I just don't appear to be tempermentally able to rise above, even though I do acknowledge that it's the smartest, sanest course of action.

[steviesun.livejournal.com]

Last I checked the pope hadn't made you a saint, so you're allowed to get peed at annoying people. And things being hidden in threads is why mods exist, if only more people realised that.

[(Anonymous)]

Last I checked the pope hadn't made you a saint, so you're allowed to get peed at annoying people. And things being hidden in threads is why mods exist, if only more people realised that.

[stoplookingup.livejournal.com]

First of all, gallimaufry is one of my favorite words -- and I don't think I've ever seen anyone actually use it. So that alone makes my day.

The paper cutouts are a lovely bonus!

Re: the private stock exchange -- Why am I not surprised? I happen to live in an area where hedge fund managers buy mcmansions as outhouses for their main mansions. The conspicuous consumption is staggering. Just heard a piece on npr about how it's no longer enough to own a ferrari. Now if you're rich you have to show off with completely useless items. Preferably Warhols.

Re: fandom. I've actually come to the conclusion that it's not just fandom. Our culture is becoming more and more encouraging of the notion that it's good to be opinionated, and that being objective and examining the evidence before forming a conclusion is not only optional, but downright immoral. After all, Jesus didn't need facts. Why should I? Although reality tv is as much to blame as religion.

It seems like no one sees the value in looking at both sides of a question any more -- as if giving a moment's consdieration to the other guy's opinion would constitute a loss of face and an admission of error. Also, people are unable to distinguish between disagreeing on an issue and making a personal attack. Look at Congress -- I heard an interview recently with a senior statesman (forget who it was) who was saying that, once upon a time, people who disagreed strongly on issues formed tight friendships because they respected each other and didn't take politics personally. Now members of Congress don't associate with others across the aisle because everything is personal.

[steviesun.livejournal.com]

I had a bloke at work not look me in the eye or speak to me because once I dared to interrupt his BS and contradict him because I wasn't in the mood to hear his limited experienced and opinions touted as fact. I get sick of it when people with limited education assume that because I have a degree I have no "real" knowledge or experience simply because I'm 23. Admittantly I don't have their experiences or knowledge. I have different ones, and lots of knowledge packed into my years because before I turned 23 I had already earnt the letters BA (Hons) MA at the end of my name.

Sorry, another of my personal peeves being vented - the idea that only the way someone else did something is the only way to do it.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Stupid Yankee question - what is a "BA (Hons) MA"?

[ladyfox7oaks.livejournal.com]

I think I not only LIKE you, I think I'd like to friend you! - May I?

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Gallimaufry (or one of the alternate spellings) is one of the things that I occasionally kick around as a rename for this LJ. It's a fairly accurate statement regarding the contents!

it's good to be opinionated, and that being objective and examining the evidence before forming a conclusion is not only optional, but downright immoral

In this, I think the people who equate religion and politics - I'm looking at you, Falwell and Dobson - are pretty much to blame. Talking points are so much easier to process, especially if they suggest what you want to hear. Colbert really nailed it with the "truthiness" routine.

I really wish that it hadn't resulted in a Congress full of 5-year-olds.

[spiralsheep.livejournal.com]

Nasdaq is set to launch tomorrow what its executives are calling one of the most significant developments on Wall Street in decades -- a private stock market for super-wealthy investors... Any private firm can list on Nasdaq's new platform, which is called the Portal Market, and raise money by selling stock to an elite group of shareholders. These companies would remain private and not have to make public their financial statements or submit to federal regulation, such as the Sarbanes-Oxley corporate accountability law.

I'm far from a financial expert but isn't that merely a variation of traditional venture capitalism? I'm under the impression that, apart from the private stock market add on, that's exactly how venture capitalists work in Britain.

it must really suck when you tell people the Right True Way to think and see, yet they persist in having their own opinions.

I confess that my persistent having opinioness is incorrigible. ::hangs head in fake shame and giggles to self::

[neadods.livejournal.com]

It is a variation on traditional venture capitalism, but two things make me deeply distrustful. They've taken control away from the oversight rules that are supposed to protect the workers in the privatized companies (not that they did a great job during Enron, but all the more reason to think that absolute power corrupts absolutely for the stockholders). And the country right now is financially overextended, while dismantling what was called "the social safety net" and is now sneered at as "entitlement programs."

In other words, we're pretty much recreating the conditions right before the Great Depression, while gutting or circumventing the rules set up right after it that were supposed to prevent another one. Much as I'd like to think that it couldn't happen, I've seen a great deal in the last six years that I would have sworn could never happen here either.

[starcat-jewel.livejournal.com]

This is almost certainly a scam for fleecing money out of mutual funds. See my journal for a more detailed description of how it works. (The post may not be up for a few hours yet -- I'm still playing catchup!)

[spiralsheep.livejournal.com]

Ok, thanks, I understand.

They've taken control away from the oversight rules that are supposed to protect the workers in the privatized companies (not that they did a great job during Enron, but all the more reason to think that absolute power corrupts absolutely for the stockholders). And the country right now is financially overextended, while dismantling what was called "the social safety net" and is now sneered at as "entitlement programs."

That in particular would make me twitch, yes.

[nycdeb.livejournal.com]

Fandom: *snort* Fandom is now seemingly unable to shake itself free of the NEED to divide and conquer. Over something. Anything. That's one of the reasons it's held less and less appeal for me in the past - oh, I'd say 5 or 6 years.

I couldn't - in all honesty - say I was an active participant in any fandom. Oh, I watch shows that have fandoms. I'll read the discussions (particularly early on as I am trying to catch up on the backstory. As I get more used to the show or more familiar with it, I tend to keep up in a catch as catch can way. Or I discuss with friends (offline or on - but always with people who can remember to enjoy it as well as dissect it.

But fandom at large. No. There are far more engaging things to do in life than wade in to forums where the highest level is often "neener neener." It's the same cesspool each time (only the character names have changed) and life is too short.

Private Stock Markets: *shrug* I don't have much of an issue with this. I actually would have expected it to happen earlier. Say, 2 years ago when the real-time, bottom line cost of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance started showing up in budgetary reviews and it was getting harder and harder to find people willing to serve on boards.

people are forgetting that things have changed since "the good old days" because 1) the days weren't good and 2) THE SYSTEM DIDN'T WORK!

I don't really see this new venture as anyone's attempt to "re-create" the old days but yes, I agree things are different today than the old days. I don't necessarily agree that it's because of changes made because of flaws in the system or because 'yesterday' sucked. :-)

I won't digress into the shocking number of people whose personal finances are heavily entwined with a stock market they don't understand (I could go on and on about the dangers, causes and possible mitigating solutions for hours but it bore the pants off you - I promise you that) but other reasons that things are not the same today include but are not limited to:

- the "typical" investor and the "typical" investment being an utterly new animal since - oh, let's say the mid-70s

- the economy itself changing beyond almost all recognition - even if we limit ourselves to a purely operational point of view.

Damn! It's already 10:45! I must flee! Damn you for writing posts I feel compelled to read and respond too :-)

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Damn you for writing posts I feel compelled to read and respond to

Hee!

My main concern with the stocks is that we're making more steps towards recreating all the conditions that brought on the Great Depression: speculation, a lot of debt at the personal and governmental level, wildly fluctuating market... Last week they were saying that the European markets had a mini crash and had to pump a lot of money into restabilizing American investments. This is just not good.

[misscam.livejournal.com]

Fandom is full of blah these days. I've ignored most, since I'm on holiday in Italy. (Hurrah!) Just make the best of it, I guess.

Stock markets give me headaches. I swear it's like Monopoly, only when someone gets a "go straight to jail, do not pass go, do not collect money" everyone suffers. BLAH.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Speak to me of Italy! I need to learn my standard 10 words before I go. (I discovered a while back that you can travel just about anywhere on three sentences and 10 words. I need to learn them in Italian.)

[misscam.livejournal.com]

Oh, Italy is smashing! Was in Rome last week - got a few days left in Genova before I go home now. Posted loads of pictures so far on my Facebook, but dunno if you've peeked there.

Useful Italian word I've picked up is "prego" - sort of thing you say when someone thanks you for something.

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

[mustangsally78.livejournal.com]

That song is stalking me.

I had to sing it in grad school, I have a recording of Mandy Patankin singing it and we used it in an exercise on how to 'read' an audio 'document' in pre planning last week.

Why should I be standing in line?
Just waiting for bread . . .

[travels-in-time.livejournal.com]

I am printing me out a TARDIS RIGHT NOW. It can't help but improve my office environment to have a TARDIS sitting on my desk.

[travels-in-time.livejournal.com]

And then I'm going to surround it with my co-worker's little angel statues.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

BWAhahahahahaaa!

[fyrdrakken]

I had that thought, too, and I came about that close to ordering ThinkGeek's TARDIS USB hub on this week's paycheck. Except that last week they gave me a new work computer, and this one has three unoccupied USB slots instead of the single one I was dealing with on my last computer, so I guess the TARDIS can wait a bit.