Future Regrets?

[Peregrinator]

my regrets have to be lived with, as do all of ours

they range from not going to uni as intended but, instead, taking a shop job and leaving the 6th form before completing my A-level studies when it was free to attend university back then, through other life-choices. they all stemmed from realising my own value far too late to prevent the earlier choices

so good to see you back, mr P

Good to be back.

My mom, also, wishes she'd gone and gotten her degree. I keep telling her she has the equivalent of a masters in art history and no one cares if she has the paper. I mean, she's 80 years old. Like ahe's going to apply for a job?

You can always take classes in the stuff that interests you. Most academic fun I ever had was taking the med school pre-reqs a few years ago. Hard sciences are fascinating, but there's no way I would have been able to handle them when I was in college.

 

[Peregrinator]

Befriended is better than adopted. You would not want to try to live up to my mother, nor down to my father.

I style myself a bit of an expert on regrets. And I don't mean " I should have applied for that promotion" regrets, but " Maybe coke and crime wasn't my best lifestyle choice" regrets. But that's a tale for another day.

I read a science fiction book a few years ago, I'm sorry I can't recall the author or title, in which virtual reality technology had reached the point where people would go through their whole lives immersed in artificial worlds overlaid on their daily lives. So, some people saw the world as if it were anime, some had the world transposed into various historical eras, etc. it seems like we are close to something like that, even without the technology.

The world is going to need fewer and fewer workers, but the economy still needs consumers. I think the notion of a guaranteed income will gain acceptance in the near future. In the long term, it will change society in ways , both positive and negative, that we can't begin to imagine.

That's certain. I have no desire to parent. But big brothering on a forum is okay. Feel free to PM with n00b questions.

That whole drugs and crime thing certainly seems to have been formative for you, no surprise in that. Are you finding that it's atill holding you back from doing things you want?

That would create an interesting world, for certain. We have virtual worlds now, games and stuff like Second Life--is that what's called?--and people who spend all day, every day, on internet message boards. I can't even imagine what would happen if we could hardwire our pleasure circuits to the internet. I agree that we're awfully close now.

Seems that way. It just doesn't take as many hands to do things. And people continue to start businesses hoping to get others' money in exchange for nonessentials. Somethin's gotta give. In one of Gibson's books, a kid is asked what his parents do. "They're consumers," he says.

 

[Peregrinator]

I am future regretting not preparing more for a 20 in 20 out hike going from 9k-13K feet.

I saw you posting about that. Looks like a beautiful place. I can't recall too many times when I said "thank god I stayed on the couch instead of going to the gym."

 

[VaticanAssassin]

I saw you posting about that. Looks like a beautiful place. I can't recall too many times when I said "thank god I stayed on the couch instead of going to the gym."

Hitting the gym is not a problem. Problem is that it is 120 degrees out and no way am I going to put on 60lbs and go walk around.

As you know a 40 year old avid hiker will smoke a 18 year old soccer star on a long enough hike. Different muscles and all that......

But I know I will be fine. Wish I could fly in a day early to get used to the height, but in the end everything worth doing is hard.

 

[Peregrinator]

Hitting the gym is not a problem. Problem is that it is 120 degrees out and no way am I going to put on 60lbs and go walk around.

As you know a 40 year old avid hiker will smoke a 18 year old soccer star on a long enough hike. Different muscles and all that......

But I know I will be fine. Wish I could fly in a day early to get used to the height, but in the end everything worth doing is hard.

Extra water just makes it all that much more difficult. Pre-hydrate!

Yupyup. Even out of shape, I can still carry a pack all day. Soccer might drop me dead right now.

You'll just suck wind is all. Though 13k is significant. You're gonna be h8n...

 

[Saint Peter]

Pack plenty of cigars!

 

[RobDownSouth]

I am future regretting not preparing more for a 20 in 20 out hike going from 9k-13K feet.

I'm in very good shape for my age but all of my exercise is done at near-sea-level here in Texas. Altitude is an altogether different beast, it can and will kick your ass.

 

[jaF0]

As you know a 40 year old avid hiker will smoke a 18 year old soccer star on a long enough hike. Different muscles and all that......

Once I get started, I can walk five or six miles without much trouble. Standing up out of the chair to start the walk is a different matter.

 

[Saint Peter]

Lots of big talk about hiking at altitude going on in here.

 

[Colonel Hogan]

Lots of big talk about hiking at altitude going on in here.

I remember after having just moved to Colorado the wife and I driving up to Keystone to "see the sights." I could barely get out of the car.

 

[Aquagal]

Hitting the gym is not a problem. Problem is that it is 120 degrees out and no way am I going to put on 60lbs and go walk around.

As you know a 40 year old avid hiker will smoke a 18 year old soccer star on a long enough hike. Different muscles and all that......

But I know I will be fine. Wish I could fly in a day early to get used to the height, but in the end everything worth doing is hard.

Extra water just makes it all that much more difficult. Pre-hydrate!

Yupyup. Even out of shape, I can still carry a pack all day. Soccer might drop me dead right now.

You'll just suck wind is all. Though 13k is significant. You're gonna be h8n...

I've no idea where you are going, but if there is a water source, chuck carrying lots of water and get yourself one of those little water filtration thingies. Will save weight for sure.

 

[VaticanAssassin]

I've no idea where you are going, but if there is a water source, chuck carrying lots of water and get yourself one of those little water filtration thingies. Will save weight for sure.

Yep. Beside a few switchbacks the trail follows a stream all the way up
To a mountain lake.

Water filter and a bottle. Not even bringing a camelback.

 

[Aquagal]

Yep. Beside a few switchbacks the trail follows a stream all the way up
To a mountain lake.

Water filter and a bottle. Not even bringing a camelback.

Excellent. I thought my well water was pretty tasty but Tuesday when I hiked and camped at Juneau Falls, I have to say that mountain water, filtered, was even better.

 

[GeorgeWalker]

[Five minutes earlier]

I will give you a blowjob, but don't ejaculate in my mouth!

"Okay, I won't."

https://up6.xhcdn.com/000/146/186/670_1000.gif

 

[GeorgeWalker]

https://up6.xhcdn.com/000/146/186/671_1000.gif

You fucking asshole! I don't believe my own stepbrother would do this to me!

"Well, I did and hope you enjoyed it."

 

[Bookishleigh]

Thanks, Phelia. Given our history, it means a lot to me that you don't "wish me dead."

This is not so much a regret but a thought I had the other day: I know the GB can be a contentious place at times; however, I like to think the vitriolic side I often see of some posters is not really the truth and that given the opportunity to meet them in person we would interact differently. I am not saying you or Phelia are vitriolic, as we all have our demons here, and certainly there are some I most definitely would not willingly agree to meet - behind the screen though we all have our own stories though.

And I regret I didn't get out of Indiana when I had the chance. You can bet that when I am able, I won't look back next time.

 

[MelissaBaby]

That's certain. I have no desire to parent. But big brothering on a forum is okay. Feel free to PM with n00b questions.

That whole drugs and crime thing certainly seems to have been formative for you, no surprise in that. Are you finding that it's atill holding you back from doing things you want?

Formative or symptomatic? That's a debate I'll probably have with myself for the rest of my life.

I have a drug related felony on my record, so of course, there are permanent legal ramifications. For example, I am trying to pay for college, but I am ineligible for any student loans, unless I can get an exemption, which is an iffy proposition. And it is obviously a block to many avenues of employment.

I really try not to play the victim. I did bad things, and there are continuing ramifications. Whether they are fair or not is beside the point. I put myself in this position, and I will always know myself to be someone who was willing to do things that I knew were wrong. That will haunt me to my dying day. And I will always live with the fear that I haven't conquered that part of me, but am only holding it at bay. I fear relationships, because I can't be certain I won't revert to past form and destroy them.

There is a reason we say we are "recovering", no matter how long it's been since we did drugs ( coming up on four years for me) and not "recovered". I just quit a good paying job because it was a situation where the temptation and availability of drugs was so great that I feared I couldn't trust myself to stay there.

Other than all that, I'm Miss Happy Go Lucky, really I am.

 

[MelissaBaby]

I read a science fiction book a few years ago, I'm sorry I can't recall the author or title, in which virtual reality technology had reached the point where people would go through their whole lives immersed in artificial worlds overlaid on their daily lives. So, some people saw the world as if it were anime, some had the world transposed into various historical eras, etc. it seems like we are close to something like that, even without the technology.

.

Existence by David Brin. It wasn't really about virtual reality, it was about alien contact, but the VR I described was the thing that stuck with me.

 

[Bookishleigh]

Melissa - I didn't quote you should you ever wish to remove/revise your post. Some people here will capitalize only any small personal detail they can about you. I used to be so open but realized I have become rather closed in my public conversations. I regret it has become that way, but alas (for me) it has to be that way.

Something you said struck me though and I had to comment; what is the statute of limitations on blame? You said you will always know yourself to be someone capable of bad acts (paraphrasing). Does that mean we can't change? I like to think we can. You are obviously taking great steps to change your life - how long must you be punished? Self-imposed or otherwise? And I commend you, even with the great challenges placed upon on you.

 

[Colonel Hogan]

This is not so much a regret but a thought I had the other day: I know the GB can be a contentious place at times; however, I like to think the vitriolic side I often see of some posters is not really the truth and that given the opportunity to meet them in person we would interact differently. I am not saying you or Phelia are vitriolic, as we all have our demons here, and certainly there are some I most definitely would not willingly agree to meet - behind the screen though we all have our own stories though.

And I regret I didn't get out of Indiana when I had the chance. You can bet that when I am able, I won't look back next time.

I very much agree. And the next time you want to get out of Indiana, you can drive two hours south and visit me. I'm safe.

 

[MelissaBaby]

Melissa - I didn't quote you should you ever wish to remove/revise your post. Some people here will capitalize only any small personal detail they can about you. I used to be so open but realized I have become rather closed in my public conversations. I regret it has become that way, but alas (for me) it has to be that way.

Something you said struck me though and I had to comment; what is the statute of limitations on blame? You said you will always know yourself to be someone capable of bad acts (paraphrasing). Does that mean we can't change? I like to think we can. You are obviously taking great steps to change your life - how long must you be punished? Self-imposed or otherwise? And I commend you, even with the great challenges placed upon on you.

Thank you for the concern. I will be careful not to reveal too much.

I do believe in the possibility of change, but I also believe that we need to be realistic. We can suppress the negative parts of ourselves,but we are making a mistake if we think we have eliminated them. When we do, that opens the door for them to creep back.

I am probably presenting as guilt ridden and self pitying, but that's not really me, at least not more than once in a while. The thread was about regrets, and that's where my thoughts went. But life is actually going good. I will be going back to school in the fall, and i've been seeing a very nice man who may actually be able to draw me back into taking a chance on love.

And, hey, I'm around to talk about it, not everyone is.

 

[Bookishleigh]

Thank you for the concern. I will be careful not to reveal too much.

I do believe in the possibility of change, but I also believe that we need to be realistic. We can suppress the negative parts of ourselves,but we are making a mistake if we think we have eliminated them. When we do, that opens the door for them to creep back.

I am probably presenting as guilt ridden and self pitying, but that's not really me, at least not more than once in a while. The thread was about regrets, and that's where my thoughts went. But life is actually going good. I will be going back to school in the fall, and i've been seeing a very nice man who may actually be able to draw me back into taking a chance on love.

And, hey, I'm around to talk about it, not everyone is.

You don't remotely come off as guilt-ridden or self-pitying. You have taken responsibility for your actions and are working toward a "better future." I made a post the other day regarding restorative justice and how our current criminal justice system is set up to enable someone accused of a crime to take on exactly those traits. In a restorative justice model, we would focus more on helping individuals accept responsibility and then make positive changes while still giving back to their community which often still fills the retributive need. Of course, there are those who are truly innocent and should not be forced into accepting responsibility for actions they did not commit.

Okay, I digress....(this is kind of my passion area, but it doesn't pay the bills).

 

[EternalFantasies]

I'm bumping this ancient thread for two reasons:

2) because I was listening to something on the radio..."Radiolab," maybe? Something on NPR anyway, and they were talking to I think it was David Brooks, who grabbed my interest with a statement about assumptions. He said something like, "You can, and should, admire Ben Franklin, but he was doing stuff that people then assumed was okay, took for granted, that we know now wasn't so great." That could possibly be a radically inaccurate paraphrase as well as attribution; I failed to stop the car on the bridge and write it down.

Very much so, I agree with this.

And I believe we started doing that quite a while ago that today you are left with people expecting that that was taken for granted as a norm, and anything different as abnormal. And the whole thing is based on false assumptions from the get-go, but so far away behind, that today you either pretend along with the status quo to integrate, or stand your lucid ground and be shunned.

What are the things that we humans, today, these days, early 21st century, are doing or thinking or saying that, 150 or 200 years from now, people will look back on the same way we look back on, say, slavery or the flat earth or the Hamitic hypothesis? Stuff that in retrospect is obviously wrong or just silly? National boundaries? Surgery? Television? Hydropower? Home printers? What are those common things, based on assumptions we rarely if ever question? And what are the underlying assumptions?

This is a very interesting question, and quite broad.

The thing is, it's answer not only is not clear, but would also seem quite far fetched and odd given current status quo if it was attempted to be formulated. I'll try and say why.

Many things that we live currently were never supposed to be this way in the first place. We as humans are living a very extreme and interesting period of time in our existence. The generations born to witness it, not only are witnessing the fastest kind of growth in a lifetime ever to have been encountered, but also in a major tuning point, or crossing into a different era or age or type of life.

All that, and, in a way that was not supposed to be, this way.

So we have been going about things in a fashion to try and go through that very exciting and challenging time, all while taking on a simultaneous attempt at correcting what was not supposed to be, and hoping to finally land somewhere where - as the trekkies would say - we've corrected the timeline, and crossed this interesting turning in a successful and admirable fashion.

It's quite a lot. And as a consequence difficult to see past the normal average kind of environmentally related concerns we may leave future generations with, or having a dermal re-generator in the future and not missing the scalpel, etc. We are after all in a very advanced time relatively, all while doing all sorts of barbaric things across the board.

I'd have to give this some thought, as I liked your question and wanted to put what first came to mind, but i'll enjoy brainstorming this one over time and hope to imagine an interesting few options other than star trek related stuff - which always somehow become reality.

Nice thread; and nice twist rebooting it into a humanity-level future regrets. Thanks!

 

[MelissaBaby]

You don't remotely come off as guilt-ridden or self-pitying. You have taken responsibility for your actions and are working toward a "better future." I made a post the other day regarding restorative justice and how our current criminal justice system is set up to enable someone accused of a crime to take on exactly those traits. In a restorative justice model, we would focus more on helping individuals accept responsibility and then make positive changes while still giving back to their community which often still fills the retributive need. Of course, there are those who are truly innocent and should not be forced into accepting responsibility for actions they did not commit.

Okay, I digress....(this is kind of my passion area, but it doesn't pay the bills).

Thank you.

I am very familiar with the restorative justice project. The predominant attitude of most prisoners is resentful boredom. Anyone who was ever grounded as a kid knows that after a couple of days, you hit a point where, no matter what you got in trouble for, you feel that the punishment is unfair. Imagine how you'd feel after months, or even years...

I know that people think RJP somehow coddles criminals. But the opposite is true. If you think having to face the people you've wronged is easier than just sitting in a cell, I doubt you've done either.

 

[EternalFantasies]

In the meantime, here's something for the older version of the thread being responded to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xavFb4WH7o0

Cutest part: moment he says 'dance!'.