Isolated Blurt Thread

[rgraham666]

Rob, get off your lazy ass and write.

 

[Samandiriel]

Rob, get off your lazy ass and write.

Rob, get off your lazy ass and write.

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

Rob, get off your lazy ass and write.

Or,

'Rob, get off and write your lazy ass

~~~ Thank you to those who have enriched my mind today.

 

[rise_again]

make my head stop spinning. i hope this ends, or better yet, begins soon.

 

[Equinoxe]

James...the very James who talked of Infant Farms? If so, then though i can't comment too much as i haven't studied him at length yet (if), i am a bit skeptical of some of his views. That is however, all i wish to say regarding him- i know it's vague but currently that is the best i can offer.

I believe that was Watson. William James, the brother of Henry James, author of The Principles of Psychology (of which I have only read parts) and one of the originators of the James-Lange theory of emotion (which I don't especially agree with, but it is interesting). He also did a great deal of work on the philosophy of religion. In all, I am unsure to what extent I agree with him, though it is likely not much, but I find his work to be intriguing.

I had wanted to go into the other things you said, but in all fairness to you, (although we have slightly different slant's on Freud and Psych as a science and its ties in Psychiatry) i think you put forward arguements that are correct in their basis and i have no reason to dispute much of it with you.

It has been an interesting discussion though, even if we do perhaps differ on some issues. Besides, it has been a while since I have actively studied psychology, so I am not entirely prepared to debate it too much at this point, least of all with someone engaged in the active study of the field.

I do agree by the way, that the link Psychiatry has tentatively forged between Psychology and Human Medicine is a rather fragile one, and dangerous too. I don't wholly agree with the use of psycho-supressants and the like in regulating mood and so on, but i am well aware that such medication has been fundamental in treating many around the world. There are however implications with this that many (professionals and non) should consider- instead of waving a bottle of anti-depressants at every person who walks in the door showing mild symptoms. There are other routes.

The combination of the two is potentially very dangerous and has, in the past, had a negative impact. When you combine a field which is often speculative and necessarily tentative with a chemical, medical intervention in the human mind, it is liable for abuse. As happened, for example, in the Soviet Union and other authoritarian states, where dissidents were sometimes subjected to psychiatric treatments for their "wrong thinking". Or for that matter, in Western society with the "treatments" and experiments which were widely conducted in the earlier portion of the 20th century on gays and lesbians, or the use of full frontal lobotomies.

However, this does not necessarily require intervention of more medically oriented fashion, as evidenced by the thousands of lives which were ruined in the 80s and early 90s with the "Recovered Memory" and "Satanic Ritual Abuse" scares. These do almost always requires the intervention of the state, though. The combination of psychology and psychiatry may be particularly open to abuse, but I am not especially pleased with either in and of themselves.

As for what i plan to do, first of all i need to pass my degree! (i am exactly half way right now, and being one of the youngest in the year i will be sittng my finals at the age of 20, but graduate when im 21!)

I've been lucky in the sense that i've already worked as a research assistant for my uni over the summer between my 1st and 2nd year (its unheard of for a 1st year to get that position!)

I am also lucky as i have a close family friend who is the manageress of a Hospice and is interested in hiring me to assist the psychologist on the team. So i have to have talks about that and arrange to start .

Perhaps i will work there for a couple of years after my degree to get more experience i don't know.

I want to do my masters, and circumstance permitting do a PhD. My main interest is social psychology as a feild, but as a career im somewhat interested in counselling.

*shrugs* who knows at the end of the day, i may change my mind

~~ now im done

I hate to respond with such a small bit, but I see. Good luck with that (I don't mean that sarcastically, either).

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

I like it, too

Thank you for earlier, Roxanne I probably am a little bit crazy, though

Like the song says, "If we weren't all crazy we would sure go insane."

(What does that mean? It doesn't make sense. They do have good cheeseburgers though.)

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

It does depend upon one's views, but I am decidedly not a fan of Freud: if one insists upon not distancing oneself from the prehistory of the discipline, I much prefer James. Having said that, with regard to many of the basic ideas Freud presented, some are of debatable value: defence mechanisms are perhaps to be considered important and relevant, dream imaging is highly suspect however fascinating, the unconscious is likewise a difficult one, and the effects of childhood upon one's adult mental state are hard to attribute wholly to Freud. He is, however, foundational in the development of the discipline as a studious and serious field, even if he was none too scientific himself: not actually unlike Brothers Grimm in the study of mythology and folklore.

I am quite aware of the debate over the level of actual science in psychology: which, especially when considered as paired with the medical aspects of psychiatry, is the most dangerous element of the discipline, although arguably also instrumental to its being remotely successful (as is often the case, it's not so much a matter of one extreme, the other extreme, or moderation as it is a matter of both extremes or moderation). Psychology, as a discipline (science or not), is indeed necessarily somewhat fluid. The whole field is a bit of a hodgepodge of ideas and philosophies and historical influences, which makes it a very fractured and fragmented area of study: clearly negative influences are visible as well as clearly positive influences. It is very difficult to arrive at conclusions which are true, useful, and helpful -- for example, much research has been done on memory and the overall conclusions are that memories may or may not represent actual events and that false memories can be induced. This is true and useful to know, but not particularly helpful, since it provides absolutely no way of knowing whether or not a given memory is true.

Suffice it to say, I have some serious misgivings about the usefulness of the field.

Out of curiosity, what are your plans with studying, what do you intend to do with it?

(I'm done, too, really.)

William James: In the Maelstrom of American Modernism
Robert Richardson
Watch it at http://www.booktv.org/History/index.asp?segID=7741&schedID=472

Description: From the Concord Bookshop in Concord, Massachusetts, Robert Richardson discusses his biography of William James. William James was the brother of novelist Henry James and is best known for his book "The Varieties of Religious Experience." Mr. Richardson discusses William James's family life and education, his contributions to the fields of philosophy and psychology, his belief that religion has more to do with personal experience than with churches and creeds, and his ideas about the exercise of free will.

Author Bio: Robert Richardson is the author of "Henry Thoreau: A Life of the Mind" and "Emerson: The Mind on Fire." He was awarded the Francis Parkman Prize and the Melcher Book Award and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.

 

[Equinoxe]

William James: In the Maelstrom of American Modernism
Robert Richardson
Watch it at http://www.booktv.org/History/index.asp?segID=7741&schedID=472

Description: From the Concord Bookshop in Concord, Massachusetts, Robert Richardson discusses his biography of William James. William James was the brother of novelist Henry James and is best known for his book "The Varieties of Religious Experience." Mr. Richardson discusses William James's family life and education, his contributions to the fields of philosophy and psychology, his belief that religion has more to do with personal experience than with churches and creeds, and his ideas about the exercise of free will.

Author Bio: Robert Richardson is the author of "Henry Thoreau: A Life of the Mind" and "Emerson: The Mind on Fire." He was awarded the Francis Parkman Prize and the Melcher Book Award and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.

Ha! I just watched a part of that earlier today, in fact.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Ha! I just watched a part of that earlier today, in fact.

Should I bother? I'm purely an interested layperson . . .

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

I believe that was Watson. William James, the brother of Henry James, author of The Principles of Psychology (of which I have only read parts) and one of the originators of the James-Lange theory of emotion (which I don't especially agree with, but it is interesting). He also did a great deal of work on the philosophy of religion. In all, I am unsure to what extent I agree with him, though it is likely not much, but I find his work to be intriguing.

Yes, Watson The James-Lange theory of emotions confused us all- perhaps had we studied it more in depth we'd have understood it better instead of in part. That and our lecturer was quite frankly someone better suited to presenting some sort of farcical day time TV chatshow.

Yes, the theory was interesting- regarding emotion. As for his work in religion- i am blissfully ignorant of this.

It has been an interesting discussion though, even if we do perhaps differ on some issues. Besides, it has been a while since I have actively studied psychology, so I am not entirely prepared to debate it too much at this point, least of all with someone engaged in the active study of the field.

Is it so wrong to have the discussion with one who is actively studying? sometimes that's the best time in my opinion However, if vaguely i see a point to the conviction- as i'm still forming my opinions and learnign the feild i can't neccesarily have a set view or even a consistent set of beliefs (as has been show in the past i know... )

The combination of the two is potentially very dangerous and has, in the past, had a negative impact. When you combine a field which is often speculative and necessarily tentative with a chemical, medical intervention in the human mind, it is liable for abuse. As happened, for example, in the Soviet Union and other authoritarian states, where dissidents were sometimes subjected to psychiatric treatments for their "wrong thinking". Or for that matter, in Western society with the "treatments" and experiments which were widely conducted in the earlier portion of the 20th century on gays and lesbians, or the use of full frontal lobotomies.

However, this does not necessarily require intervention of more medically oriented fashion, as evidenced by the thousands of lives which were ruined in the 80s and early 90s with the "Recovered Memory" and "Satanic Ritual Abuse" scares. These do almost always requires the intervention of the state, though. The combination of psychology and psychiatry may be particularly open to abuse, but I am not especially pleased with either in and of themselves.

Well, as for the medicine and psychology as a combination, there are pro's there are con's. As for early psychological practice using medicine as a tool in its quite frankly infuriating 'ends/means' justification of all actions, i beleive that in a way psychology and neuroscience especially would not be where it is now if it weren't for the large steps taken back then when everything was in its infancy- less regulated and less in the forefront.

I hate to respond with such a small bit, but I see. Good luck with that (I don't mean that sarcastically, either).

Thank you

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

Should I bother? I'm purely an interested layperson . . .

I've never seen it Rox, but please, DO bother. If you are interested then the best thing you can do is indulge your interest- particularly in academia

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

As for what i plan to do, first of all i need to pass my degree! (i am exactly half way right now, and being one of the youngest in the year i will be sittng my finals at the age of 20, but graduate when im 21!)

I've been lucky in the sense that i've already worked as a research assistant for my uni over the summer between my 1st and 2nd year (its unheard of for a 1st year to get that position!)

I am also lucky as i have a close family friend who is the manageress of a Hospice and is interested in hiring me to assist the psychologist on the team. So i have to have talks about that and arrange to start .

Perhaps i will work there for a couple of years after my degree to get more experience i don't know.

I want to do my masters, and circumstance permitting do a PhD. My main interest is social psychology as a feild, but as a career im somewhat interested in counselling.

*shrugs* who knows at the end of the day, i may change my mind

~~ now im done

You so rock.

 

[Equinoxe]

Should I bother? I'm purely an interested layperson . . .

I am by no means not a layperson mself (to phrase it as awkwardly as possible).

I only saw a very small portion, but it seemed as though it would be interesting. In the part that I watched, the author recounted an anecdote which James would tell that I rather enjoyed.

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

You so rock.

Whaaaaa? explain per favore

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Whaaaaa? explain per favore

I have the greatest admiration for your ambition, dilligence and conscientiousness. Plus, you're cute as a bug.


(Why bugs are supposed to be cute I don't know, but that's how the saying goes, and it's cute too. )


Prego. (Your welcome.)

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

I have the greatest admiration for your ambition, dilligence and conscientiousness. Plus, you're cute as a bug.


(Why bugs are supposed to be cute I don't know, but that's how the saying goes, and it's cute too. )


Prego. (Your welcome.)

You make me blush damnit woman. And you know that's difficult for me to do - thank you

A bug...right...er...hmmm...

I think you need to teach me more Italian, i'm loving it

I've got:

Ciao, Avanti, Bellisimo/a (bella), Cara Mia, Baciami, Amore and apparently commas are 'said' as 'che' ???!!! oh and now Prego

Neways, teach me! (ps...there's one last q for you in my thread!)

 

[Equinoxe]

Yes, Watson The James-Lange theory of emotions confused us all- perhaps had we studied it more in depth we'd have understood it better instead of in part. That and our lecturer was quite frankly someone better suited to presenting some sort of farcical day time TV chatshow.

Yes, the theory was interesting- regarding emotion. As for his work in religion- i am blissfully ignorant of this.

He was very broad in his studies, which I generally appreciate in a scholar. I should re-read his work, it has been 6 years or so.

Lecturers better suited to day time television are not to be preferred, I should think.

Is it so wrong to have the discussion with one who is actively studying? sometimes that's the best time in my opinion However, if vaguely i see a point to the conviction- as i'm still forming my opinions and learnign the feild i can't neccesarily have a set view or even a consistent set of beliefs (as has been show in the past i know... )

I said "debate", not discussion.

My opinions can change sometimes as well, so I do understand that. Opinions should be flexible as new things are learned. If no amount of new information can change one's mind, it does not bode well for one's critical thinking skills.

Well, as for the medicine and psychology as a combination, there are pro's there are con's. As for early psychological practice using medicine as a tool in its quite frankly infuriating 'ends/means' justification of all actions, i beleive that in a way psychology and neuroscience especially would not be where it is now if it weren't for the large steps taken back then when everything was in its infancy- less regulated and less in the forefront.

I agree, and I hinted at that earlier. The potential for abuse, and historically the abuse, is greater, but so is the potential for help. It is perhaps somewhat horrifying to consider, but as much as knowledge is based on the positive outcomes, it is also based upon the horrible mistakes and cruel practices of the past. Sometimes, this enables researchers to learn invaluable things and other times, the knowledge is of questionable value, but it is an important learning tool. Feral children, for example, have taught us much about developmental psychology, but it would probably be better if no such test subjects were available.

Thank you

You are welcome.

 

[Fallenfromgrace]

He was very broad in his studies, which I generally appreciate in a scholar. I should re-read his work, it has been 6 years or so.

Lecturers better suited to day time television are not to be preferred, I should think.

I said "debate", not discussion.

My opinions can change sometimes as well, so I do understand that. Opinions should be flexible as new things are learned. If no amount of new information can change one's mind, it does not bode well for one's critical thinking skills.

I agree. I also think that learning is a lifelong process and people shouldn't shut themselves away from it.

I agree, and I hinted at that earlier. The potential for abuse, and historically the abuse, is greater, but so is the potential for help. It is perhaps somewhat horrifying to consider, but as much as knowledge is based on the positive outcomes, it is also based upon the horrible mistakes and cruel practices of the past. Sometimes, this enables researchers to learn invaluable things and other times, the knowledge is of questionable value, but it is an important learning tool. Feral children, for example, have taught us much about developmental psychology, but it would probably be better if no such test subjects were available.

Oh, indeed. The same goes for those that EST was first tested on as well as scores of others- including taking neuro-typical individuals and exposing them to potential dangers- Milgram and Zimbardo are but imfamous for their research but the ethical issues are not withstanding.

It would be like saying 'i think all twins should be seperated at birth so the heretibility of depression/ schizophrenia/ disposition to violent persona etc etc etc can be discerned.'

You are welcome.

Shuda said it in Italian but Grazia all the same

 

[Equinoxe]

I agree. I also think that learning is a lifelong process and people shouldn't shut themselves away from it.

Very much so. Learning is of the utmost importance and should not be limited to the early portion of one's life.

Oh, indeed. The same goes for those that EST was first tested on as well as scores of others- including taking neuro-typical individuals and exposing them to potential dangers- Milgram and Zimbardo are but imfamous for their research but the ethical issues are not withstanding.

It would be like saying 'i think all twins should be seperated at birth so the heretibility of depression/ schizophrenia/ disposition to violent persona etc etc etc can be discerned.'

Indeed. There are experiments that just cannot be ethically done, even though they would provide incredible knowledge.

Shuda said it in Italian but Grazia all the same

My Italian is not so good, but if you'll settle for its ancestor: Es opportunissimam. (I think.)

 

[Guest]

Still

Procrastinating and my ethics paper document remains un-opened.

I suck at being a good student.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Man, he needed to move that camera lower. . .*sighs wistfully at neo's av* edit to add: I mean.... Man, he needed to shove those jeans lower.

 

[Guest]

Man, he needed to move that camera lower. . .*sighs wistfully at neo's av* edit to add: I mean.... Man, he needed to shove those jeans lower.

I do have one with those camo pants lowered right here on Myspace.

 

[scottmcc]

I was in the bookstore today and saw an author with the last name of McKenna. I wondered if the author was the McKenna from Lit then realized that I had been on quite an off cycle.

The last thing I posted was old poetry for this new profile.

I can't bring myself to write erotica at work. I can write, my non-erotic works are doing well but I just feel kind of odd writing love scenes at work. It isn't like anyone would notice, I work in an office now that is only busy for about two weeks every four months. I work in an admissions office at a college and it is a wonderful job. I'm finally finishing my degree, which it turns out I'm farther away than I thought. I won't be done until this time next year, but I am glad to get it done finally.

Hopefully I'll be able to get something up here even if it is normal fiction. I'm actually developing an idea that I would love some views on. That sounds like a good idea Scott, once the first chapters are finished I'll post them in single chapter chunks for easy reading.

Now all I need is to get the chapters written and an editor.

The story I'm developing now that I'm actually hoping to post as previously mentioned is a fantasy/steam-punk setting. I'm actually looking forward to writing it, which is a dreadfully rare occurance for me. I find myself dredging through ideas that rarely catch my full attention and then they are left half finished.

Tangent:
Does anyone read Jasper Fforde? I've finished The Big Over Easy and The Fourth Bear in book form and revisited The Big Over Easy in audio-book form. My wife is currently reading the Thursday Next Series but has lost The Eyre Affair so I have yet to start it. From what she tells me of that series it is just as well written.

Anyone who enjoys good writing and a great story should check out his work.

I've also just finished Peter and the Starcatchers and was delightfully surprised, but the writers stand accused of sending me down a Peter Pan tangent. I am now listening to Tim Curry read Peter Pan in Scarlet.

Audio-books are a new fascination for me being that I drive about two hours a day, which isn't bad but books make it so much easier. I've also purchased MirrorMask by Neil Gaiman but have not been able to listen to it due to problems with Audible.com

Ok, so it's really 2 posts in 1 but I'll call it a bargain.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

I do have one with those camo pants lowered right here on Myspace.

*sighs in mmmmmm*

 

[Guest]

*sighs in mmmmmm*

But it's "artfully" cropped as per usual.