Out There [editing in progress]
Observational Conditions
Observations were made in a local pool hall over 3 evenings during the
time a friend was in town. Time totaled approximately 8 hours.
Observations
They are profoundly ignorant, many are high school dropouts. This is
completely incomprehensible to anyone with a degree. Avoid large or
uncommon words.
The stuff on Jerry Springer really does happen. The things on those
TV shows appears to be completely acceptable behavior.
Multiple chemical addictions... nicotine, alcohol, assorted drugs.
Physical sensation completely dominates, and they live completely
in the "now".
They all look nearly identical, following the fads,
telling them apart is extremely difficult.
Gossip is the rule. Everyone knows about everyone else's business,
and privacy is a completely foreign concept.
That lower 20-percentile of personal income does exist. Apparently
related to lack of education. Priorities are clothing, vehicles,
and addictions.
Sex, lots of it, with lots of people. Commitment is unknown,
and multiple simultaneous relationships appear to be the norm.
Property appears to be communal. Everyone takes everyone
else's stuff with no apparent concept of "personal" possessions.
Nine-ball is the pool game of choice. This may be to avoid the
difficulty of double-digit numbers.
Problems are solved with combat. Status appears to be based on
strength and clothing. A complete alpha to omega social
structure exists, so knowledge of primate or canine social rules is
very useful.
They don't have computers, those that do are on AOL. They use AOL
to talk about sex, drugs, and gossip in the chat rooms.
When you ask "what are you thinking" and they say "nothing", they
mean it. They aren't pondering complex systems, solving design
problems, or trying to save the planet.
They are happy. Even the sad ones are happier then anyone
I associate with. Go figure.
Conclusions
After having many people read this, you are doing one of two things
right now.
Offended
No one likes to read about themselves. Sorry. Be happy. Not that
you're still reading.
Laughing like mad
Ignorance may well be bliss. But since you're not, watch your back.
Remember that history is litered with a hundred examples of
barbarian hoard X burning advanced civilization Y to the ground
- it will happen again.
© Copyright Adam L. Beberg 2000. All rights reserved.
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