Comments on The Burd Report: Nobody Wants to Know

Unfortunately, THIS is what people around here car...

2010-02-21T21:30:14.641-05:00

Unfortunately, THIS is what people around here care about. Care so deeply about as a matter of fact that it has led to an epidemic of ghastly purple prose flagwaving, designating snowboarders and kids killed in military 'accidents' by their own mates, and the declaration that the Canadian flag (in which the author of this horrifyingly bad piece of writing is firmly wrapped) is a female. Who knew? Frankly, it's been a long time since I read anything as unintentionally hilarious as this:

http://www.northumberlandnews.com/article/148401

So, a percentage of the population's going to ...

2010-02-19T07:16:22.537-05:00

So, a percentage of the population's going to have red hair, and so on.... Don't fret it Deb, you are what you are, and you ain't what you ain't. Personally, from what I've read on these posts from you, I'm glad you're still kickin'. You go girl !

"It is what separates us from the other creat...

2010-02-18T18:50:13.763-05:00

"It is what separates us from the other creatures on the earth who just exist to hunt down their next meal."

That's why I read the BurdReport -those wonderfully delicate and nuanced swipes at the Rotary Club, this being but the latest fine example.

There is also a condition called "learned hel...

2010-02-18T16:11:57.172-05:00

There is also a condition called "learned helplessness". A dog can be trained to not jump across a line to get some food because it will receive an electric shock. In this case the dog still will not cross the line even if the electricity is turned off. (Don't blame me, I didn't shock dogs, it was a scientist that did it).
In human terms the lesson is that sometimes it requires an extreme effort to persuade people that their apathy or reluctance to act is in fact misguided. The condition is easier to diagnose than to cure. The good news is that a certain percentage of the dogs refused to become helpless.

Sounds like you have a case of the February 'b...

2010-02-18T16:06:37.373-05:00

Sounds like you have a case of the February 'blahs'. You'll get over it.
And, in case you are running out of goals and commitments, I have a project I think you might be interested in. We'll talk when there's something a little more concrete I can present to you.
So now there's suspense in your life too....:-)

A long time ago in a behavioural science course I ...

2010-02-18T15:54:36.702-05:00

A long time ago in a behavioural science course I was taught that normal healthy people learn from experience and if they are continually unsuccessful in achieving task they give up. Paradoxically a successful salesperson is one who does not learn from experience. Even though 50 doors have been shut in their face they will continue to knock on doors and ultimately someone might buy something, or at least ask what they are selling. This was shown as an example where lacking an experience gene ( or reflex) was seen to be necessary or advantageous. Equally well lacking this capacity to learn from experience might also lead to gambling addiction, so it goes both ways.

In the case of political struggles, or struggles to improve the human condition, there is the realization that the result of ceasing to struggle is a foregone conclusion: nothing will change, so the only thing to do is to continue. It is a bit like a lottery: if you don’t buy a ticket you can be 100% sure of not winning.

Greg H