Donate Bitcoin

Donate Paypal


PeakOil is You

PeakOil is You

Why is negativity important to you?

Discussions related to the physiological and psychological effects of peak oil on our members and future generations.

Re: Why is negativity important to you?

Unread postby PenultimateManStanding » Mon 17 Sep 2007, 23:17:15

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '
')These are difficult issues for me.
Your observation about the confusing nature of our unique situation rings bells with me. Enjoy the present moments and let the devil take tomorrow or fret and worry about what will happen in just the coming months when Mexican oil exports shrivel up and blow away. I don't like negativity. For me the choice is either good cheer or stoicism & feeling little to nothing. I won't have the pendulum swinging past that midpoint into negativity, or at least not without disdainfully disguising it.
User avatar
PenultimateManStanding
Expert
Expert
 
Posts: 11363
Joined: Sun 28 Nov 2004, 04:00:00
Location: Neither Here Nor There

Re: Why is negativity important to you?

Unread postby TheDude » Mon 17 Sep 2007, 23:41:11

There are people who latch onto peak oil as a vindication of dark desires. Their postings - or Kunstler's books/ClusterFucks - make this pretty obvious. JHK wants to see all this horrible suburban junk ripped up for firewood, so we can go back to Anytown USA, rail lines, apartments above shops selling fresh produce, horse drawn buggies. You know, Norman Rockwell. He exudes revulsion at what's replaced it, and dismisses any evidence of schemes that would allow the current paradigm to continue, as do so many here. He isn't interested in or motivated to really prepare for survival, either - remember that Savinar asked him how ready he was in the BOB etc. department, fresh water, supplies. He had maybe an extra bottle of aspirin.

Many think their negativism will do people a favor in the end, that they'll keep people from wasting time trying to continue to conduct business as usual. From their perspective their actions are actually positive, and perhaps they're right. I doubt there's much an individual can do with much more than a small community to sway opinion. Perhaps they view this forum as such a community.
Cogito, ergo non satis bibivi
And let me tell you something: I dig your work.
User avatar
TheDude
Expert
Expert
 
Posts: 4896
Joined: Thu 06 Apr 2006, 03:00:00
Location: 3 miles NW of Champoeg, Republic of Cascadia

Re: Why is negativity important to you?

Unread postby aldente » Tue 18 Sep 2007, 01:44:09

There is this fellow who claims that it is possible to calibrate truth vs. falsehood named David Hawkins. He works with kinesiology primarily.

Since this takes two and I for the most time don't have anyone to ask to hold out the arm I started to use a pendulum which leads to some results as well (mixed ones but nevertheless results).

In his arbitrary scale from 1 to 1000 the critical point of integrity is at 200. When calibrating PO.com it reaches a mere 175 points (the same as any military institution btw), which would explain why Peak Oilers are a negative bunch.

Nothing wrong with that in the first place or is there?!

Image
User avatar
aldente
Permanently Banned
 
Posts: 1554
Joined: Fri 20 Aug 2004, 03:00:00

Re: Why is negativity important to you?

Unread postby Narz » Tue 18 Sep 2007, 02:10:43

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Aaron', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', 'I')t's a matter of survival. Why is survival important to me? Because it's important to my husband. :)


No I mean why do you assume your "positivity" equates with survival?

People with positive attitudes live longer.

Negativity is bad for your health.

When you read about people living to 120, you generally don't read about how bitter, angry and cynical they were.

Longevity & health are generally correlated with a good attitude towards life and close, loving relationships.
“Seek simplicity but distrust it”
User avatar
Narz
Intermediate Crude
Intermediate Crude
 
Posts: 2360
Joined: Sat 25 Nov 2006, 04:00:00
Location: the belly of the beast (New Jersey)

Re: Why is negativity important to you?

Unread postby Narz » Tue 18 Sep 2007, 02:22:46

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('albente', 'T')here is this fellow who claims that it is possible to calibrate truth vs. falsehood named David Hawkins. He works with kinesiology primarily.

Since this takes two and I for the most time don't have anyone to ask to hold out the arm I started to use a pendulum which leads to some results as well (mixed ones but nevertheless results).

In his arbitrary scale from 1 to 1000 the critical point of integrity is at 200. When calibrating PO.com it reaches a mere 175 points (the same as any military institution btw), which would explain why Peak Oilers are a negative bunch.

Nothing wrong with that in the first place or is there?!

Image

I just got his book from the library. IMO, at best the book is silly and at worst was an insult to my intelligence. His "scale of consciousness" might be useful to some but his (pseudo) science is highly flawed (when in doubt, fabricate stuff and hope your audience can't tell the difference seems to be his policy) and his self-aggrandizing was a major turnoff (according to Hawkins his book "vibrates" at a "highly level of truth" than Einstein).

The "scales of consciousness" like I said, can be useful. If Hawkins had stuck to philosophy and maybe self-help he might have had a very good book, but the idea that applied kinesiology can reveal the ultimate truth in any situation with 100% accuracy is bogus.

Read some the 1 and 2 star reviews here. Reading the 1 star reviews on Amazon is a good way to gauge a book or product. If the 1 star folks are obvious nutters with an agenda and the 5 starrers sound rational and make good points chances are you have a winner, in the case most of the 1 star people bring up valid points.

Such as that Hawkins claims "primitive societies" rate lower than our modern industrail one (I'd bet money he hasn't studied them at all) and that Walmart (that's right) is an example of a high-resonance company that cares about it's customers & employees. :roll:
“Seek simplicity but distrust it”
User avatar
Narz
Intermediate Crude
Intermediate Crude
 
Posts: 2360
Joined: Sat 25 Nov 2006, 04:00:00
Location: the belly of the beast (New Jersey)

Re: Why is negativity important to you?

Unread postby Zardoz » Tue 18 Sep 2007, 02:34:43

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Heineken', 'I') will continue to find joy in this vale of tears even on its final day, in the unlikely event that I should live to see it. At the same time, my view that we're headed for the ashcan is unshakeable.

There you go. That's pretty much how it is for me.

Ya gotta laugh to keep from cryin'.
"Thank you for attending the oil age. We're going to scrape what we can out of these tar pits in Alberta and then shut down the machines and turn out the lights. Goodnight." - seldom_seen
User avatar
Zardoz
Expert
Expert
 
Posts: 6323
Joined: Fri 02 Dec 2005, 04:00:00
Location: Oil-addicted Southern Californucopia
Top

Re: Why is negativity important to you?

Unread postby wisconsin_cur » Tue 18 Sep 2007, 03:20:30

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'W')isconsin cur seems to see a benefit in seeing "things as they are" but does not say why that is beneficial.


When I say "benefit of seeing things how they are..." this would include not just the static view of one instant but the trajectory of events into the future. The benefit is that I can either get out of the way of the landslide or I can put my glove into the air to catch the pop fly (which might otherwise bean me on my bald head rendering me unconscious). The benefit is to be able to anticipate, good or bad in order to maximize benefit (if there is benefit to be had) or minimize loss.

I think our cultural situation warrents some good healthy negativity because if we are to weather the approaching storm we need to be prepared for it in all that it may deliver upon us. I have yet to hear of someone boarding up their home or evacuating before a Hurricane called "negative." Even if they were to yell at their sunbathing neighbors "What are you doing you crazy SOB's?!" I don't think we would call them negative... impolite perhaps but not negative.

To conclude we can have disagreements as to whether we will face greater damage from wind, flooding or zombie hoards but to have an opinion that we are facing a catagory 5, or that the levee will break or that FEMA will prove inadequate is to have a different assessment of trajectory. I find some labels (whether" optimist" or "negative") are attempts to avoid engaging with the ideas and assessments of others...

or perhaps a desire to avoid facing a truth that one sees but cannot bring themselves to admit.

Of course we are all going to view that trajectory differently and make different calculations based upon what we see.
http://www.thenewfederalistpapers.com
User avatar
wisconsin_cur
Light Sweet Crude
Light Sweet Crude
 
Posts: 4576
Joined: Thu 10 May 2007, 03:00:00
Location: 45 degrees North. 883 feet above sealevel.
Top

Re: Why is negativity important to you?

Unread postby aldente » Tue 18 Sep 2007, 04:06:16

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Narz', '
')I just got his book from the library.


Now that was really fast, considering your response within 45 minutes let's say just around midnight...

Credit to your local library.

Image
User avatar
aldente
Permanently Banned
 
Posts: 1554
Joined: Fri 20 Aug 2004, 03:00:00
Top

Re: Why is negativity important to you?

Unread postby Narz » Tue 18 Sep 2007, 21:41:25

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('albente', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Narz', '
')I just got his book from the library.


Now that was really fast, considering your response within 45 minutes let's say just around midnight...

Credit to your local library.

Just in this case means within the last two weeks.

Where do you get all those animated GIF's?
“Seek simplicity but distrust it”
User avatar
Narz
Intermediate Crude
Intermediate Crude
 
Posts: 2360
Joined: Sat 25 Nov 2006, 04:00:00
Location: the belly of the beast (New Jersey)
Top

Re: Why is negativity important to you?

Unread postby Kristen » Tue 18 Sep 2007, 22:27:56

I'm not negative, I just don't have unrealistic expectations.
User avatar
Kristen
Tar Sands
Tar Sands
 
Posts: 711
Joined: Mon 17 Jul 2006, 03:00:00
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Re: Why is negativity important to you?

Unread postby RacerJace » Wed 19 Sep 2007, 10:09:09

This question is analogous to the "Doomer" versus "Realist" argument. I don't believe I'm a negative person but I often get called that by people that want to dismiss my view of the future. There should be a distinction between factual based critical thinking, cynicsim and outright negativity by the emotional response. Sometimes the truth hurts and that hurt is often wrongly interpreted as negativity. Cognitive dissonance condures powerful emotions in most people. It can produce anger and even violence in some.

People that label me as negative make me consider them as having low emotional IQ , especially when I know I am being honest and gracious. It's true that if you tell an emotionally imature fat person they're fat, they'll usually confuse ungracious with negative. I have a fairly dark and dry sense of humor so that combined with a "tell it like it is" attitude can have negative consequences.

I'm an engineer and I'm trained to practice robust design. A big part of that process is discovering and understanding all the problems so that the appropriate solutions can be included in the design. For me, when the glass is greater than 50% it's half full and when the glass is less than 50% it's time to get another beer.

I have a "expect the worst and hope for the best" mindset. So when I realised what Peak Oil means I dug in reeeaally deep. Technology used to be my god so you can imagine the grieving I've been through and still going through since I took the red pill.

.
User avatar
RacerJace
Lignite
Lignite
 
Posts: 236
Joined: Sun 16 Oct 2005, 03:00:00
Location: Australia

Re: Why is negativity important to you?

Unread postby Ferretlover » Wed 19 Sep 2007, 10:13:58

"when the glass is greater than 50% it's half full and when the glass is less than 50% it's time to get another beer."

I've read that the actual conclusion should be that the glass was incorrectly engineered for its contents! :-)
Ferretlover
Elite
Elite
 
Posts: 5852
Joined: Wed 13 Jun 2007, 03:00:00
Location: Hundreds of miles further inland

Re: Why is negativity important to you?

Unread postby bshirt » Wed 19 Sep 2007, 10:45:06

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JPL', '
')Matt Savinar's 'LATOC' thesis, for example, is basically a deconstruction of modern (Anglo-American) society, so is James Kunsler's various writings.


I don't think those two are being negative just to be negative.

They're simply looking reality in the eye and having the guts to speak about things as they honestly see them. All the "positive" cum-by-ya singing in the world isn't going to change a thing regarding GW, PO, fiat currency, etc, etc.
User avatar
bshirt
Tar Sands
Tar Sands
 
Posts: 502
Joined: Sat 23 Dec 2006, 04:00:00
Top

Re: Why is negativity important to you?

Unread postby RacerJace » Wed 19 Sep 2007, 10:54:52

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ferretlover', '"')when the glass is greater than 50% it's half full and when the glass is less than 50% it's time to get another beer."

I've read that the actual conclusion should be that the glass was incorrectly engineered for its contents! :-)


:lol: [notes that one in the list of clever quips]
User avatar
RacerJace
Lignite
Lignite
 
Posts: 236
Joined: Sun 16 Oct 2005, 03:00:00
Location: Australia
Top

Re: Why is negativity important to you?

Unread postby Ludi » Wed 19 Sep 2007, 13:08:10

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('bshirt', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JPL', '
')Matt Savinar's 'LATOC' thesis, for example, is basically a deconstruction of modern (Anglo-American) society, so is James Kunsler's various writings.


I don't think those two are being negative just to be negative.

They're simply looking reality in the eye and having the guts to speak about things as they honestly see them. All the "positive" cum-by-ya singing in the world isn't going to change a thing regarding GW, PO, fiat currency, etc, etc.



What's the benefit though, in repeatedly pointing out the bad stuff, and not the good stuff? That's what I'm trying to get at here, what is the benefit derived from saying "we're screwed!" constantly?

Does it enable people to take action better? But how can they take action if action is seen as "positive" or "optimistic"? (Like, for instance, a lot of the things that I post about, in my "positivity") For me, reading "we're screwed and there's nothing we can do!" doesn't encourage me to action, it encourages me to sit down and cry. In a way, I see it as a self-fullfilling prophecy, because if one keeps saying "blah blah isn't going to change a thing regarding GW, PO, fiat currency, etc etc etc" then people surely aren't going to take the actions that could mitigate those problems, because they will be convinced nothing can change this inevitable doom. See what I'm saying? That's just my point of view though, others may see great benefit in saying repeatedly "we're screwed and nothing can change" though, I'm not sure what that benefit is...
Ludi
 
Top

Re: Why is negativity important to you?

Unread postby Ludi » Wed 19 Sep 2007, 13:22:23

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Heineken', 'M')y worldview is increasingly negative because facts and events seem to increasingly validate that attitude. I could be wrong, but that is my perception.



Here's where we're very different, you and I. Though we both agree we're screwed, you dwell on that and post about it a lot, whereas I don't dwell on it and try not to post about it!


Aside from the feeling of validation, what benefit do you derive from dwelling on the negative, or at least what benefit do you derive from posting about it a lot here? Besides the sort of validation of your worldview you get from other people here, what benefit do you get, or hope to bestow, by dwelling on negative things?
Ludi
 
Top

Re: Why is negativity important to you?

Unread postby JPL » Wed 19 Sep 2007, 13:51:21

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('bshirt', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JPL', '
')Matt Savinar's 'LATOC' thesis, for example, is basically a deconstruction of modern (Anglo-American) society, so is James Kunsler's various writings.


I don't think those two are being negative just to be negative.

They're simply looking reality in the eye and having the guts to speak about things as they honestly see them. All the "positive" cum-by-ya singing in the world isn't going to change a thing regarding GW, PO, fiat currency, etc, etc.


Deconstruction is when you start from a premise of 'all this is wrong' and then look for arguements to suit your assertion.

You really think they aren't doing that???

JP
JPL
Heavy Crude
Heavy Crude
 
Posts: 1264
Joined: Sat 18 Mar 2006, 04:00:00
Location: Off with the Fey Folk
Top

Re: Why is negativity important to you?

Unread postby TorrKing » Wed 19 Sep 2007, 14:19:12

I would say that, whereas I definitely crave for doom, it is because I see upon it as an opportunity since I've never liked this society. Of course I may die, but I have to work hard to make sure I am one of the ones that survive.

Because of that I do not post posts like: We are so fucked!, We are all gonna die! (I might have tongue in cheek) and similar.

There are always opportunity, defiatism will get you nowhere. You might die prematurely (as it's called these days), it's all about improving the odds of you and your decendants. Of course a lot of people here seems to join the "sheeple" in being in love with the dulling gadgets and comforts of our present lifestyle. I think you need to release yourself from that path of thought.

So I guess I agree with Ludi. :)
User avatar
TorrKing
Tar Sands
Tar Sands
 
Posts: 717
Joined: Thu 24 Nov 2005, 04:00:00
Location: The ever shrinking wilds of Norway

Re: Why is negativity important to you?

Unread postby Heineken » Wed 19 Sep 2007, 14:32:56

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Heineken', 'M')y worldview is increasingly negative because facts and events seem to increasingly validate that attitude. I could be wrong, but that is my perception.



Here's where we're very different, you and I. Though we both agree we're screwed, you dwell on that and post about it a lot, whereas I don't dwell on it and try not to post about it!


Aside from the feeling of validation, what benefit do you derive from dwelling on the negative, or at least what benefit do you derive from posting about it a lot here? Besides the sort of validation of your worldview you get from other people here, what benefit do you get, or hope to bestow, by dwelling on negative things?


Validation by others is a powerful benefit, Ludi. Don't discount it.

Consider what sort of website this is. Peak Oil. A deeply negative issue, for the most part. You should not be surprised to encounter extensive negative sentiment about the future here.

Overall, I think my doomer attitude is surprisingly positive, given the facts, which are almost uniformly dreadful.

To the degree that I "dwell" on negative things, perhaps I'm trying to throw cold water in my face so that I actually react to them, and take necessary steps. I think that others should do the same.

The danger of dwelling only on the positive is that it could lead to complacency and inaction.

If society were half as negative about the total situation as I am, we'd be on a completely different, and better, course.
"Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog

"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---I & my bro.
User avatar
Heineken
Expert
Expert
 
Posts: 7051
Joined: Tue 14 Sep 2004, 03:00:00
Location: Rural Virginia
Top

Re: Why is negativity important to you?

Unread postby bshirt » Wed 19 Sep 2007, 19:21:02

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('bshirt', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JPL', '
')Matt Savinar's 'LATOC' thesis, for example, is basically a deconstruction of modern (Anglo-American) society, so is James Kunsler's various writings.


I don't think those two are being negative just to be negative.

They're simply looking reality in the eye and having the guts to speak about things as they honestly see them. All the "positive" cum-by-ya singing in the world isn't going to change a thing regarding GW, PO, fiat currency, etc, etc.


What's the benefit though, in repeatedly pointing out the bad stuff, and not the good stuff? That's what I'm trying to get at here, what is the benefit derived from saying "we're screwed!" constantly?

Does it enable people to take action better? But how can they take action if action is seen as "positive" or "optimistic"? (Like, for instance, a lot of the things that I post about, in my "positivity") For me, reading "we're screwed and there's nothing we can do!" doesn't encourage me to action, it encourages me to sit down and cry. In a way, I see it as a self-fullfilling prophecy, because if one keeps saying "blah blah isn't going to change a thing regarding GW, PO, fiat currency, etc etc etc" then people surely aren't going to take the actions that could mitigate those problems, because they will be convinced nothing can change this inevitable doom. See what I'm saying? That's just my point of view though, others may see great benefit in saying repeatedly "we're screwed and nothing can change" though, I'm not sure what that benefit is...


Well, from my point of view, three benefits I enjoy here in "negative" PO.com....

1. PO.com is not mainstream media. I greatly enjoy it here due to the honest discussion of cold, brutal facts staring all of us in the face which is 180 degrees from the fairy tale dreamland the talking heads on TV project. To me, it's a breath of fresh air.

2. Those vicious cold facts are a great, great motivator for me. Ludi, you're more than welcome to come check out my solar greenhouse (using hydroponics), wood boiler, water purification using ceramic filters with a cistern, LED supplemental lighting, etc. Not that there isn't 10,000 other things that need to be done, but it's a good start I think.

3. PO. Com is to me one of the very, very few places I know of where bullsh*t and lies don't prevail.

Wouldn't you agree that there are endless threads here that have wonderful tips and insights on everything such as gardening, trees, positive land development, permaculture, natural soil enrichment, alternative energy production (solar, wind) and so on?

Anyways, Ludi, I "do" see your point. If a person feels helpless about near future current events, then yes, it's certainly not beneficial for that person.

But there's very few posts I've seen that claim there's nothing you can do about "anything". Sure, for PO, GW, Govn policies and so on there's very little a single person can do. But if one is willing to step out of the box, the options are endless. You know that.

In summary, in this PC world, I enjoy reading posts from folks who call a spade a spade.
User avatar
bshirt
Tar Sands
Tar Sands
 
Posts: 502
Joined: Sat 23 Dec 2006, 04:00:00
Top

PreviousNext

Return to Medical Issues Forum

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest

cron