http://www.viruscomix.com/page500.html
There's a couple of people in my f-list that I think will find interest in that and they'll agree with it, but I'm not really sure that I do. I guess it depends on how you interpret the meaning of the last line and the conditions placed on the definitions.
Though FWIW, if I start placing conditions on the definitions, then the message is probably correct in a purely semantic sense and I can understand that interpretation, but I do think it's a technicality and that at the root, they are not 'right' but using terms that are too vague and casting a loose net to make their point.
One could make the counter argument that I am biased. I could not disagree with that assessment, but I would also point out that being biased doesn't make one inherently wrong. It just means to take their interpretations with a grain of salt.
From my perspective, 'normal' is like 'quality'. You know it when you see it.
There's a couple of people in my f-list that I think will find interest in that and they'll agree with it, but I'm not really sure that I do. I guess it depends on how you interpret the meaning of the last line and the conditions placed on the definitions.
Though FWIW, if I start placing conditions on the definitions, then the message is probably correct in a purely semantic sense and I can understand that interpretation, but I do think it's a technicality and that at the root, they are not 'right' but using terms that are too vague and casting a loose net to make their point.
One could make the counter argument that I am biased. I could not disagree with that assessment, but I would also point out that being biased doesn't make one inherently wrong. It just means to take their interpretations with a grain of salt.
From my perspective, 'normal' is like 'quality'. You know it when you see it.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-11 11:12 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-12 12:14 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-12 12:20 am (UTC)1) I'm reminded of the great Lore, who pointed that the commonly accepted concept of 'normal' is very, very, creepy. (1, 2, 3, 4)
2) Look at it is thusly: Given a bell curve, while the middle of the curve might have the highest point, those actually AT the point is exceedingly small. You're much more likely to be greater than half a standard deviation away than actually within half a standard deviation. Heck, you're much more likely to be greater than over 1.7 standard deviations away than actually within a tenth of a deviation.
3) Oakland Raiders fans serve a very valuable purpose: they make Furries look normal in comparison.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-12 12:23 am (UTC)The point of the comic is that, while one may not qualify for one instance of being 'weird' (Ie, I don't eat paper or eat PBBB sandwiches), another instance will apply. Therefore, we are all weird.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-12 12:34 am (UTC)If you expand the definition of "pornography" to "crap which you can spend a lot of time on because it presses weird buttons inside your brain" though, that makes sense. "Maps are gamer porn."
I burned out on peanut butter nanner sandwiches as a kid. Peanut butter bacon sandwiches are, however, seriously good.
I dunno. I liked the comic. Inclusive and charitable spirited things are nice.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-12 12:42 am (UTC)However, I live in a pigsty of my own making with a grouchy spouse.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-12 02:07 am (UTC)I realize that this is a fairly trite comment as your post was more about the message of the strip than anything, but gosh I sure do love that webcomic anyway.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-12 03:20 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-12 04:13 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-12 04:17 am (UTC)I could see peanut butter working with bacon.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-12 06:19 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-12 06:29 am (UTC)"Has struggled to create a personal theory of mind and spirit, has structured their personal and public lives to match their discoveries, and is often singled out for ridicule or demonization for it"
and
"Is semantically naive about the subjectiveness of their value system, and therefore takes society as an objective good and does not question their gut reactions against people displaying transgressive behaviors, ultimately becoming an enforcer of the status quo themselves... but likes to eat paper."
The comic's sweet and all, but it's toooo facile. Ultimately, it reeks of "you are not a unique and special snowflake" or "quit whining, we've all been shot." Being eccentric or subcultural is by no way proof of resistance to conformity, but that doesn't mean that conformity doesn't exist.
Let's face it, some people operate on their primate social dominance programming more than others. Some people are more driven by novelty-seeking behavior than others. There's no clear, absolute division between the two -- but it still makes a real difference.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-12 07:50 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-13 11:13 am (UTC)This is quite similar to every job interview I've ever been on. I hate the feeling that wile I'm speaking the manager is in some sort of machine mode just looking for keywords, or even has a list with check boxed items in front of them that I have to hit, rather than listening to what I'm saying. And at the end I ask "Oh my god why do I keep leaving the house?" and stay inside said dwelling for three months.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-13 06:09 pm (UTC)If you stop seeing them as people and treat them more as a game that you're playing for fun and profit and just try to see how many points you can score it takes away alot of the stress.
Or perhaps I'm just twisted.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-13 06:14 pm (UTC)http://www.viruscomix.com/page449.html