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[SniperDevil]

Frankly, I am getting tired of life's BS. It seems like everyone has to BS their way through life, no matter the circumstances.

I just feel humans are naturally egotistical, and they will do anything to get far in life. Definitions of "far in life" have not changed much over the course of the human existence. Basically, being well-known in society, getting wealthy, or variations of such. Yes, people may say they only want to help others and not be known, but look at Mother Teresa.

Yes, she helped thousands of people with their lives, but how much recognition did she get? Tons. All I'm saying is people do want to be known, and even if they are a "good" person (whatever that means), they will do anything to get far in life.

I can sense BS when I hear or see it, and that happens about 10 times a day. My programming teacher is a perfect example. It is obvious she doesn't know anything about programming, and she "teaches" the class. I don't care about getting the A, I care about learning and helping others to learn, and obviously getting respect for that. (Yes, call me selfish, but EVERYONE FEELS THAT WAY)

She, on the other hand, knows absolutely nothing about programming, whether it be the theory, or the practical languages that we learn (VB right now; a horrifyingly horrible language). She only wants to be right, even if she's wrong, and when I point out an error so the rest of the 30-odd students don't learn this mistake and apply it, she gets mad and tells me I'm wrong. How am I wrong? I just proved to you I'm right!

How hard is it to accept responsbility for your error? To admit to yourself you are not the king of what you do, and there is much more to learn? To open your mind to new ways of thinking? To NOT BS YOUR WAY THROUGH LIFE. Yes, Donald Trump is rich and famous, but he reveals in his book how many BS political stunts he pulled to get where he is. Is he a happy man? What do you think? To me, he looks miserable.

Just a commentary based on the past ten years of which I have been observing society and its BS.

[the_pm]

Ahh, getting around that cynical time in life. Welcome to the club - I'm a life member

But to put a little balance and perspective into your rant, if the people who received recognition for their good deeds were the only people doing good, society would have fallen apart permanently centuries ago. I would venture to say there are many, many more people doing good who do not seek recognition. But we rarely hear about them, because...drumroll please...they don't seek recognition!

I believe you have to take it on faith that a fair amount of this is going on in the world as well. But regardless, the only thing you can control is your actions, your ambition and your willingness to do good even if you're never recognized for your deeds. And there's really nothing wrong with the recognition either. That will never taint the goodness, so long as the intentions of your actions were selfless.

As for your egotistical teacher, I won't pass judgment because I'm not sitting there in the classroom with you. But here's a little additional point to consider:

If you didn't have egotists in the world around you, think about how difficult would it be to put your own humble nature into perspective.

[anon-e-mouse]

Originally posted by SniperDevil
Just a commentary based on the past ten years of which I have been observing society and its BS.

Wow you started observing a pattern at four? That might explain a few things Generally at that age, kiddies are very trusting

[Aussie Bob]

Well, for a 14 year old, SniperDevil makes some pretty intelligent posts, and like all of us some not so intelligent posts.

His post here is pretty intelligent, imo.

[anon-e-mouse]

When I was doing my applied computing diploma, (and bear in I was older than some of the teachers), they would ask me how to solve some problems I ended up quitting because I realised they were incompetent and things I needed help with, they couldn't give.

[SniperDevil]

Sorry for the untimely response, I have been away, studying for exams and such.

Ahh, getting around that cynical time in life. Welcome to the club - I'm a life member

But to put a little balance and perspective into your rant, if the people who received recognition for their good deeds were the only people doing good, society would have fallen apart permanently centuries ago. I would venture to say there are many, many more people doing good who do not seek recognition. But we rarely hear about them, because...drumroll please...they don't seek recognition!

I believe you have to take it on faith that a fair amount of this is going on in the world as well. But regardless, the only thing you can control is your actions, your ambition and your willingness to do good even if you're never recognized for your deeds. And there's really nothing wrong with the recognition either. That will never taint the goodness, so long as the intentions of your actions were selfless.

As for your egotistical teacher, I won't pass judgment because I'm not sitting there in the classroom with you. But here's a little additional point to consider:

If you didn't have egotists in the world around you, think about how difficult would it be to put your own humble nature into perspective.

From what I have observed, people still want recognition in some way or another. Even if it's not via the mainstream media, almost always they receive local attention some way or another. If they didn't, I don't think they would see a purpose in continuing their quest, because they might even get an impression that people dislike what they are doing.

Wow you started observing a pattern at four? That might explain a few things Generally at that age, kiddies are very trusting

I frequently walked around and pondered various ideals and philosophies

Well, for a 14 year old, SniperDevil makes some pretty intelligent posts, and like all of us some not so intelligent posts.

His post here is pretty intelligent, imo.

Thanks for the compliment. However I am dumb compared to many people, and I don't feel especially smart. My teachers say I am "very bright", whatever that means.

I wish I were a genius though, I'd like to invent some new technology or make a medical breakthrough.

However, I think everything is for the best, and my official IQ (which is high, but not much of a genius or anything) does not reflect my creative IQ, which is very high I must admit. I can write stories about just about anything in just the time it takes me to write things down... and good ones too.

When I was doing my applied computing diploma, (and bear in I was older than some of the teachers), they would ask me how to solve some problems I ended up quitting because I realised they were incompetent and things I needed help with, they couldn't give.

haha, that's because you're Jan, and you're smart!

[websterworld]

Originally posted by SniperDevil
I wish I were a genius though, I'd like to invent some new technology or make a medical breakthrough.

Let me tell you... and I speak from personal experience... being a genius is highly over-rated. And having a genius IQ doesnt mean squat , I know plenty of idiots who have high IQ's. (I have a genius IQ)

Upon re-reading the above I have decided that it doesnt sound very well, and in the future I will only make posts about being a women spoiler and a don' joen' and how its highly over-rated. Again, I speak from personal experience.

[Frosty]

Hmmmm... to me Donald Trump looks to be a very very happy man. He won't be commiting suicide anytime soon

[:Richard Baker:]

I think I can relate on the teacher side, I've got a bit of a hypocrite teaching me computing at the moment. I think there are two sorts of teacher in this world (not just school teachers here - people with the gift of teaching others) some simply derive enjoyment from passing on knowledge and helping other ppl develop. Everyone has one teacher that they can say changed their life. But there are also some teachers who don't derive the same happiness (generally the ppl who *want* to be good teachers :p). Those kind of people can begin to feel insecure when they have a class full of people they know will very soon supercede them. I find ppl like that are still useful and you might be surprised by what they can teach you, if you just take a different approach.

As far as society's general BS - I agree most people value little above ambition and I must admit I have selfish goals in life but it doesn't mean that controls everything I do. And yes I agree that people often want recognition for their good deeds but the question is where the line is drawn between simply knowing they are doing good and wanting to be famous for it...

And... I would say you are a very smart person simply from what I've seen so far

[the_pm]

From what I have observed, people still want recognition in some way or another. Even if it's not via the mainstream media, almost always they receive local attention some way or another. If they didn't, I don't think they would see a purpose in continuing their quest, because they might even get an impression that people dislike what they are doing.

Are you motivated to do philanthropic acts by recognition? If not, is it possible others might be the same way? Again, you can't take a count of all the people who act kindly without recognition because they're not recognized! One small way to do this is to see how many charitable contributions are made under anonymity. That's some small measure, at least.

But even if people do seek and/or receive recognition, does that make their acts any less important to those who benefit from them? I hope not - it's such a small incentive, and small reciprocation for the good that can be done in the world.

Hmmmm... to me Donald Trump looks to be a very very happy man. He won't be commiting suicide anytime soon

Things aren't always as they seem...
http://www.ckk.chalmers.se/guitar/richard.cory.lyr.html

[SniperDevil]

Originally posted by websterworld
Let me tell you... and I speak from personal experience... being a genius is highly over-rated. And having a genius IQ doesnt mean squat , I know plenty of idiots who have high IQ's. (I have a genius IQ)

Upon re-reading the above I have decided that it doesnt sound very well, and in the future I will only make posts about being a women spoiler and a don' joen' and how its highly over-rated. Again, I speak from personal experience.

Well, I wasn't intending on getting into IQs, but if you say so. I have a borderline clinical genius IQ, so I'm not really a "genius".

Albert Einsten's IQ was 167, I believe. He was not the smartest man in terms of IQ in no way, shape, or form.

I think I can relate on the teacher side, I've got a bit of a hypocrite teaching me computing at the moment. I think there are two sorts of teacher in this world (not just school teachers here - people with the gift of teaching others) some simply derive enjoyment from passing on knowledge and helping other ppl develop. Everyone has one teacher that they can say changed their life. But there are also some teachers who don't derive the same happiness (generally the ppl who *want* to be good teachers :p). Those kind of people can begin to feel insecure when they have a class full of people they know will very soon supercede them. I find ppl like that are still useful and you might be surprised by what they can teach you, if you just take a different approach.

As far as society's general BS - I agree most people value little above ambition and I must admit I have selfish goals in life but it doesn't mean that controls everything I do. And yes I agree that people often want recognition for their good deeds but the question is where the line is drawn between simply knowing they are doing good and wanting to be famous for it...

And... I would say you are a very smart person simply from what I've seen so far

I get exactly what you mean. Yes, they may get enjoyment out of teaching others and passing along useful information and knowledge, but don't they receive recognition for it when they are awarded or specially mentioned during a speech, etc.?

I don't think philanthropic people want to be especially famous for what they do, but on the other hand I doubt they give $10,000 and tell nobody, even when asked. People like getting compliments and approval, no matter the situation, at least from my observations.

And, thanks for the compliment. You are smart as well.

Are you motivated to do philanthropic acts by recognition? If not, is it possible others might be the same way? Again, you can't take a count of all the people who act kindly without recognition because they're not recognized! One small way to do this is to see how many charitable contributions are made under anonymity. That's some small measure, at least.

But even if people do seek and/or receive recognition, does that make their acts any less important to those who benefit from them? I hope not - it's such a small incentive, and small reciprocation for the good that can be done in the world.

Yes, many philanthropists donate under official anonymity, but as I above-mentioned, I am skeptical of whether they deny giving money if asked for purposes of modesty and humbleness. I bet many even mention it at a social gathering in front of several or more friends; not to sound pompous or arrogant, but to display their compassion for the humanities.

Things aren't always as they seem...
http://www.ckk.chalmers.se/guitar/richard.cory.lyr.html

Yep.

I sort of feel bad for your average rich person; most of them have to worry about money every day of their life. It's just a priority, since they manage so much of it. I would just stick most of my money in a hedge fund or the like while I'm not using it, seems a lot easier.

On the other hand, I feel worse for your average middle-class person who goes out and spends a truckload of money and buys a truckload of things, namely $800/month cars, and $500k+ houses.

[interactive]

Kudos to any middleclass person driving a $800/month car and $500k houses....