Maybe now that a judicial voice has managed to surgically extract their head from their bum we can get some reason into this facet of society and look at helping all of those involved: the people who have been bullied and those that bully others. Unfortunately, it is *really* hard to avoid assigning culpability: human nature tends towards blaming the victim (which is why only 10% of rape and domestic violence victims report their attacks: they are too afraid that someone will say "They were asking for it." And people will say that). Most people *want* to believe that humanity runs by a strict set of mores: they don't want to admit that a seemingly normal individual can hurt another person, so they place blame on the victim or on a myriad superfluous factions.
Studies of bullying behavior are just now starting in the scientific community. One of the things that researchers are recognizing is that people who are abused tend to have *different* values for what is abuse and bad behavior - basically, someone who goes through abuse or neglect tends to "grow up" faster and not recognize abuse in themselves. That is one reason why children of abusive families tend to carry on the vicious cycle to their own kids; and it is also a key to how someone who is bullied in school (or maybe bullied at home and carries that to school) would resort to such mind-bogglingly violent options.
There needs to be more investment in counceling and positive reenforcement in schools - perhaps as early as elementary school. Yes, a significant number of people who read this site were probably bullied and ostracized when they were younger (I still have bad memories of a rather unfortunate day in 6th grade when I wore a yellow hair band that did not match the rest of my attire). Most people do not go home and gather up the dynamite and a few gallons of gasoline, but some individuals have different receptors for pain and abuse. This is just a prime reason of how environment can alter our brains at the *cellular* level - changing even how the DNA is transcribed.
"If the whole world depends on today's youth,
I can't see the world lasting another 100 years."
Socrates
No, there are some freaky experiments out there in the name of science! In the lab I work in, we had first year undergrads coming in to drool in vials; this year we're having guys run around in dirty shirts and have women smell them. There are sex labs/ alcohol labs/ love labs; some people with PhDs, and possibly way too much time on their hands, sit around watching castrated hamsters fighting! Behind every one of these is a bleery eyed, caffeinated graduate student with a few dozen plans and an advisor breathing down their neck to make him or her famous. Just about anything (from whether "the girls get prettier at closing time," to September 11th) is fodder for a psychologist's wet dreams.
"Early morning cheerfulness can be extremely obnoxious. " ~ Finley Peter Dunne
I dunno - it depends on, in part, how they were acting. I was a PSO addict (yeah, different game, but I have always wanted to do a study like this one on it), and one of the things that got me so hooked was that, because my character was a hottie, I would get *tons* of free stuff and help (Yeah, we women just want the material stuff - sure. The main reason I played was the social aspect - just like this study states for EQ). One time, though, I was watching a guy I was dating play and this chick came up offering panties and such for gifts; I teased him unmercifully because you could *tell* it was a man!! Men like exploiting each other too on these games, so sometimes you have to look at other clues (besides the bulbous breasts/ fishnets/ and huge sword!).
What was amusing is that, even though I play female chars, it took a while to convince a few people I met in the game that I *was* female IRL. So, in essence, even if they suspect that I held a Y chromosome somewhere under my pixelated skirt, they still wanted to offer my character free stuff. I know of a few males who report playing female because they can get cooler items from other people.
I did not get a chance to check out every facet of this study, but I think it would be interesting to do some empirical research into whether the role-playing extends to being a "provider" for some of those female avatars - either men get the boost of being the one with the resources, or else, akin to some very fascinating studies by Dr. David Buss at the University of Texas at Austin Evolution of Desire, males feel like they are not spending much on a female avatar (besides imaginary money and time) in order to get something in return. Buss' research suggests there is empirical evidence of an inverse correlation between how much a man has to give to a women versus the degree to which he wants to sleep with her (basically, the less a guy has to do to get sex, the more he wants it - some of his studies are pretty amusing and faceted).
But hey, the more you adventure with someone, I am sure the more likely their gender will become apparent - that is, unless you have no experience with women and you have called your mother your Valentine for the last 25 years.;-)
Haha, women are among the easiest - at least when they make up their mind. You just have to not listen to what they say (sounds hard, doesn't it?;-) ). If a woman jokes about, mentions in any way, denies she wants something, etc, odds are she wants it (to a POINT!). For instance, let's take the scenario that your gals jokes that you can use some new ill-gotten gain to buy her flowers/ jewelry/ perfume/ etc. Even if she says "Oh, I am kidding, I really don't want that"- she DOES! Another scenario, you are in Bed Bath and Beyond (hey, right next to Best Buy, you were tricked!) and she mentions that she does not have something in there. It would be in your best interest to get it for her. Is it starting to make sense now? I am sure someone can write code for this.:)
Jesus! An ORIGINAL guy? You guys think that Geek Gals are the only unattainables here - finding an original guy who thinks past sending a Valentine's "I've got a heart-on for you" E-card is damned near impossible.;-)
And as for Dick Click - she wants that "heart-shaped diamond pendant." Not saying all chicks are out for the jewelry, but if she is *pointing it out*, then she most likely wants you to get it for her, or something similar. Never trust self-reports.;-)
But for all geeks/ non geeks out there, Dick Click's #2 is almost universal - making her feel special/ loved! Flowers/ Jewelry/ E-cards, etc, ain't gonna do that by themselves.
"Every time I look at you I get a fierce desire to be lonesome."
Personally I favor taking the spammers out to the woods and beating them with socks filled with 8balls, then sticking the fleas of a thousand bloody camels in their arses. But I suppose that is just too "Home-grown George W. Justice" for some.;-)
But yeah, spammers spend a few pennies (if that) per email address, so if they send out thousands (yeah, that's a foreign concept.;-) ), and a few test-tube babies fall for the ploy, they profit. But, as for lawsuits: how many LEGAL businesses truly utilize this method to reach the public?
Will the Robots throw their shit, or run the maze?
on
Robots, Robots, Robots
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· Score: 1
It's very astounding how many faceted threads this article brings up.
The author of Logical v. Illogical Actions addresses some interesting points concerning the relevance of using robots to test human-based theories. To continue rmo6's statement, it's important to remember that in the field of nonhuman studies applied to human research, the general rule of thumb is that, as you go up or down the evolutionary tree, you usually end up trading control for relevance (and vice versa). That is to say, rats will do just about anything for the pellet, and monkeys will throw their shit at you. I'd love to follow where and IF robots fit in that scheme. GodSpiral brings up a rather Skinnerian Complaint - that individual performance should be focused on; yet, to answer that, aren't groups composed of individuals? The designers seem to be saying that robot behavior possess tremendous relevance, especially within the field of industrial psych, but like halftrack points out, how do these robots end up going along these paths - serendipity or predilection?
Also, if you want a fascinating survey of AI development (through communication, technology, industrial, etc) try Janet Murray's "Hamlet on the Holodeck."
Slashdot Mirror
Man, I've been using the LOC to cop photos for projects for years.. 1337est library on earth!
Studies of bullying behavior are just now starting in the scientific community. One of the things that researchers are recognizing is that people who are abused tend to have *different* values for what is abuse and bad behavior - basically, someone who goes through abuse or neglect tends to "grow up" faster and not recognize abuse in themselves. That is one reason why children of abusive families tend to carry on the vicious cycle to their own kids; and it is also a key to how someone who is bullied in school (or maybe bullied at home and carries that to school) would resort to such mind-bogglingly violent options.
There needs to be more investment in counceling and positive reenforcement in schools - perhaps as early as elementary school. Yes, a significant number of people who read this site were probably bullied and ostracized when they were younger (I still have bad memories of a rather unfortunate day in 6th grade when I wore a yellow hair band that did not match the rest of my attire). Most people do not go home and gather up the dynamite and a few gallons of gasoline, but some individuals have different receptors for pain and abuse. This is just a prime reason of how environment can alter our brains at the *cellular* level - changing even how the DNA is transcribed.
"If the whole world depends on today's youth, I can't see the world lasting another 100 years." Socrates
"Early morning cheerfulness can be extremely obnoxious. " ~ Finley Peter Dunne
What was amusing is that, even though I play female chars, it took a while to convince a few people I met in the game that I *was* female IRL. So, in essence, even if they suspect that I held a Y chromosome somewhere under my pixelated skirt, they still wanted to offer my character free stuff. I know of a few males who report playing female because they can get cooler items from other people.
I did not get a chance to check out every facet of this study, but I think it would be interesting to do some empirical research into whether the role-playing extends to being a "provider" for some of those female avatars - either men get the boost of being the one with the resources, or else, akin to some very fascinating studies by Dr. David Buss at the University of Texas at Austin Evolution of Desire, males feel like they are not spending much on a female avatar (besides imaginary money and time) in order to get something in return. Buss' research suggests there is empirical evidence of an inverse correlation between how much a man has to give to a women versus the degree to which he wants to sleep with her (basically, the less a guy has to do to get sex, the more he wants it - some of his studies are pretty amusing and faceted).
But hey, the more you adventure with someone, I am sure the more likely their gender will become apparent - that is, unless you have no experience with women and you have called your mother your Valentine for the last 25 years. ;-)
"The superfluous is very necessary." - Voltaire
But for all geeks/ non geeks out there, Dick Click's #2 is almost universal - making her feel special/ loved! Flowers/ Jewelry/ E-cards, etc, ain't gonna do that by themselves.
"Every time I look at you I get a fierce desire to be lonesome."
Personally I favor taking the spammers out to the woods and beating them with socks filled with 8balls, then sticking the fleas of a thousand bloody camels in their arses. But I suppose that is just too "Home-grown George W. Justice" for some. ;-)
But yeah, spammers spend a few pennies (if that) per email address, so if they send out thousands (yeah, that's a foreign concept. ;-) ), and a few test-tube babies fall for the ploy, they profit. But, as for lawsuits: how many LEGAL businesses truly utilize this method to reach the public?
It's very astounding how many faceted threads this article brings up.
The author of Logical v. Illogical Actions addresses some interesting points concerning the relevance of using robots to test human-based theories. To continue rmo6's statement, it's important to remember that in the field of nonhuman studies applied to human research, the general rule of thumb is that, as you go up or down the evolutionary tree, you usually end up trading control for relevance (and vice versa). That is to say, rats will do just about anything for the pellet, and monkeys will throw their shit at you. I'd love to follow where and IF robots fit in that scheme. GodSpiral brings up a rather Skinnerian Complaint - that individual performance should be focused on; yet, to answer that, aren't groups composed of individuals? The designers seem to be saying that robot behavior possess tremendous relevance, especially within the field of industrial psych, but like halftrack points out, how do these robots end up going along these paths - serendipity or predilection?
Also, if you want a fascinating survey of AI development (through communication, technology, industrial, etc) try Janet Murray's "Hamlet on the Holodeck."