The Vent and Rant Thread

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Yesterday, I was so absorbed in my reading that I missed my stop on my commuter train. I had to call my wife to drive up and pick me up, a half-hour out of her way.

I blame myself for my own inattentiveness, of course. However, I keep thinking about the fact that I ride that train every day, with at least a dozen other people who see me every day (including the conductor, who sat right in front of me yesterday). Yet, when we got to the stop I always get off on, did anyone notice that I was still sitting there, and tap my shoulder, or say, "Hey, dude, we're in Germantown... aren't you getting off?"

Nope.

Even the conductor, who got back onto the train after my stop, didn't notice me right there behind his seat.

Some days, I feel truly invisible in this society. When I walk down the streets of the city I grew up in, and have worked in over twenty-five of the last thirty years, I feel completely anonymous... and I watch the things anonymous people do around (and, more importantly, to) each other, every day.

And suddenly I can understand, completely and without reservation, why some people go postal...

Yeah, I know. 'Cause I missed my stop. It really is that simple.

I was about to laugh and make comparisons about people accidentally ending up in the former east germany whilst zoning out during train stops. you made it so sad though! that is an entirely different experience than here where people who commute on the ferry bring pot lucks, cakes for birthdays, celebrate births and weddings and mourn passings with their fellow commuters... not co-workers mind you, commuters.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Yesterday, I was so absorbed in my reading that I missed my stop on my commuter train. I had to call my wife to drive up and pick me up, a half-hour out of her way.

I blame myself for my own inattentiveness, of course. However, I keep thinking about the fact that I ride that train every day, with at least a dozen other people who see me every day (including the conductor, who sat right in front of me yesterday). Yet, when we got to the stop I always get off on, did anyone notice that I was still sitting there, and tap my shoulder, or say, "Hey, dude, we're in Germantown... aren't you getting off?"

Nope.

Even the conductor, who got back onto the train after my stop, didn't notice me right there behind his seat.

Some days, I feel truly invisible in this society. When I walk down the streets of the city I grew up in, and have worked in over twenty-five of the last thirty years, I feel completely anonymous... and I watch the things anonymous people do around (and, more importantly, to) each other, every day.

And suddenly I can understand, completely and without reservation, why some people go postal...

Yeah, I know. 'Cause I missed my stop. It really is that simple.

Steve, we are becoming less and less social. No one cares about anyone else, it's me, me, me. They don't want to "get involved" they have no passion, they do what the TV tells them to do, it's 1984.....

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

See, that just gets me steamed on another rant:

It's not 1984.

"1984" implies all-powerful, all-controlling governments that watch our every move and want to dominate, frighten and cow us strictly to maintain their own power.

Everyone should know by now that the government is also too full of "me, me, ME" to worry one whit about what the public is doing... nor are they bothered to watch us, nor are they even remotely well-enough organized to orchestrate elaborate psychological agendas designed to make us feel frightened and oppressed.

There is no "Big Brother" watching you. Nobody's watching you... if you think they are, you're just overly paranoid. (I know, because I was for many years, until I wised up and got over it.) "1984" is a Bogeyman.

The people to be concerned about are the ones standing right next to you.

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

See, that just gets me steamed on another rant:

It's not 1984.

"1984" implies all-powerful, all-controlling governments that watch our every move and want to dominate, frighten and cow us strictly to maintain their own power.

Everyone should know by now that the government is also too full of "me, me, ME" to worry one whit about what the public is doing... nor are they bothered to watch us, nor are they even remotely well-enough organized to orchestrate elaborate psychological agendas designed to make us feel frightened and oppressed.

There is no "Big Brother" watching you. Nobody's watching you... if you think they are, you're just overly paranoid. (I know, because I was for many years, until I wised up and got over it.) "1984" is a Bogeyman.

The people to be concerned about are the ones standing right next to you.

I agree with you, Steve, and think it is all very sad. I remember growing up in a small town in Illinois where everyone knew my family because my parents worked in the school system. If someone saw my brothers or me getting into trouble, they would get involved either by calling our parents or just yelling at us. Now, no one wants to get involved. We were at the mall last week and a little boy was walking away from his mother who wasn't paying attention. I told the little boy he needed to go back to his mom and the woman gave me a nasty look. Had the same thing happened to me, I would have thanked her.

I also agree about our government. They don't really care up us little guys; the ones who pay their bills and taxes on time and walk the straight and narrow. They have their own agenda and it generally involves how they can get reelected.

[Lycoming]

Haul your minds back to the scene from men in black where the invading alien cockroach has trouble cricking his neck straight, while his face is stuck in a rictus.

That's me interacting with Joe Public, anywhere.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by kazbates

I told the little boy he needed to go back to his mom and the woman gave me a nasty look. Had the same thing happened to me, I would have thanked her.

She probably thought you were saying she was a bad mom with a passive aggressive method of daring to talk to her kid.

Yes, people need to lighten up.

BOb

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

She probably thought you were saying she was a bad mom with a passive aggressive method of daring to talk to her kid.

Yes, people need to lighten up.

BOb

+ + +



.

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

She probably thought you were saying she was a bad mom with a passive aggressive method of daring to talk to her kid.

Yes, people need to lighten up.

BOb

My problem is I've been a teacher for too long. I'm used to correcting behaviour issues with other people's children. If I see a kid misbehaving, I say something. My own kids are always groaning at me to mind my own business. I just can't do it, though, when I see a potentially dangerous situation with a child involved.

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Yesterday, I was so absorbed in my reading that I missed my stop on my commuter train. I had to call my wife to drive up and pick me up, a half-hour out of her way.

I blame myself for my own inattentiveness, of course. However, I keep thinking about the fact that I ride that train every day, with at least a dozen other people who see me every day (including the conductor, who sat right in front of me yesterday). Yet, when we got to the stop I always get off on, did anyone notice that I was still sitting there, and tap my shoulder, or say, "Hey, dude, we're in Germantown... aren't you getting off?"

Nope.

Even the conductor, who got back onto the train after my stop, didn't notice me right there behind his seat.

Some days, I feel truly invisible in this society. When I walk down the streets of the city I grew up in, and have worked in over twenty-five of the last thirty years, I feel completely anonymous... and I watch the things anonymous people do around (and, more importantly, to) each other, every day.

And suddenly I can understand, completely and without reservation, why some people go postal...

Yeah, I know. 'Cause I missed my stop. It really is that simple.

But Steve, weren't you working at making youself invisible? Totally absorbed in your your world, not communicating with the rest of the world?

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by kazbates

My problem is I've been a teacher for too long. I'm used to correcting behaviour issues with other people's children. If I see a kid misbehaving, I say something. My own kids are always groaning at me to mind my own business. I just can't do it, though, when I see a potentially dangerous situation with a child involved.

And I'm with you. In the past there was never an issue with others keeping ALL children in line. I've done it on occasion and will continue to do it.

[vivaldirules]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Some days, I feel truly invisible in this society.

Who said that? Did you guys hear something?

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Nobody's watching you...

Not true. Or, at least, not quite. I'd say people do see and do care. But they have more things to worry about (or be distracted by) than they ever have before and they're now surrounded by lots of people every day who are similarly saturated. But that doesn't mean people don't notice you or care. Right now, I'm admiring your latest navel on your website: http://www.stevejordan.com

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by kazbates

I also agree about our government.

They don't really care up us little guys; the ones who pay their bills and taxes on time and walk the straight and narrow.

They have their own agenda and it generally involves how they can get reelected.

Well, of course they do, Kaz.

who else is going to pay for the trillions, never mind billions, of dollars being spent?

Silly girl.

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Well, of course they do, Kaz.

who else is going to pay for the trillions, never mind billions, of dollars being spent?

Silly girl.

You, as usual, are absolutely correct!

Frustrating, isn't it?!?!

[Lady Blue]

Originally Posted by vivaldirules

Who said that? Did you guys hear something?



Not true. Or, at least, not quite. I'd say people do see and do care. But they have more things to worry about (or be distracted by) than they ever have before and they're now surrounded by lots of people every day who are similarly saturated. But that doesn't mean people don't notice you or care. Right now, I'm admiring your latest navel on your website: http://www.stevejordan.com

You're navel watching now, VR?

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by Lady Blue

You're navel watching now, VR?

i believe the tern is "Navel gazing".....