Category: Let's talk
I know that many of you here have misconceptions about me, and I am hoping to alleviate at least some of them in this post. Most people here don't know me off of this site. As a result, most of you probably assume that I am strictly about technology, that computers, software, old operating systems, answering machines, etc. are all I ever think about. This is simply not true. In fact, I spend most of my computing life on Facebook, where I discuss a wide variety of topics, from the weather, to stories about animals and good people, to Hellenic news and politics, to promotion of antiGMO and intactivism (anticircumcision),, to cooking, to things in my daily life. I often write essays covering all manner of things, in which I share my opinions and learn from and debate with my friends. I am very patriotic, and it is Hellenic history, culture, and language, not technology, that is at the centre of my life.
But 99% of my friends are sighted, and if I were to start writing to them, asking about accessible and adaptive technology, while some of them may be able to help me as far as absolute basics (your Braillenote may work if it's turned on), they can't help when it comes to advice or sharing experiences. Likewise, most here are unfamiliar with Hellenic politics and/or culture, so can't really offer opinions on that, which is why I don't often write about it on this site.
There are many groups and sites where I wouldn't fit in. I can't join sites for men, pregnant women, Catholic nuns, motorcyclists, or lovers of 1980s music, as none of that applies to me. But I have been totally blind since I was two-months-old, and this is a place for those with visual impairments. So I usually ask questions either about adaptive technology or use of mainstream devices from the blindness perspective when I post here.
I realise that there are times when my posts are long and full of links and thoughts on my findings. I do this because the posts that we make on The Zone are public, and maybe, my research could help someone in a similar situation. I also want to have some knowledge before posting, so that I don't sound like an idiot. More importantly, I have been accused of just asking questions without seeking the answers elsewhere, and I wish to dispel that notion by proving that I am not strictly posting on The Zone and waiting for answers. In fact, I have joined Klango and Samnet (two communities similar to this one), as well as the Blind Tech and Blind_L lists, in order that I may ask others who may be able to help me. All of that said, sometimes, it is difficult to find information, even when I search for many hours. Granted, there are times when I ask about technology that is extremely old, and I understand that many of you either were not alive then, or were very young, or perhaps, you just don't remember how it works or don't care in the slightest about it. That is fine. But if such posts bother you, just ignore them. Better yet, put me on ignore, and you won't have to see anything that I write.
Yesterday, we had a wonderful debate about religion in QuickNotes. It was civil and thought-provoking. I tried to post such things here on The Boards, when I shared some of my essays, but not only did people disagree with me, which is totally acceptable, many were also unbelievably rude and insulting! What is the purpose of that, and how can I, or anyone else, feel comfortable posting truly meaningful things on here in that environment?
Finally, I realise that I have said I would get such and such a machine, or try this or that operating system and then have not done it. Most of this has to do with transportation. If I want a machine repaired, or if I want a new system installed, I must send it to my friend Lee, who lives in New Orleans, as I do not know anyone closer who could help me. This means that I must rely on my family to ship it off for me, which isn't always easy. I have to work around their schedule and availability. I can't go into details, lest I jinks myself, but this may be changing within the next month or two. But for now, this is how things must be.
I hope that I have cleared up a few issues, , and that I can now begin to truly enjoy The Zone and all it has to offer. If anyone ever wants to talk about anything, just message me or add me to Facebook. As I said, I am not all about tech!
Awe, but it's so fun to pick at you, all in good fun, of course. Who else can I talk with about old answering machines and 8-track players?
Honey, you need a bit thicker skin.
You actually post some interesting stuff from time to time.
Remember, the Zone is just like Facebook, or anyplace else.
People are rude, some are interested, others just don't give a damn, but this isn't a reflection on you, unless you think it.
I guess a rule is, if you aren't up to saying it and accepting the answers you receive, you'll never get anyplace.
I'll bet you've learned much.
Last, when you get a suggestion, maybe give them a try.
If you get told something that is 100% solid, and you come back with all your research that is way off base, you'll get asked, why didn't you read the post?
Okay, there you go, being you put this post up.
You're truly a sweet girl, just get some stiff.
I like you.
Wayne has a point: the zone is like anyplace else. I'd venture to say, though, that your experience on the zone is different because the active community is so small now. There aren't hundreds of diverse board posters anymore, so you might feel like it's high school again and you're being ganged up on because the same handful of people keep interacting with you. Just like Wayne said, take the good, ignore the bad, and keep being who you are. Just remember that An online presence of any kind comes with risks, and it's up to you how many of them you want to take.
Anthony, your teasing is in fun and makes me laugh. You and those like you are not the problem. Some people have said things that were extremely out of line.
forereel, I most certainly don't think that this is a reflection on me or that I deserve it. I have no issues, whatsoever, getting into a profanity contest in English or Greek. But I would prefer to keep things civil. Even on Facebook, during extremely heated debates, I attack the issue, not my opponents. And most of the time, they do the same. Some of the worst people I have ever met have been on The Zone, and I say that in all seriousness. It's not the funny ones or the ones who don't care that bother me. It's the ones who are downright insulting well past the point of "shut up with your old junk" and well into the personal insults game.
I appreciate the help, including from those who don't know my specifications in technology, and I mean the modern not the ancient ones. But everyone knows that I will not be buying an Android or an iPhone any time soon, so suggesting them really won't help me.
Meglet, I agree with you about risks. This is why, unless I am shopping on a secure site, I do not give my legal name, address, phone number, etc. online.
Oh, poor poor Elini, got Bullied on Zone.
Honestly, what you want other to preceive you is how you profile yourself. Beside some
odd posts every now than then, your zone profiling as someone that only interested in old
anccient technology, old blind things, and anything related to old and ancient, and greek.
And guess what? most people that is on zone won't give a damn to who you are, or who
you are not. Zone is just a place to hang up, just a community, no different than in real
life. you won't get along with all people in real life, and there are some will give you a
hard time, with criticize you, will push you, will give you some hard comments, hard
lessons about life, about experience, and about things.
It is up to you as to how you want to accept it, how you process those criticism,
comments, and how you make out of it.
If you carry the same way that you act on zone, e.g. "i'm not happy, i got deffended
unless you sing to my tunes" you will find that you will have the same problems on the
world as you are, on Zone.
And you know what? at the end of the day, is not about how much or how little each of us
do, or not do, help or not helping you, at the end of the day, it is up to yourself, to help
yourself.
98 out of 100 people keep and repeatly telling you that your old ancient thinking about
technology won't work in 2010, left alone in 2015. But, you keep coming back and asking
more and more stupid questions, and hoping for different answers. 98 out of 100 people
telling you that you got to somewhat adapt to the 2010 world, but you resist, and your
resistant kept you on 1980+ while you still hoping that people from the 2015 would able
to help you out. If people commenting or criticising you, you got very offensive, and
annoy...
Maybe, it is about time to consider growing up, to be someone that you claimed you are,
and, use your action, instead of words to prove that we, miss-judge you. Walk the talk,
not talk the walk, i say
I did not come here to start an argument, nor because I wished anyone to feel sorry for me. I merely wanted to explain myself to those who might not know the other aspects that make up my interests, personality, etc and also to share other experiences that I have had when posting about things completely unrelated to technology. I have put the troublemakers on ignore, so hopefully, they will no longer disturb me. But I am generally the type for deep conversation, which doesn't usually take place here, and my interests for small talk can be quite different from those shared by others on this site, as I buy different brands, am not into television or celebrities, etc. That and the fact that this is a community for the blind, as I said earlier, is largely why I post about technology so often. But I will expand my scope on here for those who are willing to listen and keep things civil.
Eleni, you raie an interesting point. I think many of us have passions that run deep that don't always make it online in all the communities we interact with. I personally am involved in several community projects that either help the disenfranchised / disadvantaged with food and necessities, or help with disaster preparedness and response, or deal with public safety. Most of that part of my life can't very well make it onto online because most of that is hands-on, doing stuff, carrying stuff, physical things. Not too much of an activist, more of a doer. I bet if you ask every single person on this place, and they chose to be honest with you, you'd find out some passion or motivation of theirs, something they do offline when they're not on this site, something besides work and the kids and paying the bills, which gives them a sense of belonging and a reason to keep on trucking. Don't take that wrong: kids are enough reason for that, but you know what I mean.
Somebody recently on a forum for those of us who've left religion, asked if that's all we ever talked about. Naturally, on that site, it's largely what gets talked about, but just like on here, you have every profession and walk of life represented. And you've got people like Anthony and Scott and Natalie, and some others too, who help keep this community sustainable.
I think it's a good topic, if only to illustrate that people are far more well-rounded than the little communities surrounding one single interest.
Wow, you're anti-GMO too? Well, I'm not really shocked. You have such an
aversion to progress and scientific accomplishment that you probably think any
wheat not cut down by hand is bad.
Look, I'm sure you have other thoughts. I don't think anyone on here is so
stupid that they think that your only thoughts and opinions revolve around old
technology. However, since that's all you talk about on here, that's all we really
care about. Present us with something else to care about, and we'd be happy to
point out how stupid you're being about that point.
For example, if you went and started a board about GMO's, I'd be happy to
demonstrate, as always, how much of a brain-dead moron you truly are, and
how you have an amazing talent for being able to breathe with your head firmly
implanted in your ass; its truly astounding. However, you never do that. If you
make a board post, its about old technology. There are, perhaps, a few
exceptions, but they are hardly worth noting, and in them you still demonstrate
your inability to be right or well-founded on anything.
So, in closing, please stop your bitching. No one really cares whether or not
you have other thoughts.
Don't forget the torture, and forced sterilization for disabled people, and disowning her hypothetical kid for not swearing loyalty to Greece.
LeoGuardian, you realised the point exactly. Thank you.
SilverLightning, my being antigmo has nothing to do with old things and everything to do with health. Even if everything I owned had a touchscreen and was just made three hours ago, that has nothing to do with what I want to put into my body. Technology does not belong in food and food should not be made in a laboratory. Personal opinion aside, there are many studies that demonstrate the problems with GMOs. I did not create them and I am sure there are some very modern people who performed them. At the absolute least, people have a right to know what is in their food, so it should be labeled.
Then you should never touch food again. Everything is a GMO.
If that's not contrafactual, I don't know what is. There is a difference between selective breeding and genetically manipulating plants and animals by inserting genes into them in a laboratory.
What precisely is that difference? I'm not very good at biology, but genetics I seem to understand: basically it's bit math for biologists to fuck with. Each bit or set of bits defines characteristics. How they get turned on or off doesn't particularly matter. Unwanted characteristics that aren't accounted for? Could happen via selective breeding or in a lab. Aren't the bases all the same materials? A 0's a 0, a 1's a 1, a 2's a 2, ... a 16's a 16 and so forth.
I'm not particularly friendly to Monsanto's patent schemes, or the lack of genetic diversity I've heard several biologist acquaintances complain about. But all of that could get done via selective breeding just as well as genetic engineering, no? So rather than argue against genetic engineering as a construct, perhaps you have specific arguments against specific characteristics being introduced to or removed from certain organisms.
Look, I and anybody else who's worked in software or engineering of any kind for a number of years can understand problems associated with unintended results or unintended consequences. That's when you start debugging, not stop engineering.
Food is not software. Software doesn't cause cancer and a whole host of other diseases and spread across the world, destroying ecosystems and biodiversity along the way.
I will start with a relatively safe site, not associated with the antigmo movement.
http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.gen.breeding/classical-vs-transgenic-breeding/
This one is partial to antiGmos, but still does a good job of explaining things.
http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/gmo-vs-selective-breeding.html
For those who are seriously curious about this, I recommend watching two videos on Youtube. They are long, but tremendous eye-openers. In both, scientists, insiders, and farmers are interviewed, so this is not a group ranting and raving based on their own opinions. The first is a bit old, but still worth watching, as it offers valuable insights into how all of this started. Anyway, the titles are "The World According to Monsanto" and "Genetic Roulette". There is a 17-minute highlight version of the second available as well.
This site has a few resources available.
http://livingnongmo.org/learn/resources/
Here are 65 health risks of GMOs. This list is a bit out-of-date, as more studies have been conducted, but the site has those as well.
http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-dangers/65-health-risks/1notes
Even for those who deny the current information, if they use the argument that not enough studies have been performed to make a clear judgement, this leads me to ask one question. Why are these things not labeled and why were they released without sufficient evidence as to their safety?
I haven't reviewed your sources yet. Yes, food and organisms are not software. But genetics is the software that dictates what physical characteristics are developed. If I'm mistaken about this, hopefully someone with a sufficient biology education will correct me. DNA is just organic self-replicating nanotechnology for lack of a better term, and the prerogative of genes is to replicate themselves.
So again, one could argue certain characteristics, or practices, presumably. But writing off making the modifications at the software level rather than indirectly through the hardware -- breeding, seems just more efficient.
One of the major problems with GMOs is that they are producing toxins inside the plants. The argument goes that since the plants are producing the toxins in all of their cells, there will be no need for farmers to spray them externally. This, however, has proven untrue, as farmers still must spray them. Adding to the problems, Monsanto can now sue farmers if their seeds blow into their fields, which, of course, is very likely given the path of the wind.
I'm not a programmer, but I will try to put it into terms that you can understand. Let's say that a terrible computer virus is discovered. Normally, what is done is for antivirus manufacturers to add it to the definitions of their software in order to fight against it. All such companies can do this, as their goal is to help protect their users. But let's suppose that one company decides to do things completely differently. Their software, they claim, will ensure that you don't get this virus. All you have to do is download it and pay a monthly fee. But what they have done is to incode the virus into their program and contain it with a barrier, so that it won't infect your machine. So along with their software, you will also be downloading the virus which you are trying to avoid. Insiders have told them that this is a very bad idea, and their own technicians have tested this software and found that there is a leak and the virus still manages to infect any computer where the software is installed. Yet they sell it anyway, along with a hitch. Since the virus is now part of the software, the company now owns it. So no other company can actively work on protecting against it. Furthermore, if this specialised software is found to exist on any machine on which it's not licenced, they will sue the owner of that machine. But being that the software contains a virus, as soon as you install it on a network, all computers connected to it will have both the antivirus software and the original virus, as will anyone who opens e-mail sent by such a computer.
That is basically what's going on here. Only it's our health at risk, not our computers.
Sigh, Tif, one day, I swear, you're going to say something that isn't stupid. It
hasn't happened yet, but I have faith in you.
Now look sweetie, yes, some bad things have happened by a single company
who cared more about profits than science. But, and I realize this shock may
make your brain stop for a second, there's more than one company making
genetically modified organisms. There are very, very few foods that have not
been experimented on by scientists to create new, faster growing, better
growing, more hearty organisms. Besides that, you don't eat the food direct
from the field in most cases. You're fine with them using laboratory-created
chemicals in all kinds of other things. And if not, I welcome you to start your
own garden and stop eating our food. I'll honestly not feel it as a loss when you
can't feed yourself.
Someday, you will say something that is not rude, insulting, and wrong. I did not invent the antiGMO movement, nor did I write the studies supporting it. If I am stupid, than so are the hundreds of scientists who back what I am saying, as well as the 64 countries around the world which have laws either requiring the labeling of or the outright banning of GMOs. If you have an issue with that, you can write to them. Here is the list.
http://www.justlabelit.org/right-to-know-center/labeling-around-the-world/
Some food is actually organic and is grown directly as nature intended.
It is not changed at all.
ah, the word organic. well, yes, organic could be more "natural" and so on. But, unless
they are certify organic, they can consider just yet another marketing tectic to get people
in. And, not only that, they can also raice their price up, cause, some stupid people will go
for everything organic, and they are buying the brand "organice" or the title "organic"
instead of the real certify organic food. And, when you get it certify, you are paying
premium price for the certification, hens, your products also will be sell at high premium
price. E.g., i can get a normal cup of coffee for $2 for example, but when the word organic
insert in it, as "organic coffee", i would pay anything from $3.50 to $50, or even $6 for
the same shit.
You know what? the real organic food is what you can grow yourself, by haritage
seedlings, and, furterlise it with your own wasting... yuran...
I agree with both of you 100%. Unfortunately, companies do misuse the word organic, and the only way to ensure that the food you are eating, or the coffe you are drinking is really organic, is to look for the certification. This is something that is well know in the movement, and we often boycott brands that are misleading. Many are also owned by the big companies in a ploy to get customers. The price difference is also very real, and since I cannot just drive down to the local farmer's markets or go to a farm, I often buy such brands, though I always choose certified whenever possible. Of course, growing your own is best, as was poointed out, and while most people can't grow everything, much can be done, even in small spaces. Many techniques exist to aid those in apartments or with little room to grow food, and I am personally extremely interested in these. Hopefully, this summer, I can get something going.
I don't know if organic is best, but in America it is easier to get, and you don't have to pay over kill for it.
My family has grown gardens, so.
We have farmers markets, and such things.
It seems the best way, is to buy things with dirt on them. It is as close as you can get.
Also, you can do research in to the growers.
Sure, they can lie, but 9 times out of 10, they won't.
I am with Wayne, farmer's markets, and gmo's are wonderful things to try to improve what goes in to your body. Cody, do you have anything nice to say to anyone? just curious
Tiff, I know I've been one of the ones who has gotten pissy with you in the past, but I'm here to defend you now.
don't mind what Cody says. it's unfortunate that he has to come into every topic and cut others down when they believe differently than he does, but evidently, that's all he knows. as long as you're happy with yourself and the things you post, that's all that matters.
Hi, Eleni. While you and I don't often agree on stuff, and while Chelsea and I don't either, she's right. Don't pay attention to some of the stuff that gets said on here. I've learned that in most of the debates that occur on the boards, people aren't truly interested in having a discussion, or learning from one another. They're only intent on arguing their own agenda and tearing others down. Usually the more productive convos occur when you see an interesting board post and then PQN or PM the poster about it, and have a conversation with them.
Also I don't think that people don't think you've got no interests other than tech. I know personally i have a bit of bitterness toward something you've written in the past, but it doesn't mean i dislike you completely as a person. There are interests you have we agree on. You are not only one oppinion. you are a person who has a variety of thoughts oppinions, and the boards and this site are full of people who think one way that's their way and the only way. If you can't take the good with the bad it usually is best to step back a while that's what i for a few years. I got enough of the attacks for my views so went away. it doesn't bug me as myuch now as it did then. Their views are still the same and i just grew a thicker skin about it.
The previous poster has a point. I took a very, very long break and have only just come back. Sometimes it's nice to go away, grow a little, get yourself free of any residual drama, and come back when you feel ready. I do miss some of the discussions here, so I'll probably be around, at least for awhile.
So, if you're feeling discouraged, maybe step away from the Zone awhile.
sure, I have nice things to say about a lot of people. Those people have
earned nice things said about them. When Tif does, I'll let her know by saying
something nice about her. Until then, everything I have seen and can remember
seeing written by her has been absolute drivel. And I find it rather chuckle-
worthy that I'm being accused of having things be my way or the highway on a
board posted by a girl who is famous for having numerous people try to help
solve her problems, only to shoot each and every one of them down because
they can't manage to square the circle with 1980s technology which she's trying
to use in the 21st century. Hypocrisy much?
Now, as for organic and non-Gmo foods, you guys sound like the food babe,
acting as if you know what you put into your bodies anyway. So you know that
it wasn't grown with synthetic pesticides. I'd be willing to put a large sum of
money on the bet that if I listed five pesticides, you couldn't pick out the
synthetic from the nonsynthetic. Hell, I'd be willing to bet half of you who have
posted on here would fall for the hydrogen monoxide scare. So sorry if I don't
think your knowledge of science is all that worthy of respect. Tif claimed she has
studies, but she's claimed that before, enough to allow me to know she doesn't
know what a study actually is. So, until you guys show me the scientific journal
articles supporting your claims, and not just a few articles written by journalists
who wouldn't know a carbon-atom from carbonic acid, I'm going to rest well
assured that I know more than you. You can feel welcome to prove me wrong
whenever you wish. I won't be holding my breath.
Way I look at it is this:
GMOs aren't necessarily bad, but what's being done with them might be considered dubious, at the least. Some of the Monsanto stuff is kind of scary when you think about how much control it's giving them.
As far as Tiff goes, in general, I don't know all that much. I do think that there comes a time to upgrade your technology, but if or when you do it, do it because either 1. the old stuff just doesn't work anymore or 2. the new technology is better across the board and doesn't come with any drawbacks beyond, say, having to learn a few new keystrokes or something. Change is inevitable; being a bit resistant to it is natural enough, but planting your feet and refusing to move is probably not going to end well.
I personally don't know you all that well, in either case. I think you posted a board about having a cat once, years back, and I've occasionally seen posts of yours. I usually can't give advice of the sort that will help you, and as such, I don't presume to judge you.