RNF LIV

Random Neuron Firings

Thought for a Monday morning: Do you ever say to yourself, “I need to start writing down these things”? I do, every time I have a really ridiculous or bizarre thought. And believe me, I have many, and on a regular basis, to wit:

  • The time is coming when can openers will be obsolete. I grabbed a can of soup and a can of peaches to put in my lunch box this morning, and they both had the pull tabs on them. That got me thinking: I rarely use my can opener anymore. Do you find that as well?
  • I am absolutely repulsed by hot tubs. I know I’m the lonely rat cheese on that one, most likely. But the very thought of several dirty butts simmering in the same gurgly stew while their owners eat and drink (and probably swallow the occasional butt-infused water droplet) is so utterly repugnant to me, I can’t get past it. But seeing how it’s 5:26 a.m., I know I have to. And speaking of butts…
  • Professional journalism is also on its way to obsolete. You wouldn’t think that a newspaper writer would use the word “butt” in the title of a serious piece of writing, and yet…
  • And while you’re reading the above article, you may also notice that polite discourse is going out the window, too. Remember the days of honest letters to the editor? You know, the ones where you gave your real name? They are few and far between nowadays, because it’s a lot more fun to post anonymously so you can get on your inner troll and ride. Each time I see this, I lose a little more faith in what (I fear) makes up the bedrock of the human psyche. Are we really predisposed to cruelty if no one knows who we are? Are we a tribe of one-uppers as homo sapiens, or just as Americans? I’d point to it as a fluke — the rantings of the occasional idiot — but fiends, it’s everywhere.

I have dozens more of these, but I’ll ration them out for the occasional weirdness post. So tell me: do you have any of those “why do hot dogs come in packages of 10, but buns come in packages of 8” type RNFs? Do you, at any time, say, “Hmm, I feel orange today”? Share the oddities; it’ll take your mind off the fact that you have five more days before you can put your feet up again.

FO

 

4 thoughts on “RNF LIV

  1. Suzanne

    “(and probably swallow the occasional butt-infused water droplet”

    HAAAA this made me LOL. I’ve never really thought about being in a hot tub as being repulsive but now that you’ve said that…… But(t) I hope that the temp of the water and chemicals kill all those nasty b-i water droplets.

    As for anonomity and aggression…uhmmm YEAH! IRC? haaaaa OK that was just online stuff. But I do find that online in forums or chats where I am fairly anonymous I am more forthcoming in my opinions of things and less “afraid” to say them. It’s called being chicken (rhymes-with-fit). :-P

    I am actually a quiet and shy person in real life. *sNOrt*

    I’ts MONDAY of a 5-day week. You can do it! Next week is a short week–yay!

    XOXOXOXO Loves ya!!!

    Reply
    1. Rat Fink Post author

      IRC and Usenet started it all, fo sho!!!

      And I’m still trying to get over the “quiet and shy person” comment. But for purposes of civil discourse, I’ll just say “Mm-hmmmmm.” LOL

      Love you! I made it to Tuesday!!! :P

      Reply
  2. PKPudlin

    OK, I give up. LVIV? L = 50. V=5 and IV=4. So is this #59? If so, wouldn’t it be LIX? Please enlighten me, the Roman-Numeral-Challenged.

    The internet has spawned a whole new rudeness factor – people will put in an email things they would never say to a person’s face because they are shielded from the immediate body-language response. You can chew someone out in an email and say all sorts of nasty stuff without seeing their tears, or the hurt look on their faces. It effectively de-humanizes the recipient so you feel freer to say things you might not otherwise say.

    Communication is much more than just words – it involves an entire other dimension in body language that enhances the message. The internet takes that dimension away and communication becomes sterile and one-dimensional. Even a hand-written note is better than an e-mail because there is that component of humanity in a person’s handwriting. It is unique just as we are all unique.

    Nevertheless – there is NEVER a good excuse for rudeness.
    PK

    Reply
    1. Rat Fink Post author

      Nuts!!! How’d that extra “V” get in there?? Thanks for pointing that out — it be a typo for sure, because I am also Roman Numeral challenged, which is why I consult a chart before titling the RNF posts. And yep, you’re right — it’s #54! I have a lot of nothings to say, don’t I?!

      “Dehumanizes” — that is the perfect word to characterize this whole phenomenon. Always easier (for many) to act like trolls with the anonymity barrier. I think an area newspaper needs to go to Facebook comments only, so if someone wanted to be a troll more than anything else in the universe, he/she would have to compose a fake FB identity and work to shield its anonymity (which I’m sure some would do so they could continue being jerks).

      Reply

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