“i don’t know …” when we’re confronted with a difficult issue, we often come up with these words, “i don’t know”. “why do i always end up drinking more than i wanted? i just don’t know.” “i wish i could change how i talk to my son. we always seem to end up fighting. i… Continue reading understanding “i don’t know”
Category: the “understanding” series
“you made me do it” – part 4: understanding it all
okay, so let’s see what we can make of all the information and opinions we’ve gathered in the last few days about the subject of “making” someone feel something. in the first part, we concluded that it’s not possible to make anyone feel anything, as evidenced by the fact that when a teacher says something… Continue reading “you made me do it” – part 4: understanding it all
understanding internet users
(the following entry is a retreat of something i posted back in january. when i transferred my blog over from blogger, for some reason none of the material from january made it over here. so i’ll post some of the posts anew.) a while ago i skulked around the internet again, using wordtracker to find… Continue reading understanding internet users
understanding email chain letters
the other day i received an email from a friend. it started with the ominous “please read and pass on”. immediately my antennae went up; in my experience, 95% of such emails turn out to be hoaxes. the friend of mine who passed the email on to me is an ex teacher, has an excellent… Continue reading understanding email chain letters
understanding spammers
okay, here is something that i absolutely have to get off my chest: what goes on in the head of spammers? and what, specifically, is the process of coming up with these amazing names, like abhorrence p. versifying amateurism g. causal ambiguities u. magnetos annihilation j. silliness arnulfo mcleod (more at the end of this… Continue reading understanding spammers
understanding “enough”
just as hope can be seen from opposing viewpoints, i think the term “enough” can be seen from different points of view as well. let’s take these three examples: “you don’t need another blanket, joe. it’s not that cold – these two blankets are enough.” “don’t worry about making every page perfect. remember, it’s a… Continue reading understanding “enough”
understanding hope
hope is one of those things that can go both ways. let me first tell you about what i believe to be the negative aspects of hope, and then about the bright side of hope. the carrot and the stick hope can be the carrot of the famous “carrot and the stick”. it can be… Continue reading understanding hope
understanding learning disabilities
“i have this young man sitting here, george. i’d like to send him over to you. he’s a real sweetheart but he’s got a problem and some things got a bit messed up.” my friend tessa at the neighbourhood church didn’t tell me more than that; probably he was sitting right beside her and she… Continue reading understanding learning disabilities
understanding addictions
back in april, i said this in regard to a blog entry on obesity research: the more healthy i live, the more understanding i have for people for whom health is not such a great priority, or who have chosen to focus on different areas of improving their health than i have. i have some… Continue reading understanding addictions
understanding anorexia
i don’t have anorexia but i am intrigued by how close i feel to people who have this experience. there is a way in which i understand the desire to control one’s life to such a high degree. “my body will not tell me when to eat! i am in charge of that!” these words… Continue reading understanding anorexia