Hateful Humor, Hit Counts, and Positive Politics

From Denny: Here is an unusual article about writing in the blogosphere. Since I've never been a fan of political vitriol and character assassination promoted over problem-solving pressing social issues I found this interesting. First I've heard of this Losada Ratio about positive to negative emotions charting what ratio is needed for best group dynamics. There's even some psychology and science involved! :)

"Cruised any politics related web sites recently? Seen any angry, sarcastic, personal attacks wrapped in "humor"? If your answer to the first question was yes and your answer to the second was no, then you either cruise a VERY select set of websites (send me a list, please!) or …. Well, truth to tell, I can’t figure out how you might look through many of the top-rated websites and answer the second question "No."

I was cruising around the web the other day and ran into a post by a blogger who had just gotten his millionth hit. He was giving advice on how to do the same — and since I’m on track to hit that point with my blog in about 2037, maybe I should listen. Then again, maybe not, because two of his key points were to make some enemies and to use enough "vitriolic ad hominem to make sure he never forgets it." Note the lack of an exclamation point on that quote — no excitement here, just sane, sensible advice!

Now, let me note that this advice-giver also suggested that we not confuse "cyber-venom" with "real-world hate", suggesting that the vitriol in web space is equivalent to the theatrics of pro wrestling. And much of it probably is, but that doesn’t mean that engaging in such activities is consequence-free. I suspect that, for many participants, both readers and bloggers, there are very real consequences.

Losada Ratio

Two words: Losada ratio . Marcial Losada’s research established that positivity has a tipping point. At approximately three positive emotions to one negative, individuals and groups begin to experience life in a new way. Patterns of positive relationships, creativity, collegiality, and forward motion emerge that could not have been predicted before. Goals coalesce, pathways appear, and efficacy surges. Further research shows that the highest levels of group performance require a ratio of 5:1."

By Dave Shearon @ Positive Psychology News Daily

Take a look at this interesting site! Just click on the title link to take you to the rest of the article. Thanks for visiting!

Cheeky Quote Day! 17 June 2009

Photo in Paris by Dragunsk @ flickr

From Denny: Have you been to the Quote Garden site that’s been around for over a decade on the web? There is so much going on over there! Here are some of their funny quotes about language usage:

The quantity of consonants in the English language is constant. If omitted in one place, they turn up in another. When a Bostonian "pahks" his "cah," the lost r's migrate southwest, causing a Texan to "warsh" his car and invest in "erl wells." ~ Author Unknown



Photo by PinkMoose @ flickr

English is a funny language; that explains why we park our car on the driveway and drive our car on the parkway. ~ Author Unknown

No one means all he says, and yet very few say all they mean, for words are slippery and thought is viscous. ~ Henry Brooks Adams, The Education of Henry Adams, 1907

Language forces us to perceive the world as man presents it to us. ~ Julia Penelope

Thanks to words, we have been able to rise above the brutes; and thanks to words, we have often sunk to the level of the demons. ~ Aldous Huxley

The great thing about human language is that it prevents us from sticking to the matter at hand. ~ Lewis Thomas

Language is the most imperfect and expensive means yet discovered for communicating thought. ~ William James



Photo by eye2eye @ flickr

One man's frankness is another man's vulgarity. ~ Kevin Smith

I personally believe we developed language because of our deep inner need to complain. ~ Jane Wagner

Euphemisms are unpleasant truths wearing diplomatic cologne. ~ Quentin Crisp

At no time is freedom of speech more precious than when a man hits his thumb with a hammer. ~ Marshall Lumsden



Photo by respres @ flickr

Slang is a language that rolls up its sleeves, spits on its hands and goes to work. ~ Carl Sandburg, New York Times, 13 February 1959

In certain trying circumstances, urgent circumstances, desperate circumstances, profanity furnishes a relief denied even to prayer. ~ Mark Twain

It's a strange world of language in which skating on thin ice can get you into hot water. ~ Franklin P. Jones



Photo by ibanda @ flickr

Man is a creature who lives not upon bread alone, but primarily by catchwords. ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

A good catchword can obscure analysis for fifty years. ~ Wendell L. Willkie

Our major obligation is not to mistake slogans for solutions. ~ Edward R. Murrow

I like the word "indolence." It makes my laziness seem classy. ~ Bern Williams

Language is the dress of thought. ~ Samuel Johnson

If you can speak three languages you're trilingual. If you can speak two languages you're bilingual. If you can speak only one language you're an American. ~ Author Unknown

Do you have any favorites? Let me know what you think! Quotes are always a great launching point for a post...

New Link Added to Interesting Mountain Climbing Blog

From Denny: Since I have a number of readers from Poland I thought you might enjoy checking out this guy's site. He is a friendly, smart guy who writes well in English so anyone can enjoy his unusual blog. He teaches beginner mountain climbing.

What I like about his blog is that from a spiritual or writing perspective it really is a metaphor for life as he teaches how to overcome obstacles that seem immovable! An enjoyable read worth the time to visit again and again. To visit his blog, Himalman's Weblog, go here.

Added him to the The Social Poets Fav Bloggers blog roll list so you have a permanent link to find him. He is also linked on The Social Poets Fav Links under the Travel section.

Word Smithing: Those Funny Sayings We Hear Every Day

Word Smithing: Those Funny Sayings We Hear Every Day: "Have you ever wondered about the origins of odd sayings?
Check out the tattooed Viking blacksmith photo!"

By Denny Lyon @ HubPages
Photo Artwork Word Cloud by Denny Lyon

Video: CIA Secret Experiments

From Denny: The National Geographic is airing this program on June 20th. I've long complained about America's and other world governments' inhumane medical experiments.

The American military and spouses and children of CIA officers have carried the brunt of suffering in these decades long illegal experiments. "Volunteers" were routinely lied to about the true nature of the experiments. Many, like children of CIA officers, were volunteered by their fathers wishing to advance their careers up the ranks by pleasing their superiors.

While this film does not discuss the children in experiments it does cover the horrors done to unsuspecting military personnel. Mind control is easier than the public believes as too many people have either weak minds or weak wills to stand up to what is wrong in society.

Please watch this program when it airs as it is important to stop this madness in all society around the world! This is the promotional video for the program.

12 Breeds of Client and How to Work with Them

From Denny: This is pretty funny. It's also true of more than just free lance writing. It holds true for most industries be it a corporation or a developing artist.

People are people and react in a certain predictable manner for their personality types when feeling under pressure. Some people handle pressure well and others, well, don't!

No matter what your industry you can find this useful, especially if you are in sales.

"There are loads of different types of clients out there and chances are at some point you’ll get to meet all of them. So let’s take a look through some typical clients and see if you recognise a few of your own in there!"

By Jack Knight

The Little Girl Giant

The passing of a StumbleUpon friend:



Hello to friends of "Crminks," many of you knew her as Wren. Heaven has a new and beautiful angel. A sudden welcome. She asked to say "thank you" and "good-bye" to her StumbleUpon friends, but there was no time. So, from those of us who knew and loved her, I dedicate the following video to her, and from her to you. --Alexandria, her friend. ("A4Crminks")

http://crminks.stumbleupon.com/

From Denny: Crminks is definitely doing the Happy Dance in Heaven these days! From Belgium but loved America's Texas, goodbye Wren. You left buckets full of showering goodwill behind.

Interesting choice of a doll who came to life - symbolic of so many people who don't wake up from their lives until a significant moment that causes them to suddenly realize they are just awakened to true life. Glad to be number 50 to tell the world about your lovely self!


Wren as Crminks on StumbleUpon died 6 March 2009.

Her quote:

"We are the music makers
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers,
And sitting by desolate streams;
World-losers and world-forsakers,
On whom the pale moon gleams:
Yet we are the movers and shakers
Of the world forever, it seems. "

~ Arthur O'Shaughnessy