My Friday's night ask me a difficult question thread.

[Random_Australian]

Little different today, as it will be about 2 hours before I reply to anything. Work to do. Don't let that put you off!

Be serious, and no asking about intentionally way-to-arcane things like "What is time like inside the event horizon of a black hole"

But anyway, any problems at all, no matter how difficult. Tortuous life decision? Want to know why someone does/won't do something? Ask me anything!

Or we can just chat. It is fine by me. Also, you are allowed to ask mind-boggling questions, but be aware that the answer will then appear in the next weeks thread.

****NO ASKING FOR MEDICAL ADVICE****

If you don't know what you want to ask, just tell me something you wish for. Simple.

Current record: 89

Edit: Update on Naomi - devious plan 5 was a failure, exams and holidays mean that while devious plan 6 will be activated immediately, devious plan 7 is going to have to wait.

[Random_Australian]

1. Fuck you all for no replies, but I am back now!

[LaurenG]

2. What causes the minds of repubs to fail to see

what is right in front of them? Why are they in total denial and what is the solution to this?

[Clintmax]

3. Oooo! This is a good one!

We're waiting, Random. *taps foot*

[Random_Australian]

4. give us a second! This takes a while! Edit: Done!

[Random_Australian]

5. It all goes back to cognition, and more importantly interpretation.

Let me put it like this:
1) You start of with the firm notion that Bush is a good person.

2) GOP spin means that this is re-enforced, and also, some distrust of media instilled (a mixture of bieng told that there is liberal bias and noe wanting to appear the fool for believing all that the spin machine says)

3) The world view of the person changes; now, it has a firm belief that * is a good person. More importantly, a pretty normal person who does good things.

4) Person sees news item: "Bush has done something not good!", however, the notion that Bush is good overrules this (already seen as not so credible, as per {2})

5) Therefore Bush has done nothing bad! It is so simple. But then, there is the fact that something that was, by definition, 'bad' happened, plus the idea that nothing bad happened means that the logical conclusion is that while the action took place, it was not a bad thing. This produces cognitive dissonance; bad vs can't-be-bad, which means they will think up all sorts of reasons why what was done was not bad. Think of WMD ->-> liberate!!!! and Katrina incompetence ->-> lazy so-called victims!!!!!! and Plame ->-> He ordered it declassified!!!!!!

More importantly, when they hear the most ludicrous explanations on the news, it makes sense for the same reason. And what is more, it is likely that they will think it their own idea, and that they are clever for thinking it (or similar reward) and will listen to such programs religously. :1:

Now, back to Bush, he has done nothing wrong (as per above) so the belief is not diminished, so the next time it happens just the same :2:

Put :1: and :2: together and you get an extremely effective barrier. RW media can explain everything away..... not by bieng convincing, not by bieng well grounded, but by the simple fact that their followers WANT to believe.

[LaurenG]

6. Well then, Why do others see straight through the lies?

My mother did vote for * but now apologizes daily. How is it that some see through the lie of who he is and what he's done and others don't. We all get the same msm but many don't buy into it. :shrug:

[Random_Australian]

7. It all happens when you go back to the stage where Bush's

character is left unsmirched - many think that there was a probability that he did the wrong thing. Keeping that in the back of your mind (that perhaps this person is not good) is more than enough to remove the cognitive dissonance - as in, see both sides of the story.... and anyone who does that is bound to dislike Chimpy.

That you all get the same msm was part of it, it is all in the interpretation, like I said.

The whole point of the dissonance it
A) operates only while you are more certain that McFruit is good than you are you are certain of the truth as potrayed in the media.

B) It is the initial reaction. If someone thinks it through, and comes to the conclusion that they could be wrong (that is, are not entirely certain that they are right - also, knowing that the escape reason came from the story helps) then they can still very easily become uncertain. (and like I said, once that happens, you can see both sides of the story, and BananaInTheEyeBush loses pretty quick.)

[Random_Australian]

8. yrdyomh sd [rt v;omy,sc sdl!

We will see if this works, Clint!

[Clintmax]

9. OK...

First though...is there any subject about which you do NOT want to be asked?

[Random_Australian]

11. ij mpy ypp hts[jov epi;f nr movr

niy kidy tr,r,nrt o s, tsyjrt upmh dp yjrtr str dp,r yjomhd o fp mpy lmpe snpiy og upi vsyvj ,u ftogy


18 by the way.

[Clintmax]

16. oy esd hpomh yp nr lomfs htsgov, urd...

dp, o nryyrt mpy sdl oy. :rofl:

[riona]

10. Why

does my cat like to sit square in the middle of a room's entrance?

[Random_Australian]

12. That is difficult. Find what is

different about that spot. Due to drafts, it might be warmer or cooler, or the floor may be smoother, or bumpy, or something.

Tell me if there is no physical difference.

Edit: Because if it is not physical, it is mental. If it is physical, then it is because your cat like whatever physical difference there.

[riona]

17. The flooring is the same

She just seems to pick the middle spot of a room's entrance (even if it is undefined - as in no door). The vents are not in the same place in each spot.

[xchrom]

13. yeah -- why?

i wanna know the answer to that.

[Random_Australian]

14. I already answered, silly!

:)

[xchrom]

18. d'oh! got in before me.

you're quick.

[Random_Australian]

19. I certainly am!

[xchrom]

22. ...

:spank:

[Random_Australian]

15. Good night all!

[LeftyMom]

20. What the hell is the matter with my car?

It will be fine for a while but then I'll stop at a light and when I try to start again I have almost no acceleration and have to floor it to get the car to go 30 mph. Also the battery is not holding a charge.

Any ideas?

[Random_Australian]

24. Your car is screwed.

Sorry, but I can't fix the acceleration problem.

What do you mean, not holding charge? As in maximum charge is low, or that it goes flat quickly?

[wildhorses]

21. why does the plan have to be devious?

:hi:

[Random_Australian]

25. I am training to take over the world.

[scoey1953]

23. Please adequetly explain the meaning of the ...

Aussie phrase:

"FAIR DINKUM"
and use it in at least three example sentences. Thanks
Also. Do New Zealanders use this phrase as well?

[Random_Australian]

27. Who cares what Kiwis say.

Fair dinkum = true blue = bona fide = all wool and a yard wide

It can also mean "Really?" and be used as an exclamation, and carries a connotation of it bieng Australian.

eg. this meat pie is fair dinkum (of a good authentic Aussi meat pie)

eg. "I got this car for $13,000" "Wow, fair dinkum?" (translation: The first person got a really good bargain, the second thought that was a pretty amazing deal)

eg. Yep, he is a fair dinkum Aussie battler. (Said of someone who is poor but manages to make ends meet)

[KitchenWitch]

26. Why do some people insist on being such assholes?

Not you, but man, I have had a run of bumping into the assholes this week.

[Random_Australian]

28. If it is insistence, then there has been an incorrect association;

just when growing up, humour based on hurting others (eg, person got hit by baseball... wasn't that funny! sort of thing) and got the association that bieng unpleasant makes one happier.

Of course, it doesn't, and so in an attempt to be happier, they make those around them unhappy.

There you go.

[KitchenWitch]

29. Sounds reasonable to me!

[Random_Australian]

30. It sometimes amazes me how much stuff I know!

Now I just have to work out how to undo it, which is much harder.