Like others, I skip Harriet's posts after the first couple of sentences, when the "muddy, insubstantial, and odd" (per curious2) content makes it obvious who is writing.
Harriet, if people ignore Mr. Venn's more obscure posts do you assume they are homophobic?
Regarding NoCuteName and writing ability... I'm agreeing with Curious here. NoCuteName is obviously a good writer- I remember the conversation with her and Ricardo regarding editing and the English language, etc. I'm always in awe of such people, such a skill set. But I think what sets her comments apart is that she's honestly engaging and usually able to stick to the point in a way that always opens channels for thought rather than ways that lead to conflict or that try to shut down / overwhelm the conversation. That is itself a real skill, above and beyond the technical and artistic skill of writing. Aren't you a professor, NoCuteName? These are the skills that "get people thinking". But on top of that, she adds personal and heartfelt accounts when they are relevant, and she's not afraid of confrontation when it's necessary but she's smart enough to not court it. The reason I notice most of these things is that basically none of the above are my own qualities and I've often contrasted them with my own flaws and motivations here.
Yes futurecatlady, I agree- especially with regards to having spent so much time in the caregiving role myself. Though it is scary to imagine oneself at the mercy of caregivers you don't fully trust without advocates for you. But to clarify (since I've said a lot here, sorry, and you might have missed it- understandable)- I'm not contrasting partnership with lack of partnership. I'm contrasting traditional family with building some future and wide-reaching replacement. I feel like we have to shape a society that gives people a place to belong and takes care of most of their material needs as an alternative to family. It can't be left up to individuals to figure it out since most will fail for a combination of factors, including the ones you named. If the only way to age with dignity is to have a lifetime of good health and decent earning without raising children and all the while build long-lasting friendships that will result in a community of mutual aid when you are old, then most people will have a terrible old age. Nuances beyond our control, yes exactly.
Like others, I skip Harriet's posts after the first couple of sentences, when the "muddy, insubstantial, and odd" (per curious2) content makes it obvious who is writing.
Harriet, if people ignore Mr. Venn's more obscure posts do you assume they are homophobic?
Regarding NoCuteName and writing ability... I'm agreeing with Curious here. NoCuteName is obviously a good writer- I remember the conversation with her and Ricardo regarding editing and the English language, etc. I'm always in awe of such people, such a skill set. But I think what sets her comments apart is that she's honestly engaging and usually able to stick to the point in a way that always opens channels for thought rather than ways that lead to conflict or that try to shut down / overwhelm the conversation. That is itself a real skill, above and beyond the technical and artistic skill of writing. Aren't you a professor, NoCuteName? These are the skills that "get people thinking". But on top of that, she adds personal and heartfelt accounts when they are relevant, and she's not afraid of confrontation when it's necessary but she's smart enough to not court it. The reason I notice most of these things is that basically none of the above are my own qualities and I've often contrasted them with my own flaws and motivations here.
Yes futurecatlady, I agree- especially with regards to having spent so much time in the caregiving role myself. Though it is scary to imagine oneself at the mercy of caregivers you don't fully trust without advocates for you. But to clarify (since I've said a lot here, sorry, and you might have missed it- understandable)- I'm not contrasting partnership with lack of partnership. I'm contrasting traditional family with building some future and wide-reaching replacement. I feel like we have to shape a society that gives people a place to belong and takes care of most of their material needs as an alternative to family. It can't be left up to individuals to figure it out since most will fail for a combination of factors, including the ones you named. If the only way to age with dignity is to have a lifetime of good health and decent earning without raising children and all the while build long-lasting friendships that will result in a community of mutual aid when you are old, then most people will have a terrible old age. Nuances beyond our control, yes exactly.