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[Astronuc]

I love to hike out in Nature. I also know my directions, and can usually tell time of day by the position of the sun. At night, I orient by stars, even in wooded areas. Scouting is a good way to learn such skills.

I remember this sad story.
http://www.freep.com/story/travel/2016/07/23/appalachian-trail-geraldine-largy/86992994/

Apparently, Largay had no compass, no GPS beacon and a terrible sense of direction. Her cell phone couldn’t get a signal. Instead of continuing to hike she stayed put. For 26 days she wrote in a journal until she died quietly of exposure and starvation.

According to Robert Moor, author of the fascinating new book “On Trails: An Exploration” (Simon & Schuster, $25), the story of Geraldine Largay means something different: that more of us need to experience trails and hiking at a young age, including developing skills in finding our way back to the trail if we get lost.

“The wilderness shouldn’t just be an abstract concept,” says Moor.

I agree with Moor.

Trails, Moor says, are ways to create order out of chaos. Trails are made by lowly fire ants and great elephants, by herds of bison, by cows and sheep, by humans, but all for this purpose — to lead others somewhere — to food, water, home, or over the mountain.

 

[Ibix]

I was waiting for the train today. We all crowded into the tiny waiting room because it was raining. A young woman offered me her seat.

I'm going to have to start dyeing my white hairs, aren't I?

 

[fresh_42]

I was waiting for the train today. We all crowded into the tiny waiting room because it was raining. A young woman offered me her seat.

I'm going to have to start dyeing my white hairs, aren't I?

Yes, that is hard to swallow. I remember a similar shock when students began to call me Sir.

 

[ProfuselyQuarky]

Yes, that is hard to swallow. I remember a similar shock when students began to call me Sir.

You, too? My physics teacher's TA was a first year grad student and, regardless of that fact, I called him "Sir" and "Mr". One day he said, “Quarky, please call me by my first name, okay? I’m only in my twenties yet you make me feel so old.” I had no idea respect is considered old-fashioned by some people May I ask why?

 

[micromass]

You, too? My physics teacher's TA was a first year grad student and, regardless of that fact, I called him "Sir" and "Mr". One day he said, “Quarky, please call me by my first name, okay? I’m only in my twenties yet you make me feel old.” I had no idea respect is considered old-fashioned by some people May I ask why?

It's not so much about being old-fashioned. When I was a TA, my primary goal was to be some kind of "peer" of the students and to help them in that way. I did not want those formalities since it implied an artificial distinction. I wanted the students to be able to ask me anything, regardless of how stupid it sounded. That artificial distinction made it harder.

That said, my goal to help the student as a "peer" backfired because that was exactly the reason I got awful reviews. Apparently the students did not want this kind of thing...

 

[fresh_42]

You, too? My physics teacher's TA was a first year grad student and, regardless of that fact, I called him "Sir" and "Mr". One day he said, “Quarky, please call me by my first name, okay? I’m only in my twenties yet you make me feel old.” I had no idea respect is considered old-fashioned by some people May I ask why?

My understanding in this cases is that science is exciting and all participating in it have science in mind and a common give and take. There is no room for hierarchical statements. (Of course I said Sir as well to established professors unless they told me otherwise.) But I still remember my time as a student and, e.g. when I give a tutorial to someone, I want him and her to think and ask everything that comes to their mind. A Sir might suppress some questions, esp. when they are eventually off topic. But, hey, I'm old enough to be asked anything. And there are still things I don't know. No need to implement differences. And I like joking and create a relaxed atmosphere rather than a frontal teaching.

 

[zoobyshoe]

You, too? My physics teacher's TA was a first year grad student and, regardless of that fact, I called him "Sir" and "Mr". One day he said, “Quarky, please call me by my first name, okay? I’m only in my twenties yet you make me feel old.” I had no idea respect is considered old-fashioned by some people May I ask why?

When someone calls you "sir" you feel pushed away into some remote elderly-ness, as if that person sees you as someone so old, they can't fathom you. You don't feel respected, you feel depersonalized.

Not that I didn't do the same thing to older people when I was younger. Most teachers demand their students observe an arms-length psychological distance, and will make things hard for you if you seem to be assuming any kind of equality with them. Young people get taught, therefore, when in doubt, assume a subservient attitude to an older person. Actual average older people, however, are horrified to be depersonalized that way.

 

[ProfuselyQuarky]

Never thought of it in the way you both put it. If those were his intentions, what an opportunity lost

That said, my goal to help the student as a "peer" backfired because that was exactly the reason I got awful reviews. Apparently the students did not want this kind of thing...

You got reviewed? Like a product review on Amazon or something?

And I like joking and create a relaxed atmosphere rather than a frontal teaching.

Me, too, but the guy's jokes were awful.

 

[ProfuselyQuarky]

Actual average older people, however, are horrified to be depersonalized that way.

What have I done to all those lovely people

 

[collinsmark]

Oh, my. Lately I've been calling everyone "sir" or "ma'am" whether they're younger or older.

I hope I haven't been offending people right and left.

 

[beamie564]

I was waiting for the train today. We all crowded into the tiny waiting room because it was raining. A young woman offered me her seat.

I'm going to have to start dyeing my white hairs, aren't I?

I was at the other end of a similar situation. While traveling in the metro I offered my seat to a man (who appeared to be in his sixties). He didn't take it too well , ended up lecturing me.
Now I think twice before offering my seat to anyone.

You, too? My physics teacher's TA was a first year grad student and, regardless of that fact, I called him "Sir" and "Mr". One day he said, “Quarky, please call me by my first name, okay? I’m only in my twenties yet you make me feel so old.”

My respose on being called "Sir" , by younger students, was the same (I'm only 22). Though my reason was that I didn't wan't to be categorized separately, wanted them to be frank with me.

 

[Ibix]

Now I think twice before offering my seat to anyone.

I wasn't rude about it, which your guy was. I wouldn't be. I'm perfectly capable of standing, but the next person may not be so I don't want to discourage anyone from offering seats.

It was just a slightly wry "I'm getting older" feeling. Especially as (a) I'm not that old; and (b) I'm not sure what part of me bounding up the stairs two at a time carrying a weekend's luggage for three made me look as if I needed a seat. I suppose she probably didn't see all that, and just saw me arriving slightly out of breath and being towed by a six year old.

 

[beamie564]

I wasn't rude about it, which your guy was. I wouldn't be. I'm perfectly capable of standing, but the next person may not be so I don't want to discourage anyone from offering seats.

No no I didn't imply that. I'm sure you weren't rude. I was just giving an instance where I made the mistake of making a person feel old

 

[Sophia]

I was offered a seat once, when I was 19 or 20. I really don't know why. It was by a girl of my age. I felt so confused and didn't know what to think about it :-) I refused but she stood up and wouldn't sit down again. Eventually, after some time passed, I sat down.
Nowadays I'm ashamed when teenagers call me auntie :-) (this is a common term here that children use for any adult woman they address. Adult men are called "uncle").

 

[jim hardy]

I tell them "I appreciate your polite respect but it's unnecessary, wait until i do something do something to earn it."
If they're in military uniform i add "It is i who should call you Sir. Thanks for your service. "

 

[jim hardy]

Nowadays I'm ashamed when teenagers call me auntie :-)

I well remember being thirteen . High school girls looked old and a twenty something teacher was ancient.

Other day i mistook a friend's 40-ish wife for her 20-ish daughter. Now THAT's embarassing.
May we all continue to age gracefully.

 

[Sophia]

I well remember being thirteen . High school girls looked old and a twenty something teacher was ancient.

Other day i mistook a friend's 40-ish wife for her 20-ish daughter. Now THAT's embarassing.
May we all continue to age gracefully.

What a nice wish!

 

[fresh_42]

I was at the other end of a similar situation. While traveling in the metro I offered my seat to a man (who appeared to be in his sixties). He didn't take it too well , ended up lecturing me.
Now I think twice before offering my seat to anyone.

My mentor once told he opened a door and wanted to enter a female student behind him first. Next he had to listen to a vehemently posed statement about feminism.
Another student told me, that he has been waiting in front of a closed door for the next lecture to begin. As someone left the room he asked him (as students do) whether it'll take any longer till the end of the current lecture. Later on, he realized that he has asked the professor and presumably in a rather casual way ...

 

[fresh_42]

I was offered a seat once, when I was 19 or 20. I really don't know why. It was by a girl of my age. I felt so confused and didn't know what to think about it :-) I refused but she stood up and wouldn't sit down again. Eventually, after some time passed, I sat down.
Nowadays I'm ashamed when teenagers call me auntie :-) (this is a common term here that children use for any adult woman they address. Adult men are called "uncle").

Funny, here, too. Never thought that it could be intercultural. Europe is really a big family. Not that they love each other as they should ...

 

[Sophia]

Funny, here, too. Never thought that it could be intercultural. Europe is really a big family. Not that they love each other as they should ...

Indeed we are all connected. It's similar to those common proverbs and sayings that we discussed several months ago.
I assume that even when familiar term such as aunt or uncle is used, kids still have to address them with formal "Sie"?
BTW I was just reading about sportsmen going to Rio. And I wonder what is politically correct term in English that expresses that both men and women are going there? Would it be sportspeople? Or what?

 

[fresh_42]

Indeed we are all connected. It's similar to those common proverbs and sayings that we discussed several months ago.
I assume that even when familiar term such as aunt or uncle is used, kids still have to address them with formal "Sie"?

No. I think that is an old K&K thing. Normally children who call strangers aunt and uncle are too young that it would matter.
I know that not too long ago even french couples used "Sie" (vous) to address themselves. And my former (hungarian) wife had to call her grandparents and me my mother in law "Sie" (don't ask me for the related suffix ...)

BTW I was just reading about sportsmen going to Rio. And I wonder what is politically correct term in English that expresses that both men and women are going there? Would it be sportspeople? Or what?

Athletes? Swimmer? Player? Probably just the male version like with doctors. However, sportsman Gail Devers or sportsman Carmelita Jeter would sound really weird.

 

[Sophia]

Oh I see. Here, those terms are used until kids are teenagers (15-18). In case of such "old" children it is expected to use formal pronouns and appropriate verb declination. Of course, teachers are called "Ms. or Mister teacher" (without their name)
For example, I still use the term aunt /uncle for parents of my childhood friends. Simply because I've been calling them so for ages and it would be weird to change it now. Of course, if I met parents of some new friends now, I would call them Mrs and Mr. (name).
The same would apply to parents in law - you are expected to address them formally unless they allow you to use their first names. But they will usually call you by name from the beginning.

 

[DiracPool]

Sarah Silverman said something interesting tonight at the DNC. She said her shrink told her that "We don't get what we want, we get what we think we deserve."

I like that. I think it's true. These are the ugly truths of humanity that most of us want to close our eyes to but that biologically drive our motivations in life. It's the reason that people are stuck in deadbeat jobs and women (and men) continue to exist in relationships with abusive partners. I don't know if anyone remembers Tom Leykis, but he had a good line that I hold near and dear. He said that, in life, you deserve exactly what you get. I know it sounds overly harsh at first glance, but there is tremendous power in that sentiment. It means that you are in control of your destiny and blaming anyone or anything else is simply BS. I like that.

 

[Borg]

Sarah Silverman said something interesting tonight at the DNC. She said her shrink told her that "We don't get what we want, we get what we think we deserve."

My wife has a friend who got laid off. At first, we were sad and worried for her but then we found out that she is getting a one year severance package. After living on the edge financially, is she thinking about finding another job and effectively having two salaries for a year? Nope. She's planning vacations.

 

[DiracPool]

My wife has a friend who got laid off. At first, we were sad and worried for her but then we found out that she is getting a one year severance package. After living on the edge financially, is she thinking about finding another job and effectively having two salaries for a year? Nope. She's planning vacations

I'm not sure how that relates to Sarah Silverman's statement, but I can use your post to offer up some more hard-earned wisdom. Severance packages, sabbaticals, vacations, and especially retirement are no godsends. It may work for about two weeks or so, but let's hope she finds a new job soon.

 

[collinsmark]

In my newfound free time, I made a fish game for cats! Yeah!

 

[Borg]

I'm not sure how that relates to Sarah Silverman's statement, but I can use your post to offer up some more hard-earned wisdom. Severance packages, sabbaticals, vacations, and especially retirement are no godsends. It may work for about two weeks or so, but let's hope she finds a new job soon.

I think that she feels that she deserves the time off with pay. We will continue to worry about her but you can't help someone who won't help themselves.

 

[zoobyshoe]

In my newfound free time, I made a fish game for cats! Yeah!

Involving real fish?

 

[fresh_42]

Involving real fish?

I hoped so as I first read it, because otherwise it's not a game for cats rather a frustration tool.

 

[collinsmark]

Involving real fish?

Artificially intelligent fish. ('Not sure what that all says about my own intelligence. ) The cats love it though! So there's that.

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/today-i-accomplished.877902/