Hi. My name is Mark. I am 52 years-old. Because I am mentally ill (autism, obsessive/compulsive disorder, major depressive disorder)I have just now - after much treatment and therapy - gotten to where I can go to college. I am studying mathematics, my life-long passion.
I have spent most of my life in a shell and am not very good at socializing but am trying very hard to learn. I keep offending people w/o meaning to offend them, so I apologize in advance because I know that I will manage to offend somebody here - again, w/o meaning to do it. Mostly I offend people by being what I am told is "blunt". I cannot understand why anyone would want to obfuscate matters, but it seems that people do ... It seems that people do not die - they "pass away" and "go to better places" ???
Frankly, I find the outside World a very uncomfortable place. I find that I am surrounded by people who are desperate to believe the unbelievable - believe anything, so long as it is illogical and cannot be supported by any shred of evidence, everything from Big Foot to God. At my treatment center, I sit in silence, while my fellow group members amaze each other with their ghost stories - every bump in the night is proof of the Great Beyond. The anecdotal evidence of Grandma is better than the best laboratory to these people ... sigh ...
Anyway, I hope to talk to people here who are not so gullible - people who believe in logic, people who believe in - reality.
Hey buddy! Welcome to the forum. We've had a rush of new members, so feel free to poke around and feel at home.
Welcome to our little band of heathens, marom.
I think, on average, we're pretty Blunt too.
I anxiously await The day you piss me off, but for now all i can say is you are most Welcome, and glad to have you.
Yeah. For the most part, we are pretty blunt... I get in trouble IRL for that... lol Not everyone likes that apparently.
Quote from: marom1963 on April 14, 2016, 04:07:20 AMI have spent most of my life in a shell and am not very good at socializing but am trying very hard to learn. I keep offending people w/o meaning to offend them, so I apologize in advance because I know that I will manage to offend somebody here - again, w/o meaning to do it. Mostly I offend people by being what I am told is "blunt". I cannot understand why anyone would want to obfuscate matters, but it seems that people do ... It seems that people do not die - they "pass away" and "go to better places" ???
Frankly, I find the outside World a very uncomfortable place. I find that I am surrounded by people who are desperate to believe the unbelievable - believe anything, so long as it is illogical and cannot be supported by any shred of evidence, everything from Big Foot to God.
I couldn't empathize more! Damn, maybe I should get my head checked. *nervous chuckle*
It's difficult to deal with people people who can't come to grips with reality and cloak unpleasant truths with euphemism. I suppose their existence is an unpleasant truth in itself.
Quote from: PickelledEggs on April 14, 2016, 04:59:38 AM
Yeah. For the most part, we are pretty blunt... I get in trouble IRL for that... lol Not everyone likes that apparently.
Everyone likes candor until you're candid with them.
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 14, 2016, 05:11:33 AM
Everyone likes candor until you're candid with them.
Eh. I like people being blunt with me. I actually prefer it, if their statement is accurate... which is the reason why I feel it's good that I have a to-the-point way of saying things.
Quote from: PickelledEggs on April 14, 2016, 04:28:47 AM
Hey buddy! Welcome to the forum. We've had a rush of new members, so feel free to poke around and feel at home.
Thank you.
The more members, the better. It's tiring being so in the minority. I'm the only (open) atheist at my treatment center, at my residence, in my family - sometimes, it seems the World.
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on April 14, 2016, 04:51:29 AM
Welcome to our little band of heathens, marom.
I think, on average, we're pretty Blunt too.
I anxiously await The day you piss me off, but for now all i can say is you are most Welcome, and glad to have you.
Thank you ... Still, I'll try not to piss you off ... This might might work, though - I live in NJ. My response to the recent furor over the passing of legislation to allow transgendered students to use the bathrooms and locker-rooms of their choice was "I don't care". Civilized people should have gotten over nudity a long time ago, end of story. It's time to grow up. Too many other things are really important. Do your body functions or change for gym or class and stop being such a baby about it. If you're the average person, you look much better w/your clothes on, anyway.
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 14, 2016, 05:11:09 AM
I couldn't empathize more! Damn, maybe I should get my head checked. *nervous chuckle*
It's difficult to deal with people people who can't come to grips with reality and cloak unpleasant truths with euphemism. I suppose their existence is an unpleasant truth in itself.
That's it - they exist. They refuse to live. You can't live until you accept, embrace, death. As long as you go around believing that life is in infinite supply, you can spend what little life you really do have fucking around, believing - not thinking - that you'll get your "reward" on the "other side". I listen to people all the time, muttering their faith in utter nonsense - "what goes around comes around" - "karma's a bitch" - "God doesn't like ugly" - all sorts of ridiculous statements that could not stand up to the most cursory of examinations. No matter how one defines evil, one can easily find an example of someone evil who died peacefully in bed, surrounded by loved ones, his/her fortune in tact, while millions of good people suffered the "tortures of the damned". Fact is, just about everybody knows hardship of one kind or another at one time or another - doesn't prove a thing, except that life is difficult for everyone, that it's utterly impersonal - the Universe is not out to get anyone.
Quote from: marom1963 on April 14, 2016, 06:04:06 AM
That's it - they exist. They refuse to live. You can't live until you accept, embrace, death. As long as you go around believing that life is in infinite supply, you can spend what little life you really do have fucking around, believing - not thinking - that you'll get your "reward" on the "other side". I listen to people all the time, muttering their faith in utter nonsense - "what goes around comes around" - "karma's a bitch" - "God doesn't like ugly" - all sorts of ridiculous statements that could not stand up to the most cursory of examinations. No matter how one defines evil, one can easily find an example of someone evil who died peacefully in bed, surrounded by loved ones, his/her fortune in tact, while millions of good people suffered the "tortures of the damned". Fact is, just about everybody knows hardship of one kind or another at one time or another - doesn't prove a thing, except that life is difficult for everyone, that it's utterly impersonal - the Universe is not out to get anyone.
Welcome, marom,..............to put it bluntly. :) I am glad you can finally venture out into the world and into college. So far your 'blunt' observations follow mine. I agree with you--we are born, we live and we die. And the universe does not care one way or the other. It does not help or hinder................it just is. As Joseph Campbell suggests--the purpose of life is to live. Follow your bliss to get the most out of yours. And I guess math is it for you--so pursue it to your hearts content.
There's only one way to find out if you go to a better place when you die and it isn't from hanging out at atheistforums.com..
Hey! Have yourself buried 6 feet in the ground in a sealed box and report back on how it is in about 40 years from now.. I'm dying to find out.. Clearly there's a reason certain cemeteries are such popular tourist destinations..People are just dying to get in them!
I know..I know.. THAT'S NOT FUNNY! I should be ashamed of myself for making fun of the dead.. and in all honesty I am ashamed..
Fucking funny though isn't it?
Quote from: marom1963 on April 14, 2016, 04:07:20 AM
Hi. My name is Mark. I am 52 years-old. Because I am mentally ill (autism, obsessive/compulsive disorder, major depressive disorder)I have just now - after much treatment and therapy - gotten to where I can go to college. I am studying mathematics, my life-long passion.
I have spent most of my life in a shell and am not very good at socializing but am trying very hard to learn. I keep offending people w/o meaning to offend them, so I apologize in advance because I know that I will manage to offend somebody here - again, w/o meaning to do it. Mostly I offend people by being what I am told is "blunt". I cannot understand why anyone would want to obfuscate matters, but it seems that people do ... It seems that people do not die - they "pass away" and "go to better places" ???
Frankly, I find the outside World a very uncomfortable place. I find that I am surrounded by people who are desperate to believe the unbelievable - believe anything, so long as it is illogical and cannot be supported by any shred of evidence, everything from Big Foot to God. At my treatment center, I sit in silence, while my fellow group members amaze each other with their ghost stories - every bump in the night is proof of the Great Beyond. The anecdotal evidence of Grandma is better than the best laboratory to these people ... sigh ...
Anyway, I hope to talk to people here who are not so gullible - people who believe in logic, people who believe in - reality.
Welcome. This is cool- several people joining the forum and all of them should fit right in, just weird enough and alike enough to blend beautifully. New voices are always welcome. I'm 67 and retired and still trying new things. My mantra is that the only direction that matters is forward, and looking back with regret is what will kill you. Love that you are still seeking after new things. Never settle, always keep trying.
I thought you were older than that Strom..like Strom Thurman old.. I learn something every day..
Quote from: marom1963 on April 14, 2016, 06:04:06 AMI listen to people all the time, muttering their faith in utter nonsense - "what goes around comes around" - "karma's a bitch" - "God doesn't like ugly" - all sorts of ridiculous statements that could not stand up to the most cursory of examinations.
That's true. And yet, these are incredibly popular and longstanding beliefs all the same. It is frustrating to deal with.
QuoteNo matter how one defines evil, one can easily find an example of someone evil who died peacefully in bed, surrounded by loved ones, his/her fortune in tact, while millions of good people suffered the "tortures of the damned".
Karma can be falsified with just a quick glance around Congress.
A warm welcome, from a newbie to a newbie. ðŸ˜
Welcome also. I hope some form of Internet dialog will be more comfortable, make more sense, then the everyday.
I know..As atheists we're all so enlightened to be the anointed logictarians.. There's nothing magical about it, but to read some atheists you might think that we're the only people who ever experience logic ot who have the least bit of use for science.. I don't feel special and don't buy the reasoning behind the notion that anyone who believes in a god is completely void of logic.
It's only a part of who people are..
It's like saying that anyone who doesn't wear blue socks must be color blind..
I'm not saying religion makes a bit of sense. It doesn't, but it doesn't automatically make anyone void of logic either..
Welcome my dear! First off, you aren't "mentally ill". Just toss that out the window. Saying you are ill implies that something is wrong with you or you are sick. You're not. Your beautiful brain just functions differently than the average person's does and with therapy and the right medication, you can do just fine. As someone with OCD, major depression, and social anxiety (large crowds freak me out!) who just happened to have 2 years of college for Occupational Therapy (had to drop out because of Hemiplegic Migraines), I feel comfortable telling you that. Pull a Naurito and turn your greatest weakness into your greatest strength ;)
I fellow math nerd! √-1 ♡ Math! You would probably love the fact that some of use the empty set symbol to signify that there are no dieties. I have a symbol I made (rough draft in my signature and better example on the last page of my intro) that's a broken infinity that I'm getting tattooed on me soon.
You don't have to worry about being blunt here. We're cool with it. We have a forum specifically for people to argue in! So don't worry.
When it comes to Autism and Aspergers, it's rare to find one that's NOT an atheist or at least agnostic. Your brain is a force of logic and diety worship goes against the very core of who you are! I hope you find someone like minded where you are or at least someone who belongs to one of the less judgey religions. :)
Quote from: marom1963 on April 14, 2016, 04:07:20 AM
The anecdotal evidence of Grandma is better than the best laboratory to these people ... sigh ...
Being able to LARP all day long could be considered a plus.
Welcome. I feel ya.
Quote from: marom1963 on April 14, 2016, 04:07:20 AM
Hi. My name is Mark. I am 52 years-old. Because I am mentally ill (autism, obsessive/compulsive disorder, major depressive disorder)I have just now - after much treatment and therapy - gotten to where I can go to college. I am studying mathematics, my life-long passion.
I have spent most of my life in a shell and am not very good at socializing but am trying very hard to learn. I keep offending people w/o meaning to offend them, so I apologize in advance because I know that I will manage to offend somebody here - again, w/o meaning to do it. Mostly I offend people by being what I am told is "blunt". I cannot understand why anyone would want to obfuscate matters, but it seems that people do ... It seems that people do not die - they "pass away" and "go to better places" ???
Frankly, I find the outside World a very uncomfortable place. I find that I am surrounded by people who are desperate to believe the unbelievable - believe anything, so long as it is illogical and cannot be supported by any shred of evidence, everything from Big Foot to God. At my treatment center, I sit in silence, while my fellow group members amaze each other with their ghost stories - every bump in the night is proof of the Great Beyond. The anecdotal evidence of Grandma is better than the best laboratory to these people ... sigh ...
Anyway, I hope to talk to people here who are not so gullible - people who believe in logic, people who believe in - reality.
A hearty hiyo to ya!
You needn't worry too much about giving offense, since offence can't be given - only taken.
I don't know if I believe in reality or not - since I'm still trying to figure out just what it is. I've been reading a lot about mathematics recently, myself, since I hadn't gotten deep into it before. The history of the subject is really fascinating, such colorful people!
Welcome to our funhouse!
From one autistic person to another, I understand your struggle. "Normal" people are so hard to understand. Sometimes I think they're the ones who need special ed, not us. :lol:
Quote from: Hijiri Byakuren on April 14, 2016, 08:47:50 PM
From one autistic person to another, I understand your struggle. "Normal" people are so hard to understand. Sometimes I think they're the ones who need special ed, not us. :lol:
I am not autistic--well, I don't think so. Anyway, I wanted to be 'normal' or considered so, while growing up. In the middle of adulthood, it dawned on me I would much rather be healthy than normal. What the hell is normal anyway????
Quote from: Mike Cl on April 14, 2016, 10:18:22 PM
I am not autistic--well, I don't think so. Anyway, I wanted to be 'normal' or considered so, while growing up. In the middle of adulthood, it dawned on me I would much rather be healthy than normal. What the hell is normal anyway????
From my autistic perspective, "normal" is a mental defect which causes people to expect perfect comprehension of body language and vocal tone.
Quote from: Mike Cl on April 14, 2016, 10:18:22 PM
What the hell is normal anyway????
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/AUgkn-XejnkzdrK11CY4NFzfTIM5fzZPrbqMVhwQvcLE-zlzmkPfNu61wFhAQYK4tlYkTLjaBcdAS0I9NiymWv4sU0fbvT4H_p1mVh_7pyHxD0ouva3CgM3jDw)
Quote from: gentle_dissident on April 14, 2016, 03:20:14 PM
Being able to LARP all day long could be considered a plus.
Welcome. I feel ya.
Immediately thought of this video XD
Religious People Are Nerds (https://youtu.be/gNtnN_DiP3o) by College Humor
Quote from: Hydra009 on April 14, 2016, 11:57:01 AM
That's true. And yet, these are incredibly popular and longstanding beliefs all the same. It is frustrating to deal with.
Karma can be falsified with just a quick glance around Congress.
:histerical:
Quote from: Divina on April 14, 2016, 01:03:40 PM
A warm welcome, from a newbie to a newbie. ðŸ˜
Thank you.
Quote from: Bluewind on April 14, 2016, 02:34:34 PM
Welcome my dear! First off, you aren't "mentally ill". Just toss that out the window. Saying you are ill implies that something is wrong with you or you are sick. You're not. Your beautiful brain just functions differently than the average person's does and with therapy and the right medication, you can do just fine. As someone with OCD, major depression, and social anxiety (large crowds freak me out!) who just happened to have 2 years of college for Occupational Therapy (had to drop out because of Hemiplegic Migraines), I feel comfortable telling you that. Pull a Naurito and turn your greatest weakness into your greatest strength ;)
I fellow math nerd! √-1 ♡ Math! You would probably love the fact that some of use the empty set symbol to signify that there are no dieties. I have a symbol I made (rough draft in my signature and better example on the last page of my intro) that's a broken infinity that I'm getting tattooed on me soon.
Empty set - that's funny! A little sad for the empty set, though ... My sister gets migraines. She has something that comes in doses that she squirts up her nose. If she gets it just as the migraine starts, it stops the migraine dead in its tracks. I forget what it's called - have you heard of it? It's a miracle, according to her.
Well, thank you very much. Very encouraging.
You don't have to worry about being blunt here. We're cool with it. We have a forum specifically for people to argue in! So don't worry.
When it comes to Autism and Aspergers, it's rare to find one that's NOT an atheist or at least agnostic. Your brain is a force of logic and diety worship goes against the very core of who you are! I hope you find someone like minded where you are or at least someone who belongs to one of the less judgey religions. :)
Autistic? You are in good company.
http://autismmythbusters.com/general-public/famous-autistic-people/
Welcome!! I have an adult son with many of the same issues you are living with. Congrats on going to school to pursue something you love, that is a huge accomplishment that I hope brings you much joy!
Quote from: marom1963 on April 14, 2016, 04:07:20 AM
Hi. My name is Mark. I am 52 years-old. Because I am mentally ill (autism, obsessive/compulsive disorder, major depressive disorder)I have just now - after much treatment and therapy - gotten to where I can go to college. I am studying mathematics, my life-long passion.
I have spent most of my life in a shell and am not very good at socializing but am trying very hard to learn. I keep offending people w/o meaning to offend them, so I apologize in advance because I know that I will manage to offend somebody here - again, w/o meaning to do it. Mostly I offend people by being what I am told is "blunt". I cannot understand why anyone would want to obfuscate matters, but it seems that people do ... It seems that people do not die - they "pass away" and "go to better places" ???
Frankly, I find the outside World a very uncomfortable place. I find that I am surrounded by people who are desperate to believe the unbelievable - believe anything, so long as it is illogical and cannot be supported by any shred of evidence, everything from Big Foot to God. At my treatment center, I sit in silence, while my fellow group members amaze each other with their ghost stories - every bump in the night is proof of the Great Beyond. The anecdotal evidence of Grandma is better than the best laboratory to these people ... sigh ...
Anyway, I hope to talk to people here who are not so gullible - people who believe in logic, people who believe in - reality.
There is no need to believe in logic it is there governing the universe and a very intangible way.
I also like mathematics very much, do you have a favourite branch of mathematics? My favourite is either topology or abstract algebra.
Quote from: AllRight on April 16, 2016, 09:14:32 AM
Welcome!! I have an adult son with many of the same issues you are living with. Congrats on going to school to pursue something you love, that is a huge accomplishment that I hope brings you much joy!
Thank you.
Yes. It's a shame that when we were kids there was not the help available that there is nowadays. It took 7 years of therapy to get me out of my shell enough to go to college - and I need a team to keep there: case worker, licensed clinical social worker, as well as being registered as a student w/a disability. I've got to present each teacher w/my "note" at the start of each semester that details all of my "issues" - talking to myself, repeating what is said to me before answering (and in the same tone that it is said to me), my incessant doodling, my
apparent day-dreaming - I am not, just seem to be - my clumsiness, my need to sit further apart from others than usual, my illegible handwriting - DON'T touch me; I cannot stand for anyone but my sister to touch me - ignore my hand-flapping - my speech impediment - the list of words that I cannot pronounce, etc. Oh, and the clocks. I've got several of them w/me at all times.
Quote from: DeltaEpsilon on April 16, 2016, 10:17:58 AM
There is no need to believe in logic it is there governing the universe and a very intangible way.
I also like mathematics very much, do you have a favourite branch of mathematics? My favourite is either topology or abstract algebra.
Mine is algebra - I prefer not to put the qualifier "abstract" before the word b/c I am forever going back to the foundations and then going forward to analysis. I love the whole of the subject. I also love arithmetic - what is now called "number theory". I would love geometry, if it were not for dyslexia. I am forever confusing shapes, and it is so hard ... But I do love Euclidean geometry simply because therein lies so much that is foundational to formal logic - which is another passion of mine. I am fine w/memorizing Euclid, so long as I do not spend too much time looking at the shapes. I can memorize the definitions, the axioms, the postulates and understand them perfectly, until I see the shapes. Then I become hopelessly confused. This is why I cannot drive a car. I know my left hand - dominant - from my right, until I go to use them. W/habitual activities, I am fine. W/sudden moves, I break things - so, no driving for Mark.
Welcome, Mark!
I frequently offer poems to new members. I think you might like this one:
http://www.solomonzorn.com/read-the-sign.html
Quote from: Solomon Zorn on April 18, 2016, 08:18:56 AM
Welcome, Mark!
I frequently offer poems to new members. I think you might like this one:
http://www.solomonzorn.com/read-the-sign.html
Thank you. I like the last line best.
Quote from: marom1963 on April 14, 2016, 05:52:54 AM
Thank you ... Still, I'll try not to piss you off ... This might might work, though - I live in NJ. My response to the recent furor over the passing of legislation to allow transgendered students to use the bathrooms and locker-rooms of their choice was "I don't care". Civilized people should have gotten over nudity a long time ago, end of story. It's time to grow up. Too many other things are really important. Do your body functions or change for gym or class and stop being such a baby about it. If you're the average person, you look much better w/your clothes on, anyway.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjGv6exoKkw&feature=em-share_video_user
Hey! Belated welcome from me! :clap: Hope you are entertained, outraged, intrigued, and baffled by our crew of rascals!
PS: Don't leave any valuables unattended though! :smiley:
Hi Mark
Welcome to the forum.
I don't think being blunt is a bad thing. I've had trouble keeping friends due to that. But being blunt = honest especially when we're being asked for our opinions. It's always better to dish it out as clear and honest as possible. :)
Quote from: marom1963 on April 18, 2016, 08:27:17 AM
Thank you. I like the last line best.
I'm glad you liked the poem.
I commend your ambition and determination, in overcoming some severe social barriers, and attending college. Very inspiring.
If you're interested, here's another poem. It's not religious, but it has a passing reference to mathematics(the speed of light): http://www.solomonzorn.com/beyond-the-blue.html
Quote from: Solomon Zorn on June 05, 2016, 06:53:26 AM
I'm glad you liked the poem.
I commend your ambition and determination, in overcoming some severe social barriers, and attending college. Very inspiring.
If you're interested, here's another poem. It's not religious, but it has a passing reference to mathematics(the speed of light): http://www.solomonzorn.com/beyond-the-blue.html
It's lovely. I don't see anything religious about it. It's what I would call "secular awe" and proves that awe does not need religion - or even a mention of God.
I would like to thank everyone who welcomed me to the Forum. Thank you.
Howdy mark, I'm new around here as well. Kudos on getting school going, you can never learn too much. My daughter is autistic as well, and because of her I have met and friended many autistic people. I have found that in these circles there is a more truthful and firm foundation for a friendship because of bluntness and articulation. You'll get no complaints from me! Lol.