Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Re: Launching at the boat ramp

["D. Blake" <dblake@bright.net>]

-----Original Message-----
From: David Buchner <buchner@wcta.net>
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
Date: Wednesday, February 09, 2000 12:52 PM
Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Re: Launching at the boat ramp


>At 0138 -0600 02/08/0, D. Blake wrote:
>>Incivility and stupidity are symtomatic of a cognitive deficit, and/or a
>>lack of socialization.  A cognitive deficit is a handicap no amount of
pain
>>will cure.
>
>Isn't stupidity a cognitive deficit?

Yes, but it may also originate from environmental influences, or most likely
a combination of the two ie. low IQ and poor upbringing.

>I rather think that incivility, and certain forms of stupidity, are simply
careless, lazy habits. Without decipherable santions or consequences, some
people simply start doing whatever they think is in their best interest, and
indulging in the luxury of being inconsiderate of others.

Absolutely!  Except these people "missed the boat" so to speak  They were
never socialized in such a way as to realize the value of being considerate
to others, or in being civil.  By the time they are adults, it's usually too
late.

>Anyway, even if pain wouldn't cure it, they might [be] encouraged to keep
it to themselves.

I'm afraid they would just see "inflicting pain" as acceptable behavior and
follow through with their threats.


>>Lack of socialization?  Well, you cannot polish a turd....
>
>O boy. I'm learning so much here. I'll add that gem to the other one. A
couple more slogans, and I'll be ready to start a t-shirt business...
>
>This whole thing about ramp behavior mystifies me anyway. Most public
social situations have some kind of readily-pick-uppable set of manners, but
public accesses still have me stumped. Some people seem irritated if I get
too close with my boat waiting for them to get done. If I park respectfully
out of the way of the guy who's in the process of launching or loading, so I
don't seem to be rushing him -- some other bozo comes driving up and moves
in a little closer, displacing me. If there's a boat at the dock, with
someone holding it, waiting for a member of their party who's gone to get
the truck, and I back in quickly and launch mine, they get all offended. But
if I count their already being at the dock as "dibs" and wait patiently,
they might take 15 minutes to get around to backing the trailer in. And then
there's the guys who fish from the dock there, and act put out that anyone
wants to use the ramp...
>
>They all seem so clueless. I honestly think it's the same phenomenon as
pedestrians getting angry at drivers... and then getting into their cars and
doing the same kinds of rude things to pedestrians. Or drivers getting angry
at other cars not letting them pull out or change lanes -- who then moments
later will blast their horns and curse at anyone who pulls out and dares
make them use their brakes a little. "Anything which isn't centered on my
convenience is by definition rude and intolerable." Take advantage of any
opening. Don't bother being polite or considerate, because you assume the
other guy who screw you if the situation were reversed -- civility doesn't
pay off.
>
>It is not logical.
>
>I fear that messing around with a sub launch at the ramp might get me the
same confused intolerance as taking a bicycle to a car wash or drive-up ATM.
"I shouldn't have to wait for you, because your boat isn't like my boat.
This ramp should only be for normal people like me with boats like mine.
Your boat should be like everybody else's." (Well, I don't really fear it.
Actually, just the opposite: I relish the opportunity to mess with people's
heads.)

You seem to do a pretty good job.  Ever thought about getting into
counseling?  Uh,  I mean counseling others.
>
>--
>David
>Osage MN USA
>buchner@wcta.net - http://customer.wcta.net/buchner
>
>