Sean's skewed life

[(poco) Sforzando]

I've been in Boston twelve years now, and on balance, I find the people here of as agreeable character as, or yet more agreeable character than, another place or three where I have spent substantial time.

If the winters were only not so cold . . . . 

[(poco) Sforzando]

I'm not saying my life is screwed up, that I blame others, or certainly not that people (even you) hate me any more than anyone else- but I can unsettle them because I approach things from different angles they often find threatening.

With all due respect, Sean, I believed it appeared to many of us that that was exactly what you were saying.

[karlhenning]

If the winters were only not so cold . . . . 

It was certainly bitter this morning! 

[Harry]

I am sorry if someone takes issue with my statement, but I rather like the dear fellow called Sean.
I see the person behind the words, and have empathy with that.
But it is my nature to stand before humans that really cannot defend themselves.....
Sean is one of them, one of many I might add.

[karlhenning]

But it is my nature to stand before humans that really cannot defend themselves.....

Harry, do you think that Sean "cannot defend" himself?

[Harry]

Harry, do you think that Sean "cannot defend" himself?

Reading through his incoherent rant, yes I think so.
He has the apperance of someone capable of using words cleverly.
I saw this before, and its nothing more than a facade, behind which is hidden a very sad a tragic figure.
He will deny that of course.....

[greg]

lol, the last page was hilarious..... Sean and M, what can i say? 
i think the only thing more bizarre about Sean randomly posting his bio is M spending so long to criticize every sentence, and insult him in every way imaginable in an ultra-long post- maybe this is what makes him feel better?
two inwardly tragic figures with a huge facade.....

[Sean]

With all due respect, Sean, I believed it appeared to many of us that that was exactly what you were saying.

Well, I know I was contradicting myself there a bit. There are people who take an aversion to those who don't think in their contextualized way, and I seem to be outside all contexts...

[Sean]

Thanks for the other replies.

[karlhenning]

There are people who take an aversion to those who don't think in their contextualized way

And perhaps you've taken an aversion to those who don't fit your contexts, eh?

[MishaK]

and I seem to be outside all contexts...

Don't flatter yourself. There is no such thing as a being outside all contexts. Though your lack of mention of your parents in your little autobiography sure does sound like you are eager to "decontextualize" yourself as much as possible. Try as you may, that endeavor is doomed to failure.

[karlhenning]

Don't flatter yourself.

Sean does that a great deal, doesn't he?

[Sean]

Karl

And perhaps you've taken an aversion to those who don't fit your contexts, eh?

This is possible. All I can say is that although the gap between me and many others is still a grand ravine, I think I can access the value in others better than before...

Mensch

The issue of contextualization dominates thought in the humanities but I don't really like it. Paradoxically though, I see myself in a way as more affected by my environment than others: because I never had an identity with it, it meant I had to work many things out for myself and its limitations impinged on me until I got the better of them on my terms. I feel I had no social support because of the exclusive, small group nature of English culture: what I needed was a society that embraced difference more than mine does.

Such societies exist east and west, for instance the US is a marvellous place, very inclusive and friendly, because there's the idea of being an American- there's a national consciousness that brings people on board, a shared set of fine values.

I was at an AMS meeting in 2003 when I approached a speaker I'd just heard and admired and almost right away she asked me to join her for lunch. This is normal for Americans, and normal for many places in the world. But not in England- that would never happen here. It had never happened to me before, and afterwards I had to go to my room, I found it very emotional that someone had simply been kind.

[greg]

But not in England- that would never happen here. It had never happened to me before, and afterwards I had to go to my room, I found it very emotional that someone had simply been kind.

hm, makes me not want to live in England anytime soon.

[Sean]

Yes, even 'normal' communal behaviour needs to be established on the normative level for most people, ie if you're going to be able to expect it. Alternatively, you can get people to hate Jews and build gas chambers, and they'll do it: as Mensch says contextualization is important- for the environment's character.

[head-case]

Yes, even 'normal' communal behaviour needs to be established on the normative level for most people, ie if you're going to be able to expect it. Alternatively, you can get people to hate Jews and build gas chambers, and they'll do it: as Mensch says contextualization is important- for the environment's character.

Does this even mean anything? 

[karlhenning]

Toss a coin . . . .

[springrite]

One word: THERAPY, and I mean professional therapy, seriously. Here, you will only receive redicule, and deservedly so.

If I were in England I'd take on your case. It will get you better and get me a lot of CDs.

[Brian]

Hate to revive such a bizarre thread, but ...



Why are so many forum guests reading this? If any are reading my post right now, please take it from me, that most of us are perfectly normal people who spend most of our time talking reasonably about music. Don't get the wrong idea. 

EDIT: Didn't realize ImageShack would shrinkify the picture. The bottom bit says "5 guests viewing"

[greg]

who are these guests......