Thread: Things I've Learned

A thread for anyone to share insight and wisdom...or instances where a lack of wisdom contributed to personal knowledge.



I've learned that just because I turn off the TV or computer doesn't mean situations for real people in the world change or get any better.


I've learned teenage boys will always think they know more than any adult on any subject.


I've learned that dandruff should never be used as an art supply.

Waiting for mom to tell me to take care of myself doesn't work anymore...

We had this thread like a week ago. Cryptomnesia?

I learned that I shouldn't drink whiskey, I vomit every time. Perhaps I'm allergic?

Originally Posted by mooseantlers

I learned that I shouldn't drink whiskey, I vomit every time. Perhaps I'm allergic?

Mix whiskey with clubs soda and drink it (nipping) slowly with pleasure. It's one of my favorite liquors.

You got a nice song going on there in your signature. Keep it up

I learned that I should trust my own feelings over the Lowes employee who told me to buy the wrong switch for my ceiling fan.

Originally Posted by melanieb

I've learned teenage boys will always think they know more than any adult on any subject.

Vice versa too.

Whisky doesn't solve all my problems. Just most of them.

2nd I also found to be true.

I've learned that most of my online friends are easier to find common ground with than people I know face-to-face.

Originally Posted by melanieb

I've learned that most of my online friends are easier to find common ground with than people I know face-to-face.

I've learnt that we shouldn't limit our social circle to people we meet at school and at work. Online is far easier to find someone with common interests.

Originally Posted by melanieb

I've learned that most of my online friends are easier to find common ground with than people I know face-to-face.

I've learned that all of my online friends are easier to find common ground with than people I know face-to-face.

Bigger

Spoiler for Parenthood:

I've learned that having parents that think I know everything, and talk of so many expectations I should maintain, and when I'm actually doing the same thing they wish for, they think whenever I make a response, I'm trying to be a know-it-all....that I'm suddenly aware of the totality of all there is to the universe.

Right, I'm not responsible for trying to learn things for myself when they've spammed that I'll have to think for myself eventually.

Especially when they didn't attend college, and I'm telling them how to make it through college, suddenly trying to become aware of as many possibilities is me "trying to think that I know everything."

Okay, paying large sums of debt, trying to understand the real world, trying to take your advice, and still being indirectly told that I "think I know everything."

Parent: "Oh no, I payed the bills."

Oh, so you're thinking that I'm ungrateful for all you've done for me? Right.

I'm so sorry that I'm trying to grow up and that you don't realize that I'm trying to learn things that I HAVE to learn by myself. I'm sorry that you're obviously showing that you're losing faith in your child by restricting them from doing things that aren't even bad in the first place.

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I also learned parents tend to think that because they've nurtured and "teach" their child, they forget that they're doing it so they can become independent and learn how to think for themselves.

Fearful that creating independence for that child at an early age will mess up their lives, when spoiling them with unnecessary things, not setting practical limits (like not drive drunk, or not put your private part into a high speed razor sharp fan) is going to mess them up in the long run.

What will little Johnny do if he realizes he ran out of money?

Call mommy and use her credit card?

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Clearly shouldn't try to improve on what you tell us not to follow, and trying not be become a disappointment to you, making us carry burdens of having to do so much.

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Yes, we should teach teenage boys (17+ and are able to get a job and start making an income mind you) that they should be in the mindset that Mommy and Daddy are super heroes, and clearly aren't humans that have flaws at all. Let's completely ignore that being a doctor, lawyer, or anything with Applied Science clearly will lead to a dull and boring world with no significant discoveries.

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Yes, understanding that contradicting expectations is going to make us fail is clearly us knowing everything. Yes, by that one little concept, we suddenly possess the totality of all mysteries and unknowns in the universe. Just by one concept.

Not condescending enough for the child? Right.

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Yeah, the child obviously is doing something wrong. Trying to live up to their parent's expectations, then undermined the moment they have the potential to deviate from them and actually do what the parents want them to do: Excel in life, and become successful (having constant flow of income, stable family, whatever you think is considered successful).

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Don't ya just love authoritative parenthood that should be a system of guiding your child to their potential and seeing them blossom? Don't ya love the apparent condescending demeanor behind it all?

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TL ; DR : Parenthood is too authoritative, stop losing faith in your child by spoiling them, and realize that you set the forces in motion for them to live this long enough in the first place.....isn't that enough for you? You started this, you aren't entitled to end it with condescending speech that tries to avoid your inferiority complex.

If they're 14 years of age and think they're big shots, sure, give them a piece of your mind, but when they ACTUALLY reach the age where they should be able to think and make decisions for themselves, but still take into consideration of their parents' advice, try not to be so hard on them if they're not jumping off cliffs or doing hard drugs (meth, cocaine).

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Oh wait, I learned that I have to be a parent first before I can be aware of this. Yes, how "stupid" of me.

"You'll learn when you have a child."

Yeah, I'm going to learn that I should be guiding the child to the right path, not forcing them to go on the right path.

Actually believe they will make the right choice, acknowledge their choices and tell them the consequences of any choice they're planning to take, and actually SEE them make the right decision ...rather than making them feel like they're piles of shit for doing something bad, and forcing down their throats of the right decision that could've been done with the former.

Teaching them to think for themselves at a young age, instead of replacing something so obvious with authoritative expression, and setting practical limits (like not driving into an 18 wheeler), and letting their spongy brains absorb basic rationale early so I don't have to tell them the obvious every god damn time, and end up becoming the same thing I was trying to avoid and improve on.

And still be there to give them guidance if they get into a bad situation.

[sarcasm] I'm just your typical stupid, misguided young adult. That's what I learned so far. I must acquire these things you call children to sustain something that was taught in the first place, if not, you might think I know the totality of the universe and beyond. [/sarcasm]

I've learned that I am just as capable of making many of the mistakes I judge others for, if the circumstances are there.

I've learned depending your happiness on the circumstances life brings you is a surefire way to make yourself sad eventually.

I've learned experiences are the only possession you can't lose (unless you get Alzheimer's or something)

I've learned the things that make us happiest are often the hardest to sit down and get started on.

Originally Posted by Original Poster

I've learned the things that make us happiest are often the hardest to sit down and get started on.

So true...
I've noticed this a lot lately in myself

One that seems important lately is not to let others make you feel bad about your decisions unless you can see clearly why you were wrong. When you've made a careful decision and judge it to be right, it's easy to feel trapped by an "I'm wrong" mentality when those around you keep telling you how stupid you're being. Of course it's important to analyse their judgments and determine why they think you're wrong. But once you've done that, if you still come out realizing you're right, there comes a time at which the most productive course of action is to simply stop giving a shit about what anyone else thinks.

I've learned I'm a messy person when I have many things to concentrate on.

Originally Posted by melanieb

I've learned teenage boys will always think they know more than any adult on any subject.

Gold, Melanie.

I have learned since being a teenage boy that I don't know nearly as much as I thought I did.

I've learned that you can't have any pudding if you don't finish your meat, or so to speak.

I've learned that the people who need the most guidance are the ones least likely to accept it.


I've learned that I need to stop putting the cap back on the mental bleach.

I've learned that people with lisps are ten times more funny when their name is Sarah.

I learned that I don't know anything.

I learnt how super duper deep i am

I've learned that I've almost always considered myself as smarter and more knowledgeable than people around me, only to look back a few years and think: "Man, I was such an idiot back then compared to know." I guess the world is indeed full of dumbasses.