Are You Learning Anything?

[Da Blob]

Specifically, are you learning anything by participating in this forum?

Could you summarized what you have learned in 25 words or less?

If you had a 'sadistic' teacher that had assigned a 'course' to you - to join the forum, read 500 posts and post 100 of your own comments what would be the name of that course?

It seems to me that this forum does offer an educational environment of sorts, but I have no idea how others are profiting from the experience...?

 

[del]

Well, I for one have benefited immensely from the religion threads, despite the fact that I don't really participate in them.

I think the profit of forums like these are that they bring together people of similar thinking styles yet with very different backgrounds, perspectives, and beliefs.

 

[SEPKA]

Links and other pointers to massive information sources.

 

[Kidege]

1. Different POVs on religious education and laicism.

2. Christian scholarship and Bible exegesis.

3. Personal accounts of the way people experience religion within a community.

4. An overview of several schools of psychology and therapy.

5. News on technological development, particularly in robotics.

6. Different asessments of software.

7. Asessments of various programming languages.

8. Biographical data of scientists and other thinkers.

9. Snippets of what life is like in other countries.

10. Transhumanism.

11. English vocabulary and syntax.

12. Some German words and a general appreciation of German.

13. Snippets of physics (because my level of knowledge isn't enough to grasp it all, but I'm grateful for what I do get).

14. Songs and poetry.

 

[Da Blob]

Yeah! all of the above... I think that this forum is particularly useful for INTPians (don't laugh) What I mean is that many of 'Us' are social outcasts and have found little utility in the educational institutions designed for the masses...

Also there is an issue of being amongst the pioneers of a new type of human social institution, the online community...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_participation

 

[Inappropriate Behavior]

I've learned way too much to categorize. I think the most valuable aspect has been the various perspectives of somewhat similar minds. I can read most of the posts here and at least understand some of the thought process that went into the post and yet it would be something I wouldn't think of myself (or at least not be able to articulate it as well). It doesn't matter if I ultimately agree with the post or not either, I at least can understand where it comes from. Something very rare to experience in the outside world.

I 'forgot' about the 25 words or less rule I always took assignments I didn't like and manipulated them into something at least tolerable. Sometimes it even paid off.

 

[Agent Intellect]

As conducive as the forum itself is to learning, what it has done the most for me is act as a stepping stone for pursuing greater knowledge in certain areas. I've done a lot of reading about physics, biology, robotics/transhumanism and philosophy (mainly existentialism and religious stuff) that otherwise would have never happened.

Also, just adding that I definitely concur with the multiple perspectives - if it wasn't for the forum, I would only have myself to check my own logic, and that usually leads to being myopic. It's also taught me to communicate in writing better, has expanded my vocabulary, and given me practice making my thoughts more coherent (although that's something that still requires a lot more work).

 

[SEPKA]

Distorted perception can be just as damaging as distorted logic.

 

[Da Blob]

Distorted perception can be just as damaging as distorted logic.

Sorry, but by definition, all perceptions are distorted, are biased. This is because of the manner in which the human brain organizes information. All information is filtered through attitudes, prejudices and individual points of view. It only theoretically possible to have an 'undistorted' perception of a thing or event the very first time 'it' is experienced. Even then, it is most often not seen as a 'new thing' in itself, but rather a variation of an old thing...(?)

 

[SEPKA]

Sorry, but by definition, all perceptions are distorted, are biased. This is because of the manner in which the human brain organizes information. All information is filtered through attitudes, prejudices and individual points of view. It only theoretically possible to have an 'undistorted' perception of a thing or event the very first time 'it' is experienced. Even then, it is most often not seen as a 'new thing' in itself, but rather a variation of an old thing...(?)

I was not denying that, but I think you don't get my point. What I am trying to say is that, each person by himself, will always have a distorted perception. But when you are in the forum with others, people might have a different distortion and this allow you to realize the existence of such distortion, therefore allow you to see the hidden premises that can undermine your reasoning. Of course, you cannot hope to remove all distortion but the less the better.

 

[preilemus]

I learned about good music
and... some interesting theories.

thats about it though

 

[Ombat]

The people on this forum have made me want to hold myself to a higher standard. Over the past years, I've spent all of my time putting out the effort that was necessary for school and then shutting my brain off until the next time I had to put out a little bit of effort. I can barely use the English language to communicate what happened in my day, let alone anything I'm thinking, and it's the only language I know. I read these beautifully thought out and put together comments and can't imagine anything near that caliber coming from my mind.

I can barely even express what I'm trying to say, which proves my point. I just feel frusterated and I don't want to feel that way anymore. Being here has made me realize that.

 

[citrusbreath95]

Well, I for one have benefited immensely from the religion threads, despite the fact that I don't really participate in them.

I think the profit of forums like these are that they bring together people of similar thinking styles yet with very different backgrounds, perspectives, and beliefs.

I agree, I found this forum most fascinating because of that... it feels so strange listening to ideas similar to your own (how they are thought out) and the topics are all of interest to me. I think another profit of this forum is because you can say what is on your mind and actually get a serious response, in reality many people stare at you blankly and walk away as if you were talking in pig latin or something.

 

[ckm]

I haven't "learned" anything that can be measured, but no doubt much of what I read here is impacting me. I suspect that the nature of this forum provides members with more questions than answers, however (which is a way of learning, I suppose).

 

[Juno]

Everyone has issues and yet most choose not to fix those issues, but to continue to think they are normal when they are not.

sigh...

 

[Mello]

I've learned that there are other crazy people like me.