Theos-Talk Archives (May 2002 Message tt00196)

At 11:50 PM 5/23/02 -0400, you wrote:
> In a message dated 5/23/02 12:57:32 PM Central Daylight Time,
> eldon@theosophy.com writes:
>
> <<
> Everything has its place. Having an emotion appropriate
> to a situation is human. Consistently having inappropriate
> emotions is a sign of dysfunction, like with schizophrenia.
> >>
>
> And just who the hell is anyone to determine what is appropriate? A finely
> developed sense of irony can find humor in just about anything.
Chuck:

Here's one definition from:

<http://www.who.int/whr/2001/main/en/chapter2/002e3.htm>

> Schizophrenia is a severe disorder that typically begins in late
> adolescence or early adulthood. It is characterized by fundamental
> distortions in thinking and perception, and by inappropriate emotions.
I got this from the first page of hits from google.com. There
were many definitions mentioning inappropriate emotions to
pick from.

Who decides what is an appropriate emotion? It's a judgement
call. We're in a particular situation and react to it. There's
no time to weigh and ponder options since reactions are
immediate and direct.

The same is true with morals and ethics. We have general principles
we've learned and standards that we hold ourselves to. In a
particular situation, as we respond, our decision is shaped
by the character that we've build for ourselves.

And another example is with our ideas. We've build up a certain
amount of knowledge and opinions. They shape our view of things.
In seeing and thinking about something, certain ideas arise in
our minds that are shaped by our personal storehouse of thought.

Inappropriate emotions come from an "emotional disconnect." One
is responding to an imaginary drama in one's own mind that is
unrelated to the actual situation with real people before us in
the world. The outer world doesn't matter because one has
partially lost his or her grip on it.

If you are connected with others in life and interacting
with them, your actions are appropriate. If they don't exist
as "real" to you and you act any way you like without regard
for what they think and feel, your actions are inappropriate.

My previous posting addressed two points. One was how
connected we were with others, how responsive we were. The
other was regarding the depth, level, or quality of our
responses to them.

I'm not finding fault with you nor your particular style of
humor. But I would suggest that all of us are handicapped in
our interactions. A mailing list is extremely impersonal,
offering no cues as to how people are responding to anything
we say. If we were all gathered around a table and I were
reading my previous post aloud, I'd perhaps see you frown
at a certain point and change or further clarify what I was
saying.

That advantage can be turned into a benefit. We have a
change to practice our writing skills. When I have the time,
I enjoy the challenge to say something clearly. Sometimes it
takes several times, but I feel that I'm learning something
more each time. Each time I feel I've been misunderstood, I'm
getting feedback on aspects of my writing I could improve on.

Following is something funny that I saw going around at work.
It shows how, depending upon our temperament, we see the
world differently.

-- Eldon

----

EXCERPTS FROM A DOG'S DIARY

Day number 180
8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!

Day number 181
8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!

Day number 182
8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
1:30 pm - ooooooo. bath. bummer.
4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!


EXCERPTS FROM A CAT'S DIARY

DAY 752 - My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little
dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am
forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is
the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining
the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another
house plant.

DAY 761 - Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around
their feet while they were walking almost succeeded, must try
this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and
repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to
vomit on their favorite chair ... must try this on their bed.

DAY 765 - Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body,
in attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try
to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and
condescended about what a good little cat I was ... Hmmm. Not
working according to plan.

DAY 768 - I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no
good reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time
however it included a burning foamy chemical called "shampoo."
What sick minds could invent such a liquid. My only consolation
is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth.

DAY 771 - There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices.
I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could
hear the noise and smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they
call "beer". More importantly I overheard that my confinement
was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and
how to use it to my advantage.

DAY 774 - I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and
maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than
happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The bird on the
other hand has got to be an informant, and speaks with them
regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his
current placement in the metal room his safety is assured.

But I can wait, it is only a matter of time ...