What's on your mind?

[DragonFox91]

I'm sorry for always whining & complaining, but I HAVE to say this.

Public schools are completely terrible. I went to a 'good' one & absolutely hated it. When I reflect on it now, I can see all the problems. I'm sure private schools have their own share of issues, but the reality is during your developmental years, you want to be put in a good spot or you'll be in trouble the rest of your life.

4 year universites aren't much better. You can learn everything they teach you online or in a library. They don't teach you anything relevant to what you want to do. Half of it is just a repeat of high school but a little faster & maybe a little different spin on it depending on the subject. It's time to reject 4 year universites. I liked my time at university better than high school, but it still wasn't great. I liked the independence of course, but I would never encourage anyone to go to a 4 year university unless they want to become a Doctor or Lawyer, for example. Other professions like Teaching aren't worth it paywise & 'fun' professions can be very competitive.
I'd encourage everyone to get a 2 years Associates at their local community college & go from there, gaining work XP as much as you can, trying to move up the ranks as quick as you can, doing a bit of job jumping from job to job, department to department, industry to industry, etc. If you really need a Bachelor's, the door will open. Work experience is more valuable, that's what employers want.
And you're starting to see this. Most universities are struggling now outside of the big state flagships & some of the more wealthy private colleges. The other schools are simply raising tuition, so the value of your degree is going down but you're paying more for it. A lot of people think it's only a matter of time before more of the smaller public's start consolidating, & some privates are closing too. These schools are absolutely bloated. But instead of cutting back, they only spend more, & that means raising tuition more. They're killing themselves. It's a total bubble waiting to pop but probably won't b/c somehow they never seem to run out of $$$ even tho these schools get deeper & deeper into debt.

Plus I know a lot of grads who graduated & then expect to make 6 figures out of the gate after they graduate. They expect to be upper tier boss. I try telling them you have to work your way up, even w/ a degree, but they refuse that. I understand money can be hard, but there's ways to make it. Show up, do your stuff, do it good, & in a few years you'll be making better money. Instead they complain everything is rigged against them.

More thoughts:

Some grads realize that what field is on your degree doesn’t matter & are open to getting jobs in other fields. A lot of grads are stubborn. They think that since their degree says ‘Biology’ or ‘Video Game Programming’ they s/ apply for those jobs only. Then when they realize how competitive the job market can be, especially for specialized fields, they complain it’s rigged or they got conned into getting a degree. The problem goes back to public schools & entertainment in general, which teaches ‘follow your dreams’ or ‘do something you enjoy.’ Practicality isn’t taught at all. Neither is reality.

Another thing is, I see trades should be emphasized more. I can see why, b/c it’s apparently a labor market that has a shortage, but the reality is people like myself are just terrible at trades. I’ve tried. I’m not good at trades. I’m more suitable for office work.

Young people definitely need to identify their strengths & weaknesses. They should be taught to go into something practical & what they’re strong at, not necessarily what they enjoy or is their dream. I like History & Science, & like learning in general. I'm glad I was steered to something practical.

When I would talk to peers, a lot of them would have a well-thought out plan to get their intended career. It's good that they had a dream to work for. It's good they thought it thru. But what else would they be open to if it didn't work out? I find a lot of times after graduation when it didn't work out, they're unwilling to move on.

 

[Saucy]

Ita one month since my surgery. Just had my weigh-in and lost 26 pounds in the last month!

 

[bèlla]

Rockefeller said, “I don't want a nation of thinkers, I want a nation of workers” and that’s the problem. Schools are designed to produce a workforce. They don’t encourage ownership. That’s the easiest route to financial autonomy.

We’re in a knowledge economy. Information is valuable and attention spans are shorter. They’d rather read a blog post or watch a video than pick up a book. You should be exploiting that and bringing your ideas forth. What do you know? What are you good at? What do people compliment about you? Put it out there and share.

But don’t just share it. Package it in different bites (small, medium and large) and sell it. If you’ve been on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest you’ve seen the ads. The $9.97 deals. Why aren’t you doing the same? You could be earning money while you’re at work and on this site.

Stop following the roadmap you received. It wasn’t designed to make you prosperous. It was built to keep you tethered. Only you can break free.

I know someone who ministers to Christian women online. She did the same and sold it for $5. By the end of the month that little seed had blossomed and her harvest was $18K. If you followed suit and had 10 sales per day you’d have an extra $3,000 dollars in your pocket (based on $9.97 product).

If you want to thrive you have to unshackle your mind. You’re living in amazing time financially. The tools are there for your liberation. You must be willing to use them. If you can type and formulate a thought that’s all you need. Connect with others and share your talents.

Don’t sit on your hands waiting on the pink slip or believe you’re untouchable. They’re laying off in Silicon Valley and around the country. Automation is here. While they won’t tell you their plans you shouldn’t ignore statements like this.

Robots don’t call in sick, don’t get a case of the Mondays, and don’t create challenges for your HR department.

If I heard that I would be disturbed and exploring how far they’ve gone down the rabbit hole and my industry’s perspective on the subject and its practices. I’d get to work and cover myself with something outside of traditional employment as a safety net and alternative income source.

God’s got you. But that doesn’t mean everything will remain the same. Don’t wait for the tidal wave. Be like Joseph and prepare.

 

[DragonFox91]

At the same time many people use automation as an excuse. 'Robots are just going to be doing everything in 10 years anyways.'

 

[bèlla]

UBI is rolling out around the country and it isn’t a lot. Most range from $500-$1,000 per month. A few years ago it sounded unimaginable. They won’t fund your lifestyle. That’s evident through unemployment. You’ll have enough to survive and they’ll expand the sharing economy.

That’s why they’re making everything smart. You don’t need a washer or dryer with wifi or a refrigerator and stove with the same. They’ll sell the convenience but ask yourself who’s collecting the data and how will they use it.

Smart cities and social credit are the future. It isn’t a conspiracy it already exists.

 

[GodDoesListen55]

I am not mentally prepared for this.

 

[bèlla]

I finally finished the Outlander series. Eight lengthy novels! But it was worth it.

 

[Citanul]

I finally finished the Outlander series. Eight lengthy novels! But it was worth it.

I've been reading the books ahead of each season of the TV series, so I'm only as far as book six. I would agree with you that the books are worth it, and I'm not sure if the series has finished yet, so you might not quite be done with it.

 

[bèlla]

I've been reading the books ahead of each season of the TV series, so I'm only as far as book six. I would agree with you that the books are worth it, and I'm not sure if the series has finished yet, so you might not quite be done with it.

Wonderful! Who are your favorites? I haven’t watched the series yet. I wanted to finish the books first. Do you like it?

 

[bèlla]

I attempted to recreate this delicious monstrosity from HelloFresh yesterday morning.

... Naturally my version did not look nearly as professional. Came out less "cinnamon apple french toast" and more "cinnamon apple bread pudding" for me. But still tastes pretty good.

I’m sure you did better than you admit. It looks good!

One of the examples in this vid was by a guy who seriously said we need to bring about a society based on a combination of Japanese culture and Islamic law so that we'll have only "kawaii" women who are also submissive. I was like, whooooa ..... (not the good kind of "whoa", mind you.)

This is one of those moments when you wish you were too old to understand.

But joking aside, he’s on the sane page as the other and the one I crossed paths with a few years ago. The extremes may differ but the sentiment is consistent. In this instance, he’s asking for The Handmaid’s Tale with a Japanese spin. All three are calling for subservience and repression. Which isn’t a stretch when you understand the pendulum effect on culture. We’re seeing extremes in both (genders).

I had my daughter read the article as a ‘this is an example of someone you should avoid’ reminder. She was thankful for her singleness by the second paragraph. ‍

 

[ReesePiece23]

Assuming I live to 100 - which isn't uncommon nowadays, then I'm still well and truly living within the first third of my life. So, how can the mature singles forum (for those 35 and older in the later stages of life) possibly be appropriate?

By 35 I'd have barely scratched the second third. I won't even be middle aged until well into my 50s.

 

[bèlla]

Assuming I live to 100 - which isn't uncommon nowadays, then I'm still well and truly living within the first third of my life. So, how can the mature singles forum (for those 35 and older in the later stages of life) possibly be appropriate?

You’re not supposed to be single at that age. That’s the point. It’s not about the number its the season.

 

[ReesePiece23]

You’re not supposed to be single at that age. That’s the point. It’s not about the number its the season.

Oh, I didn't know that I lived in a dictatorship...

We share common ground on a lot of things, but... I'm not sure that this is one of them.

 

[bèlla]

Oh, I didn't know that I lived in a dictatorship...

We share common ground on a lot of things, but... I'm not sure that this is one of them.

I think its evident 35 is young and the label is questionable. But most Christians in America expect to be married by then. It isn’t totally baseless.

I value self-awareness more. Once you know who you are and what you want you’ll make better choices. Sometimes you figure it out in your twenties. Sometimes later. I wouldn’t marry without it.

I couldn’t imagine you doing the same.

 

[ReesePiece23]

^ Sounds like it's nibble 0'clock. Time for me to swim off and attend to the real world.

 

[HARK!]

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[GodDoesListen55]

I am worn out!

 

[Saucy]

I hope everyone had a blessed day!

 

[GodDoesListen55]

I am ready to go home now, but it's only Monday and we are leaving Wednesday, lol.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Thanks for the suggestion a year or so ago, @bèlla . It's a bit rough letting go of Miss Erin right now, as is to be expected, but at least I have a suitable replacement, at your suggestion, to help me cross over. Even if only in the world of literature and not real life.
Not even twenty pages into Pride and Prejudice and already I love me some Jane Bennet.


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By the way, @bèlla , a little over one third of the way through Pride and Prejudice, still. Just got past the part where it seems Jane was turned down for someone else by Mr. Bingley. And her response, when prompted by her sister Elizabeth to feel more mistrust for him - or fellow humans as a whole - as a result, it seemed, was so unbelievably amiable you know Jane Bennet is the one literary character who has my heart for life. I couldn't quote it here since the book remains on my desk at work, but the way author Jane Austen words Jane's replies to assure Elizabeth that she feels it is not her place to show or even feel any animosity over the situation, it was excellent writing.

"So sweet you may get diabetes", indeed. ^-^