The Gang of Five
Beyond the Mysterious Beyond => The Party Room => Ask Me => Topic started by: rhombus on August 30, 2013, 12:51:21 AM
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I just found this section and decided that it would be interesting to join the trend. Feel free to ask me a question about anything that comes to mind.
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What are your favorite birds, and why?
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What's your favourite food? :)
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What are your favorite birds, and why?
I would have to say that my favorite group of birds would be the corvids, which include the crows, ravens, and magpies. I greatly admire the great intelligence that these birds display, which includes passing the mirror-test for self-awareness and the use of tools to obtain food. On a more relatable level, these birds are highly social and will often engage in games with one another (like sliding down slopes - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRnI4dhZZxQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRnI4dhZZxQ) ) and also with other species (like swooping down and pestering cats, although I guess that game is a bit one-sided :lol )
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What's your favourite food? :)
Hmmm... This is somewhat difficult as I enjoy many different varieties of food. However, if I had to narrow it down then I guess I would say that lasagna is my favorite food. A very close second would be chilli, as I am a big fan of spicy foods.
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What was your most hatred subject back in school? :lol
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What was your most hatred subject back in school? :lol
I would have to say that Physical Education was my most hated subject. During my elementary school years I participated in little league baseball and martial arts courses, so to dedicate an entire class period to physical activity seemed a bit redundant to me. With regards to physical education during high school, for certain full-contact activities (dodge ball, football, floor hockey, etc.) the class became little more than an excuse for many of the jocks to single out the non-athletes such as myself.
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What about your most loved school subject? Or extra-curricular? :smile
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What is your least liked geometric body? 2d as well as 3d :)
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What about your most loved school subject? Or extra-curricular? :smile
Hmmm..... No beloved extra-curriculars come to mind.... :smile
I would have to say that my most loved school subject was Biology. Ever since I was a little child I always had an interest in animals and living things in general. This was cultivated by having an inquisitive mind and begin surrounded by a multitude of wildlife and many acres of forests at my father's residence. I always asked questions like "What makes something alive as opposed to being non-living?" and "How exactly does a heart (or any other body part for that matter) work?". I was delighted to finally be able to confront those and other questions during my high school education, which eventually lead to me majoring in Zoology during my university studies. I suppose it is little wonder with a background like that, that I eventually became a biology instructor.
I also had very strong interests in drafting and political science, which is why many of my electives at were in those particular subjects. That being said, although I had an interest in those subjects, I had no intention of actually pursuing a career in those fields.
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My least favorite would be the dodecagon:
(http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p708/rhombus997/600px-Regular_polygon_12_zpsa4731a9d.jpg)
Interestingly this shape forms the Petrie polygon for many higher dimensional polytopes. (With the Petrie in this case being derived from John Flinders Petrie and not after the Petrie we all know and love.) :smile
My second most despised shape would probably have to be the trapezoid, immediately followed by acute triangles.
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I would have to say that my most loved school subject was Biology. Ever since I was a little child I always had an interest in animals and living things in general.
A member after my own heart :smile
That's something I've been leaning towards as well - Biology instructor.
This is a question I've come to badger members with (you can blame my last semester at college for this :lol), but what is your philosophy on life?
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Wow, that is quite a question! In fact it is one of those questions that I believe many people ask several times in their life without actually coming up with a coherent answer. Although I do not believe that I can give you full-fledged philosophical treatise on life in general (there is a reason I did not major in philosophy :smile), I can give you a brief explanation of my outlook on life and what I personally value.
Short Answer:
I personally value knowledge and the expansion of human frontiers. I am also an empathic person, which means in this context that I would like for others to have the same freedom to pursue knowledge and their talents that I currently enjoy. Therefore, I am supportive of actions and policies which promote the education of others, expands research and the acquisition of new knowledge, and helps anyone achieve their full potential.
I am currently employed as a college instructor where I can cultivate knowledge and a love of learning in the minds of others. I am glad to serve in a profession that is in compliance with my general philosophy on life.
Long Answer:
On morality in general:
I personally believe that morality is not objective in the philosophical meaning of the word. That is simply to say that I do not believe that morality has any permanence or concrete meaning outside the context of the personal value systems of human beings (or any other hypothetical sapient species.)
It is a common mistake for individuals to claim that their system (whether it be political, ethical, or social) is the TRUE way or is objectively better than all of the others, but I have always found these claims to be lacking. There are objective truths in the universe, like the universal gravitational constant for example, which can be confirmed experimentally again and again. Likewise, we can observe that human beings have the capacity to develop rules and social constructs. Some individuals (namely Sam Harris) take this logic to the extreme and claim that the fact that certain behaviors are selected for by natural selection in social species (altruism, empathy, etc) and certain outcomes are universally deemed to be undesirable (death, for example) that we can use science to determine objective morality. But what this view overlooks is the fact that just because a biological process selects for certain traits in terms of survival, that does not make those traits desirable in terms of morality. Whenever you start to ask questions about whether something is good or bad (or right or wrong) you are inherently making value judgments which are subjective to your observations and personal values.
To put it another way: you can use objective tools to find out whether an action is morally good or bad, but the parameters of what constitutes good and bad remains a subjective choice. One person may choose human happiness as a parameter for determining morality (utilitarianism), another person may choose his own well-being as the standard (enlightened egotism) and another may use a religious system as their standard. In the end, however, it all comes down to personal preference, and hence is not objective.
The most that we can do from the standpoint of morality is to determine those drives and motivations that are nearly universal (most individuals are capable of empathy for example, generally prefer to be happy as opposed to sad, and tend to be most happy when they are free to pursue their interests) and to make decisions that are based upon balancing the conflicting interests of those individuals in accordance with those near-universal traits. Is the resulting system objective as per the philosophical definition - no. But it is useful and it is in fact how most human decisions are actually made, regardless of the moral sentiments that may be outwardly expressed.
On my moral views:
I am personally partial to preference utilitarianism as a system of ethics. It is different than classical utilitarianism (which defines right actions as those that maximize pleasure and minimize pain) in that preference utilitarianism promotes actions that fulfill the interests of sapient beings. Since in preference utilitarianism the source of both morality and ethics is subjective preference, there can be no act that is in itself always good or bad. The goodness or badness of an action is dependent on the state of the system in which it is performed. Although this system still has unresolved questions as a philosophical matter, I find it to be the most practical system that matches my views concerning ethics and morality.
On my personal values:
I have always enjoyed learning new things and using that knowledge to expand my frontiers. To put it another way: I have always found that as my knowledge base grows, so does my capacity for understanding myself in the greater scheme of things. I have had many moments in my life when I found out a new piece of information and as a result my view of my place in the universe changed greatly. This happened when I first learned about natural selection, for example, and it also occurred when I first learned what the stars actually were and how distant they were from Earth. These discoveries filled me with a great sense of wonder and an intense desire to learn more about the world in general. They not only changed what I knew, but to a great extent they changed me as well - by changing my overall worldview.
In studying history in high school and in college, I discovered that humankind also went through these great transformations of worldview when certain discoveries were first made and widely circulated. For example, the discovery of how to harness steam power led to rapid industrialization, which then led to a change in how Western cultures viewed time from a circular and seasonal cycle, to a highly-regimented linear entity. Industrialization also lead to changes in family relations, the relationship between the makers of products and the means of production, the state and private citizens, and every other facet of life. It isn't so much the discoveries themselves that led to these changes, but rather it is how we readjust our view of ourselves that changes society. Since I have a deep seated sense of empathy, I wanted to share the knowledge that I have gained with other people. The knowledge that I share as an instructor to a classroom of students may not have an overall transformational effect on society, but if I can expand just one person's view of the world then it will have all been worthwhile.
Final thoughts:
With myself placing a high value on personal knowledge and freedom, having a strong sense of empathy, and basing my subjective morality upon the promoting of these personal values, it is no wonder that I am currently in the position that I am today. Whether I continue teaching, eventually find myself in research, or take another path entirely, I will continue to promote my personal values in whatever small way that I can.
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As a side note:
If you find the concept of how worldviews change in society to be as interesting as I do, I would highly recommend that you watch "The Day the Universe Changed" by James Burke. Its focus is on the effects of science and technology on western society in its philosophical aspects.
The entire 10-part series can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdB61lXonEY...K4N1aheLWsg4xhp (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdB61lXonEY&list=PLmo9vOINxhRmw0KvFkK4N1aheLWsg4xhp)
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... I'm certainly more intimidated of you now more than I was before :smile
I wholeheartedly applaud your organizational ability :D
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I think it's already clear that you like playing Civilization V. I'd like to ask: Do you pay any attention to the achievements? If so, how is your progress at this time?
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To tell you the truth, I don't really focus on the achievements all that much. My main focus is trying to win the game at progressively higher difficulty settings and to explore the possibilities of some of the features of the game that I have previously neglected. For example, I have recently been attempting to beat the game at higher difficulty settings through cultural and diplomatic victories, whereas my initial play-throughs relied upon my two preferred playing styles - rapid expansion and conquest, or scientific dominance. Additionally, I am still having fun exploring the possibilities of the religion game dynamic, which can greatly affect the strengths of your civilization and, because of that, your optimal strategy for victory.
In terms of achievements on Civilization: Gods & Kings, I have gotten most of the achievements that you receive for simply beating the game while playing as a given civilization (No White Flag Here, Scourge of Everyone, etc.) and I have obtained most of the religious achievements, but I have not obtained many of the others.
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Still on the subject of Civ V, you seem to really enjoy the first expansion, Gods & Kings. Are you considering getting the second expansion, Brave New World, anytime soon, or maybe later on?
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I will probably consider getting the second expansion later on. As of right now, my focus has shifted to two other games: Don't Starve and Kerbal Space Program. However, I always seem to come back to the Civilization series, so I have no doubt that in several months I will probably purchase the second expansion. Before I do so, however, I will want to more thoroughly explore the game mechanics of the Gods and Kings expansion.
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One more question regarding Civ V. Have you tried any of the scenarios? (I consider them to be my favorite aspect of the game.)
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I have tried a few of the scenarios. In particular, I rather enjoyed the "1066: Year of Viking Destiny" and the "Paradise Found" scenarios. I typically spend most of my time on the game on random maps, however, as I enjoy the originality that comes with playing a totally new map. No single game is exactly the same and I have to alter my strategy accordingly.
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Since you asked me this I thought I should ask you the very same question as well :smile
Are there any other fandoms than TLBT you would write a fanfiction about? :)
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I have considered making a fanfiction set in the Raptor Red universe. Besides that, I could consider making a few ficlets set in the Dune or Watership Down fandoms. But Raptor Red would probably be the only fandom in which I could see myself write a full-length fanfiction.
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What is your biggest goal in life?
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I would say that my biggest goal in life at this point is to become a full professor. I have found my work as an adjunct professor to be greatly rewarding in terms of the people that I have taught and mentored over the years. However, my current position doesn't really pay me a living wage, nor does it allow enough savings to provide for affordable health coverage or possible retirement. If I were able to obtain a full professorship then I would have not only the financial resources to make this profession a full career, but I would also have the academic freedom to modify my courses in such a way as to teach the courses in the manner that I deem most suitable. So currently that is my most pressing goal in life, although as of late it seems more like a hopeless dream.
An alternate goal of mine would be for me to become a successful writer, as I have found the experience of writing creatively to be greatly rewarding and somewhat similar in some ways to my creative impulse in creating new lessons. I particularly enjoy exploring how characters think, feel, and act in given situations and to relate their actions to deeper questions about what it means to be human. This type of introverted emotional exploration, being turned externally onto other people, is something that I feel people do very rarely. Even though the characters and the crises they face may not be real what they can say about our nature is all too real and that is something that I like to lay bare. Aside from the creative and philosophical aspects, I have also found the experience of getting feedback from readers who enjoy my work to be greatly rewarding. It is always nice to know that your work is being enjoyed. I see this goal as a long shot at best, but nonetheless I think that I will try to write an original story (not fanfiction) of some kind in the not-so-distant future.
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I see this goal as a long shot at best, but nonetheless I think that I will try to write an original story (not fanfiction) of some kind in the not-so-distant future.
GO for it, rhombus! I daresay that you have the necessary skills to become a book author :yes
What's your favourite genre of literature? (hope this question hasn't been asked already...)
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Thanks for the support, Ducky! :)
I don't think that question has been asked yet. In terms of fiction I am a fan of science fiction and fantasy novels, whereas for fiction I enjoy works on political science and the hard sciences. I especially enjoy those fictional novels which have a non-human protagonist acting in a non-human way.
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About a month ago, you mentioned that you were playing Civilization V: Brave New World, the second expansion pack to Civ V. What are your thoughts on it, so far?
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I love the changes that this expansion made to the game. The addition of trade routes (via actual caravans) is an excellent addition that is reminiscent of Civilization 2. Likewise, the addition of archeologists and ruins is a very interesting addition. However, one of the best additions in my opinion is the addition of the World Congress and ideologies. That significantly shakes up the gameplay and encourages both diplomacy and espionage against your neighbors.
I am certainly glad that I purchased the expansion. :)
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Have you seen The LEGO Movie?
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I saw the film with a few friends when it came out on DVD. I found it to be a rather enjoyable film that had a plot that would be engaging to children, but that at the same time was enjoyable for adults as well. It would certainly be a film that I would recommend to others. :yes
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Having heard of all the Civ4 multiplayer games you've played with other GoF members (which, as much as I like the game itself, I'm unlikely to join anytime soon), I'm just curious: Which particular civilization (America, Rome, China, etc.) do you typically prefer to play as, and why?
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I often play as a different civilization each time as this requires me to modify my strategy each game in order to accommodate the unique strengths and weaknesses of my civilization. For single player games, however, I often play as Asoka (Indian Empire) as the lack of anarchy between civics changes and the fast workers allows me to greatly improve my rate of expansion early on in the game.
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Have you ever played "Age of Mythology"? If so, do you consider it to be an improvement of the "Age of Empires" series or a step back? It certainly adds a lot of depth to the game, but it is also too different to the rest of the installments on the series.
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I have not played Age of Mythology, though I have played Age of Empires 1-3 and enjoyed them immensely. I still remember playing the first Age of Empires for hours straight when it first came out.
What are your opinions on Age of Mythology? Do you think that it would be a worthwhile addition to my game collection?
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Uh, I would love to hear your opinion on the third one. I actually kind of disliked it when I first played it (though, the IA was great).
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The AI was indeed more competent in the third game, in my experience. I also rather like the new game mechanics such as requesting resources from the homeland and the use of trading posts. However, I was always more of a solo gamer with RTS games, and I can see how the third installment might be a let down in that regard. I am not sure how well some of the game mechanics would translate in, say, a 5-way deathmatch between human players.
Overall, I would say that my favorite was the second game, though I have the fondest memories from the first game. It was the game, along with Warcraft II and Civilization II, that got me into PC gaming.
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Blows dust off of this topic
Bump :p
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Do you have a favourite non-LBT animated film?
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Do you have a favourite non-LBT animated film?
I have several animated films that I hold in high esteem. If I had to pick one it would probably be the film adaptation of Watership Down (which is one of my favorite books), although The Lion King and Grave of the Fireflies are films that I consider among the best that I have seen.
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Do you play video games? If so, do you have a favourite game(s)?
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Didn't even notice this thread existed. Ah well, I'm here now. :)
What’s the most interesting building you’ve ever seen or been in?
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What is your opinion of the school education system in the United States? Do you think it's very flawed as it is today?
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Do you play video games? If so, do you have a favourite game(s)?
Sadly I do not have as much time to play video games as I used to. That being said I do enjoy playing the Civilization series of games, with my favorites of that series being Civilization IV and Civilization VI. I also enjoy doing a bit of retro gaming every now and then as I enjoy the roleplaying games of the 16-bit era, especially Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI.
Didn't even notice this thread existed. Ah well, I'm here now. :)
What’s the most interesting building you’ve ever seen or been in?
This is a very good question. Interesting can have many connotations as a building could be one that I despise (like the Faner Building at Southern Illinois University) but still be interesting in its own way (such as how it was designed to not be accessible from one end of the building to another in order to trap potential rioters). :p In terms of an interesting building that I enjoyed being in I would have to say it is between the following:
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis:
(https://www.archstl.org/Portals/0/Parish/4000001-101-cathedral-basilica-of-st-louis/thumbnail-cathedral-basilica-of-st-louis.jpg)
(https://media1.fdncms.com/riverfronttimes/imager/u/original/2572958/cathbasilicalpretty.jpg)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/St._Louis_Cathedral_Basilica_Main_Isle.jpg/1920px-St._Louis_Cathedral_Basilica_Main_Isle.jpg)
Now, in fairness, this is the only proper Cathedral that I have been in due to me residing in a very rural area, but it was an awe-inspiring sight. The level of detail in the interior work and the design of the building itself was a wonder to behold. The dichotomy between this building and the degenerate architectural philosophies of modernism and post-modernism was incredibly stark to see first-hand. As architecture like this makes humankind look to the heavens and wonder, whereas the modern way stresses a lack of adornment and a focus on cheapness and disposability.
In terms of the most impressive and interesting modern building I have actually been in that would have to be this:
(http://www.rollanet.org/~conorw/cwome/mobot_lilypads&climatron.jpg)
(https://townandstyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Cover-mobot-garden.jpg)
(https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/Portals/0/Conservatories/Climatron/images/ClimatronSlide_01.jpg)
The Climatron is a building at the Saint Louis Botanical Garden that houses the rainforest display. It is a modern building, yes, but it blends well with the surroundings and does not appear out of place. This is helped by the fact that the dome shape, representing mathematical harmony, fits well with the natural harmony of the gardens around it and residing inside of it. It would certainly be on my "go see" list if one were to go to St. Louis, Missouri.
What is your opinion of the school education system in the United States? Do you think it's very flawed as it is today?
Well, this is a difficult question to answer for a few reasons. First, there is not one education system in the US, but rather fifty separate systems due to the existence of fifty separate states with have broad authority in educational regulation. Secondly, the quality of education can differ greatly from one local community to another due to differences in educational funding (as in the US schools are mainly funded by property taxes - so if you are in a poor area then you get poor educational opportunities).
All that being said I would say that the primary and secondary school education system in the US is flawed in three critical respects: lack of equitable funding between public schools; a lack of discipline in some schools due to concerns over political correctness; and a lack of a student-oriented approach in educational placement.
I think the first aspect is self-explanatory, if poorer neighborhoods are getting less funding due to their property values being lower then, obviously, this will typically lead to an imbalance in the quality of education.
The second aspect is more controversial and, as this is not in After Midnight, I do not want to go to far into it here. But in some school districts there are routine acts of gang violence in the hallways (manifesting as physical assaults and threats) and even assaults on teachers which leads many quality educators to avoid these areas. As outright expulsions are often discouraged as a disciplinary tactic and could result in the administrators being called out for racism or classism, these students are often given detentions or suspensions which does not resolve the underlying issue. As a result discipline breaks down and the students who would want to learn often have their educational quality greatly diminished as a result. My favored solutions to this problem would not be looked upon favorably by some people on this forum so I will not elaborate on them here.
The third aspect is a critical one, I think. The current system in the US tends to operate under the perspective that all students should be at the same level of education in all subjects until about the sixth grade or ninth grade, at which point students might be at different levels in different subjects. This is fundamentally flawed as an educational philosophy. For one, males and females on average mature at different rates when it comes to abstract thinking skills. So keeping all students at the same level (where some males will perform worse until those mental faculties develop) can lead to some of them developing an anti-school mindset early on. This can lead to further disillusionment and educational difficulties moving forward. I experienced this firsthand when I was mainstreamed from special education in third grade. I did well the first year (and probably could have been a grade level ahead in math), but then as the curriculum went progressively more abstract I began to have issues in other subjects leading me to make Cs whereas before I was making As. Then, when I turned 13, my mental faculties for abstract thinking noticeably matured and I went back to making As.
But the third aspect is also an issue in that by keeping everyone at the same level in a subject you are not only holding back those who excel in it, but you are losing those who are not prepared for it. Instead I would propose that for the basic subjects (mathematics, reading, writing, social studies, and science) that in the first eight years of the school system that students are placed in those classes based upon their skill level. There should be a minimum level that they reach in each subject by the end of the eighth grade, but it should be more closely tailored to the student as opposed to a factory-like process that treats students as cogs in a machine. Right now the current system holds back the exceptional, confuses the under-achieving, and makes learning a tedious process as opposed to an exciting process of discovery.
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I like how you can go into detail about something like this, which fascinates me quite a bit. Which brings me to my question: has your act of writing always been easy for you or did you learn to do it over time?
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Do you have any pets?
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How many states have you visited? How many countries outside the US have you visited?
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I like how you can go into detail about something like this, which fascinates me quite a bit. Which brings me to my question: has your act of writing always been easy for you or did you learn to do it over time?
Writing has actually proven to be difficult for me in the past when it comes to interpersonal writing, such as emails and letters. Although I am on the autistic spectrum and do have some issues with identifying faces, subtle facial and non-verbal cues really do help me in direct human communication so resorting to writing was always my last resort in most cases. On the other hand when it comes to analytical writing I was always quite proficient. I was always somewhat skilled in the technique of introducing an idea (the generalities or the narrative, so to speak) and then going into the relevant details.
Creative writing, on the other hand, is something that I had little experience with until I began to write the Seven Hunters at age 30. I had made decent grades during the very few creative projects that we had in my English classes, but they were mainly about form as opposed to creative expression. I suppose the reason why I went straight into such a project with some level of competence was due to my extensive reading history which allowed me to gain practice in perspective taking and some experience in learning how to convey certain emotions and ideas through the written word. That being said I still have a long way to go on that front.
Do you have any pets?
I do not at this time as my apartment complex does not allow pets. Growing up, however, I have had a variety of rabbits, dogs, and cats as pets. The two most important of these was a domestic house cat named Gizmo which I had for about twelve years and an Alaskan Malamute named Tyrone which I had for 13 years. Tyrone in particular was a very loyal companion who protected me on several occasions during my youthful excursions in the woods - once from a neighbor's dog who escaped and on another occasion from a copperhead snake that I was about to accidentally step on. Sadly he passed on about 15 years ago.
How many states have you visited? How many countries outside the US have you visited?
Sadly I have not yet had the opportunity to leave the US due to my financial situation. I barely make enough as an adjunct professor to pay the bills and rent so something like an overseas vacation is merely a pipe dream for me at this point.
As for the US I have been to several states to attend job interviews and to visit family. Thus far I have been to: Illinois (where I live), Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, South Dakota, Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C (not a state but I will include it).
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Do you have a dream car?
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Have you gotten a chance to visit any of your previous teachers in school yet?
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Do you have a dream car?
Not particularly. I tend to take a very pragmatic view on automobiles where I am appreciative of any vehicle that can take me from point A to point B in relative safety and with good gas mileage.
Have you gotten a chance to visit any of your previous teachers in school yet?
I actually had an opportunity to teach a course that that one of my previous professors wanted to take as an elective. Which was quite an odd experience for the both of us. :p In terms of visiting a former teacher I have pretty much been limited to instances where I have met some of my former teachers in official educational functions or union functions.
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What’s your favorite drink?
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What’s your favorite drink?
Indeed I do. :) My favorite alcoholic drink would have to be mead, although I do enjoy a variety of wines. As far as non-alcoholic drinks go I am torn between Earl Grey Tea and mint tea for my favorite.
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What is your favourite musical instrument?
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What is one of your happiest moments in life?
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Well, I didn't know you had one of this topics. :P
Do you have a favorite music genre?
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What would you name your boat if you had one?
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What is your favourite musical instrument?
That would be the harpsichord. I absolutely love classical works which contain that wonderful instrument. I also love melodic metal compositions that use that instrument, such as some of the works by Stratovarius and Luca Turilli's Rhapsody.
What is one of your happiest moments in life?
Eh, that is a hard question to answer actually as I do not really think of my life in terms of peak moments. Using happy moments as a guidepost to what happiness is can create a self-perpetuating cycle of disappointment. Instead I just try to take moments as they come. That being said the day my Master Degree thesis was accepted is probably on the list of happiest moments. It was certainly one of my most profound moments of accomplishment up until that point.
Well, I didn't know you had one of this topics. :P
Do you have a favorite music genre?
It may sound a bit corny, but I do enjoy a genre called 'melodic metal' that combines elements of heavy metal music with arrangements that harken back to classical music. Now, admittedly, there is a lot of music in this genre that is cringe-worthy or that fails to understand what makes classical compositions so beautiful, but the few good examples in this genre are worth searching for. I also enjoy experimental folk music (also called neofolk though one must be careful of the extremist elements in that genre) and Western Classical music of the Baroque and Classical eras.
What would you name your boat if you had one?
The "USS Bad Life Choices" as I cannot swim. :p
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If you could choose to live in the LBT universe forever, would you take that opportunity? What species would you want to be transformed into?
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If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would you want to be?
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If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would you want to be?
Hmmm... that would be a tough call between Canada and Australia. Although I lack direct experience residing in either of those countries I so like the combination of federalism (which ensures some variation in local policies), Anglosphere culture, and good economic policies. Between them though I do find Australian culture to be fascinating so it would probably edge out Canada in my mind.
If you could choose to live in the LBT universe forever, would you take that opportunity? What species would you want to be transformed into?
I would not as much of what I value in life (including intellectual pursuits, reading, and culture) would, of course, be denied to me if I became a dino and was stuck in that world. Now, that being said, if I were given a few accommodations (maybe the rainbowfaces could let me borrow their interdimensional Wifi-enabled laptop on Wednesdays or something :p) and the proper training I would certainly want to be some kind of flyer. The combination of relative safety being in the air and the ability to fly would make that an experience I could not pass up.
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I guess my timing was a little off, but what kind of books do you enjoy reading in your spare time? I'm sorry if you've been asked this before. :smile
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How do you feel about putting pineapple on pizza? :^^spike
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I guess my timing was a little off, but what kind of books do you enjoy reading in your spare time? I'm sorry if you've been asked this before. :smile
I've answered this one before I do believe, but it is a good question for me to reconsider as some time has passed. :yes The books that I have most enjoyed on the fiction side of things are Watership Down, the original Dune books by Frank Herbert, and the Foundation trilogy of Isaac Asimov. In my spare time, however, I probably read a 1:3 ratio of fiction to non-fiction, with my favorite non-fiction books typically relating to science, history, and political science.
How do you feel about putting pineapple on pizza? :^^spike
I like pineapple on many things but pizza is not one of them. :p
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Do you know how to swim? If so, do you enjoy the activity?
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Do you know how to swim? If so, do you enjoy the activity?
Well, I know the mechanics behind swimming but I cannot swim. :p
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Well, I know the mechanics behind swimming but I cannot swim. :p
Of course you would. :rolleyes
Do you like to drink Coca-Cola or any other types of soda?
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Well, I know the mechanics behind swimming but I cannot swim. :p
Of course you would. :rolleyes
Do you like to drink Coca-Cola or any other types of soda?
I do drink soda on occasion though I favor tea and coffee as my beverages of choice.
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What is the longest duration of time you've ever lived in a single home? Conversely, what is the shortest you've lived in a single home? (Not counting vacations and the like.)
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What would be a perfect day for you?
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Would you rather live in an urban, suburban, or rural area?
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If you had the ability to travel to the past or the future, which year would you like to visit?
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What is the longest duration of time you've ever lived in a single home? Conversely, what is the shortest you've lived in a single home? (Not counting vacations and the like.)
The shortest duration would have to be two years, which is how long I lived at my first apartment during graduate school. The longest duration would have to be when I lived with my father during my childhood, which was around sixteen years.
What would be a perfect day for you?
A perfect day for me would probably be a day that had nothing pressing to do. On such a day I could enjoy some reading and also take on some writing. Then, in the evening, I could do some social activities, like hanging out with friends.
Would you rather live in an urban, suburban, or rural area?
Definitely rural. I cannot stand the pace of life and the dehumanizing effect of a huge population that one is exposed to in the cities. I also cannot stand the social stratification and disconnection from nature that happens in a suburban environment. A rural or semi-rural environment is probably the only environment in which I could maintain my sanity.
If you had the ability to travel to the past or the future, which year would you like to visit?
Hmmm... that is a good question. If I could just visit with some sufficient training to be able to fit in (and not stay forever) I would love to visit Rome during the days of the Late Republic, but prior to the rise of Sulla. I find Roman culture to be fascinating and I would love to see it first-hand. A close second for me would be to visit the future year of 2100. Depending on how things are at that time I might decide to stick around. :p
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Finally! Well, this is the first admin I can ask this question to. :)
In one word, describe your GOF experience. Also give a rating from a scale of 1-10.
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Do you like to read at all? If so, what are some good (or bad) books you've read lately? :)littlefoot
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In one word, describe your GOF experience. Also give a rating from a scale of 1-10.
I'm sorry, but I don't quite understand the question. Do you mean my experience with the films in general? And what would a rating mean in this context?
Do you like to read at all? If so, what are some good (or bad) books you've read lately?
I tend to read more non-fiction (scientific papers, history books, and books relating to political science) than fictional works, although I am a huge fan of hard science fiction and alternative fiction novels. As for interesting reads lately, I have read the following in the last six months:
"A History of Fascism, 1914-1945" by Stanley G. Payne
"The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined" by Steven Pinker
"The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion" by Johnathan Hadt
"Caesar Life of a Colossus" by Adrian Goldsworthy
"Augustus: Emperor of Rome" by Adrian Goldsworthy
"The Death of Democracy: Hitler's Rise to Power and the Downfall of the Weimar Republic" by Benjamin Carter Hett
"Napoleon: A Life" by Andrew Roberts
I would recommend all of these apart from Adrian Goldsworthy's works, which I found to be mediocre summations of the great men of Rome which added little to my understanding of them. "The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion" is quite honestly one of the most important books I have read in the last decade and this constitutes my third reading of that particular tome.
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Are you an early bird or a night owl?
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Are you an early bird or a night owl?
I am generally a night owl, although I am forced to be an early bird in the summer semesters due to the 8am classes that I need to teach.
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In one word, describe your GOF experience. Also give a rating from a scale of 1-10.
When I said to describe your GOF experience in one word, I was referring to the actual forum that we're on right now. Then I asked for a rating to accompany that, so I know how much you like/dislike the forum in general.
Hopefully that clears up any confusion you had about my question. :)
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In one word, describe your GOF experience. Also give a rating from a scale of 1-10.
When I said to describe your GOF experience in one word, I was referring to the actual forum that we're on right now. Then I asked for a rating to accompany that, so I know how much you like/dislike the forum in general.
Hopefully that clears up any confusion you had about my question. :)
Thank you for the clarification. :smile That is indeed much more clear.
If I had to describe my GOF experience in one word it would probably be "friendship" as I have built a lot of friendships here. And though some members who I have previously enjoyed conversing with have left over the years, other new members have joined; keeping the forum a dynamic and vibrant place. As for a numerical rating, I would give it a solid 9.75/10. There are always gripes that come with any community, but in the GOF they are far outweighed by the positives in my mind. :)littlefoot
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What is your opinion of reality TV shows?
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Are you an early bird or a night owl?
I am generally a night owl, although I am forced to be an early bird in the summer semesters due to the 8am classes that I need to teach.
What is it that you teach?
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What is your opinion of reality TV shows?
Perhaps unsurprisingly I do not like reality television shows at all. Even back when I used to watch television I found them generally to be shows that appealed to the lowest common denominator. Additionally, they are part of what destroyed competent writing in Hollywood as the studios turned to hack writers who could "direct" the "reality" in reality television shows as opposed to union writers who could actually write competent action or drama scripts. Most of what I watch now is educational content on YouTube.
What is it that you teach?
I am a biology instructor at a community college so I teach, depending on the semester, anatomy and physiology, general biology, environmental science, microbiology, and zoology courses. Currently I am teaching Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II for the summer semester.
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Nice!
Do you like math?
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How was your overall experience when you were still in school, and which years did you consider the best?
I also wonder how hard you studied and worked just so you could teach many, many topics of science and biology.
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You've come up with a number of original characters in your Seven Hunters fanfiction series (Taunt, Breeze, Mender, Calin, and many, many more). Considering just how popular it's become among us, I've gotten a little curious about something lately. How do you imagine what the voices of all these characters sound like? If we speculate on the Seven Hunters (and its sequels) being made into some kind of animated series, what kinds of voices do you think would sound right for these characters?
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Do you like math?
It was not my favorite subject, but I find the patterns in math to be quite fascinating. The biggest issue that I had during my academic career were mathematics instructors who were quite poor at their jobs, which is unfortunate as mathematics is one of those subjects that I could not effective self-teach myself. That being said, by the end of my schooling I had advanced through algebra, to second year calculus, and I had taken three years of statistics.
How was your overall experience when you were still in school, and which years did you consider the best?
I also wonder how hard you studied and worked just so you could teach many, many topics of science and biology.
I partially answered this in my previous answer, but I can elaborate on it a bit more. My overall experience in grade school (grades 2-8) were quite positive. I went to a small rural school with a graduate class size of 12 and it was in this environment that I went from a relatively non-social kid in special education (due to autism-related issue) to a mainstreamed child with a 4.0 GPA.
In High School some of the courses were much better in terms of depth of content, but the social environment was quite poor. I was subject to bullying and general social ostracization by most of my peers. Despite this (and a truly awful algebra instructor for Algebra II who nearly made me give up hope in math until I escaped with a C and then got As in the next two years with a better instructor) I maintained relatively good grades and excellent standardized test scores and then moved on to college.
College was a liberating experience due to the lack of the stifling social element that existed in High School. Here things were much more atomized socially which meant that I could pursue my studies without the burden of bullying or needless distraction from assemblies and the other trappings of public school. I generally consider these years to be the best of my academic experience, and also by far the most challenging. Though the general courses were no problem for me, the courses that I took for my Bachelors of Biological Science and my Masters of Zoology were quite challenging. From my third year of undergraduate studies to my second year of graduate school I generally worked 20 hours a week, took classes and studied for forty hours a week, and conducted research for what little of my free time remained. I do not regret this experience, however, far from it. This experience gave me a firm background in not only zoology, but also microbiology, genetics, evolutionary biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and political science. This served me well when I began teaching as I could effectively divide the courses into their constituent parts and relate to students how each topic lead logically into the next topic.
You've come up with a number of original characters in your Seven Hunters fanfiction series (Taunt, Breeze, Mender, Calin, and many, many more). Considering just how popular it's become among us, I've gotten a little curious about something lately. How do you imagine what the voices of all these characters sound like? If we speculate on the Seven Hunters (and its sequels) being made into some kind of animated series, what kinds of voices do you think would sound right for these characters?
Hmmm... that is a good question. For Taunt I imagine he would be voiced by Ryan Reynolds. :p For Calin I think Andrew Scott could capture his cadence quite well. Whereas Wrok is clearly a Benedict Cumberbatch kind of guy/runner. I always imagined Luca to have the voice of Diana Rigg. And, for some reason, I always imagined Mender as having a Jodi Foster kind of voice. Dravos is clearly has a Aidan Gillen sort of voice, which I only found out when I watched Game of Thrones for the first time and heard Littlefinger speak and though "What is Dravos doing in this show?" :p As for Breeze I always imagined that she had a maternal voice, but I cannot put a voice actor or actress to it.
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Aside from LBT, are there any shows/movies/etc. you enjoyed as a child that you're still a fan of to this day?
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What is the most disgusting thing you've seen or known of in your opinion?
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@StardustSoldier @ImpracticalDino
**Blows dust off of the topic**
My apologies for the delay in getting to these questions.
What is the most disgusting thing you've seen or known of in your opinion?
This is a dangerous question to ask a biologist. :p
Echinococcosis of the brain. I will not include any photographs in the forum itself, but it involves a parasitic worm forming cysts in the soft tissues of a host's body, which can include the brain itself. The symptoms can be similar to that of a brain tumor, but the cyst can in fact be removed. The issue is that they cyst cannot be removed directly without rupturing the cyst and killing the host. So saline water is often applied behind the cyst while the patient's skull is open to the elements of the operating theater. If the right amount of pressure is applied to make the cyst bulge out without rupturing then the cyst ball with the embedded worms will go into a surgical bowl. Yum! :sducky
(Aren't you glad that you asked this question? :bestsharptooth)
Aside from LBT, are there any shows/movies/etc. you enjoyed as a child that you're still a fan of to this day?
There are numerous films and shows that I still enjoy. In no particular order, I still enjoy the film Labyrinth, the 1984 version of Dune (and also the book and the 2000 miniseries), the 1970s Watership Down film (and, of course, the book), the 1980s Arnold Schwarzenegger films, and the Evil Dead series of films. Yes, I know, I was an odd child. :p That being said, however, some things have not aged well, which is to be expected as one's tastes change over time. But those films and shows that I listed have stood the test of time in keeping my interest.
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How social were you with others when you were younger?
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Who is your favorite LBT OC who does not appear in any of your fics?
Which characters do you play and which ones does Historian1912 play in the Mender's Tale role play? Or is that "classified" info? :lol
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How long you think you would last in a zombie apocalypse?
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Do you own any LBT-related accessories, merchandise, or items?
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Do you know what you'd rate each LBT movie, and the TV series, out of 10?
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How social were you with others when you were younger?
I was not particularly social due to a combination of autism (which I was not made aware of until much later in life, but I knew something made me different) and the rather hostile antics of many kids who were my age. Southern Illinois was not a particularly tolerant place (and still isn’t to a great extent) and as a socially-awkward non-Christian with eccentric friends I was an easy target in High School. Thankfully I was socially competent enough by the end of High School to adapt well to the college environment, and my autism was not noticeable by the time that High School ended. That being said, it was a rough time to get to that point.
Who is your favorite LBT OC who does not appear in any of your fics?
Which characters do you play and which ones does Historian1912 play in the Mender's Tale role play? Or is that "classified" info?
Hmmm…. That is a very good question. I would have to say that some of Fyn’s characters would rise to that level. In particular, I find Sol and Rear to be intriguing characters. This is especially true as their upbringing and lives have gone in entirely different trajectories from the carnivores in my stories. So I would say it is a tie between Sol and Rear from To Tread Upon Fields Afar.
How long you think you would last in a zombie apocalypse?
If I can make it to my family’s farm? Well, I have enough food stores for 2 months, several firearms at my disposal, and easily defensible territory against a brain-dead enemy. So perhaps a few months.
If I cannot make it to my family farm? A day, tops. :p
Do you own any LBT-related accessories, merchandise, or items?
I do not. At this point I merely have digital copies of all of the films.
Do you know what you'd rate each LBT movie, and the TV series, out of 10?
I partially answered this about three years ago in an older topic which has since been lost to the sands of time, but my views have not really shifted all that much since then. Here is my ranking:
1. The Great Valley Adventure (LBT 2)
2. The Mysterious Island (LBT 5)
3. Journey Through The Mists (LBT 4)
4. The Time of The Great Giving (LBT 3)
5. The Stone Of Cold Fire (LBT 7)
6. The television series
7. The Big Freeze (LBT 8)
8. Journey of the Brave (LBT 14)
9. The Great Longneck Migration (LBT 10)
10. Journey To Big Water (LBT 9)
11. The Secret of Saurus Rock (LBT 6)
12. The Invasion of the Tinysaureses (LBT 11)
13. The Great Day of the Flyers (LBT 12)
14. The Wisdom of Friends (LBT 13 - I don't see this one moving any time soon :p )
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Oh yes, I know which thread you're talking about. Sequels Personal Ranking (http://www.gangoffive.net/index.php?topic=14907.0), although I forgot that you'd posted in there.
Do you know how you'd rate each of them on a scale out of 10? (if not, that's fine)
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(Epic lol fail. Only now I realized it's Rhombus's ask me thread, not some roleplay or fanfic. :facepalm :bestsharptooth)
hmm... can I ask what parts of TV series made you like it so much so you placed it so high on your ranking list? :)
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Have you ever been infected by any type of malware on your computer?
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You now possess the ability to change your eye color to whatever hue you want. What would you opt for, perchance? :Mo
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One more question: how many months did you spend to write Seven Hunters story?
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Do you know how you'd rate each of them on a scale out of 10? (if not, that's fine)
Hmmm.... I don't think I can really answer that question reliably, as my daily mood would probably shift the rating significantly. I can say that only one that would get a 9.5 or above would be the first film.
hmm... can I ask what parts of TV series made you like it so much so you placed it so high on your ranking list?
I think it is more the unrealized potential provided by the inclusion of Chomper and Ruby that caused my ranking to be so high. This is in addition to the potential shown by the shorter, more topical episodes as compared to the films. In terms of animation quality and consistency with the plot developments of the films it would certainly not have earned such a high rating.
Have you ever been infected by any type of malware on your computer?
A few times, especially back in the pre-Windows XP days. This is why, despite not having an overt infection for many years, I have retained a strong sense of paranoia when it comes to the maintenance and security of my computer. :p
You now possess the ability to change your eye color to whatever hue you want. What would you opt for, perchance?
I would keep my eyes their current color, which is blue.
One more question: how many months did you spend to write Seven Hunters story?
It took me around 15 months if you include the 1.5 month planning period (the planning document was 40,000 words) and the writing of the first 5 chapters before a single chapter was posted online. The entire story itself was posted over a one year period.
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What method of learning helps you retain information the most?
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What method of learning helps you retain information the most?
For me that depends on the type of knowledge which I am trying to gain. If the information is in the form of raw data (like the capitals of countries around the world) then a good spaced-repetition notecard program is my preferred method of rote memorization. For knowledge that requires more context I prefer the strategy of reading a good summary of the information and then solidifying my retention of that knowledge by utilizing appropriate secondary sources, such as videos or the direct use of such information in a dissection or experimentation.
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What are your favorite toppings on pizza?
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What are your favorite toppings on pizza?
I have two combinations that are among my favorite, though they are pretty much mutually exclusive:
Variant 1: Red peppers, cayenne pepper, pepperoncini peppers, jalapeno peppers, and Tabasco hot sauce.
Variant 2: Garlic pieces, goat cheese, and diced cherry tomatoes.
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Which of your OCs is your least favorite? Excluding ones that were made as food for the hunters (lowercase because all the hunters included - not just the pack) :lol
If you had to pick a partner in crime and Calin, Questor, and Wrok were the three choices...which one would you choose?
And is there anyone who could consistently/constantly out-taunt Taunt? :lol
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Which of your OCs is your least favorite? Excluding ones that were made as food for the hunters (lowercase because all the hunters included - not just the pack) :lol
That is a tough one. There are a few OCs that I think that I underused or that I couldn't really develop the way that I had intended. But if I had to pick a single OC it would probably be Galek as he was created merely to round out the initial part of the rainbowface storyline (they were originally meant to simply disappear in my original plan for the Seven Hunters) and due to this he was not as well developed as he could have been.
If you had to pick a partner in crime and Calin, Questor, and Wrok were the three choices...which one would you choose?
It would definitely have to be Wrok. :p He has loyalty to those who stay loyal to him and he also has a good deal of reasoning abilities. Calin on the other hand is more unpredictable and is a sociopath, whereas Questor is driven by his view of his own destiny.
And is there anyone who could consistently/constantly out-taunt Taunt? :lol
This man:
(https://hips.hearstapps.com/digitalspyuk.cdnds.net/17/29/1500370357-1.jpg)
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Coffee or tea? :Mo
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Since the fourth act of TSH was very on-the-spur and it was implied being being subverted that Leap and not Verok would be the one of the three to fall when escaping, do yo see a scenario where a Verok and Haven pairing would work in some bizarre alternate universe? :p
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If you were given three wishes, what would those be?
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**Blows dust off of the topic**
It is now that time again. That time when I rediscover this topic and get back to answering questions belatedly. :bestsharptooth
Coffee or tea? :Mo
Both :p Though I prefer coffee in the morning and tea after noon.
Since the fourth act of TSH was very on-the-spur and it was implied being being subverted that Leap and not Verok would be the one of the three to fall when escaping, do yo see a scenario where a Verok and Haven pairing would work in some bizarre alternate universe? :p
Hmmmm... What do you think, Ducky?
:sducky
On a more serious note, I suppose it could be possible. All three siblings (Swift, Verok, and Leap) had the same upbringing, though Verok was noticeably stronger and more assertive than his brother. So a Haven/Verok relationship would be different, but it would not be outside the real of possibility.
If you were given three wishes, what would those be?
Wish #1: "I wish that you were free, Genie."
I have seen how these stories end, with unintended consequences and all. Sometimes the only winning move with wishes is not to play. :PCera
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What does Rhombus mean or what/who inspired it?
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What does Rhombus mean or what/who inspired it?
It is a bit of a humorous story. When I was making my XBox Live Account many years ago it seemed that everything that I picked was taken. So, finally, after much frustration I picked Rhombus followed by a bunch of numbers and I was able to get an account name that was taken. When I finally made an account here I simply reused the name Rhombus, as I felt it was probably unique enough.
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Have you ever seen an aurora?
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Have you ever seen an aurora?
I have not, unfortunately.
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Do you like horror games?
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Do you like horror games?
I played a bit of Five Nights at Freddy's, but generally horror is not a genre that I play much. I do make an exception for roleplaying games set in a horror genre, however, such as Call of Cthulhu and Vampire: the Masquerade.
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Do you consider yourself more of an introvert or an extrovert?
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Definitely an introvert. :yes I might come across as a bit more outgoing online, but in real life I tend to be quite low-key and introverted.
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Have you played Europa universalis IV?
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I own the game, but sadly I have not really had enough time to get into it. It seems like one of those games that would take some time to develop some level of mastery. Over the last year, when I have spare gaming time, I typically have played Rimworld, Civilization IV or VI, or Microsoft Flight Simulator.
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Not a question but heck yeah for Rimworld. +1!
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Any upcoming or released games you'd like to play?
Can you give us a shortlist?
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I am looking forward to Kerbal Space Program 2 as I greatly enjoyed the first installment of the game. I am also looking forward to Age of Empires 4. Those are really the only two that are on my immediate short list, though I am also looking forward to the next update of Among Us.
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Have you ever watched Dink the little dinosaur? What do you think about it?
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Have you ever watched Dink the little dinosaur? What do you think about it?
I did a long, long time ago, but to be honest I do not really remember much from that series.
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What many hours was the longest time you were playing non-stop video games?
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Since you mentioned an interest in the upcoming game Age of Empires 4, I'd like to ask: Did you play any of the three previous games in that series? Have you heard about the "Definitive Edition" version of those three games that were released in recent years, and if so, are you interested in trying them?
(My only experience with the Age of Empires series was the demo of AoE 3 many years ago. I recently got interested in obtaining on Steam some games I used to play long ago, and since I figured younger me probably would have enjoyed the AoE series, I decided to purchase those Definitive Edition versions during the sale last Christmas, though I have not yet had a chance to try any of those games.)
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am im a nuisance.
pls say no.
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What do you know about 6teen (my brand, lol) and Total Drama? :smile