Note to the world in general.

[hummingwolf]

I am not a mind-reader. I do not know what you are thinking if you won't tell me. On those occasions when it seems that I do know what's going through your brain, chances are that's because I've been paying attention. I do that sometimes.

Because I am not a mind-reader, I often ask questions. I do this, not in some indirect attempt to accuse you of something, but in a direct attempt to learn answers.

Whatever it is that enables most social interactions in our culture to flow smoothly as if everyone were thinking the same thing, I do not have it. I do not share your assumptions. I share few of your pop-cultural referents. Quote from C.S. Lewis or an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I will understand you; quote from the latest hit movie and I will probably figure that what you just said came from your own fevered brain (and I will act accordingly).

Again, I am not a mind-reader. Not knowing what else to do, I tend to take people at their word unless they have shown that their word cannot be trusted. If you say something under the assumption that I will know you don't really mean it because everybody knows it's just the polite thing to say, please do not become angry when I act as if you meant it anyway. I am not trying to be difficult, honest! I'm just not a mind-reader. And I rather get the impression that the beings around me aren't mind-readers either, else they would know this stuff already.

Comments

[hai-kah-uhk.livejournal.com]

Yeah! Geez, it's tough enough trying to be a journal reader. Especially a reader of my journal... heh... but I have trouble keeping other people's thoughts straight too.

Dommie used to liken social interactions with dancing around in a dark room - you're likely to tread on a few feet every now and then. Hmm. Well, it made sense when he said it. Oh well.

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

Dancing around in a dark room could be fun if people realize that's what they're doing and are prepared to accept the inevitable missteps. What gets me is when people act as if there were light in the room, act as if their assumptions of the way things are are obvious truths that I should be able to see with no problem. For a long time I assumed that I was a blind or blindfolded person in a room where everyone else could see, but then I discovered that the people who're so upset that I can't see them are people who can't see me either.

[hai-kah-uhk.livejournal.com]

Once when he used that analogy, the other person said, "Well then maybe you should stop dancing and be more careful."

Dom's response was something to the effect of, "No! What use would it even be to live if I stopped?"

Okay, that was badly paraphrased. He didn't talk like that. But you get the idea. That other person was apparently one of the ones who didn't realize we're all blinded by our own little realities. She also thought it was someone else's (Dom's) responsibility to see her reality and treat her accordingly. So he decided she was delusional... just like everyone else. :)

Mind reader

[unwilly.livejournal.com]

Check, CB will not be doing a mind reading act in Gatlinburg.

Check, I will be honest and forthright with CB.

Check, I will not subject her to pop culture trivia every five minutes.

Check, I wrote a check for my student loan.

Check, a lovely pattern for sweaters.

Check, rambling.

Check, I'll stop.

Un

Re: Mind reader

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

Check, CB will not be doing a mind reading act in Gatlinburg.

Also, I will not be bending spoons. I may be speculating on how a mind-reader would deal with brain prosthetics, however.

Check, I will be honest and forthright with CB.

Much appreciated.

Check, I will not subject her to pop culture trivia every five minutes.

Well, that's not an issue so much as people expecting me to know that they're quoting a movie I never heard of. Plus I think the pop-cultural stuff seeps into the brains of people who immerse themselves in it, forming a sort of conversational substrate that makes the flow of interactions so much easier. Since I am not so immersed in the pop culture, I don't share the assumptions and am thus less good at figuring out why the folks around me talk and act the way they do.

Re: Mind reader

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

And I realize that seepage, immersion, and substrate are metaphors that may not play well together.

On another note, I like it when UN rambles.

Re: Mind reader

[unwilly.livejournal.com]

I liked the 20 dollar words. Smart chicks are awesome.

Smart women are even better.

Un
Ramblin Man

[wig.livejournal.com]

I love NFAK! I got to see him once. Wow. He sure was fat, though!

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

/me becomes very confused, decides to respond by sticking out her tongue.

[wig.livejournal.com]

NFAK = Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan :)

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

See, even when the answer is staring me in the face I don't know what people are talking about. And they expect me to read minds! I should take your advice and learn how to get those flamey emanations. That'd show everybody.

[blue-by-you.livejournal.com]

C -- I just want you to know that I'm thinking of you. My heart aches tonight when I think of you. I wish I were there. I wish I could pull you to me and brush the hair back from your face and hold you and tell you, "Go on, girl. Keep going on. You'll see." I want to light candles for you and sing you a lullaby and let you sleep through dawn. I want to hear your breathing and know that you're getting some peace in your dreams. I want to clean the house while you sleep and fix you breakfast. And then I want to take you to the park and push you on the swingset. I will pray fervently for better days for you. I don't pray much but I think when it's important, when it's fervent, ears listen. I love you. Anois.

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

Re:

[blue-by-you.livejournal.com]

Are you doing any better today? Things have been so tough for you, I know. I know you don't just "get over it in a day" but I'm hoping you feel stronger today.

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

I was feeling a little better last night and managed to get a better night's sleep than I have been. Felt a little better still this morning. Then something hit me a few hours ago and I feel worse again.

I'm just so tired, you know?

Re:

[blue-by-you.livejournal.com]

Yes, I do know, Hon. Being overwhelmed and not seeing the next move, the next hope, will bring on a mighty big depression. I'm glad you did get some sleep last night.