The Message Forum is an ongoing dialogue among classmates. The goal is to encourage friendly interaction, including interaction among classmates who really didn't know each other. Experience on the site has revealed that certain topics tend to cause friction and hard feelings, especially politics and religion. 

Although politics and religion are not completely off-limits, classmates are asked to be positive in their posts and not to be too repetitive or allow a dialog to degenerate into an argument. 

Forums work when people participate - so don't be bashful! Click the "Post Response" button to add your entry to the forum.

Lawrence (Lance) Cantor

FEED YOUR HEAD

...so true Jan!

When logic and proportion
Have fallen sloppy dead
And the White Knight is talking backwards
And the Red Queen's off with her head
Remember what the dormouse said
Feed your head
Feed your head!

.

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

Lance,

Are we to understand that when we try to have conversations with you, who we enjoy, we are now going to be forced with AI compilations, which I, for one, generally skip over?

Lawrence (Lance) Cantor

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

I didn't say that I won't read your posts, I said I generally skip over the AI, but somtimes I skim it quickly.  I just don't like to read encyclopaedic info as I did when I was in school.  The info is antiseptically void of human emotion and understanding, which bores me.  I like human interaction.  If I want to read the AI info I can get on the internet, I will do so.

Capisce, paisano?

If I have to be identified as a dinosaur, I'd like to be identified as a lovely, soaring raptor, please.  Maybe a regal eagle ancestral type.

Are you a stomping, insistent brontosaurus-type who eats veggies and swamp moss?

I think you should spend your time today, possibly purchasing a couple of palm fronds from your local florist, to take to your special service tomorrow.  Join in the celebration with neighbors and friends!  Hallelujah!

Lawrence (Lance) Cantor

HOSANNA!

The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna…Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[e]  JOHN 12

Yes, sister Janalu, I wish you and your dino-family a wonderful Palm Sunday tomorrow!

PS - you look terrific wearing your crucifix necklace!

Your paisano, Lance

.

David Cordell

Lance,

I agree with Janalu. I'm skipping over passages that you have identified as written through AI, and I would appreciate it if you would clearly identify the AI material so I can skip over it. `

AI passages are not a subsitute for actual human writing. Even if they make sense and are well written, they are phony. Any idiot can push a button. AI has the potential to provide a great benefit, but the downside is really troubling. That belief has nothing to do with being a dinosaur, and everything to do with the ultimate (and ongoing) decline in human skills.

I'm glad I don't have to grade papers anymore. Even before I retired, we used software that checked a gillion items on the internet to see if there was a likelihood of plagiarism.

Sandra, Jan, and whoever,

I'm not sure there is much of a connection between forgiving student loans and providing vouchers. As Janalu mentioned, loans are taken in advance of the use of the money with the promise of repayment. Full stop. As much as I wish athletics were not as expensive, that is an entirely different, and I think unrelated, issue. By the way, sports is an important connection for many alumni who end up giving money to other aspects of the university. Example: I will watch Texas play (and likely lose to) Tennessee tonight, and I will also give money to the University Unions at UT.

I'm of two minds on vouchers, and I acknowledge not understanding all aspects. I understand the rural school issue, but so many city schools are such poor performers, providing little hope for improvement, that vouchers seem to be a reasonable approach to give parents an opportunity to seek a better education for their children.

BTW, I believe that of the four RISD elementaries that will close, only one was open when we were in elementary -- Spring Valley. We raised some money a few years ago for SVES, primarily from SVES alums, and there is still some money left in the fund. I will suggest to them some alternatives for the funds, likely giving the money to other elementary schools.

David Cordell

David Cordell

What RISD elementary schools were 1) in existence when we were in elementary school, and 2) ultimately fed into RHS when we were there?

• Richardson Heights
• Richardson Terrace
• Dover
• Northrich
• Arapaho (now a "classical magnet')
• Spring Valley

Were there others?

Russ Stovall

David. 
Greenwood Hills also, where I attended 6th grade.  I think our age were last ones to go to RHS.  They went PHS after us. My brother was one year behind us. He was in the first graduating class, 1970. 
was Dartmouth also one of them? 

Lowell Tuttle

Terrace Elem.

And there were a couple of Hamilton Park kids starting our Jr. year...though, I don't remember if they came back our senior year.   But, it was a feed...

Mohawk?   Canyon Creek?  

Canyon Creek says 1965.   

Can't find Mohawk history...

And, for a few, Greenville Avenue Elemenatry....a prior elementary school that closed...Is that what it was called?   I wasn't in RISD until '60.

Wayne Gary

Lawrence (Lance) Cantor

NON SEQUITUR

non se·qui·tur - /ˌnän ˈsekwədər/noun

• a conclusion or statement that does not logically follow from the previous argument or statement.  "his weird mixed metaphors and non sequiturs"

Wayne,

In light of this Holy Week, I was struck by the horrifying hilarity of your cartoon above suggesting the futility of “a lifetime of being a good guy” will send a man into an eternal loop of despair and frustration…while blocked from Heaven by our Creator.

This reminds me of the plight of the Greek god Prometheus…tormented by Zeus to an eternal life-death hell from an eagle eating his liver…only for it to reoccur continually as a non-paradise!

So on Palm Sunday…as a non sequitur…what is your message here for us readers…of eternal hope…or eternal damnation?  Please elucidate.

Janalu & David,

In light of the legacy of nearly 30,000 posts here, I confess to be equally puzzled by your nonsequiturs concerning your anxiety over AI.

I said I generally skip over the AI, but sometimes I skim it quickly.  I just don't like to read encyclopedic info as I did when I was in school.  The info is antiseptically void of human emotion and understanding, which bores me.  I like human interaction.  If I want to read the AI info I can get on the internet, I will do so.

Janalu, are you suggesting that you DON’T use the internet for your wealth of knowledge in supporting arguments of US politics…or rather…you DO use Google’s computerized Intelligence to assimilate data that you selectively use to support your posts?

Human vs. Personal vs. Computerized

If you meant to be more HUMAN…it is to err!  

Here’s an article explaining what it is to be human: https://www.bbcearth.com/news/what-does-it-mean-to-be-human

        What does it mean to be human? It’s a simple question, just a few short words, but it unwraps the bundle of complexity, contradictions, and mystery that is a human life.  It’s a question we have been asking for thousands of years. Priests and poets, philosophers and politicians, scientists and artists have all sought to answer this ultimate puzzle, but all fell short, never able to fully capture the vastness of the human experience.

If you meant being more PERSONAL…it is to self-disclose!

Being personal is about me and mine...style, preferences, biases….sharing with vulnerability my life’s experiences.  

Wouldn’t you agree Janalu, my posts are among the most personal on this Forum…including personal photos, content, and youtube music that enhances and underscores my human & personal life?

If you meant being more KNOWLEDGEABLE…it is inclusivity, while inviting those of other persuasion to openly discuss and debate without polarizing.  

 As our Body of classmates, we are members who with discernment, bring different gifts for mutual encouragement and affirmation.   In light of this Holy Week...each is exhorted wisely to build up the body...charitable without division.

KNOWLEDGE EXPLOSION 

3 Those who are wise[a] will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll (in Revelation) until the time of the end. Many will go here and there, to increase knowledge.”  DANIEL 12

David,

As a former teacher, I’m certain you were schooled in the Socratic method developed by the Greek philosopher, Socrates, as an open Method of dialogue by the continual probing questions of the teacher (Poster),  in a concerted effort to explore the underlying beliefs that shape the student's (lurkers/readers) views and opinions.

While you’ve not always embraced technology, I’ve continually pursued emerging computer technology that has revolutionized human communications!

 After all, healthy discussion that invites Socratic debate is an ideal way to grow critical thinking ...which is the foundation for our Schools and higher educational system.

Regarding AI, are you not aware that your lifestyle is overrun by  Siri, Google search, Facebook, etc., that track and assimilate your/my choices and preferences into advertisements that appear on our computer screens?

Are you now purporting not to embrace this ever-rising ‘increase of human knowledge’ as your editorialized sources…that you (and I) continually cut and paste into our Forum posts…only to embellish with our personal opinions and biases?

Concerning the present emergence of generative AI with 1st-generation tools like chatGPT and Google Gemini, this is merely an extension of taking editorialized information from the internet, and now incorporating an ability to stylistically personalize it…not dehumanize it!

Moreover in my chatGPT assisted posts, I’ve let the computer program systematically eliminate personal biases in the content, incorporate socratic opposing viewpoints…while overlaying my persona and self-styled expression of humor and creativity!

In short, chatGPT and generative AI are undeniably an improvement on Forum discourse!

So regarding your invitation to Prelabeling my content…no thanks.

The Mature Audience label at the top of this post is likely the only one you’ll see me cheerleading here!

.

Wayne Gary

I had a good lunch with David Plsen who was one of the chemistry teachers at RHS when we were there.  He rembers several of those on thr forum  We are in the same SS class ar First United Church- Richardson.

Lance the cartoon can mean that we humans are never pure in soul and we require the salvation offered thru Jrsus Christ.  Dogs and cats are pure in  soul..  I question the cats.

Lawrence (Lance) Cantor

There ya go Wayne...Jesus's offer is an eternal tale of hope without a tail!

Nonetheless, don't tell Hollis...Dogs in Heaven...cats out!

Lance, O Lance:

Upon reading your last post, immediately I began singing "Everybody loves a pooper. That's why we invited you."  What a bummer if you are right.  So many lovely souled felines from childhood I long to see again, most notably the sainted Cha Cha Rabbit Pinknose Heyn and Lou Lou Heyn.  They loved me and all my friends.  Very interested in any visitor, charmingly socialble and welcoming creatures they were.  I hope our hamster, a pink eyed albino, rests in paradise as his earthly life was a tortured existence in a cage that Cha Cha and other felines sat in front of or atop peering into the poor rodent's urine reeking home.  And how about those State Fair lizards with string around their necks and pinned to our clothing for the ride northward, soon to, if lucky, escape into the St. Augustine lawn.

.

Jan Alexander

Wayne Gary

Lance,

A lot of hose little green lizzards sold at the Fair did excape and lived.  Now we have a lot of them around my house. Growing up I never saw one around the house but for the last 40 years I see more and more of them.

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

I think those little green lizards are called anoles.

We have lots of them around our house too.

My cats LOVE to chase them.  They(cats) are prone to sometimes pulling off the tails while chasing the little lizards, but the tails will grow back.  Anoles are great for the environment, eating lots of insects.  Birds lilke to catch them for lunch, brunch, or dinner.  Tasty fare, I assume.

We have a gigantic roadrunner bird friend who catches them all the time, running across the yard with them in his beak.  He's a character for sure!  That husky rascal has a fast, impressive stride on him that could no doubt "place," at a high school track meet!  He could jump hurdles too, easy-peasy!

Lowell Tuttle

A few years ago we were invaded by grayish/brown anoles and the green ones almost disappeared.  I read up on it and don't remember everything, but those gray/brown ones were either from Africa or Asia or maybe South America.   They were stronger and mean to the green ones.   But, the green ones matriculated to the trees (said the article.)  The gray/brown ones stayed lower.

Now, I see the green ones all back lower again.

I am guessing the Asian/African ones were frozen on 2 14 21...don't see them any more...

Lawrence (Lance) Cantor

LET'S COEXIST

Jan, how ‘bout we cut the shit and join the fun here!?  Wassup with the shitshow OTOS? Got new nature pics?

Yes Wayne & Lowell, we have lotza brown and black asoles that live under the Park Lane DART station.  Not seen any green ones yet…yikes!

Janalu, although your political rants can get tedious and sometimes boring for me to read…I still bite my lip and manage to enjoy those right-leaning posts…which don’t blather me much.  So, please know playing ostrich won’t change the world. Since you and I are curious creatures, please join me as we keep abreast of the (often hidden) things beyond our backyard!

Here’s a conundrum to ponder while observing nature as you sip lemonade in your backyard:

Open-mindedness & Flexibility in your Politics can promote ways for humans to coexist.

Open-mindedness & Flexibility in your Religion promotes deception that humans can coexist eternally.

I am indeed sorry to bore you so much with my blather, and still urge you to simply skip over my posts.  I want you to remain in good humor at all times, so please, when you see me there in my little bunny suit, just picture me sitting on my patio swing, sipping my lemonade or wine cooler, watching the hummingbirds, blue jays, mourning dove, titmice, cardinals, and ordinary wrens, gazing also at the butterflies lighting on the daisies and roses, then watching them go bouncing along with the breeze, over the grapevine-draped fence top, headed for a fluffy cloud, shaped as a face resembling a smiling Lance C.

Lowell Tuttle

Speaking of wildlife.   A blub in the Houston Chronicle this morning mentioned that they have decided to open up Moose season...in Nevada.   Apparently they have too many mooses...meeses?  moises?  Just moose, I guess.

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

Lance,

I agree that we can coexist with all others, especially in THIS nation.  Our Constitution promotes that very thought.  The problem, seems to me, is that we have other ethnicities immigrating here, who don't want to assimilate with us Americans, and therein lies the problem.  Dennis Prager has spoken of this failing notion often, as he has watched what has happened around the world.  He thinks the US is wrong-headed to believe that intermingling will be successful in all cases, with all ethnicities.  Many of the Muslims are not assimilating, not learning English, and have no interest in becoming Americans as has been our 'melting pot' custom.  Not only that, but they and some other uncooperative interlopers, don't accept our main religion of Christianity, so they continually attack our faith, and the Jewish faith, with hateful, warring eruptions.  It has always been my thought that if others want to come here to live, then they should mingle with us, learn English, and live quietly without attacking us.  The same problem is evident in England and in some of the European countries.

Our main lesson yesterday at our church, was loving all others at all times, even when they differ from you and your beliefs.  That of course is the example of Christ's life.  It is the right way to be, but when you are dealing with people that don't have the Christian beliefs, if is not so easy to have peaceful coexistence, is it Lance?

As we have seen over and over, "The spirit is strong, but the flesh is weak."

And.......we have many around us who don't know or accept Christianity's teachings at all.  We have a constant conundrum, don't we?

I guess all we can do in a fallen world is keep trying to be better each day.   Right?

Hopefully others will follow along with our efforts and example........

As for the AI stuff, I suggest you wade throught all of it as you wish, but when posting here with us, I suggest that you pull out the main facts you like from the AI info, and tell us about those MAIN FACTS you have chosen.  Spare us the "wading through" process, as we find that situation to be muddy and problematic; rather unpleasant reading material when we enjoy human interaction instead........

P.S.---I enjoyed your lovely stated scene in your recent post, as you created an enjoyable 'mind picture' of my backyard, and of sitting on my porch swing, while sipping lemonade or other adult beverages.  That was a little piece of Heaven to envision and enjoy.  Thanks much!

Lawrence (Lance) Cantor

David Cordell

Lance,

There is a significant difference between 1) efficient gathering of information via google, etc., and 2) ghost-writing via AI. Since you are clearly enthralled by ChatGPT, etc., and decline to identify when you are using such capabilities, I'll just assume that your posts are written via some form of AI.

Lawrence (Lance) Cantor

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

Lance,

Your jumping to rudeness is sophomoric and crass.

Why do you feel the need to force AI facts down our throats?

Your Christian ethics are failing you at this point.

You are better than this.

Can you not control your anger?