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Hola, reader or two!
Today, I find my mind drifting over wanting attention, be it positive or negative. That so many people will take notoriety or fame just as easily, just to be acknowledged. I’ve not thought much past that, since it’s all very difficult for me to understand. Oh sure, I’d love to be noticed, but I’m not one to throw themselves under a truck to get that!
Which, of course, amused me when I spotted this little gem on the BBC:
Status ‘determines brain’s reactions to others’
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13221922
It doesn’t surprise me – like generally attracts like. Which is probably why it all confuses me – my social status has been outsider since the day I was born (if only I were exaggerating there! *laughs*). While I am just as desirous as anyone else to have friends and acquaintance, I guess this helps explain why people assume that I consider myself better than everyone else; by virtue of being a born and bred outsider, the fact that I have been placed and am generally fine with being outside of it all makes it seem like I think I’m better. I don’t… much… *laughs* Not more than anyone else does in their passing thoughts and fancies, I’d wager.
But I guess that’s why I take a shine to those that could use a leg up and a snuggle. In spite of my relative outsider status, I have a lot of love to give, and a lot of frustration at the chaos and self-harm that makes up the mainstream. ESPECIALLY since so much of that is because people feel pressured to conform to certain ideas; I resent that concept. Oh sure, I care what people think of me – I’m no sociopath. I care to the bone just like anyone else, but I do my best to not let it control or bury me.
I also care about this stupid spot on my back that won’t stop itching. It’s driving me batty. *rubs against the chair in vain*
Anyways, it’s just random thoughts, I guess. *chuckles* They do prey on my mind while I look for avenues to try and get socialized here in a manner that doesn’t stress me out. I guess it would help if I took oh.. say… my one web friend from the area and went from there, if she were so inclined to hang out and craft one afternoon. *chuckles* Asking – that’s one of those things I’ve got to get better at.
A lot better at.
For now though? I’ve got an errand to run – hooray!
<3
I don’t fully understand what the author of that article is trying to say. From the abstract of the study, all that they seem to be doing is identifying a unique area of the brain which is devoted to accessing information with which to judge our social interactions upon meeting somebody and comparing that to other primate status interactions. And sure, like attracts like – I’m sure that we’re all more comfortable with others whose life experiences are similar. How you perceive status wasn’t covered at all by the glib term of socioeconomic. And equally, I’m completely unsure of where my subconscious would peg my “status”. People are people to me, with a different set of skills, experiences and backgrounds. I’ve met powerful politicians, hereditary peers, university professors, world champion sportspeople, refuse collectors, farm labourers, factory workers, middle managers, retail magnates, self-made millionaires, homemakers, carers, itinerants. And they’re all human, they all have faults, foibles, great points and diverse talents. I don’t think to divide them up into status boxes. I’m part of the mainstream, I’m my own person, I don’t give much thought to status. I have an economic level which I’d shorthand to middle-class. I hope that I have politeness and an understanding of social mores. I actually have a dislike of pigeonholing people, although I acknowledge stereotypes as a way with which we make sense of first impressions (but hope that I add data rather than acting on stereotypes). And I’m curious that you’ve defined that you’re an outsider – does that pigeonhole you for your own mind?
Well, we can start with the family situation. While my parents were always cool and open and honest about the fact I’m from my mother’s first marriage and that I belong, my (step)paternal cousins were quick to disabuse me of this notion. My siblings would, of course, go along with this; peer pressure and whatnot, though I don’t hold it against them in the long run.We moved frequently – Livejournal tells the tale of that by the trail of schools. No matter how nice and polite and friendly I was, people made it very clear that I didn’t belong, and was only deserving of derision and abuse. Why? Beats the snot out of me. But if that’s what one gets their entire.freaking.life, better to accept the outsider status and leave the crazies to themselves. 😉