Main Entry: Pol·ly·an·na
Pronunciation: "pä-lE-'a-n&
Function: noun
Etymology: Pollyanna, heroine of the novel Pollyanna (1913) by Eleanor Porter died 1920 American fiction writer
: a person characterized by irrepressible optimism and a tendency to find good in everything.

Your point being?

Pollyanna is not a girls name, it's an attitude.

Cassandra


or doomsayer, A prophet of misfortune or disaster.

Ahh, I see, sorry bruce. I hadn't realised that was in response to Queeq:P

school of thought
 

Jean Piaget

Ugh. Such horrible memories.

You see, apparently the correct pronunciation of that name is "pee-AHH-zhey." I had to record a Psychology textbook once, and the voiceactor could not for the freaking life of him get that name right. Not once did he get it on the first take. And there were many, many chapters devoted to the guy.

When I had a kid of my own a couple of the assertions he made went out the window!
He did do a great work. Piaget made a life's work observing and the developmental stages of children and they still apply in my opinion. I don't know if I agree that all persons must go through all stages because 20 years later I am quite sure some folks have skipped a stage or two.

Is this a bad thing? Well I guess yes, if the people on the receiving end take it as they would IRL. But isn't this -like most things- a two way street? If someone on teh interweb calls you a bad name, do you really feel as bad as you would if it were your neighbor shouting out of their window at you?

Maybe it's even a good thing. To be able to say what you feel rather than bite it back and smile that tight "fuck you, you inconsiderate neighbor" half smile.

Catharsis and all that.

I love Mighty Aphrodite:

Cassandra: I see disaster. I see catastrophe. Worse, I see lawyers!
Lenny: You're such a Cassandra
Cassandra: I am not such a Cassandra. I am Cassandra. That's who I am.

Stoics were awesome. But I just can't hack it...so I'm not one.

Oh come on, Cis. Surely, you've read Marcus Aurelius! Great words to live by. He was a realist, as well as a stoic, and the best way to make it through life is to look at your situation with clear eyes, and accept what you can't change. You may as well be stoic in your acceptance, rather than whine about it. (Not that I'm accusing you of whining since I have no idea who you are) ;)

Just because they are great words to live by doesn't make me capable now does it?

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it a fish.