A question of taste

[mutepointe]

Are you all happy now?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/1 ... 23464.html

Well, are you?

[Denny]

ah, but my little friend, you are still here!

[Nanohedron]

Are you all happy now?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/1 ... 23464.html

Well, are you?

What a perfectly bizarre question...one is even tempted to believe that you are at your happiest when trading in guilt for its own sake simply in hopes it might work on someone, anyone. But let me ask you a question in return, then, since I think you've earned it: All things considered, can you in all honesty say that you yourself are surprised about the news?

Well, can you?

[Redwolf]

As the parent of a teenager who has been viciously bullied, both at school and on-line, I find the fact that this young girl has been forced out of school, just because she sang a silly song, to be absolutely heinous. A little ribbing is one thing, but bullying today goes way, way past that.

I don't put people here joking about the song in the same category. We don't know her; she doesn't know us...it's all just buzz. But when friends and colleagues can't seem to let it drop, to the point where life becomes intolerable, there's something seriously wrong.

Redwolf

[fearfaoin]

I'm not one to belittle bullying, but if this
is the limit to her classmate's antics, I do
wonder if she protests too much:

"When I walk by they'll start singing 'Friday'
in a really nasally voice," she told Nightline.
"Or, you know, they'll be like, 'Oh hey,
Rebecca, guess what day it is?'"

It sounds like the usual aftermath for a
teenager who did something embarrassing
in public.

Actually, it sounds like the cyberbullying
from strangers was worse. That's where the
death threats and pregnancy rumors came
from...

Also note, from a story referenced by huffpost:

Now her mother is her teacher, and said she agreed to pull Black out of school because her daughter was being made fun of and so she had more time to focus on her career.

(emphasis mine).

I find the fact that this young girl has been forced out of school, just because she sang a silly song

People sing silly songs all the time. Her
problem was that she became famous.
It doesn't always matter why, it's often
hard to retain a normal life after that.

[mutepointe]

Are you all happy now?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/1 ... 23464.html

Well, are you?

What a perfectly bizarre question...one is even tempted to believe that you are at your happiest when trading in guilt for its own sake simply in hopes it might work on someone, anyone. But let me ask you a question in return, then, since I think you've earned it: All things considered, can you in all honesty say that you yourself are surprised about the news?

Well, can you?

I haven't been surprised in 30 years. Occasionally, I see something new but even that's becoming more rare.

[dwest]

I haven't been surprised in 30 years. Occasionally, I see something new but even that's becoming more rare.

I saw a Giant Swallowtail in my yard this morning. I've seen them many places but never in my yard, I was very surprised and delighted.
Simple pleasures I guess, but I get to see new stuff all the time, still haven't seen the 'Friday' video, I'm saving it for later.

[MTGuru]

Teen music artist Rebecca Black ...

Black's mother ... pulled her daughter from school ... [to] focus on her career.

That really says it all, doesn't it. A 13-year old girl can't be blamed for any of this. But instead of being allowed to home school, the mother ought to be flogged with a whip.

"But one thing that you can't do is let them stop you from doing what you want to do."

Yes, because a 13-year old's judgment is always excellent, and whatever she wants to do is best, and must go forward. Jeebus Crikes on a cracker.

[benhall.1]

Teen music artist Rebecca Black ...

Black's mother ... pulled her daughter from school ... [to] focus on her career.

That really says it all, doesn't it. A 13-year old girl can't be blamed for any of this. But instead of being allowed to home school, the mother ought to be flogged with a whip.

"But one thing that you can't do is let them stop you from doing what you want to do."

Yes, because a 13-year old's judgment is always excellent, and whatever she wants to do is best, and must go forward. Jeebus Crikes on a cracker.

I know. I know. I think I must be just a sucker for all the saccharine involved in this, because I just get caught up in Rebecca Black's obvious energy and enthusiasm. She really does seem to be looking at the world as a shiny, new place to explore. It resonates hugely with something that's still in me, but which I probably haven't felt to that extent since I was about 15.

[mutepointe]

It's Friday!

[benhall.1]

It's Friday!

Now, remind me ... which day is that? And what comes next?

[dwest]

It's only 105 days until Black Friday!

[benhall.1]

Er ... OK. I'd never heard of Black Friday before. Well, not unless you had meant the day when Britain dropped out of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism.

I now see that, in the States, it has something to do with Thanksgiving ... and shopping. Why's it called that? And where does it come from?

[I.D.10-t]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Frid ... hopping%29

Imagine a zombie invasion, mindless bodies heading into stores mumbling "sales, sales". Usually a few trampling deaths and borderline riots. Lines of people sleeping in tents the night before to be the first in the door hoping to swarm what ever the "must buy gift" of the year is before others get to it. It is the start of the Christmas consumer shopping spree that continues until the Christmas return/exchange week.

Pick and choose your explanation for black Friday's name, for retailers it is when they operate in the black, for the retail workers, it is it is a dreadful time.