Re: survival skills for teenage geeks
Greetings!
Back to the original posting: the main aim was to find something to get
around sunday school (or similar) the parents want their geek teen to
attend.
Some ideas to avoid an unpleasant, boring time:
1.) Make the best of it.
I had lots of fun and very interesting talks with people about their
beliefs. E.g. while being catholic myself I was attending the local
witches (wicca,asatru,...) meetings for some time. Just don't globb
everything gullibly. Ask, inspect, subject to scientific analysis (why,
who said/documented, when, what translation/communication way, what do
other views tell). This can be very enjoyable and enlighting - but
requires cooperative discussion participants. Open yet true
(non)believers are best. Requires to be open to new views on your own
side, though.
Remember: the aim for you in this approach is to find your own view of
the truth in the process, not to destroy the beliefs of others.
Everything else won't bring fun in short or long run.
2.) Convince to choose freely
Convincing your parents to choose freely. After all, you're willing to
attend a number of times to find out wether that is something for you or
not. But then they should let you decide yourself. Maybe you can't stand
the group (vice/versa), maybe it does nothing for your enlightment (see
1), if you get forced, you maybe develop an aversion against just
because of being forced (and thus be lost for the good cause forever
even if it could have had a chance). They can't force you forever - only
until you're 18/21. Better they should convince you (then: see 1 - make
the best of it).
3.) Boycott
Make the group expell you. Don't trample on their beliefs, just be
non-fitting. Maybe annoying. Just don't hurt them. Hurt people tend to
hurt back in short an/or long run.
One example is displaying a strong belief in something very different. A
different, real belief (only if that's your own) or something
fake/made-up from e.g. a roleplaying game (easier to fake). This way you
can insist that the'll have to remove their shoes before entering the
room, to impose food tabus (only kosher or similar), to burn strong
incense, etc. Thats a very "against" approach.
An "overtake" approach (again faking) would be to overdo it by purpose.
Hold a mirror to their face. Insist e.g. (when catholic) on always
praying a rosary at the beginning and end of every meeting. The long
version (20-30min) of course. Brandmark anything that goes even slightly
against the teachings. E.g. when "only the bible" is the doctrine,
insist that each and every other teaching has to be proven by the bible.
Literally of course. In the original text (greek, aramean) or an
as-close-as-possible translation of course.
The most harmless approach (with respect to not becoming the witch to be
burnt at the stake) might be to be simply annoying and disgusting.
Sorry, you did not have time to wash or change clothes after the rugby
game (or working on your car) directly before the meeting. Fancy food
with lots of garlic? Or a perfume? Lots of it? Sing - strong and wrong.
Talk loud, don't let people end their speech. Just don't respect rules
of civilized meetings.
Or in short: hack the situation - i.e. work with your brain to resolve
the situation, even (or: especially) in nonconventional ways.
Qapla'
Volker Tanger
IT-Security Consulting
--
discon gmbh
Wrangelstraße 100
D-10997 Berlin
fon +49 30 6104-3307
fax +49 30 6104-3461
volker.tanger@discon.de
http://www.discon.de/
Reply to: