Misconceptions/Ignorance

[Gordon Freemonty]

As a Type 1 Diabetic, I face all sorts of people who seem to think I am 'allergic to sugar' and wonder why I am not as big as a house. People seem to believe Type 1 diabetes is gained from the overindulgence of too much sugar, Where it is actually an auto-immune disease, a fluke basically. I was just curious what kinds of misconceptions the general public have about the escapist community's lives and how you deal with it. I'm also open to answer any questions you have about me and what daily life involves.

captcha: political PARTAYYYY

 

[Esotera]

I guess it'd have to be knowledge of mental illness. Even really clever people (a recent example is a guy who's spends most of his time cloning mice etc) seem to lack a basic understanding of how the diseases work.

Also, computers...I think about maybe 10% of the population understand how a machine works in terms of the actual components, and not just a black box. And the majority of people seem proud of this ignorance, saying they don't have a clue how computers work or how to fix things. To me it's just unacceptable unless you're trying to educate yourself a bit - computers are only going to get more important in the future.

 

[Yassen]

I've experienced a few. The first would be about studying psychology. I've studied it for three years, but about two years ago I was talking to this guy on my contiki tour about what I studied and I shit you not his responce was "So... does that mean you can like, read my thoughts?" Some people seem to think because I studied psychology that I can discover their deepest and most personal insecurity like some sort of god damn mind-reader. Some even stopped talking to me because of it!

Another would be my amputation but that one actually makes me laugh (ironic, considering the psychology one gets me angry). I had my left foot amputated and it's pretty amusing seeing how people react. You'd never be able to guess I went through that unless I showed you, it doesn't impede my walking or negatively influence my attitude and I think both are expected from amputees. When you think of one you normally picture a rather sad case that you can spot from a mile away and have to pretend like you don't notice. I've known people who I literally forgot to tell and several months later I take off my shoe and laugh at the looks on their faces because I forgot to warn them.

 

[Rastien]

The fact that im british i immediatley like tea.

The fact that i do and i make a fine brew is neither here nor there

 

[ChildishLegacy]

The fact that im british i immediatley like tea.

The fact that i do and i make a fine brew is neither here nor there

It is statistically, a fair enough assumption, although they should maybe ask you to confirm their prejudices first xP.
I know very few people who don't drink tea here, and the look of horror on many peoples faces when they say they don't is pretty hilarious xP

 

[Gordon Freemonty]

People who think Scottish people are racist, whiskey swigging, ginger haired, skirt (Its actually called a kilt...) wearers who hate the English for killing our god, Mel Gibson.

 

[Aerosteam]

Some people think they can change someone else's game because they are loyal fans.

Some people think America is 'God's Country'.

Some Facebook users think the Rage Comic Faces are called 'Facebook Faces'.

There is a thread going on at the moment in this forum section where the term 'Atheist' is misused greatly.

 

[Unsilenced]

"You're depressed? You should learn to face your problems."


"You have ADHD and have a hard time paying attention? A lot of kids have trouble paying attention. You just need to try harder."


"You have Tourette syndrome? I've never heard you say random swear words or anything though..."



The last one is easy to explain. The first two make me want to punch kittens.

 

[Gordon Freemonty]

I have another one to add to that...

"Your Diabetic...? Why, let me take this delicious cadburys dairy milk off of your hands and save you from spazzing out."

 

[Oirish_Martin]

People who think Scottish people are racist, whiskey swigging, ginger haired, skirt (Its actually called a kilt...) wearers who hate the English for killing our god, Mel Gibson.

People who think all Ireland is good for is Guinness, mass drunkenness and U2.

(almost tempted to say next annoying are those who seem determined to reinforce said stereotype)

Is your avatar Barry Shitpeas btw?

 

[Jodah]

That all Americans are stupid gun toting rednecks. Just because I live on a farm and have more guns than the marines doesn't mean I'm stupid!

 

[DANEgerous]

Mine is rather odd I have dyslexia and dysgraphia the former make people think see numbers backwards and that one is entirely understandable but the latter is an inability to write legibly and apparently this means I can not read why this is I have no idea but several times i have stated "Nope I just can not write, I read very quickly in fact. Have to read fast so i can remember what i need without writing it down" and yet still the response of something along the lines of how I am illustrate comes despite my best efforts to state otherwise.

 

[DoPo]

Some Facebook users think the Rage Comic Faces are called 'Facebook Faces'.

Have you seen people call them "troll pictures". I have. And apparently before the troll pictures no one had ever used things like "fu". Stupid enough? Well that came out of an explanation somewhere else about "why was I muted unjustly only for saying 'fu' repeatedly".

To add to Unsilenced: "Schizophrenic? So they talk to themselves?" and the worse one when they assume Schizophrenia means multiple personalities.

"Dementia? So you forget where your car keys are or something?"

That one just makes me want to punch things, not kittens in particular. I've no idea how people can assume that dementia is something like forgetfulness or in any ways amusing to the person who suffers from it. Heck, even Vampire the Masquerade used Dementation for general craziness. But as I said, I don't know why people make that mistake, then again, I lived with my grandfather who had dementia, I have a friend (who's also my neighbour) whose grandmother has dementia and my mother works in a retirement home for people with dementia. I may have somewhat more knowledge than the average person.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

As a Type 1 Diabetic, I face all sorts of people who seem to think I am 'allergic to sugar' and wonder why I am not as big as a house. People seem to believe Type 1 diabetes is gained from the overindulgence of too much sugar, Where it is actually an auto-immune disease, a fluke basically. I was just curious what kinds of misconceptions the general public have about the escapist community's lives and how you deal with it. I'm also open to answer any questions you have about me and what daily life involves.

captcha: political PARTAYYYY

Have you looked into Denise Faustman's research? It's pretty frickin' promising. You could be looking at a CURE for Type 1 Diabetes in about 10 years. Not a treatment, a cure.

Fairly amazing stuff. Probably the biggest hope for auto-immune sufferers at the moment, given the diseases are all inter-related.

 

[orangeban]

I tried to explain to a friend that I'm potentially (the doctor's haven't decided for certain) bipolar, which he has confused for multiple personality disorder, and, because he's confused about that one as well, is convinced I'm a serial killer waiting to become. Which is annoying.

 

[Navvan]

That natural selection and evolution are the same thing. Also related the misuse of the concept of "survival of the fittest".

Natural selection is one of several mechanisms that can result in evolution. Survival of the fittest is an outdated term that doesn't accurately describe natural selection (to which it is meant to). Ironically it was originally used to try and prevent another misconception; that natural selection implies something is being explicitly selected.

 

[Bongrips]

As a fellow who's damn near perpetually stoned, I'm often branded with the assumption that I must be either be completely braindead, or your typical no motivation, hippy-dippy stoner.

It's rather frustrating trying to justify casual marijuana usage to those who are all too eager to demonize the stuff without experiencing it for themselves.

 

[Dastardly]

That one just makes me want to punch things, not kittens in particular. I've no idea how people can assume that dementia is something like forgetfulness or in any ways amusing to the person who suffers from it. Heck, even Vampire the Masquerade used Dementation for general craziness. But as I said, I don't know why people make that mistake, then again, I lived with my grandfather who had dementia, I have a friend (who's also my neighbour) whose grandmother has dementia and my mother works in a retirement home for people with dementia. I may have somewhat more knowledge than the average person.

To a degree, you can blame the word itself. "De-" (removal of) and "mens" (mind). It's literally Latin for "losing your mind." It's use is over 200 years old, and it might be time to create a better term.