What’s on your mind?

[goldmac2006]

I just got two very suspicious emails (to my school account). The first was addressed, "Dear User," and said that if I don't change my information within 48 hours I will lose access to my email. The second one had no body or signature and included a plain text file attachment with a scam job posting. This is so strange. I'm currently going through the process to change my password, and I've just emailed the IT Helpdesk with screenshots.

Same thing here 😤 my college got hit with these emails that scam people that their emails will get deactivated if you graduate this year, and I reported it to the scam helpline at my district and they sent out a notice saying that all students should not click on any links and report it to the spam address.

 

[rm5]

Man, I REALLY need to reach out to one of the professors in the piano department (classical piano) and see if they have any room in their schedules for me to take a term or two of classical lessons. I’ve been doing a lot more of that these days (especially with accompanying the bass studio) and working on my own stuff that I think I’m finally to the point of needing some guidance. I am not formally classically trained, and so I don’t have that background as much as a lot of people do. I can play that music, but what I’ve noticed is that it sounds extremely bland and lacks expression.

I think in classical music, learning the right notes and rhythms is only a quarter of the battle. You also need to think of dynamics, the way you play the music (expressiveness) and articulation/timbre, and, some may argue, you need to think about “the composer’s intentions.” Personally I think it is impossible to do that last thing—it is impossible to realize fully the composer’s intentions, whatever that means.

 

[Apple fanboy]

In no particular order

The very warm weather.
A rather pointless football match at 2:15 with nothing except bragging rights to play for.
Work tomorrow morning.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

In no particular order, beer (some has just been delivered), coffee (am about to prepare another mug).

My week-end purchases: Fresh good baker's bread (there was a queue, as there always is, for good bread), and cheese (likewise, a queue), free range, organic eggs, and organic milk, have all been purchased.

Now, while I am amply stocked for many of my essentials, football is another matter entirely.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

On my mind is the fact that in the city over the week-end, (almost) everyone - okay, not small children, they were excited and alive and alert, and enthused by their surroundings - (and the weather is most pleasant) seemed to be scrolling on their phones, no matter what else they were doing:

While queuing (even as couples), while waiting, while sipping coffee, while standing in the cheesemonger's, while strolling through the market - they weren't appreciating, or enjoying, or relishing, or savouring - simply taking the time to spend a second or two (or, a minute or two, or, perhaps, even an hour or so) "in the now", in the here and now - to enjoy what they were actually doing.

No, instead, they were noticing nothing, just focussed on the contents of a small screen.

I even saw dads slip their phones into their pockets when their small children came running to them, proceed to answer (somewhat distractedly) a question or two from the enthusiastic, alive, alert, kids, and, then, when the kids (who were talking to one another) had headed off to inspect something else, proceed to retrieve their phones from their pocket and stand, staring, and examining whatever was on that screen.

With the exception of the children, (and yes, a small number of people were sitting, engrossed, reading books, outside a bookshop), nobody was actually talking, chatting, interacting, - forget talking - nobody was paying the slightest heed to their surroundings.

Personally, ever since the death of my mother (when I had to be tethered to my phone, lest an emergency occur whenever I was out), nowadays, I always leave my phone at home.

Granted, work is different - for a variety of reasons, whenever I am abroad for work, I am obliged to have my phone on my person and to be contactable 24/7; fine, I accept that as a condition of my work world.

However, my personal world, the private space - especially since the death of my mother - is entirely different.

There, I realise that I have come to prefer to view - study - the world with my own (bespectacled) eyes, and my other senses, and not be distracted by any screen other than the lenses of my spectacles.

 

[Apple fanboy]

On my mind is the fact that in the city over the week-end, (almost) everyone - okay, not small children, they were excited and alive and alert, and enthused by their surroundings - (and the weather is most pleasant) seemed to be scrolling on their phones, no matter what else they were doing:

While queuing (even as couples), while waiting, while sipping coffee, while standing in the cheesemonger's, while strolling through the market - they weren't appreciating, or enjoying, - taking the time to spend a second or two (or, a minute or two, or, perhaps, even an hour or so) "in the now", in the here and now - what they were actually doing.

No, instead, they were noticing nothing, just focussed on the contents of a small screen.

I even saw dads slip their phones into their pockets when their small children came running to them, proceed to answer (somewhat distractedly) a question or two from the enthusiastic, alive, alert kids, then, and, when the kids (who were talking to one another) had headed off to inspect something else, proceed to retrieve their phones from their pocket and stand, staring, and examining whatever was on that screen.

With the exception of the children, (and yes, a very few people were sitting, engrossed, reading books, outside a bookshop), nobody was talking, chatting, interacting, - forget talking - nobody was paying the slightest heed to their surroundings.

Personally, ever since the death of my mother (when I had to be tethered to my phone, lest an emergency occur whenever I was out), nowadays, I always leave my phone at home.

Granted, work is different - for a variety of reasons, whenever I am abroad for work, I am obliged to have my phone on my person and to be contactable 24/7; fine, I accept that as a condition of my work world.

However, my personal world, the private space - especially since the death of my mother - is entirely different.

There, I realise that I have come to prefer to view - study - the world with my own (bespectacled) eyes, and my other senses, and not be distracted by any screen other than the lenses of my spectacles.

Phones have their place, but I hear you on the fact that people are almost addicted to them. Hardly anyone speaks to anyone anymore. Just communicate through social media etc.
When in the office as soon as it’s lunchtime I head outside for a walk. Most of my colleagues stick their earphones in and start using their phone or laptop screen. No chit chat in the kitchen or interaction. So glad I only have to go in once a week. It’s grim.

 

[rm5]

I am so happy it’s FINALLY spring in Wisconsin. It literally just became warm and nice outside. In March and April we had lots of “fake” spring, where it’d be nice for just one day and then awful for the next week after that.

 

[rm5]

On my mind is the fact that in the city over the week-end, (almost) everyone - okay, not small children, they were excited and alive and alert, and enthused by their surroundings - (and the weather is most pleasant) seemed to be scrolling on their phones, no matter what else they were doing:

Yep, yep, yep... quite unfortunate, isn't it.

However, I find that in the college dining hall, most people are actually talking to each other, which makes me very happy. But god, I have some friends who are so addicted to their phones that they literally can't put it down.

Actually, recently, I've been storing my phone in my backpack to make it harder to access. It totally works.

 

[chown33]

On my mind is the fact that in the city over the week-end, (almost) everyone - okay, not small children, they were excited and alive and alert, and enthused by their surroundings - (and the weather is most pleasant) seemed to be scrolling on their phones, no matter what else they were doing:

While queuing (even as couples), while waiting, while sipping coffee, while standing in the cheesemonger's, while strolling through the market - they weren't appreciating, or enjoying, or relishing, or savouring - simply taking the time to spend a second or two (or, a minute or two, or, perhaps, even an hour or so) "in the now", in the here and now - to enjoy what they were actually doing.

No, instead, they were noticing nothing, just focussed on the contents of a small screen.

Reminds me of the movie "Invasion of the Body Snatchers".

I think the original B&W one feels stranger than the remake.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Reminds me of the movie "Invasion of the Body Snatchers".

I think the original B&W one feels stranger than the remake.

I thought it - this weird addiction to scrolling, focussed on the phone and little else, along with no chat, conversation, or talk, - when all of life is passing before you - both strange, and unsettling.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I thought it - this weird addiction to scrolling, focussed on the phone and little else, along with no chat, conversation, or talk, - when all of life is passing before you - both strange, and unsettling.

Give it a few years and all those youngsters are going to have permanently twisted necks from looking down 24/7. They do it as they walk around too. Goodness knows how.

Yet all that connectivity and people have never been so disconnected.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Give it a few years and all those youngsters are going to have permanently twisted necks from looking down 24/7.

Indeed.

And will have almost forgotten how to properly construct a sentence not only in writing, but in speech, as well.

They do it as they walk around too. Goodness knows how.

And as they sit, sipping coffee (even in company), and queue, and - a group of them - all scrolling on phones - came into the cheesemonger's, stood there, didn't ask a question, comment on cheese, ask to taste something, engage with staff, or customers, or, - even, at a push - one another - and then, they simply turned around, and walked out, still focussed on their screens, noticing nothing of their immediate surroundings, no-one talking, or communicating, or chatting, or conversing......no exchanges whatsoever of a conversational nature.

Yet all that connectivity and people have never been so disconnected.

Agreed.

I love silence, but the silence of these queues, - and people, sitting having a coffee, all staring at their screens........

I used to think that some of this was people busily (and loudly) playing the starring role in their own life story, but now, alas, (between, having been starved of social exchange during the pandemic, and the addictive nature of social media and smart phones), increasingly, I suspect that some of them may think that what they see (or don't see, or sense, or experience, when and while they are busy scrolling) is some sort of simulation.

 

[rm5]

I also think it's extremely sad that professors - surprisingly often - need to tell students to put their phones away. This is something students should have learned in middle school. Why adults aged 18-23 need to be told to put their phones away is simply beyond me.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I also think it's extremely sad that professors - surprisingly often - need to tell students to put their phones away. This is something students should have learned in middle school. Why adults aged 18-23 need to be told to put their phones away is simply beyond me.

Not only that; I have had to tell them to put their phones on silent, and yes, to put the (expletive deleted) things away for the duration of class.

Actually, I remember how I once had to (quite firmly) inform a student that they were not to answer their phone in class (when it rang), and to insist on this when the student (who was from a very affluent background) challenged me.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Given that in most lectures these days people will be on a laptop, why do they need a phone anyway?

On my mind is the rain we just had. Didn't last long, but the first rain we have had in a goos while here in the UK.

 

[rm5]

Not only that; I have had to tell them to put their phones on silent, and yes, to put the (expletive deleted) things away for the duration of class.

Actually, I remember how I once had to (quite firmly) inform a student that they were not to answer their phone in class (when it rang), and to insist on this when the student (who was from a very affluent background) challenged me.

There are numerous students in choir whose phones go off during rehearsals. That's what pisses me off the most. I think it's rude to have your phone go off during class, but during rehearsal is especially awful. These are the same students who also talk when the director is giving instructions. Like, why would you do that? It's actually impeding on your own ability to perform the music because you are not listening to instructions!

Actually, in middle and high school choir, poorly-behaved students would be sent swiftly to the principal's office. Unfortunately, some people in college haven't quite learned yet.

On a similar note, phones at the dinner table also piss me off equally so. I have yet to have a meal with another family besides my own who doesn't use their phones during the meal. It seems my folks are the only sensible ones.

Given that in most lectures these days people will be on a laptop, why do they need a phone anyway?

They don't. And even I feel really bad needing to take out my laptop during class. Ideally, I'd never use a laptop in class, but I am not about to go print out 50-60 pages worth of articles every other day. I would use up my entire 2000-page printing limit before the end of the school year if I did that. I did have a professor in the fall term who printed everything out for us, but that's been the one experience where that's happened.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

There are numerous students in choir whose phones go off during rehearsals. That's what pisses me off the most. I think it's rude to have your phone go off during class, but during rehearsal is especially awful.

Agree completely.

These are the same students who also talk when the director is giving instructions. Like, why would you do that? It's actually impeding on your own ability to perform the music because you are not listening to instructions!

Again, agree completely.

Actually, in middle and high school choir, poorly-behaved students would be sent swiftly to the principal's office.

And rightly so.

Unfortunately, some people in college haven't quite learned yet.

Sigh.

On a similar note, phones at the dinner table also piss me off equally so. I have yet to have a meal with another family besides my own who doesn't use their phones during the meal. It seems my folks are the only sensible ones.

As were mine.

Nevertheless, I am in complete, utter and total agreement with you (and with your parents) on this.

When we were children, my mother had a strict rule about TV during meal times; it wasn't permitted to leave the table to watch TV, and it wasn't permitted to stay watching TV, when dinner was ready.

Moreover, my mother refused point blank to ever countenance the idea of a TV in the kitchen.

She used to say that - in her opinion - it pretty much effectively murdered the idea of family communication, or chat, or conversation, or discussion, or debate, which is something she always encouraged during the evening meal, which is when we always ate together as a family

When mobile phones (cell phones) became widely used, I adapted that idea of my mother's to include a prohibition on mobile phones/cell phones at the dinner table.

Thus, while my mother was still with us, whenever my brother was visiting, he understood not to take a phone call at the table; if it was urgent, or important, (yes, granted, this is entirely subjective), he would excuse himself from the table, and leave the room in order to take the call.

And I take a similarly strong line on this in a pub, or restaurant.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

They don't. And even I feel really bad needing to take out my laptop during class. Ideally, I'd never use a laptop in class, but I am not about to go print out 50-60 pages worth of articles every other day. I would use up my entire 2000-page printing limit before the end of the school year if I did that. I did have a professor in the fall term who printed everything out for us, but that's been the one experience where that's happened.

Thankfully, laptops in class (and iPads in class) appeared after I had departed from the groves of academe.

However, friends, - and former teachers of mine, and former students of mine who now teach - tell me that the act of physically writing - of physically taking notes by hand - during a lecture or seminar (or tutorial) enables a student to recall (and process, and understand) material better than if they had used an iPad or computer.

 

[AVBeatMan]

I have to admit, and am ashamed to do so, but I've had my phone by my side all day long as a lady friend, who I'm very attracted to, said she'd ring me. She didn't. Make of that what you will....

 

[goldmac2006]

Thankfully, laptops in class (and iPads in class) appeared after I had departed from the groves of academe.

However, friends, - and former teachers of mine, and former students of mine who now teach - tell me that the act of physically writing - of physically taking notes by hand - during a lecture or seminar (or tutorial) enables a student to recall (and process, and understand) material better than if they had used an iPad or computer.

When I began attending college, more students in my math and science classes owned iPads, including iPad Pros, iPads Air, and 10th-generation models equipped with Apple Pencils. In contrast, during my high school years, my STEM program emphasized hands-on project-based learning, but we still used Chromebooks or laptops for classwork and homework.

However, I discontinued using an iPad after the first-generation iPad mini. My sole iPad, which stopped being compatible with iOS 10, is now thrown into a drawer and I now use with a laptop rented from the school library for homework. I prefer not to incur additional expenses for an iPad.

Ipads have limitations in terms of software compatibility. While they can run F360, they require the M series ARM chip iPads to run it on the web. Additionally, iPads can run Swift playgrounds for coding iOS apps, but they lack the full-fledged Xcode environment unless sidecarred on iPadOS.

Despite its USB-C port, iPads lack the functionality to perform backups of other devices since there’s no Finder.

I would only consider purchasing the larger screen of an iPad if I didn’t require the significant power for my engineering and programming tasks. In such cases, I would primarily use it for writing papers.

Btw, my school primarily encourages BYOD, as all classes, both in-person and online, utilize a Canvas shell, and we submit all homework digitally. The only exception was my first-year calculus class, which was device-free and traditional, using textbooks and paper. Interestingly, I still observed people using iPads to take notes.

My flag football team had a Canvas page to check on the playbook and attendance during practices, but we only conducted homework once in a while to complete a playbook project and a small final exam related to it.

Most students in school use iPads to reduce the burden of carrying multiple textbooks, opting instead for e-books. They also utilise iPads to manage notes across various subjects, eliminating the need for excessive paper.

While iPads are widely used in schools, I still prefer slim notebooks for certain tasks.

I still bring leather-bound journals to take notes in physics class and enjoy using my gel pens and highlighters on them. Additionally, I prefer small journals for my modern class notes, as they don’t take up too much space in my backpack. These journals can last for a semester or a year, depending on the number of pages.

On a different note, I had a fantastic birthday and Mother’s Day celebration yesterday. We had a great pool party with lots of cake, and we also had a dim sum lunch with my family.

The only downside was that my favorite tutoring program, hosted from my older cousin’s school, which offered after-hours free community tutoring via Zoom, has closed for the summer break. Their last day was yesterday, and unfortunately, the computer science tutors never showed up. I needed help creating a C++ binary number and decimal converter with a switch menu. Since the tutoring program closed way too early in May instead of June, which is when that school has finals due to UCs going on finals early and budget cuts, I had to reach out to my mentor again to review my code. I had no idea how to repeat the last action from the user when they had already converted a decimal to binary or vice versa and wanted to do it again.

 

[awshucks]

Sometimes when I'm standing in public I pull up study material on my phone.

 

[KaliYoni]

I have to admit, and am ashamed to do so, but I've had my phone by my side all day long as a lady friend, who I'm very attracted to, said she'd ring me. She didn't. Make of that what you will....

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I have to admit, and am ashamed to do so, but I've had my phone by my side all day long as a lady friend, who I'm very attracted to, said she'd ring me. She didn't. Make of that what you will....

The very best of luck.

 

[goldmac2006]

Sometimes when I'm standing in public I pull up study material on my phone.

😂 same here when I’m queuing

I also reply to emails and check on them

 

[goldmac2006]

These are the same students who also talk when the director is giving instructions. Like, why would you do that? It's actually impeding on your own ability to perform the music because you are not listening to instructions!

I vividly recall my senior year in high school when I was in my natural sciences class. During the final exam, many of my classmates were sleeping. Additionally, many had neglected to complete the earthquakes brochure. Also the midterm project. This project required us to present a research topic on sustainability or reducing carbon emissions, such as recycling, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or reusing items. We had approximately three weeks, including Thanksgiving break, to complete this project.

Only a few students and I managed to present our projects, which were recorded on video or screen due to a substitute teacher who arrived after thanksgiving break.

This science class had relatively lenient rules. We engaged in small lectures, took minimal notes, participated in fun labs, watched movies, and took open-book tests. However, there was a restriction: only one or two students were allowed to leave the class for the bathroom. They had to obtain an orange hall pass, and if there were no hall passes available, we had to wait. Despite this rule, I had to wait for 30 minutes for a bathroom pass to be issued, even with the presence of the rule. Unfortunately, people simply disregarded it and used it to skip class.