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Get off my LAWN! "Grumpy Old Farts"

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#8,144
agedhorse said:
it's a fine line between being brilliantly creative and insane.
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I'm not sure Nikola Tesla would have scored high in the area of "demonstrates appropriate social behaviors consistent with societal norms". Many of the great minds I've had the opportunity to work with were often a bit socially challenged (on their good days).
 
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#8,145
Al Kraft said:
I'm not sure Nikola Tesla would have scored high in the area of "demonstrates appropriate social behaviors consistent with societal norms". Many of the great minds I've had the opportunity to work with were often a bit socially challenged (on their good days).
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Yes, he and Edison both displayed unbelievable cruelty to animals while promoting their electricity ventures. Ghastly at best, but maybe more than that IMO.
 
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#8,147
I believe most successful people have very average intelligence... but a lot of "overdrive." I also believe success has to be self defined and measured to actually succeed. It's rarely fame and fortune.

I back up my first statement with a quote from Curley:

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on suckin' 'til you do suck seed... nyuk, nyuk, nyuk."
 
#8,152
Ken Morgan said:
Doesn’t matter his motives...blowing up elephants for any reason is pretty damn morbid, and not th3 sign of a sane individual in anyone’s time or culture
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Sadly, many of the early industrial age heroes who helped build our nation were a little less than admirable when viewed from the aspect of "who they were as a person".
 
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#8,154
BadExample said:
He did that with AC to dis the safety of AC and go forward with his DC agenda. (My understanding anyway :D )

It's on youtube if you care to watch it. I don't, but I saw it on TV anyway.
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You missed all the other animals (dogs mostly) that he/they experimented on and electrocuted, ironically supplied by the SPCA.
 
#8,155
ric426 said:
Most GOF appropriate quote I've seen lately:
"You know that feeling you get when you climb into bed, fall right asleep and wake up refreshed and alive the next morning?
Me neither. "
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I resemble that remark! I can't remember the last time I woke up feeling 100% refreshed and rarin' to go. Ahhh the benefits of the golden years....
 
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#8,157
agedhorse said:
You missed all the other animals (dogs mostly) that he/they experimented on and electrocuted, ironically supplied by the SPCA.
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He also reputedly designed the first electric chair and all evidence I've seen is that it was neither humane nor effective at accomplishing its design goal. There is a story I've heard that the elephant (Topsy) was having some "not playing well with others" problems and was due to be put down. The plan to hang the elephant met with ASPCA opposition and so in the end I believe it was poisoned and electrocuted. The film of that smokey event is still in existence and can probably be found somewhere. At the point in time this tragedy occurred though I don't think Edison himself was actually in control of his company any longer and it had sort of transitioned to GE.

So the bottom line is that a formerly wild elephant living (a ridiculous life for an elephant) in New York City (and let's just guess how well it was treated) acted out a bit. It's brilliant and caring handlers (extra sarcasm added because it's deserved) then figured they could get a few more bucks out of what was a colossally bad idea in the first place by filming the electrocution and charging people to watch.

FWIW, I feel strongly that all living things deserve our respect and if we truly believe we're the smartest life form on the planet, we should act like it when it comes to animal stewardship. My data points are limited, but I've owned and worked around German Shepherds (and similar working breeds) my entire life. No one can convince me that they are not every bit as sentient as I am, and they certainly have a greater sense for loyalty, respect for a chain of command/pack order, and the ability to show compassion than many people I've known.
 
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#8,160
I believe they also hung the elephant with a chain. F'ing brutal in the name of promotion, or entertainment.

It's no different these days really, (terminal) bull fighting, cock fighting, dog fighting, horse tripping, horse against bull fighting with the horse blindfolded, etc. This sort of stuff makes me sick to my stomach, but also explains why some folks and cultures have little trouble treating their fellow man with kindness and compassion either.
 
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