Continuing posting up the questions I found on this Imgur post. Sometimes they have touch of smugness in the tone, but they are still good for self-reflection and taking stock. If you have any thoughts or answers of your own, then I’d love to hear about it.
11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
My Answers
11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
Argue with them! I’m always happy to argue when I think people are being unfair. However, often I later realise they had a point and I feel stupid (although maybe not in the above case). I don’t know the real rights and wrongs of speaking up – there’s an arrogance in arguing, but if I think something is wrong then my mouth doesn’t ask my brain to intervene, it just carries on.
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
Assuming they could understand me, remember it and care about a stranger’s advice. Actually I’m not sure. People are so varied that fantastic advice for one person is terrible for another. I’d try: engage with the world; the more effort you make, the happier you will feel.
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?
To be honest, at times I’ve broken the law because I’m bored (I’m not talking big laws here). Without thinking I’d break the law to save any person.
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
The two seem fairly different to me, there are cross-overs, but I’m wary of insanity labelled as creativity, because that’s a dangerous romanticising of illness. It’s true insanity can give a different perspective on life, which helps with creativity; but insanity can also destroy time, energy, concentration and communication skills, so it often harms creative ability also.
15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
The general living my life thing, how I look, what matters to me, the job I do, how I behave, what I own. I’m not good at conforming – it’s not intentional, I’m just crap at it, so I’ve ended up with an odd life; I’m not an impressive renegade or anything, just odd. That can be scary sometimes (am I doing everything wrong?) and people often get angry about it; but my life suits me well, so I’ll stick to that wonky route.
16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
Because people are varied, it helps makes the world a fascinating place.
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
Visit Madagascar/ Antarctica, have a road trip around the U.S. However, those need to wait, first I’ve got lots of other things that are more important (to me) to do.
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
I tend to obsess about the past, and it isn’t helpful at all. Unfortunately, when I’m feeling down the whiny thoughts circle my head, like an endless march of self-pity. So, yes, I am, but I am trying hard to stop that.
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
Just about anywhere would be exciting, although not helpful right now. Every culture has something I can learn, a new way of thinking, a new climate, new details to life. I get itchy feet, so I don’t keep the possibility too far from me, and sometime soonish, I hope to move away.
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
No, and no.
So, now over to you…
inkbiotic 
I love your answer about creativity and insanity. It is very insightful. While many great artists were clinically depressed and some even insane I do not think the insanity is a by product of their creativity but a fatal flaw designed to stop the ultimate flow of their creativity. We will never know how great artists like Van Gough, Hemingway or Plath would have been without their depression, anger or mental illness.
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Thank you, and yes, important to remember that Plath wrote the books, not her depression.
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Interested particularly with your answer 14. Agree.
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It’s one I feel pretty strongly about, although I don’t think it aligns with conventional wisdom, so good to know others think it too.
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11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is
distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
I’d either say something to show I disagreed or not say a word. This very incident happened in a group of people where one person was attacked by another. The victim started crying quietly and no one stood up for her. I told the attacker she was wrong, which was scary because no one else seemed to want to stand up for her.
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
Honey, go back to the womb where it’s safe! No really, I don’t know what I’d say.
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one? Yes.
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
I can’t think of an example at the moment.
15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
I don’t watch TV. I don’t own a cell phone. I don’t like to shop for clothing, shoes, and purses the way most women do. I like to write more than I like to talk on the phone. Like you, Inkbiotic, I don’t exactly fit the norm, and I’m okay with it.
16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
Because we’re all different, and I think that’s a good thing.
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
Finish some of my writing projects. I need to make the writing rich in meaning and nuance. It’s not.
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? I don’t think so….
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
I’d move to Canada. Why? Because I am often embarrassed by my own country.
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster? No & no.
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I really enjoyed these answers, very honest, I impressed you don’t own a cell phone. Good luck with your writing projects and I hope one day you get to run away to Canada – it always seems like a haven of niceness, although I expect it has its flaws too. 🙂
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11. If 3 people were criticising a friend I hope I would defend the person I knew. From personal experience I have seen that if you stand up for a person, the gossipers often back down and look embarrassed.
12. Advice to a newborn baby? This is a tough one. For a start how would you communicate and uncalled for advice is not always wanted so I don’t think it’s something I would do.
13. Of course I’d break the law to save a loved one especially if it’s their life we are talking about.
14. Insanity and creativity. I actually had to study this in an Art History subject. Van Gogh did not paint when he was experiencing one of his still undiagnosed “insane” episodes. It hindered his creativity. So I think that while some artists may experience mental problems, and this can influence their work, their work is not a product of insanity.
15. What do I do differently from others? We are all individuals and it would be a very boring world if everyone did things in the same way. I don’t know if I do anything differently. I just try to be true to my self and not blindly follow others.
16. How come things that make me happy don’t make everyone happy? This follows on from the previous answer. Probably because of a combination of different genetics and experiences.
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back? Well I have not travelled around the UK, Ireland and France, places I’d love to visit. The main thing that is holding me back is lack of money.
18. Are you holding onto something that you need to let go of? Yes, I have some emotional baggage that needs to go and I’m working on this. I also should shred some annoying old paperwork that has been building up and get rid of the junk in the carport.
19. If I had to move to a state or to another country? I would love to live somewhere warmer in winter so the southern coast of NSW would be nice. Not too hot in summer with the benefit of a sea breeze, lovely scenery and rural communities.
20. Do I push the elevator button twice? No and where did the idea that it would go faster if you did this come from?
Thanks Petra for more questions to ponder. They really make you think. Enjoyed reading your answers. Kat
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Great answers! I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought the ‘advice to a new born baby’ was an odd question. Good luck with getting to Europe one day, life is long, opportunities often arise 🙂
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I have to say, i pretty much agree with most everything you’ve said! So i won’t elaborate unless necessary…
11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
Stand up for the friend. Always. If they decide they no longer like me for having done so, that’s disappointing, but i can’t abide that sort of bitchiness. I don’t enjoy arguments, but honest, clear communication is important to me…more important than being liked.
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
Haha. I’d say “don’t grow up like me, kid!”. In a way, that’s sort of what i’m trying to do for my own kid; equip her with the confidence, self respect, and opportunities i wasn’t taught/ have access to as a squidly. With any luck, then she won’t make the same mistakes as me! Or, at least she’ll feel empowered and in control of her life.
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?
I’ve broken it for some rather petty reasons, so yes, no question!
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
I agree with you completely here. Mental illness is often romanticised when it manifests itself in an artist/creative person. And it’s so often conflated with the creativity itself. But far from it enhancing creativity, all it really does is inhibit the flow of the creativity and productivity and prevent the person from reaching their full potential.
15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
Haha. There’s not enough room to write it all here! I’m terrible at the conforming too. I’ve tried many times, but it’s never quite worked out. Now i don’t bother.
16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
Because: different strokes for different folks!
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
Lots of travel. Singing lessons, so i can sing the songs i make up without feeling as though i’m going to shatter windows. The almighty dollar ( and lack of confidence on the singing front) holds me back at present!
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
Probably. Lots of family related baggage which i forget about living 1000+ kms away from them, but which promptly reasserts itself whenever i visit. I try not to visit. ( it’s ok; they do the same. I have to say it’s probably for the best. No point digging up old crap)
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
Somewhere in the UK. I know politically things aint great at the moment ( nor here, though, or most places, really), but it’s just so conveniently located. So close to many of the countries i’d like to visit. I’d choose Cumbria, or somewhere pretty like that. Of course, this is when i’ve made my millions and can afford to do such things. Having said that, though, i have seriously considered moving to New Zealand before. If i’m ever in a position to, i probably will, even just for a short while.
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
Nope, nope. Does anybody? I wonder.
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Maybe the person who wrote these questions is thinking of movies where the impatient hero-in-danger presses the elevator button over and over again, but I’m not seeing much sign that us regular bods do it. I love your answers. it sounds like you’re a great mum, and I suspect a better singer than you think (speaking as someone who only ever sings in a jokey out-of-tune way, so no one knows how bad I am!) 🙂
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Possibly! It seems that way.
Aww, fanx; i *try* to be at least. That’s all i can do, really!
Haha, no, i do that, too!
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More great questions! Let’s see…
11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
“Actually…”
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
“Don’t be afraid to be yourself.”
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?
The pedantic in me asks, which law? If someone I loved got the rap for growing cannabis, I would say, “Actually, they’re my plants.” If somebody I loved murdered a person, then no. I disagree with the law on many things, but not on the hard stuff. Murder, rape, assault: do these things, then no matter how much I love you, I’m not standing in the way of justice. I can imagine what it’s like to be on the other side of that coin.
13. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
Canada! Oh Canada… Because I enjoy solitude, and Canada seems to have a lot of it, without the drama and diva-ness of its southern neighbour. Also, all my favourite superheroes are Canadian. Deadpool, Wolverine… not so much Fantomex, but close enough.
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
With the application of alcohol I can see creativity in anything, *anything*…. except Tracey Emin’s works. I’m not even joking about this one.
15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
Tying my shoelaces. And I have empirical evidence.
16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
Because other people are so. very. lame.
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
a) visit Bora Bora, b) money.
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
I like to think I dump my baggage at the tip at the earliest convenience. I’m sure if I was to super-reflect on my past, I could find something I haven’t quite managed to dump adequately yet.
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
I already did this.
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
I never push the elevator button. I am fortunate enough that I was born abled and have not suffered any sort of mobility-affecting injury in my life. I take the stairs.
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Gah! I am so annoyed I repeated the same question twice, I must have checked that ten bloody times! And I don’t want to edit now, cos then it’ll make you look odd. Actually, that doesn’t matter now I’ve written this. So, time to change!
Anyway, loved the answers. I’m curious about the shoelaces now, I didn’t know a spaceman even had shoelaces, do you tie them with nanobots? 😉
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The shoelaces thing was discovered during a fun little psychology class in space-university. And we tie them with finger-bots, because nanobots are too difficult to program for the manual labour.
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😀
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Interesting posts these ones. On the creativity/insanity subject I read an article once which held a theory that creativity leads to insanity when the rational intelligence isn’t strong enough to keep you on the ground, that a balance between the two is necessary. I don’t know if it’s true, but to me it made some sense. And about the law breaking one… I wouldn’t want a friend who wouldn’t even break a stupid law to save me;)
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It does make sense as an idea, although I think trying to unravel the truth of it could take a lifetime, I’d at least need a calculator and one of those pens that writes in different colours. Definitely agree with the friend-thought, I thought that was a daft question! 🙂
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