HETTY

Category: Public Speaking, Performing

  • I Watch Less TV and Cable Now.

    I Watch Less TV and Cable Now.

    What’s something you do completely differently from how you were raised?

    This is probably the biggest difference in my life now. Growing up in the 70s and 80s, I lived in a 2 television household. One TV was a smaller portable black and white television that I often watched in the kitchen or in my bedroom with my 2 brothers. The other color television stayed in the living room. It was too heavy for my brothers and I to carry it. Indeed, the television likely required 2 people to carry the television, or one very fit person with a strong back.

    So growing up, I watched a lot of TV shows and sometimes syndicated movies on broadcast networks. I saw some of the classic series over the years, and then some shows that may last one or 2 seasons.

    My family also invested in premium cable television and later a VCR device and video game consoles. Atari, HBO, and a Nintendo console. Even more time in front of the television. Probably a good fraction of my life was in front of the TV watching some of the theatrical movies, some made for cable series, playing the early more primitive video games. I was entertained enough back then.

    I still love some shows, like I’m still a big Simpsons fan. But over the past 10 years, I started to drift away from watching so much television.

    Maybe streaming services have a lot to do with that, having a laptop and smartphone changed my viewing habits even more. I replaced one screen for another.

    I don’t know exactly why my viewing habits changed. I think I became wiser and more experienced, and became more familiar with the tropes and cliches of TV series. Like I can’t really tolerate laugh tracks on sitcoms any more, cuz some of the jokes on shows aren’t that funny. Other times, television shows like dramas reference real life events, such as real life crimes. I can read about the unsanitized real life events online instead.

    But also maybe I spent too many days coming home from work or school, and ended up watching television or playing video games alone for hours. Not always, cuz I will still watch television with others, but it’s often sport games or a show or movie I’m not that invested in. I think my attention span dwindled over time. I have other interests now.

    So TL;DR version. I grew up in a 2 TV set household watching a lot of television and I eventually drifted away from that to the point where I barely watch any TV or cable programs. I’ll read online articles, go on social media, or play more simple video games on my smartphone.

  • Politicians are anti science and education

    What’s a conspiracy theory you actually find believable?

    I’m American, of course.  I believe that most if not all politicians are anti science and anti-education, cuz an ignorant population is easier to control, manipulate, and exploit. Like there has been great strides in science and engineering in recent decades, but the average citizen wouldn’t be able to know how it’s possible. An example is the smartphone. I have one on my hand right now, but I only have a general idea how they work. If I took one apart, I wouldn’t know how all of the different components and programs work together to make a functional machine.

    Oh, there’s educational institutions like colleges and trade schools. They aren’t free or even affordable, and the skills and lessons taught at public schools tend to be more limited. There has been numerous cuts to public education for decades, to the point where many students and educators are demoralized and ignorant about various things. Many students couldn’t be able to identify various countries on a map, and have limited mathematical ability.

    Libraries can be free resources for knowledge, and there’s hundreds of libraries of various quality in the US and globally. In the US though, there’s a list of banned books cuz they have content that is considered disputable by certain political groups (too “woke” or “obscene.”)

    So certain outdated concepts and misinformation are promoted in the media by politicians and influencers instead of innovative ideas and philosophy. There’s various distractions and noise. Some important voices are drowned out in favor of louder more charismatic voices.

    So the average adult citizen reads at a 6th grade level, and more celebrities and athletes are more famous and well to do than most scientists, engineers, philosophers and writers. Most Americans would know who Taylor Swift Lebron James is than HL Mencken or Marie Curie, as an example.

    There’s also one International Space Station instead of several space stations in orbit. Still no moon bases from any country.  Many scientists and researchers have to apply for grants yearly to get funding.

    Maybe I’m not explaining myself well, but I think there is already several solutions possible to numerous world problems, better ways of doing things, and yet there doesn’t seem to be a public will or funding to solve them, cuz of politicians leading in bad faith. So social problems remain unchanged and in some cases are worsening.

  • Shy and introverted celebrities

    Shy and introverted celebrities

    Here’s a list of celebrities known for their shy or introverted nature, focusing primarily on current public figures:

    – **Billie Eilish** – The singer-songwriter has spoken openly about her introverted personality and preference for privacy.

    – **Ariana Grande** – Often described as introverted and selective about social interactions.

    – **Daniel Radcliffe** – The “Harry Potter” star has shared how he’s naturally introverted and values quiet time.

    – ** Kristen Stewart** – Known for her reserved and introspective demeanor in public.

    – **Keanu Reeves** – Famously low-key and private, often described as shy and humble.

    – **Lady Gaga** – Despite her bold stage persona, she has spoken about her introverted side.

    – **Ryan Gosling** – Recognized for being more reserved and private compared to many of his peers.

    – **Emma Stone** – Has spoken openly about her shyness and social anxiety.

    – **Adele** – Known for being reserved and private outside of her music career.

    – **Maggie Rogers** – The singer-songwriter identifies as an introvert and has discussed how it influences her music.

    – **Johnny Depp** – Though very famous, he is often described as shy and introspective offstage.

    – **Jennifer Lawrence** – Has talked about being shy and awkward in social situations.

    – **Robert Pattinson** – Prefers to keep his personal life private and is known for being introspective.

    – **Taylor Swift** – Identifies as introverted and has spoken about needing time alone to recharge.

    -** Lorde**: Identifies as introverted and prefers solitude.

    **Notable Figures from the Past:**

    – **Audrey Hepburn** – Known for her grace and quiet personality off-camera.

    – **Albert Einstein** – Often described as introverted and thoughtful.

    – **J.D. Salinger** – Famous for his reclusive lifestyle.

    – **Billie Holiday** – The legendary jazz singer was known to be introverted and struggled with stage fright.

    – **Emily Dickinson** – The poet lived a very private and introverted life.

    – **Bill Withers**- Known for his quiet and private lifestyle.

    – **Harper Lee**- The author of “To Kill a Mockingbird” was famously private and introverted.

    These celebrities demonstrate that shyness and introversion can coexist with public success and creativity.

  • Adorable Animals and Children.

    When are you most happy?

    I have severe depression and moments of anxiety, so it’s a struggle to be happy in middle age. Especially knowing what I know. However, there are bright spots that I live for. I really like comedy, even though I find it hard to laugh at most comedy. I tend to find sight gags and written jokes funnier than most stand up comedy. And I tend to lean more towards dark humor.

    Music is a bright spot, especially if it’s a banger. I like a lot of the R&B/Funk/Disco type of EDM, if it’s original work or samples older songs I haven’t heard before.

    But cute and friendly dogs and cats, and adorable children? When I’m around them, I can be funny and sometimes even giddy. I’m one of those people who watches funny cat, dog, and baby videos. When I’m around dogs, cats, cute animals and babies, I can sing funny ditties, tell jokes, pet and/or cuddle, and sometimes feed pets or children. My mindset changes, and I feel better, if temporarily.

    I have a daughter now, less than a year old, and she really is adorable. So it brightens my day when I see her or when I’m with her.

  • Crippling Social Anxiety

    Have you ever performed on stage or given a speech?

    I have both performed on stage and given speeches before, but only in school and it was years ago. I remember performing skits in class, and I either blanked out and was fed the lines, or I had to read from a paper. And then with the speeches, I mostly read from the essay I wrote, only briefly looking at the audience. I even took a speech course in college, and got a better than average grade.

    However, I don’t find public speaking or performing pleasant. I was visibly uneasy in front of others, and sometimes I cut the speech short so I could return to the classroom desk. It was before I was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

    Imagine, that I like stand up comedy, and would like to perform stand-up one of these days. I never have, so it remains a dream. Curse you, social anxiety!