Good luck with EVERYTHING, Stephanie!

Have you people seen this website, Post Secret? It's amazing.

Huh. My idea of learned helplessness is that the fifth time I try to push somebody for a review, since I know he never gives reviews, I don't push very hard. If it were a brand-new person, I'd be much more aggressive.

This is why I need a new job. Which I have. So ha.

Is it used outside of depression? The people I know who do it seem very happy.

I think what you're talking about is "ignorance is bliss," ita.

If they don't open the email, they cannot be stressed out by its contents which probably tell them they have to do something.

It's not just your email, but any email that may signify change or ask for an action. I suspect their homes are littered with unopened mail, and they carefully screen calls to filter out any information at all that could interrupt the blissful ignorance.

It's rather brilliant.

Note to large black spider of indeterminate species: the interior of a kitchen garbage sack is not the ideal location to scout for web building and finding prey. Thought on the flip side, if it manages to clamber out through the tightest drawstring seal I've ever made on a trash bag it'll have all the flies its heart could desire.

I think what you're talking about is "ignorance is bliss," ita.

I am (or used to be) a big adopter of that particular method of thinking. But that's not the one I mean. It's the one that bleats woefully with trembling lashes because the effort to independently follow instructions makes them tired just thinking about it.

To me, learned helplessness is what bosses do when they pretend they can't figure out how to do things like make copies, use the fax machine, or make coffee.

The other sort of apathy I do like Jesse does. If someone is going to rewrite what I write, no matter what it is, why bother to spend time on it?

Have you people seen this website, Post Secret? It's amazing.

I have it bookmarked and check it every Monday. It's fascinating.

That's the thing -- that kind of learned helpless leads to self-contempt, because I perceive myself as growing less competent over time.

That's the thing -- that kind of learned helpless leads to self-contempt, because I perceive myself as growing less competent over time.

Uh huh.

That's the thing -- that kind of learned helpless leads to self-contempt, because I perceive myself as growing less competent over time.

This makes sense. I do percieve that I am a worse and worse writer. Or at least trying less hard.

However, I have experienced ita's "But YOU do it so well..." form of learned helplessness. I make copies WELL. Really? I bet just about anyone can make copies just as well as I can if they tried for about 30 seconds.