ysabetwordsmith (
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2016-08-02 03:20 pm
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Entry tags:
Poem: "Frob, Twiddle, and Tweak"
This is today's freebie, inspired by
redsixwing. It also fills the "vindication" square in my 8-1-16 card for the Survival Bingo fest. It belongs to the series An Army of One.
"Frob, Twiddle, and Tweak"
"I love the society you people
are building," Darmid said as he
watched a bucket chain forming
to unload the supply ship, with
a very synchronized pattern
developing within minutes as
the workers copied each other.
"It's just frob, twiddle, and tweak,"
said Crank. "First you move things around
to see what they do. Then you guess at settings
for each of the parts. Then you fine-tune them
in relation to each other. I was surprised to find
how well mechanical concepts can apply to
social sciences, but I guess I just needed
to meet the right group of people."
"I'm impressed by how much you have
already accomplished here," said Darmid.
It makes me so excited for my son's future!
I've known plenty of social scientists and
mechanics, but none of them think
outside the box the way you do."
"Maybe it's just because we put
extra handles on our thought patterns,"
he said, flipping the frobs on his necklace
up and down. "I move this thing, and
my brain changes gears."
"Now I want one of those," Darmid said.
* * *
Notes:
Here's a basic description of "frob." I've always used this set of definitions:
Frob -- to move the parts or controls of an unfamiliar device very broadly to identify their functions/range.
Twiddle -- to move parts in smaller ways so as to estimate likely settings, usually one at a time.
Tweak -- to make fine adjustments in the settings, usually in relation to each other, to derive a final configuration.
Fidgeting is any pleasant, repetitive motions. It improves concentration, memory, and creativity especially for neurovariant people.
Stimming is an important part of neurovariant thought, identity, and culture. Unfortunately neurotypical people often disapprove and suppress stimming, sometimes to the point of abuse, even though neurotypical people do it too. Here are tips on how to stim.
Stim jewelry is designed to facilitate safe, effective fidgeting. There's even a blog for it. This chewable gem necklace has one or more silicone prisms to manipulate. Crank has this version.
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"Frob, Twiddle, and Tweak"
"I love the society you people
are building," Darmid said as he
watched a bucket chain forming
to unload the supply ship, with
a very synchronized pattern
developing within minutes as
the workers copied each other.
"It's just frob, twiddle, and tweak,"
said Crank. "First you move things around
to see what they do. Then you guess at settings
for each of the parts. Then you fine-tune them
in relation to each other. I was surprised to find
how well mechanical concepts can apply to
social sciences, but I guess I just needed
to meet the right group of people."
"I'm impressed by how much you have
already accomplished here," said Darmid.
It makes me so excited for my son's future!
I've known plenty of social scientists and
mechanics, but none of them think
outside the box the way you do."
"Maybe it's just because we put
extra handles on our thought patterns,"
he said, flipping the frobs on his necklace
up and down. "I move this thing, and
my brain changes gears."
"Now I want one of those," Darmid said.
* * *
Notes:
Here's a basic description of "frob." I've always used this set of definitions:
Frob -- to move the parts or controls of an unfamiliar device very broadly to identify their functions/range.
Twiddle -- to move parts in smaller ways so as to estimate likely settings, usually one at a time.
Tweak -- to make fine adjustments in the settings, usually in relation to each other, to derive a final configuration.
Fidgeting is any pleasant, repetitive motions. It improves concentration, memory, and creativity especially for neurovariant people.
Stimming is an important part of neurovariant thought, identity, and culture. Unfortunately neurotypical people often disapprove and suppress stimming, sometimes to the point of abuse, even though neurotypical people do it too. Here are tips on how to stim.
Stim jewelry is designed to facilitate safe, effective fidgeting. There's even a blog for it. This chewable gem necklace has one or more silicone prisms to manipulate. Crank has this version.
Re: STIM
That does suck. :(
>> the spoon trick might work, thank you for your suggestion on that, I am very grateful I am not the only one with borderline (or outright) dangerous stim needs...<<
That's why I provide resources.
>> seriously finding substitutes for this stuff is HARD
WORK people... <<
Yes it is.
>> I drew blood smacking myself with a ruler and got reprimanded and threatened with a lovely bit of procedure called a 21/20 hold (code for a mandated psych eval in the ED where I come from) so I sort of don't trust myself (or the mental needs of those around me to be fair) with anything that needs a safe-word or coaching by an experienced person to use, it might end badly...paperclips for the same reason <<
If you are a legal adult, then what you choose to do with your body is your business. Some people like blood play, others don't.
Threats do not teach -- except what you learned, not to trust yourself or anyone around you. People who threaten instead of teaching are not trustworthy. They make it harder to solve problems. Look for better people if you are free to do so.
A little blood is not something to freak out over. It does mean stop and think. Is this something you want or need to do? What are its risks and benefits? Can you find a substitute that works as well or better and is safer? People should not just assume that what you are doing is more trouble than it's worth. Do the math. It is NOT okay to take away someone's coping methods without providing a better alternative. It is NOT okay to demand that someone do better without any teaching or other support.
My go-to resource for self-injury is the Hurt Yourself Less Workbook. I haven't found an equivalent for people who want to find safer ways of exploring sharp or otherwise intense stimulation. There are also lists of alternative activities:
https://sirius-project.org/2011/08/16/distractions-and-alternatives-to-self-harm/
http://www.adolescentselfinjuryfoundation.com/page11