RIP School Survival Forums
August 2001 - June 2017

The School Survival Forums are permanently retired. If you need help with quitting school, unsupportive parents or anything else, there is a list of resources on the Help Page.

If you want to write about your experiences in school, you can write on our blog.

To everyone who joined these forums at some point, and got discouraged by the negativity and left after a while (or even got literally scared off): I'm sorry.

I wasn't good enough at encouraging people to be kinder, and removing people who refuse to be kind. Encouraging people is hard, and removing people creates conflict, and I hate conflict... so that's why I wasn't better at it.

I was a very, very sensitive teen. The atmosphere of this forum as it is now, if it had existed in 1996, would probably have upset me far more than it would have helped.

I can handle quite a lot of negativity and even abuse now, but that isn't the point. I want to help people. I want to help the people who need it the most, and I want to help people like the 1996 version of me.

I'm still figuring out the best way to do that, but as it is now, these forums are doing more harm than good, and I can't keep running them.

Thank you to the few people who have tried to understand my point of view so far. I really, really appreciate you guys. You are beautiful people.

Everyone else: If after everything I've said so far, you still don't understand my motivations, I think it's unlikely that you will. We're just too different. Maybe someday in the future it might make sense, but until then, there's no point in arguing about it. I don't have the time or the energy for arguing anymore. I will focus my time and energy on people who support me, and those who need help.

-SoulRiser

The forums are mostly read-only and are in a maintenance/testing phase, before being permanently archived. Please use this time to get the contact details of people you'd like to keep in touch with. My contact details are here.

Please do not make a mirror copy of the forums in their current state - things will still change, and some people have requested to be able to edit or delete some of their personal info.


Search Results
Post Author Forum Replies Views Posted [asc]
  Thread: Anarchic irony
Post: Re: Anarchic irony

TheDelinquent: I know you're joking now! People provided with trash bins do not automatically use them; some people do, but if an organized effort is not regularly made to clean up any habitable are...
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 28 7,909 05-20-2008, 08:55 AM
  Thread: Damn Summer Reading to Hell
Post: Re: Damn Summer Reading to Hell

Speed read the books; use them as an opportunity to build up your speed reading skills. Then, go to Sparknotes.com and get the gist of what each is about and have an outline to use when you need to p...
akdonn School Talk 12 2,553 05-20-2008, 07:06 AM
  Thread: Anarchic irony
Post: Re: Anarchic irony

If that is what anarchy means to you then you are mixed up. Law and order are not "harmful, undesirable, and unnecessary," and we now do live in an ordered society as a result of hundreds of years of...
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 28 7,909 05-16-2008, 07:17 AM
  Thread: This website is filtered
Post: Re: This website is filtered

This is interesting. Is the school obligated to provide computer access to students who misuse the common resource? I don't think so. In other words, computer use is not a right. I agree that if y...
akdonn School Talk 11 1,992 05-16-2008, 07:05 AM
  Thread: Anarchic irony
Post: Re: Anarchic irony

Victims Unite! Women, blacks, Natives, children; if you don't think you are getting your fair entitlement, blame the people who are elected by a majority of the voters! They need to give you more wi...
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 28 7,909 05-16-2008, 06:44 AM
  Thread: The Real World..
Post: Re: The Real World..

If you're looking for religion, go to church.
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 47 7,596 05-15-2008, 09:07 AM
  Thread: Anarchic irony
Post: Re: Anarchic irony

That is exactly what our Republican form of government does. Everybody gets a vote, everybody is subject to the same laws, and our system of checks and balances means no one branch of government has ...
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 28 7,909 05-15-2008, 09:01 AM
  Thread: The Real World..
Post: Re: The Real World..

Perhaps this thread went on this diversion because "The Real World" is something that can be defined, while some are speculating about whether it all only exists in their own head. What we know scien...
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 47 7,596 05-14-2008, 12:49 PM
  Thread: Disater in school
Post: Re: Disater in school

I was in Anchorage during the biggest earthquake ever recorded in North America. It happened on Good Friday (1964) and no schools were in session so not too many people were killed (100+). Now they ...
akdonn School Talk 21 2,385 05-14-2008, 12:29 PM
  Thread: Some Good Advice!
Post: Re: Some Good Advice!

Not until they become butterflies! That requires a process...
akdonn General Talk 4 668 05-13-2008, 09:03 AM
  Thread: An argument on why anarchy doesn't work
Post: Re: An argument on why anarchy doesn't work

Don't expect abandonment of manditory attendance any time soon. Society has an interest in knowing where all young people are when parents are having to work. The home school movement has expanded s...
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 84 28,227 05-13-2008, 09:00 AM
  Thread: Some Good Advice!
Post: Some Good Advice!

Teach Your Kid How to Sense BS Doug Giles Saturday, May 10, 2008 “One of the most salient features of our culture is there is so much bull----.” Harry G. Frankfurt, Princeton philosophy professor H...
akdonn General Talk 4 668 05-13-2008, 08:39 AM
  Thread: Something to remember
Post: Re: Something to remember

Thunder: I think you are correct to be skeptical of what someone else tells you is important. On the other hand, just pursuing a career because it's something you think you like (at age 16, 17, 18) ...
akdonn General Talk 5 847 05-12-2008, 12:39 PM
  Thread: The U.S Constitution
Post: Re: The U.S Constitution

I'm a big fan of the U.S. Constitution and I think it is as valid today as when it was written. At that time they were trying to establish a country that would be able to stand on its own against the...
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 15 5,044 05-12-2008, 10:48 AM
  Thread: What I want to be when I grow up.
Post: Re: What I want to be when I grow up.

Girls brains are wired differently than boy's brains so they learn differently. Some students benefit from being in a learning environment that is gender-specific.
akdonn Alternative Learning & Income 15 3,325 05-12-2008, 10:21 AM
  Thread: Something to remember
Post: Re: Something to remember

Ok, so if the statistics are proven to be true would that make you feel better? Or, is it the fact that the statistics are true what pisses you off?
akdonn General Talk 5 847 05-11-2008, 01:17 PM
  Thread: The Real World..
Post: Re: The Real World..

fist_of_doom: I wasn't mocking anybody. There wasn't an argument. It was a bunch of unrelated random statements. I also happen to think denial of material existence is one of those myths up there wi...
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 47 7,596 05-11-2008, 01:10 PM
  Thread: The Real World..
Post: Re: The Real World..

Actually there is a lot known about the formation of the earth over some 6 billion years, and there are a lot of people who try to muddy the knowledge base by arguing against science, but I understand...
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 47 7,596 05-11-2008, 12:15 PM
  Thread: Propaganda
Post: Re: Propaganda

As long as your parents take a deduction for you in their income taxes, you are a legal dependent. Until to get emancipated or reach age 18, you don't have the same rights. Also, the ACLU is just ...
akdonn Youth Rights 18 6,394 05-11-2008, 12:04 PM
  Thread: Good grades dosen't mean your smart
Post: Re: Good grades dosen't mean your smart

BasTy^: Funny, but I generally agree about what you are saying. Whether or not school is the best environment for every student to learn is irrelevant; most people do learn in school, and school is ...
akdonn School Talk 34 24,691 05-11-2008, 11:53 AM
  Thread: Good grades dosen't mean your smart
Post: Re: Good grades dosen't mean your smart

wyldstryke: You ask: "why should we measure intelligence? it just seems like a way to single people out and make them feel worse/better about themselves. unless that is the reason. besides, im sure ...
akdonn School Talk 34 24,691 05-11-2008, 11:34 AM
  Thread: An argument on why anarchy doesn't work
Post: Re: An argument on why anarchy doesn't work

We'll be catching salmon and halibut in Prince William Sound or Resurrection Bay. I'm nuts about fishing.
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 84 28,227 05-10-2008, 08:36 AM
  Thread: Good grades dosen't mean your smart
Post: Re: Good grades dosen't mean your smart

Go ahead and believe that if you want to. Just read the help wanted ads and apply. Write a phony resume and try to fake it into a job like doctor, policeman, etc. etc. If you make it past the inter...
akdonn School Talk 34 24,691 05-10-2008, 08:31 AM
  Thread: Anarchic irony
Post: Re: Anarchic irony

As a matter of fact we have had anarchy in Alaska! Here is one reference to what it was like: http://www.archives.state.ak.us/pdfs/co ... _index.pdf
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 28 7,909 05-10-2008, 08:18 AM
  Thread: Anarchic irony
Post: Re: Anarchic irony

This continuous discussion about Anarchy at SS reminds me of the story about the blind men and the elephant; they all came to amazing conclusions about what an elephant is based on what part of the el...
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 28 7,909 05-10-2008, 08:00 AM
  Thread: The Real World..
Post: Re: The Real World..

AWOL: WOW. That's deep, man, have another bowl...
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 47 7,596 05-10-2008, 07:50 AM
  Thread: An argument on why anarchy doesn't work
Post: Re: An argument on why anarchy doesn't work

PIMP: We already have all of those kinds in Alaska. We also have other kinds of nuts I won't bother to mention... Alucard483: Do you like to fish? If you should come to Alaska I might take you ou...
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 84 28,227 05-10-2008, 07:40 AM
  Thread: Good grades dosen't mean your smart
Post: Re: Good grades dosen't mean your smart

Ok, analogue, for the sake of argument let's say you are right. The grading system doesn't mean squat. So what might that mean? The kids who get bad grades should get the same opportunities in life...
akdonn School Talk 34 24,691 05-10-2008, 07:22 AM
  Thread: The Real World..
Post: Re: The Real World..

Your next job could depend upon what this employer has to say about your performance in this job. My advice is to treat any job as an opportunity to show you are a mature, responsible employee. Gett...
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 47 7,596 05-08-2008, 04:10 PM
  Thread: discovery education
Post: Re: discovery education

There's a price for *NOT* learning, so why shouldn't there be a price for learning?
akdonn Youth Rights 21 3,680 05-08-2008, 03:38 PM
  Thread: The Real World..
Post: Re: The Real World..

Labor law requires that the employer collect data, give you counseling, and go through certain steps before they fire you. All I'm saying is you should be more careful about what you say in the workp...
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 47 7,596 05-08-2008, 07:55 AM
  Thread: Essay
Post: Re: Essay

I didn't know you switched topics until I read it above. Sounds like a good topic.
akdonn School Talk 12 1,861 05-08-2008, 07:47 AM
  Thread: Countdown
Post: Re: Countdown

Our school goes year-round. I NEVER quit learning!
akdonn School Talk 11 3,293 05-07-2008, 04:09 PM
  Thread: The Real World..
Post: Re: The Real World..

My comment about why it may take Heart of Shadows a while to get what the real world is, was based on this comment: "Oh and I also told my coworker that the real reason she ment by being a adult in t...
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 47 7,596 05-07-2008, 03:45 PM
  Thread: discovery education
Post: Re: discovery education

Hey, that's funny Shadow. And thanks for the link, too!
akdonn Youth Rights 21 3,680 05-07-2008, 03:19 PM
  Thread: Secondary Education - The Failure of Federal Intervention
Post: Re: Secondary Education - The Failure of Federal I...

You obviously don't know jack about my "interaction with teens/students." You try to defer the discussion by bringing up something else--the KKK--or acting like you know what every single kid in the ...
akdonn School Talk 8 3,695 05-07-2008, 02:52 PM
  Thread: Secondary Education - The Failure of Federal Intervention
Post: Re: Secondary Education - The Failure of Federal I...

So *YOU* say the way schools teach doesn't work. Are you speaking for everybody in the world? Actually, the majority of kids bitch about school because that's what you are supposed to do when you ar...
akdonn School Talk 8 3,695 05-07-2008, 01:55 PM
  Thread: Essay
Post: Re: Essay

Ok, I have to ask: What is the topic of your essay? Did you do it quickly because it will piss off your teacher? Hope you get a good grade!
akdonn School Talk 12 1,861 05-07-2008, 01:49 PM
  Thread: Secondary Education - The Failure of Federal Intervention
Post: Secondary Education - The Failure of Federal Inter...

Here is another view of why public education is failing... By Paul Weyrich Tuesday, May 6, 2008 Since Congress enacted No Child Left Behind (NCLB) in January 2002 at the behest of President George W....
akdonn School Talk 8 3,695 05-07-2008, 01:45 PM
  Thread: If you lived in a Polygamist Compound...
Post: If you lived in a Polygamist Compound...

Cultural Guide Created to Help Kids Taken from Polygamist Compound by Maggie Lineback The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services has created a “cultural guide” aimed at helping the worker...
akdonn General Talk 0 838 05-06-2008, 10:39 AM
  Thread: Essay: Identity
Post: Re: Essay: Identity

Thunder: I disagree with this unfounded generality: "the majority of school work is pointless." Training the mind to read and write and do math is a process that requires repetition and practice. ...
akdonn School Talk 20 2,037 05-06-2008, 09:26 AM
  Thread: Morality
Post: Re: Morality

AHAB: If you are wondering about how "moral development" occurs, then you might want to look at the theories of Piaget and Kohlberg. Here is the wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohlber...
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 20 8,342 05-06-2008, 09:16 AM
  Thread: Essay: Identity
Post: Re: Essay: Identity

Ayliana: Good recommendation!
akdonn School Talk 20 2,037 05-06-2008, 09:06 AM
  Thread: The Real World..
Post: Re: The Real World..

The "Real World" is when you pay your own bills and take responsibility for the choices you make without somebody like parents or teachers to blame when you fail. It's the place school is trying to p...
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 47 7,596 05-06-2008, 08:45 AM
  Thread: An argument on why anarchy doesn't work
Post: Re: An argument on why anarchy doesn't work

I guess there are worse things to do than fantasize about what anarchy might or might not be, since there are no examples of successful on-going anarchistic societies and no chance that one will evolv...
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 84 28,227 05-06-2008, 08:27 AM
  Thread: discovery education
Post: Re: discovery education

therenagadeoffunk: Why should any legitimate business trust you to run their cash register?
akdonn Youth Rights 21 3,680 05-06-2008, 08:11 AM
  Thread: Essay: Identity
Post: Re: Essay: Identity

Just do the assignment. Quit trying to turn it into an opportunity to restate a point you have probably already made abundantly clear before. Like the anti-abortion fanatics, environmental extremist...
akdonn School Talk 20 2,037 05-06-2008, 07:55 AM
  Thread: An argument on why anarchy doesn't work
Post: Re: An argument on why anarchy doesn't work

Actually, most governments do work. The ones that don't work are in Third World Nations where poverty is rampant and the people do not have a mechanism for dealing with social problems. Those societ...
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 84 28,227 05-03-2008, 09:44 AM
  Thread: An argument on why anarchy doesn't work
Post: Re: An argument on why anarchy doesn't work

Government exists because people decide to form governments. The absence of government, Anarchy, is far worse.
akdonn Philosophy, Politics & History 84 28,227 05-03-2008, 06:32 AM
  Thread: Vandals make Mess of an Alaska School
Post: Re: Vandals make Mess of an Alaska School

"I can see it now. Every student in every school, trashing their school, all on the same day. I'd love to see the parents/authorities try to deal with that." Amazing idea; deny those who want to go t...
akdonn Youth Rights 18 4,568 05-03-2008, 03:35 AM

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