This fine and worthwhile classic train model, based on an actual train at the Museum of Transportation, was completed by Avdi! It’s also a good homonym for all the training and education I continue to receive from the Avdi’s even at this late stage. If you stop learning, you may as well be dead, in a manner of speaking. Here are a few recent examples.
AI: It was brought to my attention (by my son, which I appreciate) that many of the stories and photos on social media (FB) are not sourced from legit references or documentation, and share similar styles because they’re AI-generated. The average person (me for example) can easily be taken in by the clickbait, human interest appeal and not realize they are being conditioned to mistake fabrication for facts. It seems innocent and genuine, reinforcing your point of view, when in fact it may be counterfeit and misleading. Think of the implications.
Dogs: Once the novelty wears off, and the daily responsibility kicks in, much as with children, a dog member of the family really sorts out who is committed to the ongoing caregiving and maintenance, and who will lose interest and leave it to others. These “others” may legit have other time-consuming priorities (like school or work), or limitations (like mobility), and not consistently be available. Then the cuteness gives way to an onerous chore or inconvenience. It’s a good test of your capability as a cooperating unit to provide an appropriate longterm commitment.
Assuming: Never Assume! Anything! We all do it. The more people, the more assumptions. The opposite of assumption is communication. “Assume” nothing and directly state your needs, intentions, schedule, plans, etc. in a timely manner, and make sure you were clearly understood. It’s easy to get busy and distracted and think you made yourself clear, but neglected to. No judgement here; it’s such a common oversight to make. We’re all constantly learning that in a large group, communicating needs ahead saves a lot of annoyance and inconvenience later. This is meant for myself as much as anyone.
***
Those are just a few recent ones. Living in a group can be complex, but totally worth it. It’s a microcosm of the world. So many different individual needs and views and room for growth. If you can learn to function in a large family or group, you can learn to adapt to anything. That’s why the isolated “nuclear family” construct is flawed and artificial. Humans can’t thrive indefinitely in that model. You need a support network or pack, where everyone has a role and picks up the slack, and the weak members have a secure human safety net.
