Over on my page titled, “Meet the Wild Mind” a reader commented and questioned the truly random nature of my musings here at this blog.  His point was that it is impossible for me to truly be random in my musings because, according to him, true randomness, must not be ordered and must come from without.

Okay, so that made me think.

I wondered, “What if I let others suggest the topics that I write about?” 

There are several advantages to me in doing this.  First, it gives me a greater pool of topics to choose from when writing.  Even though my mind is wild, it is also finite. Second, it will force me to consider topics and ideas I might not normally consider for whatever reason.  It will force me to clarify my thinking in certain areas and there are those areas I am admittedly and ahamedly unclear about even in my own mind.  Finally, it will, I hope be fun.

That is the main advantage, I think, to anyone reading for my doing this.  It is a fun collaborative effort.  We all take part.  It is like the game we use to do in college communication classes where you had to describe how to draw a picture to someone who could not look at the picture.  They only had your spoken directions to go by.  I think this could be the same sort of thing, only neither of us has the picture.  You just provide the topic, I fill in the details.  You give me the ingredients.  Let’s see if I create the same dish you pictured when you put forth the idea.  I’m sure, no matter what, it will give all much to laugh about, discuss, disagree, with and, hopefully, enjoy. 

I hope I will be a better person for it.  I know I’ll be grateful to you for aiding me in my journey.  I hope the process gives you the same reward. 

The Rules:

I have a friend who works for the state lottery and his line when he has to enforce compliance with retailers is always, “You know, we have rules”.  And, we must have rules or boundaries, so it doesn’t go to wild and so no one gets hurt.

Rule 1:  You submit a topic by posting a comment here on this page.  Then, watch for the topic to appear in a future post. 

Rule 2:  I still retain the right to choose the topics from those submitted and I retain the right to address topics in any order (randomly) not necessarily in the order I submitted. 

Rule 3:  I cannot be bound strictly by time.  If you checked out my other blog at http://cabsplace.wordpress.com then you know I’m a fairly busy working single mom of more levels of blood children than is legally safe.  I may need more time to develop certain subjects.

Rule 4:  I will not address anything that is sexually explicit, perverse, unduly violent, x-rated, rude, defamitory or otherwise unacceptable to me.  I don’t write horror or porn so don’t even ask. 

Rule 5:  I will not violate my own moral compass or ethical code either in writing about something or responding to a comment.  However, I’m also not afraid to disagree or be disagreed with.  The healthiest relationships have the safety and freedom of each person being respected for who they are and total agreement need not be a requirement and disagreement need not be a dealbreaker.  

Rule 6:  Please, be safe, respectful and responsible when submitting ideas or comments.  I will do the same.

Rule 7:  This is a learning process.  I reserve the right to modify or improve the rules or process as I see fit based on the experience and feedback from my readers.  Of course, I’ll also consider my own feelings and thoughts here too.

Rule 8:  Let’s just make this fun and see what happens.

Cat

P.S.   Reader Kip posted his suggestions over at “Meet The Wild Mind” in response to my comment to him there.  I’m reposting it here, because it is a perfect example of the kind of submissions I am looking for.  And, yes, Kip…I will address one of these topics in the next few days…so stay tuned. 

“Okay, Cat, Ms. Wild Mind, Ma’am,

Regarding your solicitation for ‘random’ ideas.

How about pondering the not-too-distant time when all the senior posts in our government are occupied by women and the emasculating effect this will have on the preponderance of males remaining in the House and Senate? This seems to me inevitable, given the evidence that we seem to be growing more enlightened with each new election year, and given that deep down we all sense the superior wisdom of women in the areas of interpersonal dynamics that characterize so much of politics, foreign relations, etc.

How about pondering the place of Art in our society? Versus so much of what passes for Art nowadays. (… yes, this subject is old and tired, but your observations will undoubtedly be fresh.)

How about pondering the intelligent and stimulating programming that will replace reality TV and moronic sitcoms?

How about the Wild Mind’s response to a known sex offender moving in just a couple doors away from where she and her four children live?

That should be enough randomness to get you started. Take it away, Catwoman!!”