The Unvarnished Truth 2a: A Glossary

[Doktor Howl]

Okay, judging from PMs I have received, I think I need to define a few terms.  This will be done in R-Prime, because I refuse to debate a subject when people decide that words can mean anything, so long as it helps them "win".  This will be a work in progress, that will last as long as people try to do horrible shit to my beloved language.

1.  Happiness:  This is the state of being in Slack™.  It means that you aren't just "satisfied" (see complacency, below), but actively ENJOYING yourself a significant portion of the time.  Living to LIVE, not just survive.

2.  Complacency:  This is often mistaken for happiness, but is actually the feeling of "getting by", or "at least I'm not as bad off as the Mexican illegals",  or "I've done my part/have my shit, fuck you."  It's what happens when you stop having fun, but aren't actually starving to death.

3.  Rights:  Rights are those things you can do if you so choose, and if anyone tries to stop you, you can kill a motherfucker and still be morally in the right.  Examples would include freedom of expression, freedom to peaceably assemble, etc.  Rights cannot be given, incidentally.  They must be seized, and then assumed.  Rights CAN be given away, simply by failing to assume them (ie, "First Amendment Zones").  Knuckling under like a bitch means you have voluntarily chosen to cede a right.

4.  Privilege:  Priviliege translates directly as "private law".  Unlike rights, privileges are granted, and they are not universal.  The Sheriff's kid being able to flaunt the law and get away with it is an example, as is Rush Limbaugh's seeming immunity to drug charges.  Privileges may be taken away, as they are granted.

More to follow.

[Freeky]

Thanks for this, Dok.

[The Wizard]

Nice. I was unsure how you meant some of the terms listed. One work, a thousand interpretations.

[Telarus]

Agreed. I read this before seeing the referenced thread, definitely helped clarify it.

[Triple Zero]

Cool. I most definitely need more SLACK, then.

Also, privileges are not necessarily a bad or a good thing, are they?

[Reginald Ret]

Good idea, this will help communication immensely.
The avoidance of repetitive conflict is also nice.

Cool. I most definitely need more SLACK, then.

Also, privileges are not necessarily a bad or a good thing, are they?

Only if you confuse them with rights.
Examples: Hating Gays is my God Given Right.
               This piece of paper gives you the right to drive a car/build a house/drink alcohol.
               You don't have the right to use force, even to defend yourself or others.

[Triple Zero]

They are not necessarily a good or a bad thing only if I confuse them with rights? I think it's too late--I'm confused now.

No I mean, being a mod on this forum gives you privileges. This is not a bad thing. But you also don't want everybody to be a mod because then people will start behaving irresponsible. Having bribed your local cops, also gives you privileges, but that is a bad thing.

[LMNO]

Before I say what I want to say, I need to say something first.

"The following is not an attempt to read Dok's mind, nor is it meant to be clever wordplay."


Ok.  So.


Dok, your new UT #2 essay, about the actions and processes proposed... Would I be correct in thinking that it's about taking your Rights and giving yourself Privilege in order to gain Happiness?


Please correct if I am wrong.

[Doktor Howl]

Before I say what I want to say, I need to say something first.

"The following is not an attempt to read Dok's mind, nor is it meant to be clever wordplay."


Ok.  So.


Dok, your new UT #2 essay, about the actions and processes proposed... Would I be correct in thinking that it's about taking your Rights and giving yourself Privilege in order to gain Happiness?


Please correct if I am wrong.

It's about keeping my rights, and inflicting misery on those who gave theirs away.

I need no privileges to do this.


Um...I'd like to have Gaga/Pink privileges, though, if you can arrange it.

[LMNO]

Ok.  I suppose I was considering your idea of a TAZ² as a place where you could exist in a way of your own choosing as a kind of self-granted Privilege. 

I can see where I was wrong.

[Richter]

Post real laws.  AFAIK, plenty of laws get on the books that are never, or seldom, enforced.  Not just old blue laws either.  
The right combination of law and context could be pricless, and there's an element of turning reality into  

[Doktor Howl]

Post real laws.  AFAIK, plenty of laws get on the books that are never, or seldom, enforced.  Not just old blue laws either.  
The right combination of law and context could be pricless, and there's an element of turning reality into  

Yep.  I don't think there's any laws against posting actual laws.

[Elder Iptuous]

I don't know if it's ubiquitous now, but 'round these parts we have signs up on the roads that say "obey all traffic signs; state law".

I always assumed that it was a revenue thing so they could tag you with two violations if you get caught doing one, but i've not heard anybody say that happened to them.
it strikes me as odd...


also, perhaps a sign that says "Driving without destination prohibited"

[Requia ☣]

also, perhaps a sign that says "Driving without destination prohibited"

This actually is an enforced law here.  A bunch of teenagers decided that it'd be a fun idea to drive back and forth on state street in the middle of the night (I don't get why personally) and the city decided that this was BADWRONGFUN (supposedly because they were drinking, but it completely failed to bust anyone for drunk driving despite the not a drop law).

[Elder Iptuous]

and here i was thinking it ridiculous...

did they charge people with it, or just use it as an excuse to hassle them?