rhetoric for dummies

[Dido]

If, instead of asking "What makes life meaningful for you?" you say "What would you say where the things around which your life was centered in the last seven to eight years"? you might provoke some people to laugh. If you ask what was funny about it they might tell you that they cannot answer anything but "Partying, Eating, Fucking"*.

They might then proceed to inform you that of course there are loftier** motives in their lives and that it was the way you phrased your question that produced that trite answer.

Try to answer to that in a way that will not insult those hypothetical persons.

Modification for beginners and very advanced students of the art: That will not insult them immediately.



*That´s a triple f in German btw. Is there any arcane system of mental enfeeblement where that would be meaningful?

** I never thought of the inferior/superior motif dichotomy until they mentioned it.

[hooplala]

Modification for beginners and very advanced students of the art: That will not insult them immediately.

I don't understand this line.  Could you rephrase, or elaborate, please?

[hunter s.durden]

I didn't understand who I would be trying not to insult...

Then I figured a game where I don't insult probably isn't for me.

[hooplala]

I didn't understand who I would be trying not to insult...

Then I figured a game where I don't insult probably isn't for me.

I thought the point was the insult them without them realizing it?  Maybe I missed the point?

[Dido]

I didn't understand who I would be trying not to insult...

Then I figured a game where I don't insult probably isn't for me.

I thought the point was the insult them without them realizing it?  Maybe I missed the point?

No, that was the point.  The reactions of people who realize belatedly that they have been insulted (and did not notice, did maybe even acquiesce, believing that you where telling them something nice or polite) are priceless. imo.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

If, instead of asking "What makes life meaningful for you?" you say "What would you say where the things around which your life was centered in the last seven to eight years"? you might provoke some people to laugh. If you ask what was funny about it they might tell you that they cannot answer anything but "Partying, Eating, Fucking"*.

They might then proceed to inform you that of course there are loftier** motives in their lives and that it was the way you phrased your question that produced that trite answer.

Try to answer to that in a way that will not insult those hypothetical persons.

Modification for beginners and very advanced students of the art: That will not insult them immediately.



*That´s a triple f in German btw. Is there any arcane system of mental enfeeblement where that would be meaningful?

** I never thought of the inferior/superior motif dichotomy until they mentioned it.

Wow, I don't think I know any of those people. The most likely answers I would receive from my friends would be "Raising my kids", "Working on the house", "Finishing my degree", "Building my business", "Getting better at my art" and things along those lines.

[Faust]

got the other end of the spectrum.
"death"

Faust
~really has to get something more interesting to be preoccupied with.

[e]

*That´s a triple f in German btw. Is there any arcane system of mental enfeeblement where that would be meaningful?

Drinkin', Dancin', Doin' it?

[Jenne]

If, instead of asking "What makes life meaningful for you?" you say "What would you say where the things around which your life was centered in the last seven to eight years"? you might provoke some people to laugh. If you ask what was funny about it they might tell you that they cannot answer anything but "Partying, Eating, Fucking"*.

They might then proceed to inform you that of course there are loftier** motives in their lives and that it was the way you phrased your question that produced that trite answer.

Try to answer to that in a way that will not insult those hypothetical persons.

Modification for beginners and very advanced students of the art: That will not insult them immediately.



*That´s a triple f in German btw. Is there any arcane system of mental enfeeblement where that would be meaningful?

** I never thought of the inferior/superior motif dichotomy until they mentioned it.

Wow, I don't think I know any of those people. The most likely answers I would receive from my friends would be "Raising my kids", "Working on the house", "Finishing my degree", "Building my business", "Getting better at my art" and things along those lines.

Me too.  But these people still party.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Me too.  But these people still party.

Likewise... but it's a peripheral enjoyment for them. Then again, a good portion of my friends are Jewish, partying seems kind of built into the religion.  (Hung over from last night's Passover seder)

[Jenne]

Me too.  But these people still party.

Likewise... but it's a peripheral enjoyment for them. Then again, a good portion of my friends are Jewish, partying seems kind of built into the religion.  (Hung over from last night's Passover seder)

tr00f.  See, my husband's people on his dad's side pretend they don't party and so are all over hypocritical fucktards.  My mom's people, same deal.  The people in between, my husband's mom's fam and my dad's side, they like life or at least the least fucked up parts of it, and they show it.

What's lovely is when you find a group of individuals who know the difference between pissing away good times by being too focused on what's good and right (and that makes you never want to be near ANYone you're related to, EVER), and pissing away what's good for you by destroying brain cells.

Both sides of the coin are too fluffy.  On denies goals, the other the darkside of fun.  Marry the two, and you have a happy balance.

Damn, that sounds like just so much bullshit, but it's all I've got for the now.  *shrug*

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Both sides of the coin are too fluffy.  On denies goals, the other the darkside of fun.  Marry the two, and you have a happy balance.

I like this.