Comments | thilus: The Internet doesn't always make you stupid

thilus

The Internet doesn't always make you stupid

Jul 23, 2008 16:35

http://thinksimplenow.com/happiness/the-power-of-language/

I stumbled across a really excellent and thought-provoking article. I think anyone who's interested in why we do what we do should read this. That is, pretty much everyone. Just my opinion ^_^

Comments 7

skyjay July 24 2008, 00:48:08 UTC

Ahh the powers of mental repetition, it's insane what happens when you get out of a particular habit :)

raz_raccoon July 26 2008, 02:19:13 UTC

I'm happy you're posting again! =D

lynnenova July 27 2008, 06:03:54 UTC

What a perfectly marvelous article! I learned a lot from it to apply to my own life, but I was also shocked to see how well the article reflected my struggles with those words (particularly "I don't know" and "I can't") while working with the post-hospitalized children at PK. It was intensely frustrating to see it from the outside, but it was precisely as the author described; the simple act of saying the words made the fulfillment of the action an impossibility, and any further consideration of it useless. I really wish that I had had this article back then.

I second the recommendation for this article!

My only big complaint is that I'm finding it difficult to find the author and his/her qualification for making these assumptions. I've read studies that back up this kind of evaluation, but as always, I question the source.

(The comment has been removed)

lynnenova July 27 2008, 06:51:59 UTC

Well, in the context of this article, a scientist doesn't so much say "I don't know," as "I don't know yet."

longbottle July 30 2008, 07:11:33 UTC

While interesting in theory, I would be completely unable to function in life if I didn't say "I'm sorry" at least 20 or 30 times a day. I make enough mistakes (small ones, usually) that require use of the phrase or someone might be offended.

This is clearly written by someone who has never worked customer service.

I also got a definite "positive thinking" mumbo-jumbo vibe as I got near the end.

thilus July 30 2008, 15:27:22 UTC

I think the message here is to make one more aware of the link between emotions and speech, and how we often don't communicate effectively enough. I can't cut "I'm sorry" out of my speech, either... but I can make it a point to qualify what I really mean by saying such things, like explaining what I'm sorry about, or why, to avoid confusion. It helps to develop a vernacular to differentiate between the kind of Sorry where a small breach of etiquette has occurred, versus the kind of Sorry where in previous eras you could be looking at a duel. That is in fact why people tended to speak more precisely, "back in the day"... because if communication was not perfectly clear, and yet allowing for expression... well, that dude has a sword, and the nearest cop is a drunk who's sleeping in a haystack a day's ride from here ( ... )

longbottle July 31 2008, 23:52:34 UTC

I get that. You can apologize for the social gaffs, but you're not really apologizing as if you're wronged someone. I've always drawn a distinction between the two.

I know you're as damaged by that background as I am... that's why I was a bit surprised you didn't react similarly. It's one thing if someone's upset with you, but if you make a mistake (which I do a lot) you have to suck up, or you'll be out of a job soon enough. Especially in today's economy.