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Phluck
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 04/10/99
Posts: 11,394
Loc: Canada
Last seen: 5 months, 23 days
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Fridge magnets.
#1160312 - 12/21/02 12:33 PM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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There's a stupid fridge magnet I saw somewhere that said "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit."
Well, I used to think it was stupid, kind of along the lines of "Who Farted?" bumper stickers, but I've noticed that quite a few spiritual or religious folks, (quite a few post here, others are making millions selling books) seem to put this into practice quite effectively.
Some people have the ability to write long beautiful essays, filled with metaphors, wonderful quotes, and dazzling imagery, but without actually making a point.
I'm sure a good number of you will understand this example: You make a post, raise some good points, and do it in a nice concise manner, and get a long response refuting your arguments. You get ready to sink your teeth into it, mull it over, and devise some good arguments against the points it raises... but before you can begin, you reach the end of the post. It was long, beautifully written, but completely lacking in any real argument. When you think about it, it's a pretty brilliant method of debate; if you don't have any arguments, there's nothing to demonstrate as incorrect.
Weaker minded individuals are easily suckered in by such rhetoric.
It kind of reminds me of interviews with dullard pop stars:
"Britney, do you have any advice for your fans?"
"Reach for the stars, believe in yourself, and anything is possible."
Wow, thanks Britney, I hadn't thought of it that way!
But seriously people, just taste the stars, feel the love of the universe, and let its warmth embrace you like the majestic fur of the lion, drink freely from the heavens, and feel the breath of the great snake upon your breast. Only then shall you truly be free.
-------------------- "I have no valid complaint against hustlers. No rational bitch. But the act of selling is repulsive to me. I harbor a secret urge to whack a salesman in the face, crack his teeth and put red bumps around his eyes." -Hunter S Thompson http://phluck.is-after.us
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Murex
Reality Hacker
Registered: 07/28/02
Posts: 3,599
Loc: Traped in a shell.
Last seen: 16 years, 7 months
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Re: Fridge magnets. [Re: Phluck]
#1160353 - 12/21/02 01:16 PM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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All those 'smart guys' elected to be in office are good at talking and having either nothing said in terms of content, or have superficial content said (when speaking). Listen to the President speak sometimes- His speeches usually can be summerized in just a short paragraph.
Also, I usually never write long posts or replies to posts. I'd rather just get to the point instead of ramble.
-------------------- What if everything around you Isn't quite as it seems? What if all the world you think you know, Is an elaborate dream? And if you look at your reflection, Is it all you want it to be?
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Anonymous
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Re: Fridge magnets. [Re: Phluck]
#1160473 - 12/21/02 02:22 PM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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In sum, rhetoric is the bane of disputes, philosophical and otherwise.
I prefer the comfort that cold hard logic brings over any warm, fuzzy ill-clad argument.
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Murex
Reality Hacker
Registered: 07/28/02
Posts: 3,599
Loc: Traped in a shell.
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Re: Fridge magnets. [Re: ]
#1160495 - 12/21/02 02:29 PM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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=
-------------------- What if everything around you Isn't quite as it seems? What if all the world you think you know, Is an elaborate dream? And if you look at your reflection, Is it all you want it to be?
Edited by Murex (12/21/02 02:30 PM)
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Swami
Eggshell Walker
Registered: 01/18/00
Posts: 15,413
Loc: In the hen house
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Re: Fridge magnets. [Re: Murex]
#1160499 - 12/21/02 02:33 PM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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Gasp! *Bows to the Great Logician himself* Oh mighty Spock have mercy on me.
-------------------- The proof is in the pudding.
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3eyedgod
trippinkid
Registered: 11/24/02
Posts: 684
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Re: Fridge magnets. [Re: Murex]
#1160635 - 12/21/02 03:33 PM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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LOL
-------------------- Without everything wouldn't nothing be everything and without nothing wouldn't everything be nothing.I am the beginning and the end,the source and the void, the light and the darkness,i am but a small drop of the ocean yet i am an ocean unto myself
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Phluck
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 04/10/99
Posts: 11,394
Loc: Canada
Last seen: 5 months, 23 days
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Re: Fridge magnets. [Re: Murex]
#1161139 - 12/21/02 08:49 PM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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"I'd rather just get to the point instead of ramble."
Exactly, it seems like the people with the least to say, say it with the most words.
-------------------- "I have no valid complaint against hustlers. No rational bitch. But the act of selling is repulsive to me. I harbor a secret urge to whack a salesman in the face, crack his teeth and put red bumps around his eyes." -Hunter S Thompson http://phluck.is-after.us
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Nomad
Mad Robot
Registered: 04/30/02
Posts: 422
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Re: Fridge magnets. [Re: Murex]
#1161294 - 12/22/02 01:18 AM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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Mr Mushrooms is Spock on psychedelics?
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Anonymous
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Re: Fridge magnets. [Re: Murex]
#1162738 - 12/22/02 03:09 PM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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Thank you Mr. Murex. My logical brain processes that to be an attempt at humor. However, since I am devoid of any feeling I cannot laugh.
7|8 i x (3x9; 7th power) pi square root = b(83)(xy); heart
Humorous but not logical.
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Murex
Reality Hacker
Registered: 07/28/02
Posts: 3,599
Loc: Traped in a shell.
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Re: Fridge magnets. [Re: Phluck]
#1162846 - 12/22/02 03:51 PM (21 years, 3 months ago) |
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-------------------- What if everything around you Isn't quite as it seems? What if all the world you think you know, Is an elaborate dream? And if you look at your reflection, Is it all you want it to be?
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