danger words: maybe probably sometimes could be perhaps
allegedly When used with an otherwise strong statement, we can
be EASILY fooled into thinking something is TRUE when it's all a
story. I should write out lists of these. Manipulative language
slips in under our radar too easily. === it's wise to be
cautious and listen. Some words "guide you" towards a conclusion
without one even seeing it coming. == Always? Perhaps. (notice
the effect just there? I toned down the strength of the "always"
with the perhaps). In some ways, it seems that communication
isn't always a benign task of imparting information from one to
another, but rather (apparently) is used as a tool to lead one
towards a particular designed way of thought. I have to watch
myself: I have convinced people with my opinion when all I
wanted was a discussion. Words are powerful. == I love
everybody's responses here! I love using these words. But they
have a strange power of easing someone into accepting.things
that sound absolute otherwise. Always and never, granted, are
worse, for what *is* "always" and "never"? Not a whole lot that
I can think of. I guess for me it's "use and misuse" of language
in convincing people of things. == I typically do what you do as
well. I like all the words on my list of "danger words". I use
them all of the time. I like to qualify my statements, staying
open-ended, moving away from absolutes unless necessary for some
reason. But consider how powerful that is? If you want to
convince somebody that you are correct, a "soft-touch" is more
powerful than a hard blow. It reminds me of the expression,
"Speak softly but carry a big stick". When I say "danger", I
don't mean that they're dangerous to _use_ per se. What i mean
is that one ought to watch out for them when _others_ use them,
because they have a very strong convincing power in their
subtlety. == i can't shoot a rifle straight. I avoid
confrontation and learned to talk convincingly for times I was
in confrontation situations. Still, I've thrown a punch or two
when necessary and solid, but I'm not a fan. ==
