virus: A is, of course, A, yet there are other A's which aren't

Tadeusz Niwinski (tad@teta.ai)
Sat, 13 Sep 1997 22:38:25 -0700


Let me indulge in un-Cialdini-ng Richard:

>First, let me say that I like you and consider it a privilege to have
>friends and acquaintances who are so thoughtful and full of integrity.

Liking. Good choice to start with!

> That being said, you are understandably infatuated with your first
>self-consistent worldview that seems to explain everything. In my
>experience, regardless of what words of wisdom I contribute to you,

Authority, of course.

> your
>infatuation, like infatuation with a pretty girl, will last from two to 18
>months.
>
>When you discover that you are ready to grow to the next level,

Authority, again.

> consider
>that all the axioms, measurements, truths, and laws that you now believe
>are good approximations that focus one particular pair of binoculars on
>this thing we call reality.

Commitment and Consistency.

>You may be surprised to discover that other
>views produce equally interesting experiences.

The hell with Cialdini, this is a drug-pusher. WHAT other views? Richard,
I must be sick, I keep believing in your Santa. I know it's not Level-3
mystery, it's not cognac, not cigars, not infatuation with girls, not even
MS God!

What *is it* Richard that you are tempting Nathaniel with?
Can you be more specific?

>You are not wrong by any means, yet there are other rights.

A is, of course, A, yet there are other A's which aren't.

>I actually am more of a fan of engineers than scientists. More has been
>accomplished with the kluge than can ever hope to be created by pure,
>beautiful theory.

Although, Richard, "you may be surprised to discover that other views
produce equally interesting experiences".

To summarize: I am so strongly in favour that I even oppose it.

And who is waiting for Godot?
Why don't you do some engineering for a change, Richard?

Regards, Tadeusz (Tad) Niwinski from planet TeTa
tad@teta.ai http://www.teta.ai (604) 985-4159