The propensity of my quoting cannot be
measured; or more accurately spoken, most of the time. I was just toying with the notion of how
often in conversation we use statistical references to influence our positions
in arguments.
“90 percent of the time” creeps
into the fray quite often, but by whose account? What research has been accomplished, and even if there was, can it be cited as being free of bias?
Yet, it is the tactic commonly used to inject such made up statistical reference
models as a point of convincing; and yes I’d say its deceptive in its best
case, and lying at its worst. Some time
ago I read Ethics for a New Millennium,
by his holiness the Dali Lama, who by the way, has been publishing his insights
since 1962; with his first being, My Land
and My People. But this isn’t necessarily a plug for the Dali Lama’s
writing career as much as being the point of bringing to light a uniqueness
that has impressed me to the point of changing my reference to the way I use
words. His is an art of applied
intention.
He phrases; his observations;
are made not in confrontational manner; that is also to say not too obscure
either; not in the least. His points are
rivetingly simple and clear, yet non-accusatory. He can point to improper behavior
without assigning judgment or suggesting punishment. Yes, he is a pro. Having witnessed that quality I look at words
now at how they are used, and I consider them in a different perspective; oft
as not I play with ways to make meaningful without faulting; no small
task. Just as I mentioned about
statistics, I swerve away from statistical nudging now using...um…more colorful terms inviting dialog. I no longer rely on a
lofty, unproven percentage quote, using other common and useful terms. 90 per cent becomes ‘most times; 50 per cent
becomes often; when minimizing for my arguments benefits I don’t use a small percentage,
but say ‘sometimes’ or ‘rarely’. Often
that practice works; most times I think on it…even after the opportunity had passed.
I am also ever
on the lookout for a spoken phrase that transcends mundane. Whether reading it or hearing, the effect
makes my heart skip…I guess you have to be a wordsmith to get where that’s
coming from. Suffice to say, I enjoy
sharing those moments of neoterisitic excellence of expression. Exempli gratia:
“Are you going to let me have a good time in my own
quiet way, or must I take this place apart?”
Bill Roberts in
The Docks of New York (1928)
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