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Verbal Manipulation and Cheap Psychology

Most of what we say is intended to maintain relationships.  
Very little is the actual conveying of information.  
Some of our conversations are designed to convince people of something;
that is what we call rhetoric, but mostly we chatter about the weather,
and what happened today, and other such socially lubricating matters.

I know all that. It still drives me mad.

I used to teach at a school whose team colors were blue and white.
An enthusiastic athletic director put a blue roof on the fieldhouse,
a blue surface on the track around the football field, 
and spongy blue surfacing on the tennis courts.  It was awful!
The people who liked it most moved to Boise and painted 
the football field blue, too.  And put blue uniforms on the team.

People loved to say they "bled blue".  
I know I didn't.  I was a commoner.

Jargon.  We love jargon.  
Do you have too much on your plate?
Is it really what it is?  
Can you walk the walk and talk the talk and chew gum at the same time?

"Those are really great questions!" (if I do say so myself).

The psychology behind saying, "That's a really great question!" is interesting.
The intention is to affirm the questioner.  "You asked a really great question,
possibly the greatest question since God asked, "Adam!  Where are you?"
in the Garden of Eden.  And I just happen to have a really great answer,
possibly the greatest since Adam said, "Huh?  I dunno.  What else is there?"

Most of the really great questions aren't.  
They are just questions.  
In fact, to speak factually, sometimes they are dumb,
but that doesn't matter.  The point is to co-opt the other person.

Unfortunately, it doesn't really work.  
You just admitted that my question was great.  
Even if you disagree with me, I am probably right.  
I have great perception.  Right?

Anyway, my blood is blue.  What color is yours?  



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