Friday 29 July 2011

Some contrasts

 This chainsaw isn't cutting properly. I'll use the file to sharpen it. That's odd, somethings not right here

Some twit has put the chainsaw chain on backwards.
 Verses
Some body who wasn't paying proper attention has put the chain on backwards.
Somebody has put the chain on backwards, who did that? Someone wasn't paying attention. That is astonishing, shocking, incredible, typical, amusing. No wonder it wasn't cutting well, how did I not notice sooner.

Expressing emotions

I would like to contrast two different systems for expressing your emotions
The first is lower resolution, broad generalised brush strokes, a bit like how Rolf Harris starts a painting
The second is higher resolution which is using a fine brush for greater accuracy and detail
Actually most people use both systems, low resolution to convey the general impression then a more detailed correction
 The second  names the feelings / emotions like happy, pleased, thrilled, amazed, delighted
                                                             unhappy, displeased, irritated, annoyed, furious etc

  The emotions are expressed in phrases like;" it really annoys me", "annoying !"," That's so annoying, "                         "This annoys me so much"," How annoying"," It's annoying", "I'm annoyed"

  I think that it is a slight advantage to be specific and comment on the individual action / feeling in terms of your emotions / feelings about it, i.e. to speak subjectively

  I'm really upset about what happened, I wish that I could change things
  I strongly disagree with that opinion, I think that caring attitude would be this ....
  I hate what you did, I think you should not have done that for the following reasons.... I think that you should have done this... it would have been better for you and them for the following reasons ....
  Here are the valid pros and cons... but I think that point you made is not correct.

The first lower resolution way to express feeling is more obscure and relies on metaphor, name calling, saying that something is something which it is not but maybe has qualities of the comparison. It is usually less accurate, more exaggerated, more generalised, probably doesn't have much connection to reality
   It isn't a problem though, you just have to think a bit about what was meant and put it in plain english  e.g
   I hate you, you f'ing bastard -- I hate what you said, I feel really insulted
   Stupid boy --translates into --- I think that you haven't done the best thing
     You twit                               I wanted you to do it this was .....
    You nutter                 I think you should have done it this way... for this reason..
  Asshole------translates into---I strongly disagree with that opinion, I hate it
  You fool ----------------------I think you made a basic error, you should have done this..
 What an idiot-------------------I'm embarrassed by my actions
  You witch / cow--------------- I think that you did not act with due care and attention
                            I think you have acted cruelly, harshly, please be more considerate
                            I loathe what you did/ said, it certainly wasn't the decent thing to do

    It is to do with a choice between the harsh, cruel, OTT way of putting it and a gentler way
   The second long hand way of putting it, does not mean the first lower resolution statement.
   The second way is the real  meaning, it is what was really meant by the name calling or swearing,. By using the second you are choosing to act calmer, softer.
   However the first can be used with humour which undoes the negativity