South Of Someplace

Saturday, April 19, 2014

This Post Intentionally Left Blank

Note to publishers of training manuals:

A page containing the text "THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK" is NOT a blank page.

Perhaps it should read: "THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY IMPRINTED WITH A POINTLESS MESSAGE."

How to Converse with Women in the Office - Tips for Guys

The Informational Approach

"Hi, Jane! Did you see the article on gene therapy in the New York Times? They think that they might have a cure for leukemia within ten years."

Result: FAILURE

Jane will have a puzzled look on her face. "Uh, I'm really busy right now," she'll say as she directs her attention back to her computer monitor. If you continue discussing your original topic, she'll grab her purse and retreat to the ladies room where she'll spend time wondering when you turned into a babbling weirdo.

The Complimentary Approach

"Hi, Alice! Are those new shoes? They look amazing!"

Result: UNPREDICTABLE

Alice might show genuine appreciation for the compliment and will try to verify and clarify your comment. "Do you like them?" she may ask. If you convince her that your admiration is genuine (but not uncomfortable), she might spend some time chatting with you.

On the other hand, if Alice is suspicious of your intentions, or if she is uncomfortable receiving compliments, she'll wonder why you're checking out her shoes.

The Basic Desires Approach

"Hi, Amanda! We should have lunch at that new place on Third Avenue. Mary Ann says that the chocolate fondue is better than the weekend of steamy revenge sex that she had with her college boyfriend just before he got married."

Result: POSITIVE

"Oh my goodness!" Amanda exclaims. "I LOVE chocolate fondue! We should go next week!"

Yeah, well, I haven't figured it out, either. But that's how it seems to work.

Copyright © 2014 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved

Friday, April 18, 2014

Run More

I need to run more. A LOT more.

Copyright © 2014 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Forgiveness

Some people endure unspeakable cruelty and still find a way to forgive their persecutors. At the other end of the spectrum, we have all watched people react bitterly to the utterance of a single unkind word.

Maybe forgiveness is a talent, like singing, which comes easily to some folks while others struggle to carry the simplest tune.

But as with most qualities that are worth having, forgiveness is probably a skill, a skill that most of us could improve and even master with discipline, dedication, and commitment - even those who find the very thought of forgiveness to be daunting.

Copyright © 2014 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Learning By Making Mistakes

I learn best in an environment where I am free to make mistakes. Which is why I am neither a pilot nor a surgeon.

Copyright © 2014 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved

Meeting St. Peter

St. Peter no longer maintains a list of your sins to be consulted at the time of your demise. That service has been outsourced to Google.

Copyright © 2014 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved

Friday, April 4, 2014

The Vanderbilt Fortune

According to recent news reports, Gloria Vanderbilt won't be leaving the family fortune to Anderson Cooper, her only living offspring.

I understand that money can be a corrupting influence. But Cooper is a principled and productive individual who has demonstrated great motivation throughout his professional career. Inheriting a fortune isn't going to turn him into a slacker. He has already made quite a bit of money on his own.

Why not permit Anderson to take over as the steward for the Vanderbilt fortune? He seems like a thoughtful, reasonable individual. He could administer scholarships and other philanthropic causes after his mother is gone. I don't see the logic in cutting him off.

The Feeling That I Get

I feel that I'm getting that feeling I get when I get that feeling that I get.

Copyright © 2014 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Putin Gets Divorced

Putin gets divorced. Wife demands half of Crimea.

Debate the Position, Not the Person

Debate a position, not a person. It is critical when debating a topic to avoid impugning the credibility of those who take an opposing stance.

Example 1: I don't care for rap, because it lacks a traditional melody.

Example 2: Anyone who listens to rap is an idiot.

The latter approach is known as an ad hominem attack and it is never helpful. By putting people on the defensive, we discourage logical thought and incite emotional reactions. Consensus becomes all but impossible under these conditions.

Ad hominem attacks are popular in politics and in politically driven media outlets, but popularity does not make it correct.

As with profanity, ad hominem attacks are intellectual shortcuts. They are reactive and devoid of reason.

Avoid reactive thinking and force yourself to reason and communicate with precision and clarity. Hold yourself to a higher standard.

Don't permit debates to become personal. Find fault with the position rather than the person.