We've had a couple slow days at the store, with lots of people commenting on the cold.
Which is weird to me. The cold isn't all that off putting to me. It wouldn't stop me from doing most things I would want to do. In fact, it's kind of bracing.
Look outside, it's beautiful! Clean white snow, blue skies, sun shining!
What the hell. You're mostly in the car, then mostly in a store. Bundle up, and go!
**********
Had a guy in the store who volunteered to sell some of my inventory from the basement on e-bay.
So, I'm sort of willing, but first I want to discuss it. Discuss it fully.
Partly, because I want to get a sense of where his head's at -- whether he's fully aware of the ramifications.
But partly, because I think that you reach a kind of truth if you fully discuss an issue from both sides.
Now, this is just ARGUMENT (and argument is pejorative) to most people, and most people find it unpleasant. Whereas, I enjoy a good argument. I think of it like the justice system -- you get a proponent to argue each side to the best of their abilities, and out of that debate, a truth emerges.
I know that's the idealistic view -- but I'm not looking for perfect justice when I argue a point -- I really mean it when I say that I'm willing to be out-argued. If the other guy makes more sense, I hope I'm flexible enough to see it.
Anyway, he got disgusted with me, accused me of being against the idea from the beginning with all my "Yes, buts...." and "What happens ifs...."
And so I have to back down, and start conceding some points voluntarily, even arguing "his" side, if you will. He doesn't really want to think about it, much less debate it.
So few people really want to do that. And so often it descends into name calling and hurt feelings.
Too bad.
It's a valid technique.
Which is weird to me. The cold isn't all that off putting to me. It wouldn't stop me from doing most things I would want to do. In fact, it's kind of bracing.
Look outside, it's beautiful! Clean white snow, blue skies, sun shining!
What the hell. You're mostly in the car, then mostly in a store. Bundle up, and go!
**********
Had a guy in the store who volunteered to sell some of my inventory from the basement on e-bay.
So, I'm sort of willing, but first I want to discuss it. Discuss it fully.
Partly, because I want to get a sense of where his head's at -- whether he's fully aware of the ramifications.
But partly, because I think that you reach a kind of truth if you fully discuss an issue from both sides.
Now, this is just ARGUMENT (and argument is pejorative) to most people, and most people find it unpleasant. Whereas, I enjoy a good argument. I think of it like the justice system -- you get a proponent to argue each side to the best of their abilities, and out of that debate, a truth emerges.
I know that's the idealistic view -- but I'm not looking for perfect justice when I argue a point -- I really mean it when I say that I'm willing to be out-argued. If the other guy makes more sense, I hope I'm flexible enough to see it.
Anyway, he got disgusted with me, accused me of being against the idea from the beginning with all my "Yes, buts...." and "What happens ifs...."
And so I have to back down, and start conceding some points voluntarily, even arguing "his" side, if you will. He doesn't really want to think about it, much less debate it.
So few people really want to do that. And so often it descends into name calling and hurt feelings.
Too bad.
It's a valid technique.