Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

Some people will believe anything you tell them if you add some fancy words to your claims

Are you one of them?
A study by Snodgrass and Winterfich in 1998 said that adding a citation to your comment makes it 85% more believable. :)
Thanos · 31-35, M
Just facts.

Ask Edward "Torches of 'Freedom'" Bernays.
Thanos · 31-35, M
@Amyrakunejo is it just facts or just facts?
@Amyrakunejo I always just state the facts.

You want fancy words? Ask the aforementioned.
Thanos · 31-35, M
@Amyrakunejo sounds more convincing now
SW-User
Fancy words are not even necessary sometimes.
Thanos · 31-35, M
@SW-User cause tricking yourself is easier
SW-User
@Thanos I'm not paying for this session, just saying
Thanos · 31-35, M
@SW-User see not quite gullible 😱
ArishMell · 70-79, M
No. I do not speak like that to others.

Similarly, I can usually tell when the "fancy" words are not "fancy" but genuine technical terms, or are just waffle. Or are genuine terms but used without comprehension by someone trying to sound clever or to twist the meaning.
Thanos · 31-35, M
@ArishMell I didn't say you do tho. But it's also true if you cook up some facts and throw in some fancy words they'll buy anything you're selling without doing any research or their own
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@Thanos Oh, don't worry. I know the "you" was general.

Yes, a very valid point. The problem is more acute when the recipient is not only lazy but also only wants to believe his or her own preconceptions irrespective of logic or truth.
Thanos · 31-35, M
@ArishMell exactly as long as they fit their agenda they won't bother double checking it
Fishy · 31-35, F
I would say yes, but this post lacks fancy words
Thanos · 31-35, M
@Fishy shit!
SW-User
A good command of the English language makes one sound smart and people often confuse smarts with good intentions. Personally i question everyone and everything, not that I've never been dupped before.
SW-User
@Thanos Yes some lessons need to be learnt the hard way.
Thanos · 31-35, M
@SW-User exactly
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@SW-User That works both ways.

A good command of the language, including not only grammar but also, crucially, [i]comprehending[/i] words beyond apparent, superficial or colloquial meanings, allows:-

1. The audience to spot attempts to dupe by commission, omission or plain mis-use of language.

2. The speaker or writer to convey the message sufficiently clearly, concisely and accurately to be understood properly; hence to the situation to be understood properly.


From listening to a huge range of speakers on the radio, I rate senior judges, clergy and high-ranking military officers as among the best public speakers, along with many scientists who give public lectures on their fields of study. It has nothing to do with accents or vocabulary, but they talk properly in ordinary language (and explain technical terms or concepts) because professionally, their "audiences" usually reflect all backgrounds, abilities and education.

'

There is a huge difference between genuinely, laudably and accurately using a wide vocabulary and good grammar, and merely trying to sound clever.

The faults include ignoring etymology and tenses, and using technical terms as metaphors without understanding them - such as [i]epicentre[/i] for [i]centre[/i]. This places many business managers, with pretentious titles like [i]Chief [/i](Cliché?) [i]Officer[/i] and silly clichés, among the least literate people going!
NeloAngelo · 26-30, M
"Numerous individuals would most certainly believe whatever such tomfoolery one proclaims should one be so audaciously loquacious."

there, much more convincing.
Biffed · 26-30, M
Thanos · 31-35, M
@Biffed some honesty

 
Post Comment