Posted by
glen e. p. ropella-2 on
URL: http://friam.383.s1.nabble.com/Re-Direct-conversation-tp3137870p3138074.html
But there are many lessons, perhaps _most_, that are best communicated
with things like koans. And, in fact, given the inherent ambiguity
(multi-valence) of natural language, one could argue that _all_
communication is a generalized koan, with no clear description. Talking
about ambiguous descriptions is like talking about non-elephant
zoology... to borrow from Ulam.
A mandated method to be clear as possible as much as possible would be
just as effective and efficient as a mandate to be as vague as possible
as much as possible. To be clear, I claim that neither conviction is
more effective or efficient than the other. Particular methods must be
chosen for the proper context.
Russ Abbott emitted this, circa 09-06-22 11:18 AM:
> I will acknowledge that sometimes one makes a point by acting in a
> certain way rather than by speaking directly. I find it frustrating,
> though, when someone attempts to make a point to me by refusing to be
> clear about terms but not acknowledging doing that. It would seem much
> simpler (and less frustrating for me) simply to say that certain terms
> cannot be defined precisely than to act as if one were being clear but
> intentionally being unclear.
>
> In saying the preceding, I'm not criticizing Nick. He and I have been
> around the bush too many times to start again. But I am interested in
> your point. Do you really want to be treated as I described? I don't.
>
> I take it as a basic value to be as clear as possible as much as
> possible and to be clear that one is not being clear when that is the
> case. Having written that I can think of situations (e.g., negotiations)
> when a dollop of ambiguity helps. But I think that's a different situation.
--
glen e. p. ropella, 971-222-9095,
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