The power of language
January 22, 2009 1:06 PM   Subscribe

If you had 5 seconds to leave someone you've never met with the general impression that you hold the key to solving some non-specific philosophical dilemma--that you "know the way" in some non-specific sense--what would you say?

The constraints are that it can't be situation dependent, it can't be a lie, and it can't be based on fear or promise of future reward.

By way of explanation, I guess some would say this falls in the domain of NLP (however legitimate that concept might be).

Non-sequiturs are especially interesting to me.

Thanks!

(yeah, this sounds suspiciously like I want to form a cult)
posted by mpls2 to Human Relations (40 answers total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: This is pretty dang silly and chatfiltery, perfunctory-nod-to-NLP framing or no. -- cortex

 
lost dog man in key-lock metly ice car-plunge nightmare
posted by thirteenkiller at 1:14 PM on January 22, 2009


its just a ride...
posted by runincircles at 1:15 PM on January 22, 2009


In the East, the Far East, when a person is sentenced to death, they're sent to a place where they can't escape, never knowing when an executioner may step up behind them, and fire a bullet into the back of their head.

It's been a pleasure talking to you.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 1:15 PM on January 22, 2009 [3 favorites]


"Ask me about my vow of silence."
posted by amyms at 1:17 PM on January 22, 2009


if i had the sense that someone was trying to leave me with this impression, i would immediately think they were a douchebag.
posted by lia at 1:18 PM on January 22, 2009 [2 favorites]


Are you a butterfly becoming a man or a man becoming a butterfly?
posted by mattbucher at 1:18 PM on January 22, 2009 [1 favorite]


Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent.

(Bonus points for saying it in German.)
posted by goethean at 1:19 PM on January 22, 2009


I used to be like you.
posted by rokusan at 1:19 PM on January 22, 2009 [3 favorites]


As above, so below.
posted by Roach at 1:25 PM on January 22, 2009 [1 favorite]


0101010010010101010001100101010100010101010
posted by ezekieldas at 1:27 PM on January 22, 2009


Whenever I pull out some esoteric knowledge, and get a 'look' from someone, Isay "I know many things".

or pretty much anything in Latin.
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 1:28 PM on January 22, 2009


Stop having a boring tuna. Stop having a boring life.
posted by Azhruwi at 1:29 PM on January 22, 2009 [3 favorites]


Did you see those two girls fighting outside?
posted by box at 1:32 PM on January 22, 2009 [2 favorites]


I hold the key to solving some non-specific philosophical dilemma. I "know the way" in some non-specific sense.
posted by box at 1:33 PM on January 22, 2009 [1 favorite]


"Sometimes, grasshopper, it's okay to like Britney Spears."
posted by katillathehun at 1:33 PM on January 22, 2009


CANNOT PREDICT NOW
posted by oulipian at 1:38 PM on January 22, 2009


Kool-Aid anyone?
posted by The Light Fantastic at 1:39 PM on January 22, 2009


I am the walrus koo koo achoo
posted by whoaali at 1:39 PM on January 22, 2009


I hide secrets under my fedora.
posted by inigo2 at 1:41 PM on January 22, 2009


"This isn't what you were meant for, is it?"

In all seriousness, watch some David Lynch flicks, and Twin Peaks. Most feature some fairly cryptic, yet enticing comments from strangers.
posted by adipocere at 1:41 PM on January 22, 2009 [2 favorites]


The Tao that can be spoken is not the true Tao.
posted by caminovereda at 1:42 PM on January 22, 2009 [2 favorites]


I'd fart. Loudly.

Other than that it would be the standard Magic 8-ball answer 'Ask again later'.
posted by ZaneJ. at 1:44 PM on January 22, 2009


"The universe tends to unfold as it should. And you should watch stoner movies, 'cuz that's where that gem came from."
posted by spaceman_spiff at 1:44 PM on January 22, 2009


"Ask again later"

hey, it works for the magic 8 ball!
posted by jasper411 at 1:45 PM on January 22, 2009


I guess some would say this falls in the domain of NLP

Natural Language Processing? Not me.
posted by originalname37 at 1:49 PM on January 22, 2009


There IS no spoon!
posted by xammerboy at 1:51 PM on January 22, 2009


So it goes.
posted by fiTs at 1:53 PM on January 22, 2009


"Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." Generally attributed to Freud.

"If thou gazest into the abyss, the abyss will gaze into thee" That's Nietzsche (paraphrased).

"To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man." That's Shakespeare. And pretty good advice too.

And I agree with lia's comment. Hope you're not really planning on using any of these in the manner you described, because you would come off as a total pompous ass.
posted by elendil71 at 1:54 PM on January 22, 2009


Buy me the best beer of your life.
posted by terpia at 1:55 PM on January 22, 2009


This is who we are.
posted by slimepuppy at 1:58 PM on January 22, 2009


Now it is the beginning of a fantastic adventure! Let us make a journey to the cave of monsters!
posted by Metroid Baby at 1:58 PM on January 22, 2009 [1 favorite]


[deep voice][accent] Come with me if you want to live [/deep voice][/accent]
posted by -harlequin- at 1:59 PM on January 22, 2009


Smile & wink
posted by b33j at 1:59 PM on January 22, 2009


This sounds like a job for weapons-grade pandemonium. Mind if I use your bathroom?
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 2:01 PM on January 22, 2009


Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra.
posted by The corpse in the library at 2:05 PM on January 22, 2009


Pardon, where is the pelbin?
posted by mattbucher at 2:08 PM on January 22, 2009


When you're ready, come find me.
posted by JuiceBoxHero at 2:11 PM on January 22, 2009 [1 favorite]


Here, try some of my new oxytocin spray.
posted by jamjam at 2:14 PM on January 22, 2009


We did it for love.
posted by plexi at 2:15 PM on January 22, 2009


Every rose has its thorn.

Just like every night has its dawn.

Just like every cowboy

sings his sad,

sad

song.
posted by fire&wings at 2:16 PM on January 22, 2009


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