[lit-ideas] Re: today's language manglement

Paul: an increasing number of "I don't disagree"s .... Is this a recent yuchmentification, or have I just not noticed it before? Perhaps just a way or filling space. 



EVASIVE LANGUAGE AS CONFLICT AVERSE (NEGATIVE EXAMPLE)
You're wrong, Paul. What a dumb comment. The use of "I don't disagree" has not increased. You -- and it's all about you isn't it? -- have just taken your head out of the sand long enough to notice it. Wrong, wrong, wrong! 


EVASIVE LANGUAGE AS CONCEALMENT (POSITIVE EXAMPLE)
You may be right about the increasing use of "I don't disagree." In my capacity as person responsible for tracking phrase usage -- and let me say that I'm gratified and honored to be serving in such a fine position -- it has been my job to evaluate the occurrence of many phrases. As Nietzsche wrote (though I'm not endorsing Nietzsche per se), "Whether in conversation we generally agree or disagree with others is largely a matter of habit: the one tendency makes as much sense as the other." Knowing -- possessing knowledge, information, or understanding -- is a great value to us all. It's questions like yours, Paul, that encourage me to perform this valuable service to the community. 

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