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Monthly Archives: July 2011
Today’s Words That Work: Predilection
Predilection (pred’l-EK-shun) – from the Latin for “prefer” – is partiality; a tendency to think favorably of something in particular. Example (as used by Fyodor Dostoyevsky): “Man has such a predilection for systems and abstract deductions that he is ready to distort the truth intentionally, he is ready to deny the evidence of his senses only to justify his logic.”
Posted in Blog Tagged deny-the-evidence, distort-the-truth, evidence, from-the-latin, fyodor, fyodor-dostoyevsky, his-senses, latin, logic, senses, truth Leave a comment
How To Communicate With Humans
Saturday, 3:26pm Rancho Cucamonga, CA “ Hot fun in the summertime… ” (Sly Stone) Howdy. I’ve been doing some Critical Think (trademarked term, by me) about one of the main keys to “real” communication with your fellow humans: Empathy.
Posted in Blog Tagged career, communication, copywriting, cucamonga, idiot, know thyself, life, logic, power, salesmanship, situation, student, victim, water Leave a comment
The Language Perfectionist: Let’s Split this Scene
A contentious issue among language enthusiasts is the use of the split infinitive. Before reviewing the arguments of the two sides, let’s look at a few examples: “It is even possible to legally download textbooks free, thanks to some new sites and services.” “This is a chance to constructively harness the idealism of thousands of Americans….” “In New York, if a lethal agent is detected, the city plans to immediately distribute drugs to counter the bug.” “On several occasions, Israelis have managed to temporarily suppress violence.” For centuries, language purists insisted that an infinitive must never be split.
Posted in Blog Tagged advice, careers, city, concert-program, follow-the-rule, infinitive, language, lose-the-thrust, prohibition, richard-palumbo, word to the wise Leave a comment
Creativity
Creativity is a trait we all admire. Original thoughts and ideas are valued highly in the marketplace. But most people believe that creativity is an inborn trait and is beyond their reach
Today’s Words That Work: Arrant
Arrant (AR-unt) – from the Middle English – means complete; downright; flagrant. Example (as used by Bertrand Russell): “There is no nonsense so arrant that it cannot be made the creed of the vast majority by adequate government action.”
Posted in Blog Tagged adequate-government, bertrand-russell, creed, from-the-middle, made-the-creed, means-complete, middle, middle-english, the-vast, word to the wise Leave a comment
Today’s Words That Work: Desultory
Desultory (DES-ul-tawr-ee) – from the Latin for “leaping” – means lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order; disconnected. Example (as used by Seneca): “Desultory reading is delightful, but to be beneficial, our reading must be carefully directed.”
Posted in Blog Tagged carefully-directed, des, from-the-latin, latin, means-lacking, our-reading, reading, seneca, visible-order, word to the wise Leave a comment
Perfectionism vs. Success
“Bob,” my partners and business associates would often say to me, “you are a great detail guy. We love your reports. We can always count on you to strive for perfection.” I wore those words the way a proud war veteran wears his medals.
Posted in Blog Tagged business, client, contract, energy, family, goals, health, life, motivation, perfectionism, piggyback-rides, project, self improvement, time, world Leave a comment
Today’s Words That Work: Disport
To disport (dis-PORT) – from the French for “to divert” – is to frolic; to amuse oneself in a light or lively manner. Example (as used by Jacquelyn Mitchard in The Most Wanted ): “I had to laugh, picturing Stuart and me in a red enamel tub, disporting ourselves among the suds.”
Posted in Blog Tagged among-the-suds, amuse-oneself, asin, disporting-ourselves, french, from-the-french, jacquelyn, jacquelyn-mitchard, port, red-enamel, stuart, suds, wanted, word to the wise Leave a comment
The Butterfly Effect
When I was in my thirties, I was urged to run for political office. I put together a campaign committee of about 12 enthusiastic supporters. And I started to get carried away with the idea of making a difference in my state.
Posted in Blog Tagged direction, dvd, it's good/fun to know, person, professionals, success-as-easy, thirties, weather Leave a comment
Today’s Words That Work: Nefarious