Comments on: The Bullshit Art of the Non-Topical Response http://www.redheadwriting.com/the-bs-art-of-the-non-topical-response Unpopular thoughts and blunt advice - delivered Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:48:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: The Redhead http://www.redheadwriting.com/the-bs-art-of-the-non-topical-response/comment-page-1#comment-4149 The Redhead Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:24:54 +0000 http://www.redheadwriting.com/?p=2167#comment-4149 Joey, Joey - of COURSE the question could always be complete bullshit. And pink turtles could carry me away to Candy Mountain in a chariot made of jalapeno poppers. People ask all sorts of dumbass questions - sometimes a dumbass deserves the requisite dumbass response. Joey, Joey – of COURSE the question could always be complete bullshit. And pink turtles could carry me away to Candy Mountain in a chariot made of jalapeno poppers. People ask all sorts of dumbass questions – sometimes a dumbass deserves the requisite dumbass response.

]]> By: Joey http://www.redheadwriting.com/the-bs-art-of-the-non-topical-response/comment-page-1#comment-4148 Joey Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:42:10 +0000 http://www.redheadwriting.com/?p=2167#comment-4148 You completely ignore the very real possibility that the question (or comment) itself is bullshit. Could it be a set-up, a snide commentary, a hidden retort or the preface to a secret agenda ? People ask questions for a number of reasons that don't always include getting a direct and honest answer.<br>Sometimes it needs to be skipped over like poop on the sidewalk. Sometimes the subject is better left unaddresed at the moment. Sometimes the question just doesn't deserve an answer. And sometimes the non-topical response is a polite way of saying the question is unwelcome, let's just pretend you didn't ask it. You completely ignore the very real possibility that the question (or comment) itself is bullshit. Could it be a set-up, a snide commentary, a hidden retort or the preface to a secret agenda ? People ask questions for a number of reasons that don't always include getting a direct and honest answer.
Sometimes it needs to be skipped over like poop on the sidewalk. Sometimes the subject is better left unaddresed at the moment. Sometimes the question just doesn't deserve an answer. And sometimes the non-topical response is a polite way of saying the question is unwelcome, let's just pretend you didn't ask it.

]]> By: The Redhead http://www.redheadwriting.com/the-bs-art-of-the-non-topical-response/comment-page-1#comment-4096 The Redhead Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:40:12 +0000 http://www.redheadwriting.com/?p=2167#comment-4096 I hear ya, Cherry. It's like: did you HEAR me or did you just hear THAT? I hear ya, Cherry. It's like: did you HEAR me or did you just hear THAT?

]]> By: Cherry Woodburn http://www.redheadwriting.com/the-bs-art-of-the-non-topical-response/comment-page-1#comment-4095 Cherry Woodburn Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:24:49 +0000 http://www.redheadwriting.com/?p=2167#comment-4095 Great post and comments. The additional area that annoys me is when I've spoken several sentences to explain my position on something and the other person responds to a detail within those sentences that isn't relevant to the overall point. For ex. I might have foolishly added a number within the explanation "& it took 3 hours blah, blah, blah" and the other person starts arguing with me that it only took 2.5 hours. I say Ok, that wasn't really my point but they continue to harangue me that it only took 2.5 hours. At those times I just want someone to shoot me. Great post and comments. The additional area that annoys me is when I've spoken several sentences to explain my position on something and the other person responds to a detail within those sentences that isn't relevant to the overall point. For ex. I might have foolishly added a number within the explanation “& it took 3 hours blah, blah, blah” and the other person starts arguing with me that it only took 2.5 hours. I say Ok, that wasn't really my point but they continue to harangue me that it only took 2.5 hours. At those times I just want someone to shoot me.

]]> By: The Redhead http://www.redheadwriting.com/the-bs-art-of-the-non-topical-response/comment-page-1#comment-4091 The Redhead Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:52:19 +0000 http://www.redheadwriting.com/?p=2167#comment-4091 Honest by default. <br><br>I'm in lurv :) Honest by default.

I'm in lurv :)

]]> By: The Redhead http://www.redheadwriting.com/the-bs-art-of-the-non-topical-response/comment-page-1#comment-4093 The Redhead Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:51:47 +0000 http://www.redheadwriting.com/?p=2167#comment-4093 Kat, you're a better woman than *I* am for enduring the holidays :)<br><br>And I agree on spoonfeeding. The simpler you make it, the less likelihood for confusion and aversion. Kat, you're a better woman than *I* am for enduring the holidays :)

And I agree on spoonfeeding. The simpler you make it, the less likelihood for confusion and aversion.

]]> By: The Redhead http://www.redheadwriting.com/the-bs-art-of-the-non-topical-response/comment-page-1#comment-4092 The Redhead Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:50:46 +0000 http://www.redheadwriting.com/?p=2167#comment-4092 Amen, Robert. Pass the salt :) Amen, Robert. Pass the salt :)

]]> By: Jodi Henderson http://www.redheadwriting.com/the-bs-art-of-the-non-topical-response/comment-page-1#comment-4090 Jodi Henderson Fri, 11 Jun 2010 06:11:37 +0000 http://www.redheadwriting.com/?p=2167#comment-4090 I just had a conversation about this the other day with some colleagues. I really wish more people would just be honest by default. In fact, my motto is "the only right answer is the honest one". Yes, even if I don't like it. I also try to do the same thing because it really is a waste of everyone's time and energy to not say it like it is. Just git 'er done already.<br><br>Great post. :) I just had a conversation about this the other day with some colleagues. I really wish more people would just be honest by default. In fact, my motto is “the only right answer is the honest one”. Yes, even if I don't like it. I also try to do the same thing because it really is a waste of everyone's time and energy to not say it like it is. Just git 'er done already.

Great post. :)

]]> By: robert http://www.redheadwriting.com/the-bs-art-of-the-non-topical-response/comment-page-1#comment-4089 robert Fri, 11 Jun 2010 05:21:51 +0000 http://www.redheadwriting.com/?p=2167#comment-4089 Great post! This is something I've noticed myself doing, and I think it comes from a different place that those mentioned above. After a difficult year, at the age of 43, I think I am finally learning the art of how adults talk to each other. I've often been impressed with the directness of others, other times I'm been left wondering how they can say "that" to another person. I guess I'm finally getting to the point where I'll tell you exactly what I need or want and Fuck you if you don't like it or can't handle it. Great post! This is something I've noticed myself doing, and I think it comes from a different place that those mentioned above. After a difficult year, at the age of 43, I think I am finally learning the art of how adults talk to each other. I've often been impressed with the directness of others, other times I'm been left wondering how they can say “that” to another person. I guess I'm finally getting to the point where I'll tell you exactly what I need or want and Fuck you if you don't like it or can't handle it.

]]> By: The Redhead http://www.redheadwriting.com/the-bs-art-of-the-non-topical-response/comment-page-1#comment-4088 The Redhead Fri, 11 Jun 2010 03:47:29 +0000 http://www.redheadwriting.com/?p=2167#comment-4088 Blood from a turnip. Some of us are the eternal optimist! Blood from a turnip. Some of us are the eternal optimist!

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