Thursday, January 29, 2009

Persuasion

PERSUASION, n.  A species of hypnotism in which the oral suggestion takes the hindering form of argument or appeal.  In the legislative body of the future, votes will be won, as now, by hypnotic suugestion, but there will be no darkening of counsel and impeding of the public business by debate; opposition will be stared into assent.

2009 Update: A prior form of discourse in which the musing of a dignitary was tested against the fantasies of commoners (a class composed of opponents, dupes and/or friends.)  With the ascension of new media, there remain only dignitaries, bouncing whimsy against a wall.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm trying to read Persuasion by Jane Austen. A lot of head hopping.

My nephew's form of persuasion is to give me a kiss and say "Pleeeeeeease, Auntie." Yeah yeah....it works. The other one just smiles at me and that tends to work too. I'm a sucker for a cute guy. I know...y'all are shocked.

Anonymous said...

Was Doug's definition of persuasion an act of persuasion? Or a group of brilliantly formed words? Especially the last sentence which much can be argued for or against?

My niece has to do nothing at all. Her form is to say "you shouldn't have. Really. This is too much." All the while smiling and accepting...

Jim said...

Persuasion: I'm a sucker for cute girls.

Funny, I guess we are all duped to some extent although I try to listen to reason and God's voice.

Funny also, I just finished using the 'dupe' concept in writing a comment for another blog which I won't mention here. I think it was on the money with this post as well.
..

Anonymous said...

persuasion: the definitions are nearly crystal blue to me.

Tom & Icy said...

Well, so you want to borrow a hamburger today and give it back tomorrow with interest? Hmmm. I'm almost persuaded.

Minka said...

persuasion, n. sugar-coated summary of a possible furture one should avoid, usually involving a high building and a bicycle without a seat

I am a sucker for left shoelaces, just saying!

Anonymous said...

persuasion - The ability to sell refrigerators to eskimos.

Ariel the Thief said...

Hey, Jenn, Persuasion is my very very fave book of Jane Austen!! It took me many years, though, to to realize and see what a treasure I hold in my hands, at first, well, it just seemed a book. :)

Jamie Dawn said...

Persuasion: anything coupled with chocolate truffles.

Anonymous said...

PERSUASION, n. When you let the dinero do the talking.

Of course there's an "e" in "purse". Here, let me show you ...

TLP said...

Left shoelaces, Minka? Left behind? Mmmmm.....

Persuasion: false enchantment.

Ariel the Thief said...

I want Actonbell for President!

Doug The Una said...

Jenn, I though Austen's novel might be mentioned first, probably by someone who hasn't read it either.

Pia, it's just what the monkeys typed.

Jim, sometimes I suppose he speaks through a cute girl and reason always leads us to one.

Sauerkraut, so, I think, is a black inkblot.

Icy, I would gladly pay you Tuesday.

Minka, if you just tell everyone you'll end up wrapped in left shoelaces. Nice definition, by the way.

Poobah, they're going to need them.

Ariel, is it a flower pot?

JD, like Minka you're making things a little too easy.

Ha, Amoeba! Right next to the lipstick.

TLP, that your fetish also?

Interesting, Actonbell. I just took a step toward understanding the title of your blog. Is a growler a kind of mug?

Ariel, I second the motion. The woman seems to know her stimuli.

Anonymous said...

It's blackmail with honey and whipped cream.