Rules #5c:
"From I to We": Bad Communication Karma
If you want to avoid bad communication:
Obfuscation:
Sum of semantics, sophistry,
and spin doctoring used in deceptive communication.
Semantics:
Intentional use of misleading
wording.
Sophistry:
Intentional misinterpretation
of the past.
Spin-Doctoring:
Intentional undeserved favorable slant
on a negative event or situation.
"Somehow it seems to be quite respectable to do
things in organizations that you would never do in private life. I have
had people insult me to my face in front of colleagues. I have had my
feelings rammed down my throat on the pretext that it would do me good.
I have been required to do things which I did not agree with because
the organization wished it... In my worst moments I have thought
organizations were places designed to be run by sadists and staffed
by masochists." (Charles Handy "Reflections on Work")
Obfuscation: when an individual intentionally
revises the past in order to save their skin in the present.
*
Real Life:
I used to work where the common wisdom was "it's
best to check your heart, your brains, and your integrity at the door"
because that is what it took to succeed there. Sadly that proved to be
true but I did pretty well by refusing to engage in the "obfuscation"
that was their corporate way of life.
*
Semantics:
Semantics - intentionally
using misleading wording of a past event to cover up what really happened
- was a common tactic used to shift and fix the blame on someone else.
At my old work, I was viewed as a contrarian for admitting when I made
mistakes instead of wasting energy on semantics. The problem with
semantics is that they are - what the "reasonable man" of court fame -
would call lies because no amount of bending the facts can make it
the truth.
*
Sophistry:
Sophistry - intentionally misinterpreting past
events to make them suit a particular agenda - was another favorite
tactic which never fooled anyone. For example, on a 100 point scale,
the management team at my old work scored 37 points from their employees.
This was interpreted as a favorable result because other companies'
management scored lower. Of course, in any school system, this would
be a failing grade and this sophistry fooled no one.
*
Spin-Doctoring:
Spin Doctoring - intentionally presenting "bad"
past events in an undeserved favorable light - was the final tactic which
fooled no one. For example, after the Battle of Fredericksburg, Lincoln
referred to the slaughter of his soldiers as an "accident" an "error".
Yet his men knew the "accident" was Lincoln's ill-advised armchair strategy
and the "error" was his men following it on blind faith. This spin
doctoring remains one of history's cruelest obfuscations.
Obfuscation only creates "bad" karma… so avoid it
whenever possible.
"It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is'
is." (William "Bill" Clinton)
Semantics:
intentionally using misleading wording of a past
event to cover up what really happened.
*
Semantics=Lies:
The problem with Semantics is that they are -
what the reasonable man of court fame - would call lies because no
amount of bending the facts - by careful choice of words - can make
it the truth.
*
Word Selection:
Those who routinely engage in semantics
usually seek to spread such confusion to manipulate others into
supporting an agenda they are unclear about. The most well known
example of Semantics comes from politicians who campaign using
the words "Tax Reform!"
For those wanting greater government funding, the words
"Tax Reform" would mean that taxes would increase to pay for the
specific programs, grants, or assistance they were seeking.
For those seeking relief from government sky-high taxes,
the words "Tax Reform" would mean that taxes would decrease.
*
Connotation:
The most famous example of Semantics is
contained in the quote above from former American President, William
Clinton. He was using the "connotation" form of Semantics to explain
away his former testimony which was widely seen for the lie that it
truly was. As Clinton claimed, the meaning of his words depended on
the interpretation of the word "is": no one was fooled.
*
Misleading:
There is only one reason to use Semantics that is
to mislead others. For plain speaking people speak clearly with the
intention of hiding nothing and revealing everything. So, if you are
confused about the words others use to explain things to you, then you
can rest assured they are engaging in Semantics.
*
Semantics Defense:
The best defense against Semantics is to
confront those who would use their words against you. The truth is
that "if it cannot be explained simply, it simply cannot be explained!"
Those with nothing to hide will hide nothing. They will drop the
Semantics and explain what they mean in clear and plain terms.
Semantics only creates "bad" karma…
so avoid it whenever possible.
"Commit the books of lies to the flames because
they can only contain sophistry and illusion." (David Hume)
Sophistry: intentionally misinterpreting past events to make them
suit a particular agenda.
*
Sophistry=Lies:
The problem with Sophistry is that they are -
what the reasonable man of court fame - would call lies because no amount
of bending the facts - by careful interpretation of events - can make
it the truth.
*
Revisionist History:
The most destructive form of Sophistry
happens in families all the time when the painful past is "revised" to
explain it away. For example, "Dad was not a nasty drunk, he was just
really stressed" or "Mom did not abandon her kids, it was all the
boyfriend's fault". Denying the reality of Dad's alcoholism or of Mom's
abandonment only makes it that much harder for their children to recover
from the effects of their parent's actions/inactions.
*
Illogical Arguments:
Another destructive aspect of Sophistry
are "mind twisting" arguments. For example, (a true story) a father
cleans out his son's bank account. The father tells the son he will
pay him back… by the son working for him. So, instead of the son
getting his money back, the father exploits his son by having him work
in his business… for free. Talk about an exploitative, illogical
argument! This is Sophistry at its absolute worst!
*
Deceptive:
There is only one reason to use Semantics that is
to deceive others. Honest people never try to revise the past: they
report it accurately. Honest people have no use for "illogical, mind
twisting" arguments. Honest people recognize that lying is a
"Commandment-level" sin that only ever creates "bad" karma.
*
Sophistry Defense:
The best defense against Sophistry is to
confront those who would lie to you on their lies. When someone lies
to you about the past, call them on it and remind them of the facts
about what really happened. When someone hands you a load of garbage,
call them on it and point out their illogic (use the word specious!).
Refuse to support them in their Sophistry and just walk away from them
until they choose to become more truthful with you.
Sophistry only creates "bad" karma…
so avoid it whenever possible.
"The truth is usually just an excuse for a lack of
imagination." ("Garak" from "Deep Space Nine")
Spin Doctoring: intentionally presenting "bad" past
events in an undeserved favorable light.
*
Spin Doctoring=Lies:
The problem with Spin Doctoring is that
they are - what the reasonable man of court fame - would call lies
because no amount of bending the facts - by presentation of events -
can make it the truth.
*
Public Relations:
The most successful example of Spin Doctoring
came from the years of "smoke and mirrors" public relations put out by
Enron, the largest bankruptcy in American history. Although Enron had
been sliding into financial failure for many years, skillful public
relations kept everyone (except their top executives) fooled for many
years. Only when the truth could no longer be hidden was it finally
revealed: all due to masterful Spin Doctoring.
*
Message Massage:
How Enron pulled off their deceptive Spin
Doctoring was by massaging all the messages they put out. Their main
trick was to convince everyone that how Enron made money was by an
extremely complicated "black box" that all but a few (who were highly
educated) were too stupid to understand. Enron met every question with
a long, winded answer designed to present the deteriorating company in
the best possible (and totally false) light.
*
Confusing:
There is only one reason to use Semantics that is
to confuse others into believing the lies presented are (somehow) the
truth. Many times, rather than admit that they are confused, people
will just agree so as not to appear stupid. Yet when you are confused,
it is because another wishes to confuse you.
*
Spin Doctoring Defense:
The best defense against Spin Doctoring is to
admit that their presentation is not clear and is, in fact, confusing.
Ask questions until the Spin Doctor has clarified their ideas. If they
try and make you feel stupid, remind them it is their job to make their
presentation clear. Many times, when you push back on the Spin Doctor
this will confuse and fluster them… and you just may squeeze some truth
right out of their web of lies.
Spin Doctoring only creates "bad" karma… so avoid
it whenever possible.
If you want to avoid bad communication:
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