Pushing someone's buttons

[Lefdmae Deemalr Effaeldm]

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OK, I'll try to push a button. I get the feeling that I am being "helped" here. It happens quite a lot. I must exude a helpless aura because people are always trying to organise me, look after me. It can be quite enjoyable, especially if the help is physical - I just sit back and think "more fool them". But often it is unhelpful so I go along with whatever it is, then go back to doing my own thing. The helper feels vindicated, and I can forget it. I cannot for the life of me understand why not wanting to to be rude to people (as an example) is a deficiency in my overall makeup

A helpless aura? Perhaps for a reason? And what if people just want to look good by doing so?

Spoiler

Actually, very well done, precise and subtle, hard to answer well. As for looking after, helping and the like - I tend to try to do that for many people, far not only you, though with various degrees of success, if any. Though certainly reassuring is more likely when someone just claimed something like having a really small brain But if you mention me doing something really not needed, surely do say so, I prefer to do what is useful or pleasant, I think vindication is overrated

go for the throat.

Miserable. Go for the eyes - for the crotch - for whatever is most sensitive, least protected and preferably unfair.

Now we're talking.

Hard to take a good aim to strike after such pleasantries, perhaps I'll do something a bit different. Like asking Frostheart to draw you.

She just recently posted a drawing of Lord Foul - with green nail polish, pink underwear with a heart pattern and stockings with laces

Effy, I think this thread is quite possibly a horrible idea.
(Was that a respectable and condign attempt?)

General recommendations on how to do this are also very welcome.

I would like to know why you are asking this.
(maybe you've already said that but I've bairly read past the OP.)
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For several reasons. To start with, I enjoy it - both parts of this, it's like an analog of fencing - for minds. It is also a mental exercise - a possibility to think well on what you say and what for. This may be useful for general understanding of such attacks, including recognizing them as such better - and that can be used not only to attack (which can also turn out really needed), but to fend off or to just recognize and calmly ignore - or not to do it by accident, like you mentioned. And right, as Io mentioned, to get it out of your system.

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So funny Effy started this thread... I am constantly trying to ask myself whether some (many) of the things YOU in particular say are invitations to discussion, or if challenging them (in certain ways that I want to) would be a form of "pushing your buttons"!
(Mostly things you say that "push my buttons"!)

Well, at least I like my words challenged and discussed.

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<insert some dig or jab at Hashi here>
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Heh. Won't make us do your job

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You're taking the second-order effects too lightly.
(Errm, I think I used "second-order effects" correctly there.)

Curious, can you be more specific about those effects? Are you talking about Iolanthe turning into one more Lord Foul - or perhaps some other pleasant character?

[Iolanthe]

For several reasons. To start with, I enjoy it - both parts of this, it's like an analog of fencing - for minds. It is also a mental exercise - a possibility to think well on what you say and what for. This may be useful for general understanding of such attacks, including recognizing them as such better - and that can be used not only to attack (which can also turn out really needed), but to fend off or to just recognize and calmly ignore - or not to do it by accident, like you mentioned. And right, as Io mentioned, to get it out of your system.

Ah, a training session? Practice at mental fencing? Does this old dog need to learn new tricks? Or perhaps resurrect old tricks that have been put aside? NO. I can adequately defend myself (verbally) when necessary, and it's rare these days for me to be attacked at all.

Small brain? Shall we say that I don't have an "academic" mind? Sometimes the wheels turn slowly, but I get there in the end.

One thing you have made me think about. The helpless thing - I think I sometimes do it on purpose to get a particular reaction. I PRESS BUTTONS!!! I seem to have pressed yours.

[peter]

And what exactly would be the point of this. To deliberately atempt to insult someone - someone you don't want to insult - and you probably don't really mean it - and they know you (probably) don't mean it (but is that doubt I see in your eyes there?). Sorry. This is beyond me. I don't get it. There are too many people who really need to be insulted to waste time playing games at it.

[Frostheart Grueburn]

She just recently posted a drawing of Lord Foul

Well earned after that wossname-sword. He might've looked even cuter with some green eyeshadow, but I was in a hurry.

WF might merit something similar for his thrust-comment, but Linden in lingerie would utterly defeat the purpose.

[Lefdmae Deemalr Effaeldm]

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Ah, a training session? Practice at mental fencing? Does this old dog need to learn new tricks? Or perhaps resurrect old tricks that have been put aside? NO. I can adequately defend myself (verbally) when necessary, and it's rare these days for me to be attacked at all.

Io,
actually, it may be an interesting question, but I think "making" a person do what he/she/it does anyway hardly counts for button-pushing much.

If you don't feel like either pushing buttons or dodging, of course, nothing holds you. I started it in case it's needed or enjoyed - actually, I prefer the latter reason and already had a lot of fun reading this and thinking out the replies, but I admit I had problems ignoring insults and I like the possibility to check how the guards hold on safe ground.

As for the "small brain" part, directly lifted from your earlier description of yourself, of course, I merely stated my opinion.

Spoiler

I haven't seen any stupid people on the Watch, perhaps there's something in the air - if you can call it the air here

peter,
people who deserve insults often exactly don't get any better from getting them, the one trying the insults on those people can also get not too good in the terms of health and well-being. Also people often say things that look like insults when they didn't mean any, take offense when none intended, etc. How do you think, can knowing your way in all this or just learning to take it be useful?

Frosty,
is that lack of fantasy I see? Can't you use bondage... or old-fashioned drawers - red with green polka dot

[Iolanthe]

Effy said

As for the "small brain" part, directly lifted from your earlier description of yourself, of course, I merely stated my opinion.

Ok Ok I hold my hands up - yes I did say that - self denigrating again.

It appeared to me when I joined the list that everyone else was so much cleverer than I - talking in riddles (you were one Effy) and using such sophisticated scientific language. I still don't understand this comment from Orlion in this thread by the way:

Look at the novel writer over here

But the old grey cells are getting used to something new.

And yes, here I bow out. Insulting people just isn't my thing.

[Linna Heartbooger]

...this comment from Orlion in this thread by the way:

Look at the novel writer over here

But the old grey cells are getting used to something new.

Yeah, people here confuse me all the time...
There was a joke in another subforum that I ran my brain over 3 or 4 times before I figured out what the point of it was (!) ...would never have gotten it if it weren't for people responding to it as though it was a joke!
(It's also harder because we don't have tone of voice or body language to tip us off to things!)

I was unsure as well, but I think he meant your most recent post (at the time) was somewhat above-average posting length... and attempting to look like he was pushing buttons..

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You're taking the second-order effects too lightly.
(Errm, I think I used "second-order effects" correctly there.)

Curious, can you be more specific about those effects?

Well, it is definitely based on the assumption that conflicts can be resolved.

Around here, we've talked about there being a purpose for fearful feelings on the "Fear" thread.
What would be the point of feeling angry and frustrated with a person, though?

Are you talking about Iolanthe turning into one more Lord Foul - or perhaps some other pleasant character?

Who said I was talking about a negative change in her..?

[Frostheart Grueburn]

Frosty,
is that lack of fantasy I see? Can't you use bondage... or old-fashioned drawers - red with green polka dot

Unfortunately my mind dwelt elsewhere then, but hopefully it's now shoved back into its default domain of dreadful humor.

Hmm...FBH did contain some s/m Waynhim, and yet that other suggestion bears its virtues also... *steeples her fingers and plots*

[Lefdmae Deemalr Effaeldm]

Io,
as you wish of course - we can talk about the theoretic part though - if you have any interest.

Talking in riddles is no sign of smarts, it's mostly used by people who don't care too much to be understood or don't check their words for being understandable much

As for the novel writer, got to ask Orlion I thought it was likely to be about one of the writers we have on the Watch, like ali or deer, though could well be what Linna suggested.

Linna,
I often don't get jokes as such myself even after seeing they should be, though in some cases that's because of not being acquainted with the subject enough. My English is also sometimes not too helpful. So, who is considered under threat here? I suggested about Io for the case you could be concerned she could be dragged to the evil side I haven't seen much anger and frustration yet, mostly people amused and curious.

Frosty,
lets hope so, when are we seeing the pics? Does it really have to do with steeples?

[Frostheart Grueburn]

I don't know yet. My shoulders are very tense due to busy workdays and thus need to limit the amount of static tension during the evenings for a little while now, at least. And, outside lunch breaks, weekends remain the only occasions when one can actually glimpse some daylight, as the bloody sun bothers to lift its lazy bum above the horizon for some 6 hours now.

Well...I may have accidentally eaten an illearth stone fragment at some point and hence feel the necessity to employ standard dark lord gesticulation...

Oh wait. *checks Urban Dictionary*

[Holsety]

Hashi, you probably aren't as charming as your avatar suggests...

Spoiler

but while that might sound like an insult, it's really just an homage to Peter Sellers.

Oh wait. *checks Urban Dictionary*

Anyone who wants to see some obsequious flattery should just search their first name on urban dictionary.

Matthew is an international man of mystery. The kind of guy you can throw a shoe at and he'd catch it on his foot, even though he's 2 sizes bigger...

What nobody knows about Matthew is that he harbors a deep inner desire to be loved by someone special, something he will never experience due to his busy schedule of rescuing Baby Pandas from bamboo fires and intercepting missiles over war torn countries with a frisbee.

One thing is certain, when a crisis is averted, that handsome man walking off into the horizon alone is a Matthew.
Guy 1: Thanks for lifting that fallen bus off of my girlfriend!
Matthew: ...
Guy 1: What's you're problem?! I said thanks.
Girl 1: It's ok babe, he a Matthew *quiet sigh*.

Every urban dictionary entry is like this. Unless you're Rick Santorum D: Poor guy.

[Lefdmae Deemalr Effaeldm]

need to limit the amount of static tension

I don't want no dissension. Just dynamic tension.

Hashi, you probably aren't as charming as your avatar suggests...

Spoiler

but while that might sound like an insult, it's really just an homage to Peter Sellers.

Wow, I thought it was some old photo of a businessman on that av

Spoiler

kidding, kidding)

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Every urban dictionary entry is like this.

Heh. You wish.

[Iolanthe]

Just popping back in temporarily to say - I am ashamed that I didn't notice until it was pointed out that Hashi's avatar was Peter Sellers!!!!!!

[Lefdmae Deemalr Effaeldm]

Why, you could say it's not

Spoiler

that's Dr. Strangelove

By the way, I've got a new av, asking for compliments.

[Hashi Lebwohl]

Hashi, you probably aren't as charming as your avatar suggests...

I'm not. In real life, I am a sarcastic, insensitive ass.

Oh, wait...I was thinking of you.

By the way, I've got a new av, asking for compliments.

Top hats are always a good choice.

[Holsety]

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Every urban dictionary entry is like this.

Heh. You wish.

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But what I meant is that if you look up your first name, you'll probably see something like that.

Hashi, you probably aren't as charming as your avatar suggests...

I'm not. In real life, I am a sarcastic, insensitive ass.

Oh, wait...I was thinking of you.

Tail on the donkey XD

[Frostheart Grueburn]

Anyone who wants to see some obsequious flattery should just search their first name on urban dictionary.

Surprisingly, someone has also added there definitions of Finnish female forenames. And, yes, flattering.

[Lefdmae Deemalr Effaeldm]

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Top hats are always a good choice.

How come a thread like this turns out so pleasant?

Ouch. You haven't posted any sign you recognized the person on my av!

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Tail on the donkey XD

And have you checked this one on that same dictionary?

[Hashi Lebwohl]

Ouch. You haven't posted any sign you recognized the person on my av!

That is because I do not recognize that person. I suppose the top hat and what appears to be a syringe leads me to think "Jack the Ripper". At a stretch it could also be someone's interpretation of Sherlock Holmes (or even Moriarty) but I honestly don't know.

[Iolanthe]

Did they have syringes like that in the 1880s? Mind you, they were vaccinating for smallpox in the 1860s so they must have had something.

I couldn't see anything at all except the side of a face and a hand until I stood up and looked down on my screen, then I saw the man, hat and syringe. Not Orson Wells is it? Looks a bit Third Manish.

It doesn't look like a top hat either!