But doesn't "I can't" typically mean "I can't do X without massive inconvenience" or "I can't do X without completely rearranging my schedule", or some other variation? I think that's what most people actually mean and also what most people assume the speaker means, instead of "I can't" primarily meaning "it's not possible". Depending on the context I'm not so sure this counts as lying or dishonesty.
"Words provide people with sufficient strategic ambiguity that enable them to simultaneously convey to others what they selfishly want while leaving the impression that their wants are much more sublime than they really are."
Ordinary language often cannot be analyzed literally. The question that follows is, is there a serious problem? The examples in the post are mostly lame. The example of the alcoholic is perhaps serious, but although it might help, having the alcoholic switch to saying “I could quit but I choose not to” will not be sufficient to end the problem (though it might be a first step).
The post would have benefitted from a discussion of how what we say to each other about e.g. education and medicine (not to mention government) enables them to be less effective.
This represents a good discussion I have with my Russian friends: they say I (and by extension Americans) are too polite. If I asked my Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian friends to come to my party, a negative response would be “no” or “I am not interested.” While it is possible for Slavic countries to have SDB, they have much less and they speak plainly. Once one deals with the inevitable mental transition, it is actually refreshing to know what people really think.
I (American) experience a similar disconnect with some of my German friends. I have to make the adjustment, and after that, I'm fine. More-sensitive Germans, after a period in the US, make the adjustment for me. They become "bi-social."
But doesn't "I can't" typically mean "I can't do X without massive inconvenience" or "I can't do X without completely rearranging my schedule", or some other variation? I think that's what most people actually mean and also what most people assume the speaker means, instead of "I can't" primarily meaning "it's not possible". Depending on the context I'm not so sure this counts as lying or dishonesty.
I thought it typically meant a famous German philosopher.
Scott Alexander has posted about SDB. I think this proves, once and for all, that he is secretly agreeing with Brian Caplan about mental illness.
"Words provide people with sufficient strategic ambiguity that enable them to simultaneously convey to others what they selfishly want while leaving the impression that their wants are much more sublime than they really are."
https://triangulation.substack.com/p/it-sounds-better
Ordinary language often cannot be analyzed literally. The question that follows is, is there a serious problem? The examples in the post are mostly lame. The example of the alcoholic is perhaps serious, but although it might help, having the alcoholic switch to saying “I could quit but I choose not to” will not be sufficient to end the problem (though it might be a first step).
The post would have benefitted from a discussion of how what we say to each other about e.g. education and medicine (not to mention government) enables them to be less effective.
Bryan
I’m reminded of the proverb -
“Open reproof is better than concealed love.’’
Thanks
Clay
Some alcoholics literally can’t stop drinking without dying.
This represents a good discussion I have with my Russian friends: they say I (and by extension Americans) are too polite. If I asked my Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian friends to come to my party, a negative response would be “no” or “I am not interested.” While it is possible for Slavic countries to have SDB, they have much less and they speak plainly. Once one deals with the inevitable mental transition, it is actually refreshing to know what people really think.
I (American) experience a similar disconnect with some of my German friends. I have to make the adjustment, and after that, I'm fine. More-sensitive Germans, after a period in the US, make the adjustment for me. They become "bi-social."