Category: Fourre-tout

“Those with very loud voices in their throats are nearly incapable of thinking subtle thoughts.” Friedrich Nietzsche

Some individuals are known to speak with loud unsettling voices… and they often seem to be unaware (?) of the irritation that it can cause.

This particular habit is not gender specific; both men and women can be equally afflicted with this disorder. Medically, it is categorized as an STD (Socially Transmitted Disease) and it can be dangerously catchy.

Does this condition stem from insecurity? It could very well be. Confident people don’t have to raise their voices to convey a message. Insecure people, on the other hand, might feel compelled to do so to be noticed.

If you speak calmly and articulate clearly, there is no need to be loud. As a matter of fact, a person speaking in a normal tone of voice carries more sway than a loud talker. A soft-spoken dictator like Bashar al-Assad can be scarier than a screaming maniac like Adolf Hitler.

It is difficult to confront loud individuals without creating a noisy disturbance.
The best solution would be to separate people into two distinct groups: the “loud speakers” and the “soft speakers”.
Restaurants, in particular, should lead the way. They already have “no smoking” areas… why not create “no-shouting areas”?

But ultimately, to counter a loud talker’s racket you will have to match his firepower. Counter his noise level with an equal or superior decibel grade.
I can picture a tiny mobile amplifier that would treble your voice’s level on command. When incommoded by a pesky loud talker, you would open fire with your own “loud voice” to neutralize or silence the opposition.
I think that this could work.

What do you think? I would like to know where you stand on this noisy issue.

Alain

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I have seen it and I like it!

Braving a thousand dangers, your fearless correspondent went to the Marin Civic Center war zone to investigate the construction project of a much-debated fence.

Well my friends, it looks even better than imagined… and it is not even entirely completed. Gates are still missing. It has been said that good fences make good neighbors… we are now safely separated from the dastardly canophiles across the dog park.
With the addition of electronic surveillance, there will be no more clandestine incursions from strung out “perros” and we can now sleep soundly at night.

Esthetically, the whole thing looks very appealing and I am convinced that instead of driving away potential new players it will entice them to a have a closer look at our game and our club.

Included in the fence, we now have a nice shaded picnic area that will undoubtedly be improved by Charlie D.

Great minds think alike.
This project was achieved thanks to numerous financial contributors and the indefatigable footwork of the Davantes-Moran clan who moved mountains to bring this undertaking to fruition.

Thank you, merci, gracias danke schön everybody for lending a hand and helping to improve our field of dreams.

Alain

To look at photos of this event, click on the “My Photos” link located on the right side of this page. For best viewing, go Full Screen.

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The more you know, the more you grow. The more I learn, the more I realize how ignorant I am. I think that Einstein already said that, but it is worth repeating.

Sometimes I feel uninformed, but when I buy the farm (20 years from now hopefully) I will feel like a confirmed ignoramus.

Some people profess to be unconcerned with this. I would rather be young and stupid, said my wife. Maybe. But personally, I would prefer to be middle-aged and substantially more informed than an adolescent.

Socially, I like to hang around with people who can teach me something. Anything. For example, I just upgraded to a new smartphone and I am not embarrassed to admit that I am ignorant of half of its new capabilities. I will therefore eagerly listen to anybody who can enlighten me about these new features.

I am never ashamed to show my unfamiliarity with a subject, but it is extremely important for a figure of authority to show a good understanding of an issue. A single slip can dramatically damage his/her credibility. And once confidence is gone, it becomes extremely hard to be trusted.

For my part, I would rather pass for uninformed than for a fool. Disavowing scientifically proven facts is a mistake that only fools can back up. Admitting an inaccuracy is better than sticking to erroneous declarations. But it takes backbone to admit your mistakes and some people have a very weak spine.

The crucial difference between common people and leaders is that leaders can (and definitely should) rely on qualified specialists. Specialists immune to ideology!

The key to knowledge is to be curious and open-minded. Dogmas are the enemies of mankind and should have an expiration date. What was considered “true” two thousand years ago is merely a fantasy in the 21st century.

Just like an “app”, your thinking has to periodically updated.

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance. Confucius

Alain

What do you think? I would like to hear from you. To leave an opinion, click on the Comment link located under the media icons. Thank you.