The Art of War, Week #10 [Period 3, Monday]

[atreideslioness]

"Congratulations, you've made it all the way to week ten," Ghanima said dryly from her perch on the desk. "So far, many of our discussions seem to have focused on physical engagements of force, mostly because many of you are all familiar with tactics in a military sense." 

"While I am as much a fan of armed combat as the next Fremen, however, it is it necessary to learn how to apply the tactical ideas you are learning outside a battlefield."

"Last week, we tried to measure cost against outcome when weighing the human element," Ghanima remarked. "Today, we focus completely on the human component, and turn our tactical prowess to that most dreaded tactical engagement of all - relationships."

"Each of you has a slip on your desk with an assignment. You must try and follow the directions to the best of your abilities, using the tactical ideas we have discussed in your negotiations. You are not limited to your classmates for this exercise, and indeed, I shall award extra credit for each successful 'mission' you undertake. I will do my best to listen to radio and chart your progress, but you will be expected to report on your varying levels of success next week."

"Yes, boys and girls, you are going on dates. Get what you want out of the other person, without giving too much ground. Try not to end the world while you are at it."

[OOC: OCD is up, go forth!]

Comments

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He didn't argue with her, instead putting his mind to the question asked of him.

"Perhaps to convince someone to do something they don't want to do initially? Or to, um, er--"

Oh.

"To try washing their clothes properly. How about that?"

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

"Convincing someone to do something they normally wouldn't could probably include proper laundry care," Ghanima mused. "I know that I'm dreadful about doing my own wash."

"You may count that as your alternative assignment, then. However, you will additionally need to explain what the person normally would have done. If you do not feel comfortable reporting on it to the class, you may handwavily submit it to me in a paper report. Does that sound fair?"

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He nodded.

"Certainly, though my thoughts on proper laundry care are simple enough. It doesn't have to be a long report, does it?"

Only he'd probably end up going off about tik toks if it had to be a longer paper.

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

"Not long at all, simply state who your targets were, if you were successful, and why you think it worked," Ghanima replied.

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He nodded crisply, like a soldier taking orders.

"Certainly."

He moved to stand.

"And thank you. I appreciate it."

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

"Of course. While I do deeply encourage you to push the boundaries of your comfort zones, I am not here to make my students unhappy," Ghanima said. "If you would like to talk with me more about why it makes you so uncomfortable, my office hours are always open to my students."

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He swallowed the first comment he was going to make before nodding again.

"All right. I... I might do that for more than just that, if you didn't mind," he admitted as he finally did stand.

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

"I never mind," she assured him, pushing the ever-present dish of lemondrops forward on her desk as he stood. "If I did, I should simply hide in my suite, and never open the office. And then I'd be a very poor teacher indeed."

"Good luck with your assignment, Liir."