fandomhigh | Logic, Reason and Critical Thinking, Class 12: Period 4, Thursday, December 3

Do not ask about the elf costume. Do not ask about the elf costume. If you value your life, do not ask about the elf costume.

Needless to say, Miss Bennet was not her usual self as she began class this morning. She was in a considerably darker mood. She was not one it would be wise to antagonize.

"A professor named T. Edward Damer," she started, abruptly, "wrote a book entitled Attacking Faulty Reasoning. As that is much of our purpose in this class, it seemed a natural fit."

"Damer opens the book by listing his Code of Conduct for Effective Rational Discussion -- that is, twelve principles which he suggests as helpful rules of behavior for participants in logical arguments. All are, when one examines them properly, essentially what one might consider common sense -- but this does not lessen their impact."

She began passing out sheets with the Code printed on it. Holding herself as though she were a dignified gentlewoman, and one not wearing an elf costume.

"I should like for us to discuss these rules today. Do we feel they are important? How can they be used in rational discourse? Are they likewise helpful for polite conversation, among friends, or are they more suited to a formal setting?"

It should be clear that, today, there was a thirteenth rule of conduct, one which superseded all of the above: do not ask about the elf costume.

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Okay, in this thread, you can totally get your gigglefit on. ELF COSTUME.

(probably not safe to do that elsewhere if you value your spleen.)

Leto Atreides

Jonothon Starsmore

Aravis

Triela (mmm... spleen)

Rose Hathaway

Liz Sherman

Calvin

Zayne Carrick

Spock

Yuffie Kisaragi

Edmund Pevensie

Angela Martin

Take notes. Pass them. Stare at the elf costume.

She has pointy shoes with bells on them, yes.

She is not happy about this.

Clearly Miss Bennet wasn't happy about her costume. Leto wasn't aware of the significance of this type of clothing, but it seemed to be some kind of tradition that nobody particularly liked.

Never mind. He was used to ignoring outrageous hats. He could ignore pointy shoes with bells.

Jono wasn't going to stare at the elf costume. He wasn't. He was going to just sit in his seat today, with his eyes on the top of his desk, and he was going to pretend with all he had in him that the teacher was dressed perfectly normally, really.

And if he happened to look tired as all hell, well, maybe that contributed to it a little bit, too.

What rules do you think would be helpful? What rules do you disagree with? Do any of them seem repetitive? Would these codes help in social settings, or is this for more formal arguments only? Will politeness assist in your endeavors, or will being too accommodating only make your position seem weaker? No, seriously, is she wearing an elf costume?

... maybe not that last one.

Edited 2009-12-03 18:59 (UTC)

"The list is certainly useful," Leto said, "Although if you used it and expected it to be followed in a social setting you might be considered annoying rather than pleasant." He knew this because he had deliberately used rational discussion during several dreadfully boring social events when polite conversation was expected. It was especially fun to do with any representative of the priesthood, as they could hardly oppose the son of Muad'Dib.

Miss Bennet laughed. "Are you suggesting it might be used offensively, as a weapon?" she suggested. "It could replace many of the social niceties most insist upon. Though the list itself is hardly unpleasant."

Who may or may not be wearing elf costumes. We won't know until they ping in! It's like Schroedinger's embarrassment!

Spock did, indeed, happen to be in an elf costume. He almost had an actual expression on his face, and that expression would be 'deeply displeased.'

His ears made the effect extra hilarious.

Feels like I want to say something here ... something about ... not asking about an elf costume?

Holiday fail, so class is kinda blah this week. Still a good link. Also, elf costume, like I could pass that up.

I am so sad that I do not have any icons of Miss Bennet forcibly wearing an elf costume. You don't even know.

SPLEEEEEEEEEEEN.

Logic, Reason and Critical Thinking, Class 12: Period 4, Thursday, December 3

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