I’ve had a gander at the blogstats. People use all kinds of search terms to find this blog, including some questions (e.g. ‘what is good reason in critical thinking’). And it’s often not even questions I treat in blog posts. So as a public service, I’d like to answer the questions that people used to get here, even though it’s too late for them.
where did the phrase ‘take them out to the woodshed’ come from?
The woodshed was where Dad would take you out for a whipping. From Wordcraft:
…to ‘grill’ someone brutally, in private; to subject to no-holds-barred questioning 2. more commonly: to criticize scathingly.
From the image of a pioneer father taking his son “out behind the woodshed” for a serious talking-to, perhaps using a leather strap to emphasize his point.”
would you vote for an atheist
I would, if any vocal atheists would ever run for office. Unfortunately, there seems to be some kind of rule against it. A kind of religious test. Either that, or we’re shy.
does talking about something good jinx it
It may seem that way. But when was the last time you talked about something good and it happened anyway? Can’t remember? That’s because annoying things are easier to remember. So talk about the good things and they’ll happen anyway. Wait — isn’t that how ‘The Secret’ works? Never mind.
reasons couples are good together
This is a tough one. I know lots of reasons why couples are bad together. They usually involve differences in fighting style.
But as of late, I’ve been lucky. I’ve found the Perfect Woman. All of our relationship success I attribute to her kind, patient, and loving nature. I suppose that’s not much help to anyone else, because no one else gets her.
I can tell you that we do have similar styles of conflict resolution. When there’s an issue, we’re able to stay present and listen to each other without feeling (too) threatened. John Gottman describes three things that can happen: couples can ‘turn away’ from each other, or ‘turn against’ each other. Somehow we find it easy to ‘turn toward’ each other and talk about the problem.
are you more likley to be killed by and asteriod or lightning
Actually, no; I’m not. I’m more likely to be killed by irate students.
3 January 2008 at 10:05 pm
A great idea for a post and excellent answers. Regarding the talking about something good one – I spoke to my friend last week about a situation she wanted to change and how it would be good if … happened. And the next day it did so she suggested we meet regularly to talk about good things we wanted to have happen!
And I’m delighted to hear you have found the Perfect Woman! I like it when people are happy in relationships because it gives me hope that one day it might happen to me. (Although I wasn’t unhappy with MrP – just that we wanted different futures)
4 January 2008 at 11:41 am
Awww Daniel I’m glad you’ve found the Perfect Woman! I found the Perfect Man last year. Talk about head-over-heels! Best thing that ever happened to me.
I agree about the vocal atheist part. There does seem to be some sort of rule against it. Why?!
And irate linguistics students seem to occur more often at spelling mistakes. Was that on purpose?
Happy New Year to you and yours!