using Ignore Lists - in real life
 

A device I employ liberally, in real life, is roughly analogous to the Ignore List feature. This is how it works: you speak your mind, without mincing words, without sugar-coating things, without dumbing things down - and those that either don't understand or don't agree with what you are saying will not want to talk to you anymore. They put you on their metaphorical Ignore List - mission accomplished. You save the time you would have spent dealing with them. It's a natural culling process. Everyone benefits.

Darwin would have liked this.

Those who are brutally honest usually like the brutality more than the honesty.

Did you coin this phrase?

bullshit

Sorta sounds like a rationalization for being a jerk...

wouldn't it be just as easy to walk up to them and say -
"Hey! You suck - don't talk to me anymore" :eyebrow:

I don't think so, but I have no idea where I might have heard it.

I don't think y'all are catching the intended spirit of this idea.

Let me give you an example: If someone wants to talk to me about how Toby Keith is a true patriot or that the liberal media conspiracy is undermining the moral fiber of America, I can simply say something about Quantum Physics or whether they prefer Vietnamese cuisine to Thai cuisine. They will probably be either confused or vaguely offended (scenario #1), or maybe they will have some meaningful contribution on the subject (scenario #2). Results:

(scenario #1) Their eyes glaze over and they slowly back away. They go find another neandethal with which they can drink beer and shout profanities.

(scenario #2) We find a middle ground and have a pleasant conversation.

. . . Either way, everyone benefits by being themselves.

Hey Flint...do you prefer Thai cuisine or Vietnamese cuisine? :p

PS - do you think you're on a lot of people's "ignore list"?

@Spexxvet: I prefer Thai Curry, but Vietneamese Spring Rolls. Have you ever had a Japanese Curry?

Maybe so, maybe not. Either way - it's beyond my power to influence the perceptions experienced inside the heads of other people, and I make it a policy not to worry about things I have no control over.

i said 'bullshit' because i don't think you really do this in real life as you stated.

@lumberjim: I absolutely do communicate that way. I suggest everybody try it. And, why would I lie about it? Which part of it do you find hard to believe? This is just common sense to me.

I think you have misinterpreted people's reaction. People slowly back away because they assume you are nuts. This is an understandable reaction to a huge non-sequitur.

"So how about that cubs game, Bob?"
Bob replies, "The human head weighs eight pounds, Fred."

I'm sure people are backing slowly away.

@dar512: I'm glad they think I'm nuts. I am nuts. If they are nuts too then we will get along famously. If not, well, maybe both of us could find somebody better to talk to.