Replying to David Birren's response to Doug:
Hmmmmm! I would venture to suggest that learning takes place in both
directions. When we climb up our ladder of inference and jump to a
conclusion -- any conclusion -- it may also be to our ultimate
disadvantage.
Those who may "encounter a lot of resistance to distinctions" might profit
from seeking to understand the "other's" point of view or the other's
"spin" on the word, phrase, concept, etc.
I've found over the years that when I take the time to really try and
understand where the "others" are coming from and why they tenaciously
hold to the meaning of a word, phrase, or concept, then they are more
willing to look at my distinctions.
Result: learning for both of us!
Regards,
Joyce K. D'Ambrosio
Quality System Implementations
San Jose, CA
jkdqsys@aol.com