The Necessary Context: In any exchanging of data between 2 distinct/separate/individual Human Beings – in this case, Me & any Other Person – something I just said clearly triggered Them, for some ‘as yet UNKN reason.’
And – like all good F-words – “that which is designed to inflame/incite/trigger an emotional response in the OP” – adding the word ‘fake’ in front of the word ‘news’ totally achieves this desired result. At least, what I am personally going for when I say this phrase.
But saying Fake doesn’t just work as a trigger: It’s also a Tell.
[N: tell = that behavioral thing the opposing Poker Player does that ‘tells’ Me what cards They are holding right now]
It’s taken Me some practicing, to learn how to Not be triggered whenever I hear the words screamed, “Fake News!” But – and this is a big butt – I did succeed. And in Current Day, while hearing this phrase still pings My SB… it no longer triggers PASSION into a total frenzy. Which is always My goal: Figure out a way to Not trigger PASSION… because once PASSION is triggered? All the air is sucked out of the room, and TECH’s being suppressed from doing or saying anything construction. The saying, “My hands are tied” applies here.
But back to My Story.
Let Me break it down into the Details, DR. [N: Details = “where the Devil is”]
Since I already know that whatever I just said triggered this response in the OP I am currently Connected with, the first thing I’m gonna do is ‘check’ the Context of Our – Mines & Theirs – discussion. Are They being funny? Are They making a joke, with this “Fake News” accusation? Being aware of the Context is KEY – it gives TECH more data on this current situation, allowing Me to take a more measured external response.
Okay. So let’s say this OP is Not joking: They are pi$$ed off, or upset, or yelling/screaming right now. [N: yup, definitely triggered loll]
Next? TECH evaluates the Personnel Files – Who is this OP to Me, personally? Do “I care” about Them? Meaning, are They a Stranger standing in front of Me in the line at the grocery store? Or waiting for Their Starbucks order to be called out by the barista? Or… is this a Thanksgiving potluck with all My immediate Family AKA blood Relatives?
If I don’t ‘care’ about this OP – i.e. meaning, I’ll probably never cross paths with Them again IRL – then I’ll probably just laugh the whole thing off. Why? Because that saying, “It’s Better to be Kind than be Right” applies here. And – as is always My Own Priority – I don’t ever intentionally do anything that might get Me killed. [N: this OP could be packing right now for all I know… and I’d rather not acquire any Proof loll]
Where was I? Oh yeah. This is Someone I know & am Connected with, IRL. They are in My Herd in some way – a Loved One, a Friend/Bestie, an Acquaintance, a Distant Relative, or… My MIL. The Bottom Line: This is Someone I will be seeing over & over for infinity, and because of this fact I do not want to explode any mental grenades in Their Own SB right at this moment.
*laughing as I say it* “No, it’s not ‘Fake News’ – it’s very much Real News.”
[N: I consider the use of the word Fake here to mean one of several things: 1) This OP doesn’t wanna believe what I am saying is True, 2) This OP is embarrassed that They didn’t already have this data acquired previously, but is pretending to Save Face, or 3) This OP wants to shut down conversation on this particular topic for whatever Reason They find it distasteful]
This is My first approach. I’m testing the waters, here, with My response. Before TECH launches into “attempting to give My MIL new data on this topic” I must ‘see’ if She is receptive to acquiring this new data. If MIL is not receptive at the moment? I can Plant a Seed and back away – and save the verbal sparring for another day, a better time, etc. etc. [N: “Timing is Everything”]
It’s Better to Be Kind than Be Right… It’s Better to Be Kind than Be Right… It’s Better to Be…
. . .
Conner’s Comments: This Story might feel “unfinished” to Your SB, DR, but that’s all I wanna say right now. [N: You & Your Own SB will “finish” it] Don’t worry – I will be touching on all these topics a bunch more times in Future Stories – but the way to eat an Elephant? “One bite at a time.” This saying applies here.
One alternate response TECH has in My mental Files – which I can whip out when the Context allows – borrows from a Jack Nicholson’s line:
“You Can’t Handle the Truth!” [N: Great movie, this]