ext_24176 ([identity profile] crabby-lioness.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] crabby_lioness 2012-01-09 08:47 pm (UTC)

To a certain extent it's a dialogue problem, an extended case of, "I do not think that means what you think it means."

Side A asks a question, thinking that with the inferences everyone will surely understand what they mean.

Side B hears the question but not the inferences, thinking instead that Side A means a completely different question. They answer that different question.

Side A doesn't understand why their question wasn't answered. They ask it again.

Side B wonders what's wrong with Side A and repeats the answer they've already given only Slow-er and Loud-er.

Side A thinks they're being insulted and starts yelling.

Side B starts yelling back.

Meanwhile the unanswered questions only get less likely to be answered, as everyone descends into name-calling. Both sides feel justified in their belief that one just can't talk to those people, they don't understand anything important.

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