The key to understanding this is that English speakers absolutely do not want to sound like those hoity toity French folk; we are men of the people, salt of the earth. Except sometimes we do want to sound like them, because we are fancy too. And that’s how you pronounce French words in English.

When I was young, the tacit rule was: when the telephone rings you, you answer it; sometimes, you make a mad dash for it; you have no choice. We might have called it a calling, if one ever felt fulfilled for having completed it. But we never did. By then, we were all broken, all wrung out.

I’ve always loved this: “the terminology of philosophical art is coercive: arguments are powerful and best when they are knockdown, arguments force you to a conclusion, . . . Why are philosophers intent on forcing others to believe things? Is that a nice way to behave towards someone?” (4, 5).

And now... your bonus XUM'S WHO entry...

Who is... THE RANDOMIZER II?

The point is that Satan, with all his works & all his pomps, is a deeply pathetic figure, who never stood a chance against the righteous, small though they may be. Hans Gruber, be not proud, though some have called thee mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so. Thou art but a Marv and a Harry.

If you are seriously looking for something more pragmatical, might I recommend a vintage Peirce you can carry about?

So much of what they do feels like they're making all their decisions while nervous. Current rumor is that they have >30 versions of Doomsday trailer to release with Avatar 3. Like, you really don’t need to keep practicing in front of the mirror, Disney. Just ask me out. But you gotta relax.

I was going to ask a related (but lazier) question, wondering simply which ballpark Ryan’s criticisms belong in—e.g., ‘they get too much wrong’ vs. ‘the elicit conversation, which is aimed at personal connection, though they are not persons’ vs. ‘they make us dehumanize ourselves’ vs. . . .