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A motte is a stone keep on a raised earthwork common in early medieval fortifications. More pertinently, it's an element in a rhetorical move called a "Motte-and-Bailey", originally identified by philosopher Nicholas Shackel. It describes the tendency in discourse for people to move from a controversial but high value claim to a defensible but less exciting one upon any resistance to the former. He likens this to the medieval fortification, where a desirable land (the bailey) is abandoned when in danger for the more easily defended motte. In Shackel's words, "The Motte represents the defensible but undesired propositions to which one retreats when hard pressed." On The Motte, always attempt to remain inside your defensible territory, even if you are not being pressed.
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So "Who was the first legitimate user of themotte.org?" could be the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything?
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The classic Martini (I use Plymouth gin and vermouth in a ~4:1 ratio) ManhattanSidecarNegroni
Somehow he will be in power in 2028.
Yes he will — and for the first 19.5 days of 2029 too!
Whenever I read about the various generations that have followed after my own Boomer cohort, I have trouble remembering which one my children are in. I must have looked it up a dozen times and I still can't retain it.
p
So "Who was the first legitimate user of themotte.org?" could be the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything?
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