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Why are you called The Motte?
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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Notes -
It's an interesting topic, and you raise some points I enjoy thinking about. Thanks for writing.
But hark! I hereby downvote you! Take that, scoundrel! For your lack of a submission statement, and for all those intolerable ellipses in the text!
Yes! A downvote! Surely that will convince you!
The blow was light, but I fear it has struck true... and like the red vitae fatal flowing forth...I fear I shall not recover.
(But like actually, I can't see my total yet (too soon) you may have sent me negative)
Doubt it; I think most mottizens are more tolerant.
But really, do you intentionally use so many ellipses, or is that just a habit that crept up on you?
Intentionally.
I try to write like I speak, and maintain a conversational tone.
Well your tone of voice changes when you speak, you can't just throw in a coma... because you're not just throwing in a comma.
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