Okay, I am completely serious here…usually I am not…but I am right now. I find that humor makes everything more palatable. If you can understand the humor, it is sort of validating the notion that you may actually understand the concept. Most people like my funnier posts; they particularly liked the one about my trip to Kohl’s. It makes sense, I like funnier stuff, too. My views, I believe, expanded. I want to see it from all angles, until I decide to hone in on one particular aspect of it. I have made the mistake before of assuming I knew what a topic was about and found out I did not understand it fully. Persuasion is a funny thing, my father always said, “If you want to get into this head, you gotta pay rent!” He would tap his temple with his index finger for emphasis. That is how I look at things now. If you want to occupy my headspace with drivel, I am charging per minute. Sometimes it is so painful, I find myself walking away from people mid-sentence. I know this is rude, but I do not have the time to be as polite as I once was. I require reciprocity in conversation, stimulating conversation peppered with quips, sarcasm, and all sorts of shenanigans. If someone does not pick up on social cues, like when the classroom is falling asleep…I walk away with a quick announcement, “Peace!” As far as unethical and ethical persuasion? I don’t know. I mean it…I question it, acknowledge it, and then I ponder why. Who does it benefit? Who does it harm? Why would everyone agree? Why would everyone disagree? What precedent does this set? What legacy does this leave? Then I try to see the biggest picture, so I can understand it. Maybe so I can avoid it in the future, or see it coming and not be so surprised. I guess I am a positive cynic…I will hear you and then I will smile and politely tell you what I really think. Maybe honesty will make a comeback…one never knows.