Ignorance Is No Excuse

In a column that may seem eerily familiar to many of us, Wired.com columnist (and Brunching Shuttlecocks alum) Lore Sjöberg outlines several techniques to inject yourself into an online discussion... even if (or especially if) you don't have anything resembling an actual opinion on the topic.

His essay is entitled, "No Opinions? No Problem," and works for any topic that you might otherwise have to bluff your way through.

I for one, welcome our non-opinion-holding overlords. (Read the column to see what technique that was.)

Actually, that kind of reminds me of an article I have posted on my cubicle wall: Things to Say When You're Losing a Technical Argument:

It's an oldie (going back to 2001), but it's a goodie. It's especially useful if you're non-technical, like myself.

You'll also see another clipping next to it -- it's an article from the Wall Street Journal that I've been toting around since 1994, entitled "They Laughed When I Sat Down to Write."

It's all about how people can take tips from direct mail pitches (you know, junk mail -- the paper kind), to spice up their memos and other writing.

Unfortunately, it's only available online in the Wall St. Journal's paid archives, so you'll have to go to your local library if you want to read it (written by Phil Theibert in "Manager's Journal" column of the April 11, 1994 WSJ).

Just a few notes from my living archives.

Thanks -- Joe