Well, for example, take the point (1). Taken as literal and universal advice, “[s]how what you’re feeling; say what you’re thinking” is insane—obviously, if you really blurt out your honest feelings and opinions to everyone at all times, you will destroy your whole life rapidly. Ah, but of course, it’s not meant to be taken literally, but with subtlety and finesse. However, for those who are capable of grasping this subtlety and finesse, the advice is completely trite, and for those who aren’t, it merely says “[s]how what you’re feeling; say what you’re thinking—except when you shouldn’t.” That’s not at all helpful to someone who is clueless about when he shouldn’t do it, and what he should do instead in each such situation. The rest of the list is no better.
Well, for example, take the point (1). Taken as literal and universal advice, “[s]how what you’re feeling; say what you’re thinking” is insane—obviously, if you really blurt out your honest feelings and opinions to everyone at all times, you will destroy your whole life rapidly. Ah, but of course, it’s not meant to be taken literally, but with subtlety and finesse. However, for those who are capable of grasping this subtlety and finesse, the advice is completely trite, and for those who aren’t, it merely says “[s]how what you’re feeling; say what you’re thinking—except when you shouldn’t.” That’s not at all helpful to someone who is clueless about when he shouldn’t do it, and what he should do instead in each such situation. The rest of the list is no better.
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