the world's lamest jedi mind trick: aw c'mon

ferd: hey, let's go to the movies!

gert: no thanks

ferd: aw c'mon

gert: okay

What the hell just happened there? How is the phrase "aw c'mon" in any way persuasive? What does it mean? What compelling logic does it represent?

And, yet, mysteriously .... it works.

Jedi mind tricks are reported to work on the weak minded. So any time anybody tries any jedi mind trick (logical fallacy) isn't that the same as openly calling somebody stupid? And if the jedi mind trick is the cheapest and weakest of the bunch, isn't that somehow calling somebody not just stupid, but REALLY stupid?

Aw c'mon, isn't anyone going to post a reply? Bueller? Bueller?

All right , I’ll bite.  Saying “all come on,” is a speech act. It expresses that the enthusiasm for going to the movie is stronger than was primarily expressed through the first speech act.  It’s not a very sophisticated argument for something, but it does have some significance. If instead the person simply dropped the subject, or asked, “What would you like to do instead?” then, a different level of desire would be communicated. And it can be inherently fun to do something that somebody else really wants to do.

On the other hand, it isn’t a super strong argument for doing something.  

OK, you got me to reply to this thread by mine controlling, yes?


The larger point still stands. I think people get persuaded to do things for flimsy reasons quite frequently.

In fact, "aw c'mon" can be harmless amongst friends. Aw c'mon dude, you need to relax, you're wound up/stressed too tight, let's grab a beer and check out the blues band that's playing the local dive.

But: "aw c'mon" can be not-so-subtly coercive and controlling, implying you are not a good sport, or being uncool, or being a Debbie Downer, or hinting you could be left behind by the cool kids. So yes, mind trick but not Jedi.

Gert, of course, being a laid-back Jedi, would propose an alternative that was productive and mostly free. Aw, c'mon, let's burn up a ton of scrap wood and capture a whole lot of atmospheric carbon in a geologically stable form, feed lots of people and maybe fix the world a little. Bring some beers and a guitar!

Aw c'mon guys. I mean criminy, ahhhhh, and pfft.  Well maybe umm, for good measure.
Too early in the day for me, think I'll lay down for a while, maybe take a happy pill or several!!!

Seriously edging into eldritch territory, don't know what more to say.  I was never here. (big smile)

Hope I'm not the only me to read H P Lovecraft!!!

Peace

I just realized I accidentally used the "f-word" in my previous post.

Silly me. I meant to say "I find that ... ."