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Cake day: October 7th, 2023

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  • In a similar vein, this is the second time today I had a chance to reference this quote on the nature of language from the late, great Sir Terry Pratchett.

    Elves are wonderful. They provoke wonder. Elves are marvellous. They cause marvels. Elves are fantastic. They create fantasies. Elves are glamorous. They project glamour. Elves are enchanting. They weave enchantment. Elves are terrific. They beget terror. The thing about words is that meanings can twist just like a snake, and if you want to find snakes look for them behind words that have changed their meaning. No one ever said elves are nice. Elves are bad.

    Terry Pratchett, Lords and Ladies (Discworld, #14; Witches, #4)







  • And even if you beat all of that. You can still be crucified in the court of public opinion. As much as it may be cathartic to see x person being sent to prison for whatever reason there are significant issues with “naming and shaming” someone simply accused of a crime, of which there is a non zero chance that they are innocent. Sure name and shame them after they’re convicted if you must, to show everyone the system still works or whatever. But not before then because that stuff can seriously derail your life.