This post is actually for Chapter 4 but I feel compelled to make a general comment about the format of the text. So bare with me for a moment. The editor in me chooses not to let this go unsaid...
I really enjoy the way the text is set up and the cartoons are great. BUT... the font chosen it not conducive to a long reading format. It works great for short letters, email, and the like, but for a text book it is terribly difficult to stare at for long periods of time...
There... Whew! Got that off my chest....
Now, Chapter 4...
I was going to spew some stuff about optimists and pessimist, but then I realized that was more a part of Ch 1 than this one. So I will spare all of you my thought on that for now.
I tend to be a very literal person. Yes, sometimes to a fault. I suppose that comes from my belief that a persons word is their honor. So I found the Category-mistake section quite amusing.
Drives me bonkers when people say things like, "My head is killing me." Now come on, It's not really killing you. I picture in my mind a head flailing about on some poor headless body until it stops moving then rolling away in triumph. Now we all know that is not what they meant. Have we, as a society, become so insensitive to other peoples feelings, pain, sorrow, joy, or whatever 'IT' might be they are experiencing that they now feel the need to exaggerate beyond reason how intense 'IT' is being felt?
The part in the text about Intent also brought up a thought or two. I don't think intent of an action really matters as much as how that action is perceived.
So, back to optimist and pessimist. I feel there is a third option. It is the one I subscribe to - A Realist. Although reading the text so far makes me wonder if that is such a good idea, what with not knowing IF anything is really real. Hmmmm. Makes ya wonder. If it is real to me then it is real. If it is not real to you, I suppose we can agree to disagree.