it is literally impossible to communicate without making assumptions.
No words can cover everything. Every sentence that a person can speak omits some information.
It may be assumed to be obvious from context, but different people have vastly different ideas of what is obvious.
Every time you hear and understand a sentence, you are making assumptions about what is meant by every word, and what is the reason for saying any of it.
It may be assumed to be obvious from context, but different people have vastly different ideas of what is obvious.
If you ask someone to explain what they said, you will then have to start the same process over again trying to interpret their explanation.
It may be assumed to be obvious from context, but different people have vastly different ideas of what is obvious.
Language is a tool. Tools are imperfect.
Words are shadows in Plato’s cave.
For example, when I complain about this basic fact of life I’ve just detailed here, people often make the assumption that I’m trying to get advice.
And then they try to give me advice– about a problem that could only ever really be solved by telepathy.
And the advice is often some form of, “Ask people what they’re thinking instead of making assumptions!”
If they asked me whether I was seeking advice or just venting, I would say venting, of course.
But I don’t blame them for not always following their own advice.
It is, after all, impossible.
“but aster aren’t you supposed to be at work”
boss makes a dollar i make a cent
that’s why i waste time on theory-of-mind vent
boss gets my labor, war gets my taxes
thats why i livetumbl Gricean maxims
boss gets my email, reads half a line
that’s why i complain about imperfect human communication on company time