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I'm at that cranky age where I realize these insidious little fouls do as much damage as grand conspiracies. I look back with pride at times I've pulled out a yellow card on them, and with regret that I didn't do it more. I haven't made this the best of all possible worlds…but maybe a bit better. /9

People at the table need to do this (whether the table is in a corporate boardroom or a pub), and journalists need to do this in reporting ― not just quoting someone saying they've been misquoted but proactively reporting the misrepresentation, regardless of whether anyone else complains. /8

This is such a little example, but that's why it's perfect for teaching emerging citizens the need for third parties to speak up and say, "That's not what she said." Doesn't matter who you agree with or which side you're on; it's everyone's duty to help police the honesty of our discourse. /7

If called on it, they'll say the person's idea was "tantamount" to their version (they love that word), or they'll own up (with a sigh) to using "hyperbole" to make the point… …but it's the same kind of hyperbole a soccer player uses as he rolls mortally wounded on the pitch to draw a penalty. /6

It's as common as air for people who lack a counterargument for someone's point to just change that point into another that they can rebut ― usually making it ludicrous in the process. They do this most often when punching down or when the other party is absent. And very often it helps them win. /5

I've covering meetings ranging from the House of Commons to local school committees in Arctic hamlets, sat on boards myself, led seminar classes, and endured faculty meetings. I speak with confidence when I say one of the most common phrases spoken at meetings must be "That's not what I said." /4

The authors are saying Carney is wrong about there having once been an improvement because few would agree the world became as near perfect as it could be. Debate club alums will know precise terms for this tactic, but whatever it's called, it just begs to be projected up on a classroom screen. /3

It's here in these two sentences: "And Carney was wrong to suggest that the lie had once made the world better. Few outside the Atlantic core ever mistook Pax Americana for the best of all possible worlds." Better: an improvement Best of all possible worlds: as near perfect as can be /2

This is part of quite the rebuttal of new Guardian op-ed essay, and it's worth looking at both it and all of this response thread... I'm not going to wade in on either, but the quote commented on below jumped out at me as a perfect example for teaching what not to do ― in writing and life. /1

#TimelineCleanse

'An Iranian strike on Ukraine, particularly one that caused significant civilian casualties, could conceivably have forced Canada and the EU to more firmly pick sides. The world could well have found itself divided… – with both sides possessing large nuclear arsenals.' /2

"The climbdown was a rare ray of good news (albeit one followed hours later…by Iran launching a surprise missile attack on U.S. bases in the Middle East, ending several days of relative calm). Few could predict what would happen next if Iran launched one or more missiles toward a city in Europe." /1

' “There are many justifications offered by the Israelis, but the reality is one: they did not want ambulance and rescue teams to operate,” says Boussi, a paramedic and assistant director of the Islamic Health Society for Tyre.' /2

'Airstrikes nearby had hit [the group's] paramedics…in previous wars, but they had never been a target themselves. “We worked on the assumption that we might be caught in an attack, but not that we would be targeted directly. But in this war, no – they targeted us directly,” says Suleiman, 44.' /1

A sign can be designed not to be recognized, if recognition isn't the purpose...

I'd be a breeze, so no one would give it a second thought as being odd or an omen, but would feel its gentle brush and welcome it... It would be a way of staying in touch and helping, but without being creepy or spooky...

I slept this way abroad, and for several summers here in Ottawa before I had A/C (and before I married). Gets hot here, and this really helped. I'd get the mats in our local "Chinatown" district, and they'd last a season before being worn out. I'm slim, so YMMV. Not perfect, but worth a try. /4

The seagrass mat needs to be smooth and tightly woven to stand up to wear. Nowadays they're being replaced with ones woven from plastic filaments, which seem fine, though I've no first-hand experience. The real grass ones would slowly crumble with use, leaving fine residue to vacuum or sweep up. /3

The loose tube sarong lets you roll from side to side within it without losing coverage. It's just two metres of light madras-type cotton off a bolt that's had its two cut ends sewn together. Any fabric shop should be able to do it, but a South Asian shop that makes saris will know what you mean. /2

Good tips. Here's one more from time in SE Asia: Sleep on a seagrass mat spread atop your sheets while wearing a loose tube-style sarong. The mat stays cool, unlike sweaty sheets, and the loose cotton tube covers your main heat-loss zones while draping loose and leaving chest and feet open. /1