| Frankenstein Concepts |
| 8 minute speech given to Titan Toastmasters on 3 November 2003 for Advanced Toastmaster Bronze (Speech #1) from Speaking to Inform (The Abstract Concept) |
Common theme in examples: Selfish! Actions different. Accusers of first selfish.
- Boy saved for bike, so no share. Boy beating up kids for lunch money.
- Couple career-focused, so no kids. Couple spends college fund on drugs.
- Man speaks out against high taxes. Man who free rides, evades all taxes.
Selfish is package deal. Frankenstein concept. Melding of two mismatched ideas:
- Selfishness is malevolent treatment of others. Step on necks. Force. Cheat. Steal.
- Selfishness is concern for own interests, life, and happiness. Independence.
That use same concept for such different actions subtly teaches two false moral lessons.
- Impossible to pursue own interests while respecting others. False. Toastmasters.
- Malevolence towards others is to interest. False. Friends versus manipulators.
So why persist? Form of intimidation. Boy saving same as bully, etc. Warning from manipulators: "Do as I want, not as you want." Very convenient and effective.
Practical advice:
- Suspicious when others use term. Ask what mean. May be manipulation or guilt.
- Avoid concept. Confused, misleading. Be more descriptive: bully, free rider, cheat.
Be alert to other moral package deals: pride, greed. Learned bad lessons from those too.