Unless You're Changing It, Quit Your Bitchin'(jangosteve.com)
jangosteve.com
Unless You're Changing It, Quit Your Bitchin'
http://jangosteve.com/post/413955281/unless-youre-changing-it-quit-your-bitchin
6 comments
What wasn't part of the headline is something quite important: then I am truly sorry and I will be here for you and listen to everything you have to say.
Except that that part is only about things you truly can't change, - which isn't applicable to a lot of bitching, since people rarely bitch about things they can't change.
people rarely bitch about things they can't change
That's not my experience, at all. As far as I can tell, people bitch about everything they don't like - whether they can change it or not. It can be cathartic, and some people seem to need to bitch about stuff, even when they know they can and will do something about it later.
That's not my experience, at all. As far as I can tell, people bitch about everything they don't like - whether they can change it or not. It can be cathartic, and some people seem to need to bitch about stuff, even when they know they can and will do something about it later.
I agree. And like the article says, I have no problem listening to people bitch about things they can't change. Sometimes, the world can suck.
They do it all the time, even about things which don't actually cause them any practical difficulties, but simply resonate with their neuroses.
What I'm bitching about: self-help style articles posted by their authors
What I'm doing to change it: pressed "flag"
What I'm doing to change it: pressed "flag"
I was also very conscientious of that, but the general consensus of the HN community is that self-posts are completely acceptable (or even preferred).
(see thread http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1016713)
Concerning the content of the article, if people don't like it, they won't vote it up.
(see thread http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1016713)
Concerning the content of the article, if people don't like it, they won't vote it up.
I think you mean s/contentious/conscious/. But you're right: self-posts are definitely acceptable. At least, given my submission history, they had better be. ;-)
Oops, actually I meant conscientious. Thanks though!
It's /conscientious about/, which you seem to have confused with /conscious of/.
Both "of" and "about" are correct in this case. See definitions (9) and (10) of the word, "of."
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/of
In the English language, "of" and "about" can be used more or less as synonyms with only subtle differences. E.g. "I heard about the play," or, "I heard of the play." "The play was about peace and love," or "The play was of peace and love."
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/of
In the English language, "of" and "about" can be used more or less as synonyms with only subtle differences. E.g. "I heard about the play," or, "I heard of the play." "The play was about peace and love," or "The play was of peace and love."
Compare:
You are wrong about English usage
You are wrong of English usage
You are wrong about English usage
You are wrong of English usage
That is one example of improper use (hence the more or less). However, "conscientious of" is an example of proper use.
Except it isn't. Google both. You'll see the proper use and a bunch of people confusing it with 'conscious of', just like you do.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conscientious
Try it with the synonyms. You can't be meticulous or scrupulous of something - just like 'conscientious'.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conscientious
Try it with the synonyms. You can't be meticulous or scrupulous of something - just like 'conscientious'.
Actually, you very well can be meticulous, scrupulous, or careful of something. Again, see definition (5a) of the word, "of."
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/of
5a: relating to: about <stories of her travels>
That being said, I will probably say "conscientious about" from now on as a result of this conversation, just in case people really do have a problem with "conscientious of." However, "conscientious of" is an acceptable usage.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/of
5a: relating to: about <stories of her travels>
That being said, I will probably say "conscientious about" from now on as a result of this conversation, just in case people really do have a problem with "conscientious of." However, "conscientious of" is an acceptable usage.
No, you can't. You can link how 'of' can be used to construct a nonsensical phrase all day long. It's still nonsensical. That being said, learn the language. 'Conscientious of' is an acceptable usage in a stubborn imaginary world in which usage is subordinate to your preference.
At this point, I think this thread has gone way too far of course, but I'll give clarification one more attempt.
I think the confusion here is in neglecting the various definitions of the word, "conscientious," in combination with the aforementioned definition of the word, "of." In terms of being guided by conscience, or of being thorough and assiduous (two possible definitions), I agree that being "conscientious of" something makes absolutely no sense.
However, it can also mean to be careful (more along the lines of my intentions), in which case using "of" certainly makes sense, as you can be careful of some idea. Perhaps next time I comment, I'll just say "careful" to avoid the confusion.
Furthermore, it's important to remember that English is an ambiguous language. Part of the beauty (and perhaps the downside) of the language is that there are no rules, only guidelines (this is a good article on the subject: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/01/books/01book.html). The best we can do is to know our audience and tailor our language to most effectively communicate our message. If nothing else, this thread has at least taught me something of my audience (something I should have known: that we are all very detail-oriented and so care must be taken in our communication). Perhaps saying "conscientious of" was not the best and most effective use of the word, but to say it's "wrong" or unacceptable I think is quite naive.
I think the confusion here is in neglecting the various definitions of the word, "conscientious," in combination with the aforementioned definition of the word, "of." In terms of being guided by conscience, or of being thorough and assiduous (two possible definitions), I agree that being "conscientious of" something makes absolutely no sense.
However, it can also mean to be careful (more along the lines of my intentions), in which case using "of" certainly makes sense, as you can be careful of some idea. Perhaps next time I comment, I'll just say "careful" to avoid the confusion.
Furthermore, it's important to remember that English is an ambiguous language. Part of the beauty (and perhaps the downside) of the language is that there are no rules, only guidelines (this is a good article on the subject: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/01/books/01book.html). The best we can do is to know our audience and tailor our language to most effectively communicate our message. If nothing else, this thread has at least taught me something of my audience (something I should have known: that we are all very detail-oriented and so care must be taken in our communication). Perhaps saying "conscientious of" was not the best and most effective use of the word, but to say it's "wrong" or unacceptable I think is quite naive.
As long as we are on the subject of article content please please don't be one of those people who decides pictures are necessary in blog posts, especially in abundance.
Pictures should only be used sparingly and if they actually illustrate your point and or subject.
Pictures should only be used sparingly and if they actually illustrate your point and or subject.
Meh bitching helps, if I mess up an exam I was supposed to do good on because of obscure notation I forgot to study but I understood the concepts and solution better than anyone damn straight I am going to bitch.
I can't change the past but I can remember what to do next time and that bitching will help me remember.
Though my form of bitching may differ from others.
I can't change the past but I can remember what to do next time and that bitching will help me remember.
Though my form of bitching may differ from others.
In your case, bitching is changing things then, just as the article mentioned. I agree that at times, bitching helps.