Linguistics Tutorial - Using the word, "but"

[zrONE]

Hey guys--

As a magician, linguistics are very important to get the desired outcome for effects. I have a 12 CD set for magicians called, "Wonder Words," by Kenton Knepper. It teaches magicians how to use words to heighten your magic. I've caught myself using some of the things I learned from the set in recent PUs, so I thought I would share. If this kind of stuff is commonly known by the community, then just let me know and I'll refrain from making future posts on the subject.

Linking sentences with the word "but" in order to imply a condition:

When you you use the word "but" in a sentence essentially what you are doing is qualifying that if she does X that means that she is demonstrating the quality of Y, where Y is a negative quality. Let me give you an example of how I used this last night on the phone with a recent PU:

HERO: We will shortly be facebook buddies.
HB: If I approve you.
HERO: Obviously you'll accept me, it's me.
HB: You're so sure, eh?"

Here is where I use a bit of linguistics to end this little game:

HERO: Well the only reason that you wouldn't is because I seem so sure, BUT you don't seem like the type to play childish games.

By using the word but and then stating that it would be a childish game if she continued I was effectively able to end this little game. If I would've continued bickering there was no way I could have won. The subject moved on and as soon as we got off the phone my request had been accepted.

If she does X, then she has the bad quality of Y.

Thoughts?
-z

[Finesse]

I agree. Completely Cold by Kenton Knepper is a good one as well. It gives you the ability to cold read someone relatively easy without much thought.

I'd like to see more posts on this subject.

[etohminer]

I remember reading a psychology book back in college, and one of the many techniques a salesman would use is something similar. I know my boss tried to use this trick on me before. For example:

Me: Yeah, I've been getting tons of work from downstairs lately, it's pretty crazy (trying to tell the my boss that I'm being overworked).

Boss: You've been doing very well lately etohminer, the guys downstairs have been impressed by your speed and how well you're doing. I knew you can handle it.


To me, that's his way of saying, "if you don't do the work downstairs, that means you're really not doing that well, and that the speed they're so impressed by is a fluke".

[zine]

my new favorite word is sometimes and maybe it's very disarming, and really shows indifference to the outcome.

Her: You are a fucking loser!

Me: Yeah, sometimes I can be a loser, but sometimes I'm the coolest guy in the room.

Her: You aren't cool at all though!

Me: Maybe, but you like talking to me. Wow you are a very passionate girl, I like that in a girl. What else you passionate about other then teasing me?

[the_wildcard]

dude these are great and apply to social situations Im caught in all the time.. will use these!

[Atlas]

Yeah i've heard of tactics like that. Not in a magician sense, but in persuasive writing. It's a either/or case. You make a statement that she'll be childish if she denies your friend request. Either she can be childish and deny it, or she can accept it and prove her maturity. These are called writing fallacies, but a lot of these language persuasions in writing can be applied to PUA's. Check it out if you get the chance.