Contrived Answers: Classic or Dud?

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Since everyone is getting all uppity about this today. If you want uncontrived have a proper conversation, I say. Most things that get written down have some level of contrivedness (like the word contrivedness). And if you are making a joke it demands contrivance. Or not?

― Emma, Thursday, 30 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I can only agree with Emma. Can someone give me an example of a joke that doesn't involve contrivance?

― Nick, Thursday, 30 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Even 'proper conversations' should involve a level of contrivance, or else they're really boring.

― dave q, Thursday, 30 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Well given that being "contrived" was a criticism levelled against myself, I'd better chip in.

It depends in what sense the word is used - if meant to signify something that is arranged or calculated, in the words of My Bloody Valentine, "Isn't Anything?"

If meant in the sense that something is fabricated or feigned, then of course that's wrong.

But I fail to see how by making a general observation not based on personal experience I was being contrived. Perhaps someone could explain.....

― Trevor, Thursday, 30 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I don't think it really means fabricated or feigned but if that is the case then since most of us are in fact 45 year old truckers / housewives pretending to be sparky young things then we are all guilty of feigning.

― Emma, Thursday, 30 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The funniest and most interesting messages seem to be when we go way off the point. I think anyway. But then my comments are empty and shallow.

― Ronan, Thursday, 30 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Much like the baby pool when they have drained it for cleaning?

Going off topic is a natural function of - wait for it - conversation. Of course many of the off topic threads have been contrived - look at the Oz threads after all. But if there were no contrivances this board would soon be:

"Yah. Uh. I agree. Uh. Yeah. Coo l."

― Pete, Thursday, 30 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

you're just dying to start acting like you're off the topic now just cos I said that Pete, but you think by cunningly sticking to the topic as you did you're going to force other people to go off it. Fucking phony.

― Ronan, Thursday, 30 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Emma, I don't really agree. Being contrived means you are calculated and always plan ahead, no? That involves hypocricy which not all people are guilty of. One can be completely spontanuous when giving an answer or making a comment.

― nathalie, Thursday, 30 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I try my best not to be contrived. My answers are honest. I can't follow threads here as conversation, as I'm not able to see them develop due to not having internet access at work (or having a job).

― jel, Thursday, 30 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I just rely on supposedly wry one-liners that fall flat like lead balloons. Mainly because there are always tons of new threads and I can't for the life of me figure out how the hell 1) you all keep up and 2) end up posting multiple times in abundance on them all.

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 30 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I don't understand what the problem is here. I'm so mystified.

― Lyra, Thursday, 30 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Ned, I'm always amazed at how well you keep up, seeing as how we're at the end of the line out here on the West Coast. But I'm glad you do! I can't even get it together to reply to e-mails from two weeks ago, if you know what I mean.

― Arthur, Thursday, 30 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The advantage of slow-enough work days, I assure you.

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 30 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Nick, when someone falls down and you laugh at them cuz it's funny, NOT because Nelson goes, "ha, ha".

― Nude Spock, Thursday, 30 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

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