by John Philipp
Member since:
August 10, 2006

Thought~Byte No.171

October 13, 2009 11:57 PM EDT
views: 146 | rating: 10/10 (19 votes) | comments: 90

Thought~Byte No.171

 

 

 

Concept and words by John Philipp. Drawings by Phil Frank.

(The comments below are where the wisdom is found.)

 
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Comments: 90

John Philipp Oct 13, 2009, 11:58pm EDT
Thought~Bytes are posted every Wednesday. To see all Thought~Bytes and get an email when new ones are posted, please join Thought~Bytes
John Philipp Oct 13, 2009, 11:58pm EDT
Mini Thought~Bytes (words without drawings) appear every day on my Twitter page.
Jan S. Oct 14, 2009, 12:02am EDT
Reminds me of Yoda. "Do or do not; there is no try." Good one.
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 12:18am EDT
The character was one we experimented with on some of the Bytes. A combination caricature of a friend and a character called Baba Phil had in his syndicated feature.
blaine d. Oct 14, 2009, 12:12am EDT
darn that i do, darn that i don't, good one!
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 12:18am EDT
Thanks, Blaine. You're here early.
blaine d. Oct 14, 2009, 12:23am EDT
hey John, you call this early, my sleeping habits have change, have a great wedesday mornng!
Angel sent from God Secret Sisters Oct 14, 2009, 12:19am EDT
Yup Hate that 3 letter word !!!Larry uses that on me ...I never want to hear I ll Try!!!

So true
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 9:49am EDT
Janet, good point. It has an effect on both parties.
Heidi S. Oct 14, 2009, 12:38am EDT
The power of conviction!
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 9:49am EDT
Or, sometimes in this case, maybe the fear of conviction, Heidi.
Robert - just a simple man - B. Oct 14, 2009, 1:01am EDT
Why, in the drawing, is it the over-indulgent fat guy who is being critical?

Sorry about the pessimism BUT each day I tell myself: "Today, I will find a job" (not try, but will) and yet each night I go to bed without one. Ooh, how ironic, tonight, there is no bed. I forgot that my air mattress blew apart at the seam and presently, I can't afford a new one. I guess I could 'borrow' Streaker's bed but I'm not that mean.

Anyhow, I didn't TRY to leave you a comment. I left you a comment. Lose the fat guy.
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 9:51am EDT
As mentioned above, Robert, the "fat guy" was an experiment we decided not to go with but there are a few Bytes with him.

Sorry about the air mattress.
Robert - just a simple man - B. Oct 14, 2009, 10:14am EDT
It's a deflating experience.
Bill W. Oct 14, 2009, 12:29pm EDT
Robert - I think the fat guy with the banana is a good illustration of the quip. What if he "Tried" losing weight and is, therefore, an excellent example of what he is saying?

Were you on the mattress at the time? Did you try levitating?
John Philipp Oct 19, 2009, 10:33pm EDT
None of the above :)
~Sia McKye~ Oct 14, 2009, 1:31am EDT
Sometimes it is. Of course this speaks to inner attitude and try implies accommodation, rather than a positive statement of intent.
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 9:51am EDT
Sia, I'd say accommodation or avoidance, just wanting to end the conversation.
Elizabeth R. Oct 14, 2009, 1:48am EDT
Excellent!
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 9:52am EDT
Thanks, Elizabeth.
Gail Nobles Oct 14, 2009, 6:55am EDT
You got that right.
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 9:52am EDT
I hope so, Gail. I tried and tried and tried...
JOHN BECK Oct 14, 2009, 7:02am EDT
This reminds me of the colleague who thought that making a commitment meant to generally agree with the concept if it wasn't too inconvenient.
Kushal Poddar Oct 14, 2009, 7:25am EDT
Well said.

on a breakfast trail
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 9:53am EDT
Good example of a variation on this theme, John. Thanks.
Peg Doak Oct 19, 2009, 8:01pm EDT
Hey John!!! I have risen from the near dead...so far...I like john beck's and Roberts response to this! Bill W. I could have used you to point out the fat and or drunk family members in my child hood years as they ate and drank spewing guilt! Of course they were die hard republicans!
Good to see you John! You haven't changed an iota! I look to the day I can sit out there in the sun with you and banter wittisms! lol
John Philipp Oct 19, 2009, 10:33pm EDT
Peg, good to see you. Hope all goes well or better.
Robert - just a simple man - B. Oct 19, 2009, 10:53pm EDT
Hey Peg, just saying hello and good to see you. As for John, he hasn't moved from that spot in over a year; he's going for the Guiness record for saddle sores.....
John Philipp Oct 19, 2009, 11:59pm EDT
Peg, you know Robert well enough to not believe a word he is saying.
Robin O. Oct 14, 2009, 7:17am EDT
I just used the word "try" in a email. "I will try to send you some money. "
Meaning if there is money left I will send some.
I was thinking I use this word rarely, but when I use it what do I mean. I will give it best
effort but may not be able to do what is being asked of me? Depending on unknown variable beyond my control?
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 9:56am EDT
Robin, I know psychologists who say that when you sue "try" you mean "won't," consciously or unconsciously. I also thing people are conditioned to assume that when they hear the word try.

My question is if you intend try to mean "I will give it my best effort,", then why not just say that?
Bill W. Oct 14, 2009, 12:21pm EDT
Yesterday, I tried to birdie #9 (actually all of them). I did give it my best effort but being a miser with words I shortened it up.

I'd try again today but it's raining.

Rest easy
Kushal Poddar Oct 14, 2009, 7:27am EDT
Try is a word we all try to mean as if we mean to say it sincerely but try as we may the real trial of it is in the reality.
Oops! Now I have to try to untie the loop ...

on a breakfast trail
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 9:56am EDT
I believe, Kushal, has made the point.
Peg Doak Oct 19, 2009, 8:08pm EDT
I tried to follow you Kushal...lol....and actually you make much more sense than..."trying means won't" Philip, you have to know that sometimes finding fault with someones response is used as a whiplash of "I will guilt and shame you into doing what the great "I" believe is right! I can see my aunt with the googly googly eyes peering at me, one eye at a time....with that nonverbal yet full expression: "Try! Huh! Useless worm!"
MrsRoad Runner Oct 14, 2009, 8:37am EDT
No it is "I will do better" lol
Now the dude needs to get in front of the mirror and say it over and over lol
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 9:57am EDT
I good choice, Mrs. R.
Lionel LaVergne Oct 14, 2009, 8:56am EDT
Anytime you TRY to do something you aren't doing anything.
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 9:58am EDT
Correct, Lionel. Like the coach saying "try" to catch the ball and the boy catches it and the coach says, "I didn't tell you to catch it, I told you to try to catch it." The point is that you can't "try" to catch a ball. You either catch it or miss it.
Peg Doak Oct 19, 2009, 8:10pm EDT
that is silly! trying is practicing!
John Philipp Oct 19, 2009, 10:35pm EDT
It can be, Peg, but it also the other thing.
Vinod Sailes Oct 14, 2009, 9:44am EDT
John, I feel the lean guy there is just trying to fool everybody. To say that I will try to do better is just optimising his pessimism. How can that guy try to do better when what he has done is the best he could have made. Even in his next try he will be just doing another one, which ought to be his best but no better an outcome because he is capable of mediocrity only and the only better thing can be done by another with more capability. However, the fat guy quite sincere and is content with what has been done because he knows for sure that nothing better is going to come out of the lean one.
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 10:00am EDT
Vinod, you raise a good point about doing your best not necessarily equating with accomplishing.

Thanks.
K D. Oct 14, 2009, 11:41am EDT
Isn't that the truth! The word try in this context give people an escape hatch from actually accomplishing.
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 1:08pm EDT
One that's pre-loaded, Karen :)
Angela A. Oct 14, 2009, 11:45am EDT
Oh darn. And, here I was going to try to read this without laughing.
Te he!
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 1:08pm EDT
Nice try, Angela.
Sandre M. Oct 14, 2009, 11:53am EDT
Lol, I always thought of "try to" as one of those Southern reflexive passive constructions, like "I'm fixing to..." It doesn't actually have a meaning,it's just a place to take a breath while you think of a plausible excuse not to.
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 1:09pm EDT
Maybe that's where it started, Sandre.
Beaker (just Beaker) Oct 14, 2009, 12:07pm EDT
If you were having a party and you invited a friend and he said "I'll try to make it" wouldn't you feel like he was really saying "Maybe I'll show up....unless something better comes along..."?
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 1:09pm EDT
Good example of the effect on the listener, Beaker. Thanks.
Bill W. Oct 14, 2009, 12:31pm EDT
I encourage my grandkids to try stuff a lot. Actually, I mean "give it your best shot". Why not just say that? They seem to get it either way.

Rest easy
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 1:12pm EDT
Try does have that "experiment with/experience" meaning, Bill. I think it depends on who's speaking. When the speaker says "I'll try" it often means won't. It doesn't carry that negative when someone says, "You try."
Haim Kadman Oct 14, 2009, 1:36pm EDT
True in most cases, thanks John.
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 2:25pm EDT
Thanks, Haim. Good to see you.
P.W. Dowdy Oct 14, 2009, 2:17pm EDT
TRY is the doubt that becomes the stumbling block for success. Success begins with the affirmation , "I will..."
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 2:26pm EDT
A good context to put it in, Pat. Thanks.
Dennis Gilman Oct 14, 2009, 3:06pm EDT
"Won't" is a four letter word for "don't care to"
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 8:37pm EDT
That is also true, Dennis.
Linda T. Oct 14, 2009, 6:23pm EDT
When people do not care if they succeed or not they will slip in the word try. Half hearted attempts to succeed often follow. It is a word that gives us an out.
John Philipp Oct 14, 2009, 8:38pm EDT
Yes, Linda, and I think when we use it we have already opted out, at least subconsciously.
Peg Doak Oct 19, 2009, 8:12pm EDT
i tend to say, 'NO, I won't do that!' If I say I will try...I am saying that I am putting your invitation or whatever, to thought and checking on what i may have already planned.
Linda T. Oct 19, 2009, 8:49pm EDT
Did I mention that the motto written on the police cars of my city is We'll try. Not a very reassuring one.
John Philipp Oct 19, 2009, 10:35pm EDT
Thanks for that, Linda. It is a little scary to me.
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Oct 14, 2009, 9:50pm EDT
Yes, John, these are trying times... but sometimes it's fun to try something new without feeling committed. Like a new flavor of ice cream for example.

Also, for someone like me and others with "invisible disabilities" we can appear fine but feel like mush inside or be so exhausted we can hardly function... so when we say we will try to show up but don't know if we can, we sometimes really mean we want to but may not physically be up to it.
John Philipp Oct 15, 2009, 12:08am EDT
It does have those meanings as well, Lydia. Thanks for pointing that out.
Peg Doak Oct 19, 2009, 8:14pm EDT
LYDIA...YESSSSS! I have that issue also.
Sheila Deeth Oct 15, 2009, 1:10am EDT
Ah, that great 3 letter word.
John Philipp Oct 15, 2009, 9:58am EDT
That's the one.
Ruth J. Oct 15, 2009, 1:36am EDT
It's all in the context of how the word is used. Try, Try again.
John Philipp Oct 15, 2009, 9:58am EDT
True, Ruth, context is important with this word.
suzie muscrat Oct 15, 2009, 12:35pm EDT
Some folks use the word "try" when they mean "strive" - what do you think - is there a difference between those two works and concepts?
John Philipp Oct 15, 2009, 12:47pm EDT
They are synonyms in the "strive" sense, though try also means experiment and other things, in addition to the subtle announcement that you won't.
Marie J. R. Oct 15, 2009, 8:08pm EDT
trying, trying, sometimes lying,,,
this is good conversation,,,
Bless you my dear,,,
John Philipp Oct 16, 2009, 12:53pm EDT
Thank you, Marie.
Teresa A. Oct 16, 2009, 12:44pm EDT
I don't care for the word "try" either. To me it's sounds as if whatever you are going to "try" to do isn't important.
John Philipp Oct 16, 2009, 12:53pm EDT
Good point, Teresa. It not only may mean your not serious but it also evaluates.

Thanks.
Sandi S. Oct 16, 2009, 8:35pm EDT
A-ha!

Clever! And true...
John Philipp Oct 16, 2009, 8:38pm EDT
Thanks, Sandi.
Sandi S. Oct 16, 2009, 8:35pm EDT
Or as Yoda said, "There is no 'try', only do."
John Philipp Oct 16, 2009, 8:38pm EDT
That boy had a head on his shoulders :)
Larry M. Oct 16, 2009, 9:09pm EDT
But we get rewarded for saying we will try. No wonder we say it.
John Philipp Oct 16, 2009, 10:31pm EDT
Good point. Maybe that's where some of it comes from. Thanks.
Peg Doak Oct 19, 2009, 8:16pm EDT
sorry I got carried away! I have been gone a long time and haven't felt very lively...actually was nearly dead...but I am back! I will be less verbal nex t time
John Philipp Oct 19, 2009, 10:36pm EDT
Be as verbal as you want, Peg. I appreciate your comments.
Peg Doak Oct 20, 2009, 9:11am EDT
thanks darlin'
Lionel LaVergne Oct 20, 2009, 10:07am EDT
In a seminar once the speaker illustrated "try" by holding a piece of paper. He shook his hand saying he was 'trying' to let the paper go but of course it never left his hand. That is what trying is. I suppose we should endeavor to learn a new phrase.
John Philipp Oct 20, 2009, 10:51am EDT
Good example, Lionel. It reminds me of a teacher who would tell you to try and catch a ball. Then he'd throw it and point out that you either caught it or didn't.
Sharon B. Oct 22, 2009, 7:40pm EDT
I have over 10,000 e-mails....so please bear with the generic comment... thanks for sharing
LaRue B. Nov 2, 2009, 4:48pm EST
I tell my children not to 'try'. I tell them to get it done. Try simply means that you will make an effort. That does not mean they will succeed. The word 'try' is not present in their vocabulary.

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