Press "Enter" to skip to content

Footnotes, Asides, and Talking Under the Table | Elisabeth Camp | TEDxRutgers


hi thank you okay so I want to take us

hi thank you okay so I want to take us out from the actual world into the ivory

out from the actual world into the ivory

out from the actual world into the ivory tower maybe it’ll be a little breathing

tower maybe it’ll be a little breathing

tower maybe it’ll be a little breathing space but then I want to take us back

space but then I want to take us back

space but then I want to take us back out from the ivory tower back into the

out from the ivory tower back into the

out from the ivory tower back into the real world so I’m gonna talk take the

real world so I’m gonna talk take the

real world so I’m gonna talk take the topic of today’s event very very

topic of today’s event very very

topic of today’s event very very seriously I want to talk to you

seriously I want to talk to you

seriously I want to talk to you literally about footnotes but I don’t

literally about footnotes but I don’t

literally about footnotes but I don’t want to just stop there

want to just stop there

want to just stop there my first thing I want to do is make you

my first thing I want to do is make you

my first thing I want to do is make you show you help you think that they’re

show you help you think that they’re

show you help you think that they’re really actually very interesting but I

really actually very interesting but I

really actually very interesting but I don’t want to stop there I want to show

don’t want to stop there I want to show

don’t want to stop there I want to show you that footnotes are something they

you that footnotes are something they

you that footnotes are something they perform functions in writing that

perform functions in writing that

perform functions in writing that actually we find being performed all the

actually we find being performed all the

actually we find being performed all the time and ordinary speech all over the

time and ordinary speech all over the

time and ordinary speech all over the place these are things that can be done

place these are things that can be done

place these are things that can be done for good and also for ill and I want to

for good and also for ill and I want to

for good and also for ill and I want to show you some techniques for fighting

show you some techniques for fighting

show you some techniques for fighting back for resisting when you think

back for resisting when you think

back for resisting when you think they’re being used in ways that are bad

they’re being used in ways that are bad

they’re being used in ways that are bad okay so first question why use footnotes

okay so first question why use footnotes

okay so first question why use footnotes right what are footnotes for and the

right what are footnotes for and the

right what are footnotes for and the first thing that comes to mind for most

first thing that comes to mind for most

first thing that comes to mind for most of us is citation right giving credit

of us is citation right giving credit

of us is citation right giving credit where credit is due is the kind of thing

where credit is due is the kind of thing

where credit is due is the kind of thing that summed up in this famous saying if

that summed up in this famous saying if

that summed up in this famous saying if I have seen further it’s by standing

I have seen further it’s by standing

I have seen further it’s by standing upon the shoulders of giants just a

upon the shoulders of giants just a

upon the shoulders of giants just a little interesting aside this is usually

little interesting aside this is usually

little interesting aside this is usually attributed to Sir Isaac Newton but

attributed to Sir Isaac Newton but

attributed to Sir Isaac Newton but actually apparently it was a aphorism

actually apparently it was a aphorism

actually apparently it was a aphorism that was in common usage throughout the

that was in common usage throughout the

that was in common usage throughout the 17th century and versions of it go back

17th century and versions of it go back

17th century and versions of it go back 2,000 years right so we have a case here

2,000 years right so we have a case here

2,000 years right so we have a case here of citation which is actually citation

of citation which is actually citation

of citation which is actually citation to something that’s kind of common and

to something that’s kind of common and

to something that’s kind of common and so that’s itself interesting so a

so that’s itself interesting so a

so that’s itself interesting so a citation is a way of handing out credit

citation is a way of handing out credit

citation is a way of handing out credit right giving credit is where it credit

right giving credit is where it credit

right giving credit is where it credit is due

is due

is due but it doesn’t just do that footnotes

but it doesn’t just do that footnotes

but it doesn’t just do that footnotes don’t just do that with with their

don’t just do that with with their

don’t just do that with with their citations they also accumulate Authority

citations they also accumulate Authority

citations they also accumulate Authority they bring authority to the subject to

they bring authority to the subject to

they bring authority to the subject to the author they say hey look at me I

the author they say hey look at me I

the author they say hey look at me I know who decide I know the right people

know who decide I know the right people

know who decide I know the right people to pay attention to that means I’m an

to pay attention to that means I’m an

to pay attention to that means I’m an authority you should listen to what I

authority you should listen to what I

authority you should listen to what I have to say sometimes of course this is

have to say sometimes of course this is

have to say sometimes of course this is a place where people can get kind of

a place where people can get kind of

a place where people can get kind of anxious Law Review articles are famous

anxious Law Review articles are famous

anxious Law Review articles are famous for this so the undisputed leader here

for this so the undisputed leader here

for this so the undisputed leader here is Arthur Jacobs who’s 1987 paper and

is Arthur Jacobs who’s 1987 paper and

is Arthur Jacobs who’s 1987 paper and analysis of section 16 of Securities

analysis of section 16 of Securities

analysis of section 16 of Securities Exchange Act of 1934 contains four

Exchange Act of 1934 contains four

Exchange Act of 1934 contains four hundred thousand eight hundred

hundred thousand eight hundred

hundred thousand eight hundred and 24 footnotes so a little bit out of

and 24 footnotes so a little bit out of

and 24 footnotes so a little bit out of control once you’ve established that you

control once you’ve established that you

control once you’ve established that you are in the cognoscenti right that you

are in the cognoscenti right that you

are in the cognoscenti right that you belong that you have the authority to

belong that you have the authority to

belong that you have the authority to speak by doing a lot of citation that

speak by doing a lot of citation that

speak by doing a lot of citation that then puts you in a position to use that

then puts you in a position to use that

then puts you in a position to use that in interesting kinds of ways right so

in interesting kinds of ways right so

in interesting kinds of ways right so one thing that people do is they give a

one thing that people do is they give a

one thing that people do is they give a shout out to somebody who’s not yet in

shout out to somebody who’s not yet in

shout out to somebody who’s not yet in the intellectual in-crowd but who could

the intellectual in-crowd but who could

the intellectual in-crowd but who could be and deserves to be and also of course

be and deserves to be and also of course

be and deserves to be and also of course puts you in a position to do less kind

puts you in a position to do less kind

puts you in a position to do less kind things with footnotes right so you can

things with footnotes right so you can

things with footnotes right so you can snub someone since you know who to be so

snub someone since you know who to be so

snub someone since you know who to be so being cited here if you haven’t cited

being cited here if you haven’t cited

being cited here if you haven’t cited somebody that shows that you don’t think

somebody that shows that you don’t think

somebody that shows that you don’t think they’re worth mentioning right not just

they’re worth mentioning right not just

they’re worth mentioning right not just that you don’t know about it so this is

that you don’t know about it so this is

that you don’t know about it so this is one reason that scholars pay such close

one reason that scholars pay such close

one reason that scholars pay such close attention to footnotes it’s because it’s

attention to footnotes it’s because it’s

attention to footnotes it’s because it’s actually just a version of the high

actually just a version of the high

actually just a version of the high school cafeteria who gets to say what so

school cafeteria who gets to say what so

school cafeteria who gets to say what so it’s not just that we’re interested in

it’s not just that we’re interested in

it’s not just that we’re interested in you know information okay so citation

you know information okay so citation

you know information okay so citation one really important thing that happens

one really important thing that happens

one really important thing that happens in footnotes another thing is

in footnotes another thing is

in footnotes another thing is supplementation right so providing

supplementation right so providing

supplementation right so providing additional information that supports the

additional information that supports the

additional information that supports the main text in certain kinds of ways

main text in certain kinds of ways

main text in certain kinds of ways sometimes as a matter of giving

sometimes as a matter of giving

sometimes as a matter of giving definitions sometimes it’s a matter of

definitions sometimes it’s a matter of

definitions sometimes it’s a matter of providing additional data or evidence

providing additional data or evidence

providing additional data or evidence sometimes it’s a matter of providing

sometimes it’s a matter of providing

sometimes it’s a matter of providing just an anecdote maybe something that’s

just an anecdote maybe something that’s

just an anecdote maybe something that’s amusing or amplify something in the main

amusing or amplify something in the main

amusing or amplify something in the main text so here is an example pea and fir

text so here is an example pea and fir

text so here is an example pea and fir Bank in his famous biography of

Bank in his famous biography of

Bank in his famous biography of ianforster the officer of Passage to

ianforster the officer of Passage to

ianforster the officer of Passage to India and room with a view bunch of

India and room with a view bunch of

India and room with a view bunch of other books the main text says

other books the main text says

other books the main text says ianforster took his mother and her

ianforster took his mother and her

ianforster took his mother and her friend Cecilia MA

friend Cecilia MA

friend Cecilia MA to Florence in 1903 footnote cilium ah a

to Florence in 1903 footnote cilium ah a

to Florence in 1903 footnote cilium ah a friend from Tunbridge days she was an

friend from Tunbridge days she was an

friend from Tunbridge days she was an enormous leap tall woman who published

enormous leap tall woman who published

enormous leap tall woman who published waltzes and her maiden name is Cecilia

waltzes and her maiden name is Cecilia

waltzes and her maiden name is Cecilia friend her husband Inman struck by

friend her husband Inman struck by

friend her husband Inman struck by lightning in Australia no real extra

lightning in Australia no real extra

lightning in Australia no real extra point it’s just cool it’s just

point it’s just cool it’s just

point it’s just cool it’s just interesting it’s just you know sort of

interesting it’s just you know sort of

interesting it’s just you know sort of amusing okay

amusing okay

amusing okay so sometimes in addition to providing

so sometimes in addition to providing

so sometimes in addition to providing supplementary information footnotes

supplementary information footnotes

supplementary information footnotes provide a kind of commentary or

provide a kind of commentary or

provide a kind of commentary or evaluation that goes beyond what’s in

evaluation that goes beyond what’s in

evaluation that goes beyond what’s in the main text some kinds this is very

the main text some kinds this is very

the main text some kinds this is very sort of in-your-face right so it’s an

sort of in-your-face right so it’s an

sort of in-your-face right so it’s an example from philosophy in the main text

example from philosophy in the main text

example from philosophy in the main text that says from bill like and says if my

that says from bill like and says if my

that says from bill like and says if my background epistemology is correct and

background epistemology is correct and

background epistemology is correct and then the footnote says it is sometimes

then the footnote says it is sometimes

then the footnote says it is sometimes the connection between the footnote and

the connection between the footnote and

the connection between the footnote and in texas more subtle so here’s a

in texas more subtle so here’s a

in texas more subtle so here’s a footnote from Edward Gibbons decline and

footnote from Edward Gibbons decline and

footnote from Edward Gibbons decline and fall of the Roman Empire one of the you

fall of the Roman Empire one of the you

fall of the Roman Empire one of the you know most famous works of history three

know most famous works of history three

know most famous works of history three volumes famous for its footnotes and

volumes famous for its footnotes and

volumes famous for its footnotes and he’s talking about the term holy war

he’s talking about the term holy war

he’s talking about the term holy war when something is called a holy war and

when something is called a holy war and

when something is called a holy war and how Christians Justin’s applied to

how Christians Justin’s applied to

how Christians Justin’s applied to themselves the Crusades and he so he

themselves the Crusades and he so he

themselves the Crusades and he so he says then and then he says a footnote

says then and then he says a footnote

says then and then he says a footnote and he says if the reader will turn to

and he says if the reader will turn to

and he says if the reader will turn to the scene in the first part of Henry the

the scene in the first part of Henry the

the scene in the first part of Henry the fourth he will see in the text of

fourth he will see in the text of

fourth he will see in the text of Shakespeare the natural feelings of

Shakespeare the natural feelings of

Shakespeare the natural feelings of enthusiasm and in the notes of dr.

enthusiasm and in the notes of dr.

enthusiasm and in the notes of dr. Johnson the workings of a bigoted though

Johnson the workings of a bigoted though

Johnson the workings of a bigoted though vigorous mind greedy of every pretense

vigorous mind greedy of every pretense

vigorous mind greedy of every pretense to hate and persecute those who dissent

to hate and persecute those who dissent

to hate and persecute those who dissent from his creed if you’re looking at this

from his creed if you’re looking at this

from his creed if you’re looking at this looking at the main text looking at the

looking at the main text looking at the

looking at the main text looking at the foot Knight you should be doing what

foot Knight you should be doing what

foot Knight you should be doing what Shakespeare doctor what’s going on here

Shakespeare doctor what’s going on here

Shakespeare doctor what’s going on here right now how does that connect to know

right now how does that connect to know

right now how does that connect to know what’s going on here you have to know

what’s going on here you have to know

what’s going on here you have to know that in his own footnotes to Henry the

that in his own footnotes to Henry the

that in his own footnotes to Henry the fourth Samuel Johnson commented that

fourth Samuel Johnson commented that

fourth Samuel Johnson commented that Christians had a right and indeed an

Christians had a right and indeed an

Christians had a right and indeed an obligation to wage war upon Muslims

obligation to wage war upon Muslims

obligation to wage war upon Muslims because Muslims were committed by their

because Muslims were committed by their

because Muslims were committed by their own principles to eliminate other

own principles to eliminate other

own principles to eliminate other religions so what’s happening here is a

religions so what’s happening here is a

religions so what’s happening here is a kind of battle of the footnotes right

kind of battle of the footnotes right

kind of battle of the footnotes right Gibbon is fighting against something

Gibbon is fighting against something

Gibbon is fighting against something that’s unstated he’s fighting in an

that’s unstated he’s fighting in an

that’s unstated he’s fighting in an unstained away against something that

unstained away against something that

unstained away against something that Johnson is saying but without putting it

Johnson is saying but without putting it

Johnson is saying but without putting it explicitly so that’s a case where a sort

explicitly so that’s a case where a sort

explicitly so that’s a case where a sort of many people enjoy Gibbon because I

of many people enjoy Gibbon because I

of many people enjoy Gibbon because I think it’s really interesting because of

think it’s really interesting because of

think it’s really interesting because of the footnotes and especially because

the footnotes and especially because

the footnotes and especially because he’s an ironic commentaries there are

he’s an ironic commentaries there are

he’s an ironic commentaries there are other places where the footnote sort of

other places where the footnote sort of

other places where the footnote sort of takes on a life of its own

takes on a life of its own

takes on a life of its own becomes the main you know it goes beyond

becomes the main you know it goes beyond

becomes the main you know it goes beyond what’s in the main text here’s the case

what’s in the main text here’s the case

what’s in the main text here’s the case from physics so Max Born won the Nobel

from physics so Max Born won the Nobel

from physics so Max Born won the Nobel Prize in 1954 for it was a large part

Prize in 1954 for it was a large part

Prize in 1954 for it was a large part for what’s known as the born rule turns

for what’s known as the born rule turns

for what’s known as the born rule turns out that born rule was first a prose in

out that born rule was first a prose in

out that born rule was first a prose in 1926 paper but the rule itself occurs in

1926 paper but the rule itself occurs in

1926 paper but the rule itself occurs in a footnote right so the main the rule

a footnote right so the main the rule

a footnote right so the main the rule that’s enunciated in the main text is

that’s enunciated in the main text is

that’s enunciated in the main text is inaccurate the footnote says a more

inaccurate the footnote says a more

inaccurate the footnote says a more precise consideration shows that the

precise consideration shows that the

precise consideration shows that the probabilities this other thing is the

probabilities this other thing is the

probabilities this other thing is the square of the rule proposed in the main

square of the rule proposed in the main

square of the rule proposed in the main text but he still got the Nobel Prize

text but he still got the Nobel Prize

text but he still got the Nobel Prize right he got the prize for something

right he got the prize for something

right he got the prize for something appeared in a footnote here’s a similar

appeared in a footnote here’s a similar

appeared in a footnote here’s a similar kind of case from law so

kind of case from law so

kind of case from law so it’s a United States versus Carolyn

it’s a United States versus Carolyn

it’s a United States versus Carolyn products is a 1938 decision upholding

products is a 1938 decision upholding

products is a 1938 decision upholding the right of Congress to regulate

the right of Congress to regulate

the right of Congress to regulate interstate commerce as so long as

interstate commerce as so long as

interstate commerce as so long as there’s some kind of rational basis to

there’s some kind of rational basis to

there’s some kind of rational basis to the to the to the regulation and so but

the to the to the regulation and so but

the to the to the regulation and so but then there’s this footnote footnote 4

then there’s this footnote footnote 4

then there’s this footnote footnote 4 when it comes it becomes known as the

when it comes it becomes known as the

when it comes it becomes known as the famous footnote 4 so there the justices

famous footnote 4 so there the justices

famous footnote 4 so there the justices say well basically Congress gets to

say well basically Congress gets to

say well basically Congress gets to regulate as long as there’s some reason

regulate as long as there’s some reason

regulate as long as there’s some reason for it but there might be room for

for it but there might be room for

for it but there might be room for stricter scrutiny in some cases what

stricter scrutiny in some cases what

stricter scrutiny in some cases what kind of cases cases where a group cannot

kind of cases cases where a group cannot

kind of cases cases where a group cannot actually participate in the political

actually participate in the political

actually participate in the political process themselves to make laws that

process themselves to make laws that

process themselves to make laws that would that where they have a voice in

would that where they have a voice in

would that where they have a voice in making the laws themselves but they say

making the laws themselves but they say

making the laws themselves but they say there might be room for narrower

there might be room for narrower

there might be room for narrower protections in some cases and we don’t

protections in some cases and we don’t

protections in some cases and we don’t have to look at that right now it’s not

have to look at that right now it’s not

have to look at that right now it’s not necessary for us to inquire about that

necessary for us to inquire about that

necessary for us to inquire about that right now

right now

right now right so they note a kind of notation

right so they note a kind of notation

right so they note a kind of notation about something that could be considered

about something that could be considered

about something that could be considered other justices for this and other kinds

other justices for this and other kinds

other justices for this and other kinds of cases frequently say ah but you don’t

of cases frequently say ah but you don’t

of cases frequently say ah but you don’t come on footnotes are just footnotes

come on footnotes are just footnotes

come on footnotes are just footnotes they’re not there marginalia they don’t

they’re not there marginalia they don’t

they’re not there marginalia they don’t really count just quoting a footnote

really count just quoting a footnote

really count just quoting a footnote can’t convert it into law don’t consider

can’t convert it into law don’t consider

can’t convert it into law don’t consider footnotes as an authority but in fact

footnotes as an authority but in fact

footnotes as an authority but in fact footnote 4 of Carolyn products became

footnote 4 of Carolyn products became

footnote 4 of Carolyn products became the basis for a wide range of some of

the basis for a wide range of some of

the basis for a wide range of some of the most important decisions of the 20th

the most important decisions of the 20th

the most important decisions of the 20th century including desegregation with

century including desegregation with

century including desegregation with Brown versus Board of Education and

Brown versus Board of Education and

Brown versus Board of Education and same-sex marriage was over Chevelle vs.

same-sex marriage was over Chevelle vs.

same-sex marriage was over Chevelle vs. Hodges so here’s a case where the

Hodges so here’s a case where the

Hodges so here’s a case where the justices were putting a kind of trial

justices were putting a kind of trial

justices were putting a kind of trial balloon a kind of speculative extension

balloon a kind of speculative extension

balloon a kind of speculative extension in the footnote in case somebody wanted

in the footnote in case somebody wanted

in the footnote in case somebody wanted to take it up later which they

to take it up later which they

to take it up later which they definitely did okay so that was a little

definitely did okay so that was a little

definitely did okay so that was a little tour through footnotes right I said

tour through footnotes right I said

tour through footnotes right I said there are four kinds of things that

there are four kinds of things that

there are four kinds of things that footnotes do it’s interesting and

footnotes do it’s interesting and

footnotes do it’s interesting and important things they cite they

important things they cite they

important things they cite they supplement the material they evaluate

supplement the material they evaluate

supplement the material they evaluate material and sometimes they speculate or

material and sometimes they speculate or

material and sometimes they speculate or extend the material and the next thing

extend the material and the next thing

extend the material and the next thing the next big point I want to make is

the next big point I want to make is

the next big point I want to make is this is not just something that happens

this is not just something that happens

this is not just something that happens in footnotes this is something happens

in footnotes this is something happens

in footnotes this is something happens all over ordinary discourse right

all over ordinary discourse right

all over ordinary discourse right conversations aren’t just pilings up of

conversations aren’t just pilings up of

conversations aren’t just pilings up of pieces of information of you know lots

pieces of information of you know lots

pieces of information of you know lots of big piles of information they

of big piles of information they

of big piles of information they structure that information in important

structure that information in important

structure that information in important ways so some information is right at the

ways so some information is right at the

ways so some information is right at the core and some of its more peripheral and

core and some of its more peripheral and

core and some of its more peripheral and language has ways of manipulating and

language has ways of manipulating and

language has ways of manipulating and indicating that kind of structure so we

indicating that kind of structure so we

indicating that kind of structure so we find in particular the same kinds of

find in particular the same kinds of

find in particular the same kinds of functions as we saw before displayed in

functions as we saw before displayed in

functions as we saw before displayed in footnotes now in ordinary speech we have

footnotes now in ordinary speech we have

footnotes now in ordinary speech we have what are called evidential so these are

what are called evidential so these are

what are called evidential so these are cases where there’s a kind of citation

cases where there’s a kind of citation

cases where there’s a kind of citation to other people either as a way of

to other people either as a way of

to other people either as a way of giving credit or as a ways of taking

giving credit or as a ways of taking

giving credit or as a ways of taking authority and sometimes the credit is

authority and sometimes the credit is

authority and sometimes the credit is the the citation is specific as Alex

the the citation is specific as Alex

the the citation is specific as Alex said and sometimes it’s very vague as in

said and sometimes it’s very vague as in

said and sometimes it’s very vague as in many people are saying another kind of

many people are saying another kind of

many people are saying another kind of way in which language provides

way in which language provides

way in which language provides additional information at the margins is

additional information at the margins is

additional information at the margins is with what’s called a positive so these

with what’s called a positive so these

with what’s called a positive so these are supplemental this provides these are

are supplemental this provides these are

are supplemental this provides these are clauses like parenthetical remarks that

clauses like parenthetical remarks that

clauses like parenthetical remarks that provide supplemental information

provide supplemental information

provide supplemental information sometimes this clarifies the main

sometimes this clarifies the main

sometimes this clarifies the main inference that mean information the text

inference that mean information the text

inference that mean information the text and sometimes it’s just sort of

and sometimes it’s just sort of

and sometimes it’s just sort of interesting right it’s sort of

interesting right it’s sort of

interesting right it’s sort of interesting aside like we saw with

interesting aside like we saw with

interesting aside like we saw with footnotes sometimes we also have

footnotes sometimes we also have

footnotes sometimes we also have expressions ways of using language that

expressions ways of using language that

expressions ways of using language that serve to evaluate the main information

serve to evaluate the main information

serve to evaluate the main information in the text so if I say you know she’s a

in the text so if I say you know she’s a

in the text so if I say you know she’s a philosophy major and therefore

philosophy major and therefore

philosophy major and therefore intelligence right I’m commenting on a

intelligence right I’m commenting on a

intelligence right I’m commenting on a kind of connection between those two

kind of connection between those two

kind of connection between those two clauses or if I say I’ll take care of it

clauses or if I say I’ll take care of it

clauses or if I say I’ll take care of it immediately sir right I’m indicating

immediately sir right I’m indicating

immediately sir right I’m indicating something about my social relation to

something about my social relation to

something about my social relation to the speaker or to the hearer or if I say

the speaker or to the hearer or if I say

the speaker or to the hearer or if I say I’ll take care of for you honey

I’ll take care of for you honey

I’ll take care of for you honey similarly a different kind of social

similarly a different kind of social

similarly a different kind of social relation between me and here now as you

relation between me and here now as you

relation between me and here now as you might be noticing in a bunch of these

might be noticing in a bunch of these

might be noticing in a bunch of these cases the stuff that’s at the margins is

cases the stuff that’s at the margins is

cases the stuff that’s at the margins is interesting important appropriate but

interesting important appropriate but

interesting important appropriate but sometimes it’s objectionable or

sometimes it’s objectionable or

sometimes it’s objectionable or problematic right you might not agree

problematic right you might not agree

problematic right you might not agree with me yet there’s an important

with me yet there’s an important

with me yet there’s an important connection between being a philosophy

connection between being a philosophy

connection between being a philosophy major and being intelligent you might

major and being intelligent you might

major and being intelligent you might not not everybody should get to call

not not everybody should get to call

not not everybody should get to call everybody honey right sometimes in the

everybody honey right sometimes in the

everybody honey right sometimes in the wrong case that can be patronizing or it

wrong case that can be patronizing or it

wrong case that can be patronizing or it can be even a case of harassment so we

can be even a case of harassment so we

can be even a case of harassment so we have these kind of objectionable

have these kind of objectionable

have these kind of objectionable assumptions those objectionable

assumptions those objectionable

assumptions those objectionable assumptions can be especially tricky

assumptions can be especially tricky

assumptions can be especially tricky when there come in not just in ways that

when there come in not just in ways that

when there come in not just in ways that are stated explicitly right so they come

are stated explicitly right so they come

are stated explicitly right so they come in there unstated so sometimes

in there unstated so sometimes

in there unstated so sometimes particular words do this

particular words do this

particular words do this like even or managed so even George

like even or managed so even George

like even or managed so even George could solve the problem George managed

could solve the problem George managed

could solve the problem George managed to solve a problem both of those sort of

to solve a problem both of those sort of

to solve a problem both of those sort of suggests there’s something surprising

suggests there’s something surprising

suggests there’s something surprising about George solving the problem right

about George solving the problem right

about George solving the problem right and that’s but that’s not something

and that’s but that’s not something

and that’s but that’s not something that’s actually stated another way this

that’s actually stated another way this

that’s actually stated another way this can come in is by just sort of revealing

can come in is by just sort of revealing

can come in is by just sort of revealing a kind of assumption on the speakers

a kind of assumption on the speakers

a kind of assumption on the speakers part I love the Muslims they’re great

part I love the Muslims they’re great

part I love the Muslims they’re great people

people

people describes Muslims as a group as a whole

describes Muslims as a group as a whole

describes Muslims as a group as a whole just in it’s sort of mode of description

just in it’s sort of mode of description

just in it’s sort of mode of description and sometimes the assumption is not

and sometimes the assumption is not

and sometimes the assumption is not necessarily problematic but it’s

necessarily problematic but it’s

necessarily problematic but it’s something about the way it’s put into

something about the way it’s put into

something about the way it’s put into the conversation right so if I said you

the conversation right so if I said you

the conversation right so if I said you oh sorry I can’t come to dinner this

oh sorry I can’t come to dinner this

oh sorry I can’t come to dinner this there’s naked I’m having dinner with my

there’s naked I’m having dinner with my

there’s naked I’m having dinner with my girlfriend’s family I’m presenting is

girlfriend’s family I’m presenting is

girlfriend’s family I’m presenting is already common knowledge that I got a

already common knowledge that I got a

already common knowledge that I got a girlfriend and that you might say whoa

girlfriend and that you might say whoa

girlfriend and that you might say whoa hey wait a minute I didn’t know that

hey wait a minute I didn’t know that

hey wait a minute I didn’t know that right so it might be that you’re

right so it might be that you’re

right so it might be that you’re sneaking into the conversation has

sneaking into the conversation has

sneaking into the conversation has already supposed something that’s

already supposed something that’s

already supposed something that’s actually new information um

actually new information um

actually new information um the other way in which unstated

the other way in which unstated

the other way in which unstated information can kind of get into the

information can kind of get into the

information can kind of get into the conversation is not by as presenting

conversation is not by as presenting

conversation is not by as presenting something is already assumed but by

something is already assumed but by

something is already assumed but by inviting here or to draw a conclusion

inviting here or to draw a conclusion

inviting here or to draw a conclusion from what the speaker said so the

from what the speaker said so the

from what the speaker said so the classic case here is these are called

classic case here is these are called

classic case here is these are called insinuation the classic case here is a

insinuation the classic case here is a

insinuation the classic case here is a letter of recommendation which in states

letter of recommendation which in states

letter of recommendation which in states in its entirety John is always punctual

in its entirety John is always punctual

in its entirety John is always punctual and his handwriting is excellent now if

and his handwriting is excellent now if

and his handwriting is excellent now if you’ve got that as a letter of

you’ve got that as a letter of

you’ve got that as a letter of recommendation say for a job you know in

recommendation say for a job you know in

recommendation say for a job you know in the teaching philosophy which is the

the teaching philosophy which is the

the teaching philosophy which is the example we usually use you’re gonna

example we usually use you’re gonna

example we usually use you’re gonna conclude that John is not a very good

conclude that John is not a very good

conclude that John is not a very good philosopher is not a good candidate for

philosopher is not a good candidate for

philosopher is not a good candidate for the job but that’s not what the letter

the job but that’s not what the letter

the job but that’s not what the letter says right it’s something that’s snuck

says right it’s something that’s snuck

says right it’s something that’s snuck in by implication sometimes people avoid

in by implication sometimes people avoid

in by implication sometimes people avoid saying something explicitly because it’s

saying something explicitly because it’s

saying something explicitly because it’s unpleasant as in that case sometimes

unpleasant as in that case sometimes

unpleasant as in that case sometimes it’s because they’re trying to negotiate

it’s because they’re trying to negotiate

it’s because they’re trying to negotiate something they’re trying to be polite

something they’re trying to be polite

something they’re trying to be polite right they don’t want to hurt the hero’s

right they don’t want to hurt the hero’s

right they don’t want to hurt the hero’s feelings so you might say I’m trying to

feelings so you might say I’m trying to

feelings so you might say I’m trying to ask you for some money but I say this

ask you for some money but I say this

ask you for some money but I say this very indirect way right I know it’s a

very indirect way right I know it’s a

very indirect way right I know it’s a lot to ask but you know I was wondering

lot to ask but you know I was wondering

lot to ask but you know I was wondering if you happen to have any extra cash

if you happen to have any extra cash

if you happen to have any extra cash sometimes a third kind of reason why

sometimes a third kind of reason why

sometimes a third kind of reason why people don’t come out and say what they

people don’t come out and say what they

people don’t come out and say what they really would the thing that they’re most

really would the thing that they’re most

really would the thing that they’re most interested in communicating is because

interested in communicating is because

interested in communicating is because they want to communicate only with a

they want to communicate only with a

they want to communicate only with a subset of their audience right so if

subset of their audience right so if

subset of their audience right so if somebody says we need more alone or in

somebody says we need more alone or in

somebody says we need more alone or in the inner cities which are suffering

the inner cities which are suffering

the inner cities which are suffering terribly

terribly

terribly might be a code to speak to a certain

might be a code to speak to a certain

might be a code to speak to a certain part of the audience without speaking

part of the audience without speaking

part of the audience without speaking explicitly to a broader range of the

explicitly to a broader range of the

explicitly to a broader range of the audience and in politics as they’re

audience and in politics as they’re

audience and in politics as they’re called dog whistles so I’ve now surveyed

called dog whistles so I’ve now surveyed

called dog whistles so I’ve now surveyed a range of things that you know we find

a range of things that you know we find

a range of things that you know we find in peripheral speech in ordinary

in peripheral speech in ordinary

in peripheral speech in ordinary discourse they’re doing the same kind of

discourse they’re doing the same kind of

discourse they’re doing the same kind of thing that we saw in footnotes we had

thing that we saw in footnotes we had

thing that we saw in footnotes we had evident we had a sort of citation we had

evident we had a sort of citation we had

evident we had a sort of citation we had supplementation we had evaluation and we

supplementation we had evaluation and we

supplementation we had evaluation and we had this sort of sneaky extension more

had this sort of sneaky extension more

had this sort of sneaky extension more or less sneaky extension so how can we

or less sneaky extension so how can we

or less sneaky extension so how can we what can we say about how these kinds of

what can we say about how these kinds of

what can we say about how these kinds of speech work in a more general level one

speech work in a more general level one

speech work in a more general level one thing is precisely because they’re

thing is precisely because they’re

thing is precisely because they’re marginal they fall outside of direct

marginal they fall outside of direct

marginal they fall outside of direct response so if I say that’s not true or

response so if I say that’s not true or

response so if I say that’s not true or I disagree right to even Gorge solve the

I disagree right to even Gorge solve the

I disagree right to even Gorge solve the problem that challenge is I reject the

problem that challenge is I reject the

problem that challenge is I reject the claim that Gorge solves the problem

claim that Gorge solves the problem

claim that Gorge solves the problem right I leave standing I don’t leave

right I leave standing I don’t leave

right I leave standing I don’t leave untouched that assumption that there’s

untouched that assumption that there’s

untouched that assumption that there’s something surprising about George being

something surprising about George being

something surprising about George being able to do that right so that stays out

able to do that right so that stays out

able to do that right so that stays out of the margins but at the same time if I

of the margins but at the same time if I

of the margins but at the same time if I don’t find a way to challenge and reject

don’t find a way to challenge and reject

don’t find a way to challenge and reject that assumption then it ends up entering

that assumption then it ends up entering

that assumption then it ends up entering the conversation and becoming

the conversation and becoming

the conversation and becoming established as something that’s accepted

established as something that’s accepted

established as something that’s accepted in the conversation and that can be used

in the conversation and that can be used

in the conversation and that can be used going forward the last thing is that

going forward the last thing is that

going forward the last thing is that because these kinds of things are when

because these kinds of things are when

because these kinds of things are when they’re unstated and especially when

they’re unstated and especially when

they’re unstated and especially when they’re sort of mushy involving things

they’re sort of mushy involving things

they’re sort of mushy involving things about attitudes and perspectives and

about attitudes and perspectives and

about attitudes and perspectives and ways of thinking and social relations

ways of thinking and social relations

ways of thinking and social relations and stuff they can be hard to pin down

and stuff they can be hard to pin down

and stuff they can be hard to pin down right they’re not specific commitments

right they’re not specific commitments

right they’re not specific commitments and that gives them this kind of

and that gives them this kind of

and that gives them this kind of plausible deniability if you say I don’t

plausible deniability if you say I don’t

plausible deniability if you say I don’t you know I don’t know what you mean I

you know I don’t know what you mean I

you know I don’t know what you mean I wasn’t suggesting anything by saying the

wasn’t suggesting anything by saying the

wasn’t suggesting anything by saying the Muslims I’m telling you I think Muslims

Muslims I’m telling you I think Muslims

Muslims I’m telling you I think Muslims are great people right so there’s kind

are great people right so there’s kind

are great people right so there’s kind of deniability about them what the

of deniability about them what the

of deniability about them what the speaker really meant it’s not available

speaker really meant it’s not available

speaker really meant it’s not available when speech is fully explicit so you

when speech is fully explicit so you

when speech is fully explicit so you might think if this speech is so sneaky

might think if this speech is so sneaky

might think if this speech is so sneaky if it’s so tricky when it would it ever

if it’s so tricky when it would it ever

if it’s so tricky when it would it ever be legitimate to use marginal speech

be legitimate to use marginal speech

be legitimate to use marginal speech right why not just stand up come out and

right why not just stand up come out and

right why not just stand up come out and say what you mean the first thing is

say what you mean the first thing is

say what you mean the first thing is that as we saw there are really

that as we saw there are really

that as we saw there are really important not all information can be at

important not all information can be at

important not all information can be at the center some things deserve to be at

the center some things deserve to be at

the center some things deserve to be at the margins right and some

the margins right and some

the margins right and some really are supplemental or explanatory

really are supplemental or explanatory

really are supplemental or explanatory and some you have to present the basic

and some you have to present the basic

and some you have to present the basic information before you can comment on it

information before you can comment on it

information before you can comment on it right the other thing is sometimes we

right the other thing is sometimes we

right the other thing is sometimes we really do have good reason to speak to

really do have good reason to speak to

really do have good reason to speak to multiple audiences and sometimes we

multiple audiences and sometimes we

multiple audiences and sometimes we really do have good reason to protect

really do have good reason to protect

really do have good reason to protect one or both parties I might not it might

one or both parties I might not it might

one or both parties I might not it might be risky for me to come out and say

be risky for me to come out and say

be risky for me to come out and say explicitly something I’m trying to

explicitly something I’m trying to

explicitly something I’m trying to communicate or I might be trying to

communicate or I might be trying to

communicate or I might be trying to protect your feelings those all can be

protect your feelings those all can be

protect your feelings those all can be legitimate reasons to avoid speaking

legitimate reasons to avoid speaking

legitimate reasons to avoid speaking explicitly on the other hand as we’ve

explicitly on the other hand as we’ve

explicitly on the other hand as we’ve also seen they can be objectionable

also seen they can be objectionable

also seen they can be objectionable right there can be these are ways of

right there can be these are ways of

right there can be these are ways of speaking that are right for manipulation

speaking that are right for manipulation

speaking that are right for manipulation and abuse and so sometimes there really

and abuse and so sometimes there really

and abuse and so sometimes there really are going to be objectionable

are going to be objectionable

are going to be objectionable assumptions things that you disagree

assumptions things that you disagree

assumptions things that you disagree with that are going to enter into the

with that are going to enter into the

with that are going to enter into the conversation in these kinds of

conversation in these kinds of

conversation in these kinds of peripheral ways the question is when

peripheral ways the question is when

peripheral ways the question is when that happens what should you do about it

that happens what should you do about it

that happens what should you do about it and as we’ve seen already the usual

and as we’ve seen already the usual

and as we’ve seen already the usual techniques of response aren’t available

techniques of response aren’t available

techniques of response aren’t available to you right you can’t say if you say

to you right you can’t say if you say

to you right you can’t say if you say that’s not true or I disagree you’re not

that’s not true or I disagree you’re not

that’s not true or I disagree you’re not going to get at that thing that’s at the

going to get at that thing that’s at the

going to get at that thing that’s at the margin which is exactly what’s so

margin which is exactly what’s so

margin which is exactly what’s so troubling right so here I think three

troubling right so here I think three

troubling right so here I think three main options for you the first is to

main options for you the first is to

main options for you the first is to just derail the conversations stop and

just derail the conversations stop and

just derail the conversations stop and say hey wait a minute what do you mean

say hey wait a minute what do you mean

say hey wait a minute what do you mean even George right what are you

even George right what are you

even George right what are you suggesting are you saying there’s a

suggesting are you saying there’s a

suggesting are you saying there’s a problem with George the second thing is

problem with George the second thing is

problem with George the second thing is to take that unarticulated assumption

to take that unarticulated assumption

to take that unarticulated assumption and punch back at that reject that

and punch back at that reject that

and punch back at that reject that explicitly say something like Muslims

explicitly say something like Muslims

explicitly say something like Muslims come in all kinds just like other people

come in all kinds just like other people

come in all kinds just like other people right you can’t it doesn’t make sense to

right you can’t it doesn’t make sense to

right you can’t it doesn’t make sense to talk about Muslims as a group in this

talk about Muslims as a group in this

talk about Muslims as a group in this way the third but sometimes both of

way the third but sometimes both of

way the third but sometimes both of those first two moves are going to be

those first two moves are going to be

those first two moves are going to be too aggressive they’re going to be too

too aggressive they’re going to be too

too aggressive they’re going to be too in-your-face maybe you don’t have the

in-your-face maybe you don’t have the

in-your-face maybe you don’t have the social status to do that or maybe you do

social status to do that or maybe you do

social status to do that or maybe you do need to and want to protect the hearers

need to and want to protect the hearers

need to and want to protect the hearers feelings so in that case one another

feelings so in that case one another

feelings so in that case one another option is to sort of you know use the

option is to sort of you know use the

option is to sort of you know use the very kind of indirection that the

very kind of indirection that the

very kind of indirection that the speaker used in response to them right

speaker used in response to them right

speaker used in response to them right so instead directly responding to that

so instead directly responding to that

so instead directly responding to that objectionable thing sort of come around

objectionable thing sort of come around

objectionable thing sort of come around at it indirectly so what are the morals

at it indirectly so what are the morals

at it indirectly so what are the morals of the story what do I want you to take

of the story what do I want you to take

of the story what do I want you to take away the first thing is you respect the

away the first thing is you respect the

away the first thing is you respect the footnote right actually there’s a lot of

footnote right actually there’s a lot of

footnote right actually there’s a lot of interesting stuff going on down there in

interesting stuff going on down there in

interesting stuff going on down there in the

the

the the fine print you should pay attention

the fine print you should pay attention

the fine print you should pay attention to it be on the lookout for what’s

to it be on the lookout for what’s

to it be on the lookout for what’s happening the second thing is that same

happening the second thing is that same

happening the second thing is that same point applies to ordinary speech things

point applies to ordinary speech things

point applies to ordinary speech things happen at the margins that need to be

happen at the margins that need to be

happen at the margins that need to be paid attention to and the third thing is

paid attention to and the third thing is

paid attention to and the third thing is it’s not enough to just be an attentive

it’s not enough to just be an attentive

it’s not enough to just be an attentive hearer and reader you need to get in

hearer and reader you need to get in

hearer and reader you need to get in there in conversation and do something

there in conversation and do something

there in conversation and do something yourself right so if whatever your

yourself right so if whatever your

yourself right so if whatever your assumptions are if somebody says

assumptions are if somebody says

assumptions are if somebody says something that you find objectionable

something that you find objectionable

something that you find objectionable don’t just let it slide right if you let

don’t just let it slide right if you let

don’t just let it slide right if you let it slide you acquiesce you let it have

it slide you acquiesce you let it have

it slide you acquiesce you let it have authority in the conversation going

authority in the conversation going

authority in the conversation going forward and it can be built on so you

forward and it can be built on so you

forward and it can be built on so you need it might not you however you under

need it might not you however you under

need it might not you however you under spawned whether that’s by directly

spawned whether that’s by directly

spawned whether that’s by directly counterpunching or by indirectly you

counterpunching or by indirectly you

counterpunching or by indirectly you know sort of finding some way to

know sort of finding some way to

know sort of finding some way to dislodge it you need to take

dislodge it you need to take

dislodge it you need to take responsibility for blocking and

responsibility for blocking and

responsibility for blocking and resisting those kinds of objectionable

resisting those kinds of objectionable

resisting those kinds of objectionable consumptions when they occur in

consumptions when they occur in

consumptions when they occur in conversation all right thank you

”

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *