If you ask a man a perfectly simple question that you know he actually has the answer to, and the response you get is “I don’t know” or “I don’t remember,” what he means is either “Don’t bother me right now” or “I don’t want to talk about that.”
Yep — it’s a common, nearly universal disorder. Variations occur. Politicians, for example, may just answer a different question instead. Ageing allows a another variation — if I don’t know, I can pretend I didn’t hear you!
I had a wonderful professor in college who would utter the most outrageous statements to: a) see if you were paying attention b) test your knowledge of the subject and c) hone your debating skills.
One of my college mates was one of the best story tellers. Start with the truth, or something close to it, and see how far astray you can lead your audience. Last time I heard him do this, he was a the official host, “informing” tourists around a camp fire in our oldest national park!
Non sequitur: Engineers tend to work in information areas with a low Signal-to-Noise ratio (SNR). In order to maximize SNR, they frequently add information (signal) of a slightly lesser quality to try to increase the overall SNR. For example, when my wife asks for driving directions, I might give her 2 or 3 ways to get there, thinking that, if one is busy, then one of the others would get her there faster. Seems logical to me, but she hates it!
Linguist about 12 years ago
I resemble that remark !
Llewellenbruce about 12 years ago
That’s not the only kind of disorder he’s got.
Superfrog about 12 years ago
Oh. I thought it was Meandering Adventure Dialogue.
orinoco womble about 12 years ago
If you ask a man a perfectly simple question that you know he actually has the answer to, and the response you get is “I don’t know” or “I don’t remember,” what he means is either “Don’t bother me right now” or “I don’t want to talk about that.”
Ellen Gwynne about 12 years ago
No, it’s TPD- testosterone poisoning disorder.
Frog-on-a-Log Premium Member about 12 years ago
thirdguy about 12 years ago
My ex used to always ask 2 questions at the same time. I would just answer, “yes”.
cdward about 12 years ago
And proud of it!
Plods with ...™ about 12 years ago
I’m with Earl.If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull sh—.
GROG Premium Member about 12 years ago
I thought it was more like Fake it, nobody will no the difference.
jimgamer about 12 years ago
Whatever ??
mkahn about 12 years ago
Work = MAD (Mass x Acceleration x Distance)
Chris Kenworthy about 12 years ago
I think Pearl just made that up! ;)
EarlP2 about 12 years ago
Yep — it’s a common, nearly universal disorder. Variations occur. Politicians, for example, may just answer a different question instead. Ageing allows a another variation — if I don’t know, I can pretend I didn’t hear you!
jtviper7 about 12 years ago
They make it up… and believe it.
alondra about 12 years ago
I only got one thing to say to this. LOL!
Linguist about 12 years ago
I had a wonderful professor in college who would utter the most outrageous statements to: a) see if you were paying attention b) test your knowledge of the subject and c) hone your debating skills.
Perkycat about 12 years ago
Now that we have a name for it, we need a government grant to study it, find out how many have it and find a cure.
EarlP2 about 12 years ago
One of my college mates was one of the best story tellers. Start with the truth, or something close to it, and see how far astray you can lead your audience. Last time I heard him do this, he was a the official host, “informing” tourists around a camp fire in our oldest national park!
davefiedler Premium Member about 12 years ago
If she really wants to know something she should ask Muffin.It’s a well-known fact that cats have all the answers.
jkhandy about 12 years ago
Same reason most men won’t ask for directions or read instructions, as well as saying “I don’t know.” Male or female, the EGO won’t allow it.
Lamberger about 12 years ago
I think women would probably get F.A.D.
Non sequitur: Engineers tend to work in information areas with a low Signal-to-Noise ratio (SNR). In order to maximize SNR, they frequently add information (signal) of a slightly lesser quality to try to increase the overall SNR. For example, when my wife asks for driving directions, I might give her 2 or 3 ways to get there, thinking that, if one is busy, then one of the others would get her there faster. Seems logical to me, but she hates it!
janeleoc about 12 years ago
This is the best comic strip available now. Sad that it is not in more newspapers.
Rickapolis about 12 years ago
I don’t get it.
Macintosh over 2 years ago
Oh yes, my Dad has M.A.D. too. Drives me up the wall.