Random last-year link on Santa...

[conuly]

Interesting post.

I'm only posting it to quote a specific comment:

I bet you don't believe in imaginary friends, either. Your world sounds so sterile and literal.

WTF is that supposed to mean? Of course he doesn't believe in imaginary friends! 'cuz they're imaginary. That's the meaning of the word!

What Anonymous means, of course, is "don't think they're appropriate", which is something else altogether. It's also a straw man - people don't lie to their kids about imaginary friends. People *do* lie to their kids about Santa. Children aren't expected to actually believe their imaginary friends are real. They *are* expected to believe that Santa is real. Whether or not you consider this a bad thing, the two things are not comprable.

Don't believe in imaginary friends. What a nonsensical set of words. It's like complimenting Shrubboy by calling him an incredible speaker. Not only are you wrong in the sense that you mean the word, but you're right in the literal etymology which nobody uses - he is quite honestly not credible. Whee, tangent!

Comments

[sporks5000.livejournal.com]

You're on the list, as is Zibacco. My friend Morella is on the list. Ashley would be on the list if it weren't for the fact that I've talked to her on the phone too many times and seen to many pictures of her to believe that she's not real.

My ex-girlfriend Mallory is on the list - not because of her awesomeness, but because she turned out to not be real.

Aldous is on the list despite the fact that I don't agree with all of his political views.

Then there's Sharon and China and definitely Jessica - all three of which are awesome.

I could keep going...

[conuly]

I'm on the list? *glances down*

Ooooh! I've turned into a giant purple mouse! And invisible giant purple mouse! With a crown! COOOL! BEING IMAGINARY ROCKS!

[sporks5000.livejournal.com]

what? you didn't think that you were cool?

you're awesome and cool.

[conuly]

AND a giant purple invisible mouse. A fairy princess ballerina mouse.

[sporks5000.livejournal.com]

hmmmm...I'd bet being a mouse keeps the food bills low.

I've heard that being a ballerina keeps them low as well.