One of the things I love doing is taking something that is accepted in one context and putting it in another context. For instance, not nearly enough people make fun of Vin Diesel for changing his name to Vin Diesel. Even before he was a star he made his friends call him Vin Diesel instead of his real name, Mark Vincent. I think because he’s a movie star we accept that, but take it out of Hollywood for a second. What if one of your friends just said one day, “Hey, from now on call me Max Power.” (That’s Simpsons reference #435 if you’re playing along at home.) You and all your friends would make fun of that person for years and years and years because in the right context, the giving yourself a fake name is funny.
So recently I started thinking about the “please pay attention” phrases ministers love to weave into their sermons. Right in the middle of an idea, they’ll not so subtly say, “Watch this.” Or “Follow me” or “Listen up” or perhaps my all time favorite, “are you tracking with me?” It’s meant to be the equivalent of the clickety clickety sound a roller coaster makes as you near the top of the biggest hill. It’s supposed to draw you in, get your ready and then throw you right into some new knowledge. But what if you used those phrases in your everyday conversation? Try it today, it will probably look like this:
Me:
“The focus group last night was really interesting.”
Co-worker:
“Really? What did you learn?”
Me:
“Well the new concepts were well received. But watch this, one of the men in the room didn’t like the new idea. Follow me, the women in the room responded well, but the guys didn’t. Are you tracking with me?”
Co-worker:
“I hate you.”
At the bare minimum it’s a fun way to pass the day.
(Thanks Lindsey for reminding me this happens.)
