Potterybarning

Potterybarning is a term derived from The Pottery Barn Rule in American political jargon ("You break it, you bought it). It is a social outcome where a soft transferrence of ownership/responsibility of a particular task from one individual occurs following a question or critisism by another. It occurs because the person being questioned views the questioning as a soft block of an idea or as an attack on their competence. Instances of emotional vestment by the original owner result in resentment or ad hominen attacks from the person whose idea is questioned or criticized. An example: Person A "We should get a truck!" Person B "Well, how much will that cost?" Person A "Look, we've wanted this for a long time. Do you want to find that out and let us know?" Person B "(to self) I thought I was asking a question, not taking on a committment!" Person A (after long stunned pause by B) "I'm trying to empower you!" This term (as applied to Free Geek) was coined by Luiz. This page is part of his coping with this Kobayahsi Maru.