---
author: ''
category: ''
date: 2012/02/20 18:18
description: ''
link: ''
priority: ''
slug: BB996
tags: ''
title: The Lowly Symbols
type: text
updated: 2012/02/20 18:18
url_type: ''
---
Two nights ago, I was at a birthday party. In it, someone (name preserved because you don't know the guy) said something like "symbols are useful to rally people for a fight".

I answered "if I ever need to rally people to a fight, I would make sure to choose some uncool symbol (maybe a naked mole rat, rampant), so I at least know they are there because they understand the issue, and not because of cool marketing". Which is probably a pretty stupid thing to say, but:

a) I was on my 3rd fernet
b) I was trolling the other guy
c) Fernet troll is drunk
d) I kinda believe it

It's stupid because only accepting the help of true believers and not actively trying to make people believe are good ways to ensure you have a very motivated tiny minority on your side (Linux Year of The Desktop analogy ges here).

But I kinda believe it anyway, because being ugly and loved is warmer than being pretty and loved, because being difficult and appreciated is more valuable than being accessible and liked. But that only works if you are truly difficult, and not intentionally so, that's just being a poseur. And truly ugly, not Charlize-Theron-on-fat-makeup ugly. 

So, to what point is any of us honestly annoying? That, friends, is the  issue here. And if I ever have to lead others into something, I hope I do it as myself, and they come because of a reason that is theirs and not mine.

I am not here to convince people. I am here to know people.