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The point is that there isn't a canonical James Nicoll tale. The point is that whenever a discussion turns to some manner in which a human being can be menaced, injured, or potentially killed, it will turn out that James has already had it happen to him. No matter how funny, unlikely, wierd (sic)), or pedestrian. He hasn't said he has a scar on his arm from being attacked by aliens with laser swords, but I would be only mildly surprised if he did. And I'd believe him.

James Nicoll#50

HumorCultureDangerRiskStorytellingCredibility

About this quote

What does it mean?
James Nicoll seems to have experienced every kind of danger that people discuss, making his stories surprisingly plausible.
In plain terms
He’s had every kind of scary thing happen to him.
What can you take from it?
Expect the unexpected in his anecdotes.

Where it applies

  • discussing threats
  • sharing unusual experiences

Putting it to work

  • using his tales as examples
  • citing his credibility

Questions to consider

  • Why do we trust repeated patterns?
  • How does familiarity affect belief?

Another view

The claim may be hyperbolic and not literally true.

More from James Nicoll

  1. Nah, that's just the morphic field of the local environment compensating for a Nicoll Event. Do you recall having a mishap just before any of these sightings?

    Permalink to quote #49
  2. It takes a courageous Mormon to turn to archaeology to support their argument

    Permalink to quote #48
  3. [Elizabeth Moon's] antagonists are always evil moustache-twirlers. She could write a book about a golf open and the main rival to the hero would turn out to ha…

    Permalink to quote #47

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