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About this quote

What does it mean?
Don’t get upset; nobody is suggesting we parse English.
In plain terms
Stay calm; we’re not trying to parse English.
What can you take from it?
Focus on the actual problem, not imagined ones.

Where it applies

  • team discussions
  • technical debates
  • project meetings

Putting it to work

  • re‑state the real goal
  • ignore irrelevant concerns

Questions to consider

  • How do you keep discussions on track?
  • When is it useful to clarify scope?

Another view

Sometimes the perceived problem is real for some stakeholders.

More from Larry Wall

  1. It's appositival, if it's there. And it doesn't have to be there. And it's really obvious that it's there when it's there.

    Permalink to quote #107
  2. As with all the other proposals, it's basically just a list of words. You can deal with that... :-)

    Permalink to quote #109
  3. I wouldn't ever write the full sentence myself, but then, I never use goto either.

    Permalink to quote #106

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