A small island is attached to the mainland by a wide green causeway, circled by Sydney Harbour. I run freely in the open space, lifting my knees and lengthening my stride. 'A few laps and then head back up the hill for a shower?' asks Dad. He falls back, breathing hard. 'Slow down a bit, luv, he says. 'Go easy on your old man.'
A small island is attached to the mainland by a wide green causeway, circled by Sydney Harbour. I run freely in the open space, lifting my knees and lengthening my stride. 'A few laps and then head back up the hill for a shower?' asks Dad. He falls back, breathing hard. 'Slow down a bit, luv, he says. 'Go easy on your old man.'
A small island is attached to the mainland by a wide green causeway, circled by Sydney Harbour. I run freely in the open space, lifting my knees and lengthening my stride. 'A few laps and then head back up the hill for a shower?' asks Dad. He falls back, breathing hard. 'Slow down a bit, luv, he says. 'Go easy on your old man.'
When the polling day arrived, however, Coriolanus made an entry into the forum escorted by the entire senate and by the city's patricians, the aristocracy. The common people who say this were disturbed by such a blustering show of confidence on election day.
In 454 B.C., Coriolanus decided it was time to exploit his reputation and enter politics. He stood for election to the high rank of consul. Candidates for this position traditionally made a public address early in the race, and when Coriolanus came before the people, he began by displaying the dozens of scars he had accumulated over seventeen years of fighting for Rome. Few in the crowd really heard the lengthy speech that followed; those scars, proof of his valor and patriotism, moved the people to tears. Coriolanus's election seemed certain.
Always Say Less Than Necessary
Transgression Of The Law
Gnaeus Marcius, also known as Coriolanus, was a great military hero of ancient Rome. In the first half of the fifth century B.C. he won many important battles, saving the city from calamity time and time again. Because he spent most of his time on the battlefield, few Romans knew him personally, making him something of a legendary figure.
Spectacle and entertainment, clearly, are excellent devices to conceal your intentions, but they cannot be used indefinitely. The public grows tired and suspicious, and eventually catches on to the trick. And indeed the charlatans had to move quickly from town to town, before word spread that the potions were useless and the entertainment a trick. Powerful people with bland exteriors, on the other hand the Talleyrands, the Rothschilds, the Selassies can practice their deceptions in the same place throughout their lifetimes. Their act never wears thin, and rarely causes suspicion. The colorful smoke screen should be used cautiously, then, and only when the occasion is right.
Finally, although it is wiser to divert attention from your purposes by presenting a bland, familiar exterior, there are times when the colorful, conspicuous gesture is the right diversionary tactic. The great charlatan mountebanks of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Europe used humor and entertainment to deceive their audiences. Dazzled by a great show, the public would not notice the charlatans' real intentions. Thus the star charlatan himself would appear in town in a night-black coach drawn by black horses. Clowns, tightrope walkers, and star entertainers would accompany him, pulling people in to his demonstrations of elixirs and quack potions. The charlatan made entertainment seem like the business of the day; the business of the day was actually the sale of the elixirs and quack potions.
As P. T. Barnum, the nineteenth-century king of humbuggery, grew older, he learned to embrace his reputation as a grand deceiver. At one point he organized a buffalo hunt in New Jersey, complete with Indians and a few imported buffalo. He publicized the hunt as genuine, but it came off as so completely fake that the crowd, instead of getting angry and asking for their money back, was greatly amused. They knew Barnum pulled tricks all the time; that was the secret of his success, and they loved him for it. Learning a lesson from this affair, Barnum stopped concealing all of his devices, even revealing his deceptions in a tell-all autobiography. As Kierkegaard wrote, "The world wants to be deceived,"
Reversal
No smoke screen, red herring, false sincerity, or any other diversionary device will succeed in concealing your intentions if you already have an established reputation for deception. And as you get older and achieve success, it often becomes increasingly difficult to disguise your cunning. Everyone knows you practice deception; persist in playing naive and you run the risk of seeming the rankest hypocrite, which will severely limit your room to maneuver. In such cases it is better to own up, to appear the honest rogue, or, better, the repentant rogue. Not only will you be admired for your frankness, but, most woderful and strange of all, you will be able to continue your stratagems.
Authority: Have you ever heard of a skillful general, who intends to surprise a citadel, announcing his plan to his enemy? Conceal your purpose and hide your progress; do not disclose the extent of your designs until they cannot be opposed, until the combat is over. Win the victory before you declare the war. In a word, imitate those warlike people whose designs are not known except by the ravaged country through which they have passed. (Ninon de Lenclos, 1623-1706)
Image: A Sheep's Skin. A sheep never marauds, a sheep never deceives, a sheep is magnificently dumb and docile. With a sheepskin on his back, a fox can pass right into the chicken coop.
Remember: It takes patience and humility to dull your brilliant colors, to put on the mask of the inconspicuous. Do not despair at having to wear such a bland mask it is often your unreadability that draws people to you and makes you appear a person of power.
Another psychological weakness on which to construct a smoke screen is the tendency to mistake appearances for reality the feeling that if someone seems to belong to your group, their belonging must be real. This habit makes the seamless blend a very effective front. The trick is simple: You simple blend in with those around you. The better you blend, the less suspicious you become. During the Cold War of the 1950s and '60s, as is now notorious, a slew of British civil servants passed secrets to the Soviets. They went undetected for years because they were apparently decent chaps, had gone to all the right schools, and fit the old-boy network perfectly. Blending in is the perfect smoke screen for spying. The better you do it, the better you can conceal your intentions.
In 1878 the American robber baron Jay Gould created a company that began to threaten the monopoly of the telegraph company Wester Union. The directors of Western Union decided to buy Gould's company up they had to spend a hefty sum, but they figured they had managed to rid themselves of an irritating competitor. A few months later, though, Gould was it at again, complaining he had been treated unfairly. He started up a second company to compete with Western Union and its new acquisition. The same thing happened again: Western Union bought him out to shut him up. Soon the pattern began for the third time, but now Gould went for the jugular: He suddenly staged a bloody takeover struggle and managed to gain complete control of Western Union. He had established a pattern that had tricked the company's directors into thinking his goal was to be bought out at a handsome rate. Once they paid him off, they relaxed and failed to notice that he was actually playing for higher stakes. The pattern is powerful in that it deceives the other person into expecting the opposite of what you are really doing.
Exterior Floor 2 Southwest Bedroom Floor 2 Southwest Bedroom Directly Floor 2 Southeast Bedroom Floor 2 Northeast Bedroom Floor 1 Bedroom Floor 1 Bedroom Directly Beneath The Floor 1 Bedroom Closet/Storage Floor 1 Entry Floor 1 Entry Directly Beneath The Floor 1 Living Room Floor 1 Dining Room/Sunroom Floor 1 Kitchen Floor 1 Kitchen Directly Beneath The Floor 1 Kitchen Directly Beneath The Floor 1 Bathroom Floor 1 Bathroom Directly Beneath The Floor 1 Mud Room/Laundry Floor 1 Mud Room/Laundry Floor 1 Beneath The Stair/Pantry Crawlspace Beneath Dining Room Attic Attic Over Entry/Bedroom Attic Over Mud Room/Laundry Crawlspace Directly Beneath Kitchen Crawlspace Directly Beneath The First
Caulking (New Windows) Caulking (Brick Joint) Caulking (Brick Crack) Caulking (New Windows) Misc. Sealant (Conduit Cap) Caulking (Old Window) Window Glazing (Old Window) Caulking (Old Window, Sill) Caulking (Old Window) Window Glazing (Old Window) Caulking (Old Window) Caulking (Old Window, Sill) Window Glazing (Old Window) Roof Sealant (111 Old SW) Roof Sealant (111 Old SW Sill) Roofing Sealant (111-03 SE) Roofing Sealant (111-03 SE) Caulking (Penthouse/03 Window) Caulking (Roof Flashing) Roof Sealant, II (South PH, East) Roof Sealant, II (South PH, East) Duct Lagging + Sealant (South RF, East) Roofing Sealant, II (S. RF, East Duct) Roofing Sealant, (S. RF, East Parapet) Asphalt Shingle + Tar Paper (111 No. PH, East) Duct Lagging + Sealant (South RF, East) Caulking (So. PH, Flashing) Asphalt Shingle + Tar Paper Drywall + Joint Mat'l (So. PH)
Querido Zorro Ágil, Viajaba Con Ximena Por Un Bosque Extraordinario. Juntos, Observaban Pájaros De Colores Vivos Mientras La Brisa Suave Movía Las Hojas Verdes. Un Juguetón León Saltó Rápidamente Sobre Un Tronco, Haciendo Que Todos Rieran.
La Búho, Con Su Sabiduría, Habló Sobre Cómo Las Mariposas Volaban Casi Inmediatamente Hacia Nuevas Flores. El Día Terminó Con Un Cielo Azul, En El Que Brillaba La Luna, Y Ximena Agradeció Al Zorro Por La Increíble Experiencia.
-Opening
Hi, Madeline. Thank you for reaching out today. I'm Patrick from Wyze Support Team.
-Opening
Hi, Martflitopicz. Welcome to Wyze Support Team. I'm Patrick! I hope you're doing well today.
-Opening/Rapport
Hi, Joni. Welcome to Wyze Support Team. I'm Flsyhsype;! I hope you're doing well today. I wanted to start by expressing my sincere gratitude for being a loyal Wyze customer and subscribing to our services. Your ongoing support is incredibly important to us, and we're committed to making sure you have the best experience possible.
-PreTSReminder
Just a heads up, if you're using your mobile phone during this live session, we may get disconnected while performing
troubleshooting steps. No worries though, we'll be sending you a follow-up email.
-Warning Spiel
Marmye, are we still connected? I'm afraid I may need to end our chat if I may not be able to get any response from you.
-Paraphrase
I understand that you're having issues with your Wyze Lock Bolt not syncing with the app. I really apologize though for the inconvenience this has caused you. No worries, I'll do my best to help you sort things out.
-Paraphrase
Hello there! I hope that you are doing well today. I understand that your Wyze Thermostat has proximity issue. I really apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you. No worries though, I'll do my best to help you sort things out.
-IdleSpiel
Please grant me a 2 to 3 minutes to verify all the necessary details so I can effectively assist you with the concern regarding your device.
-IdleSpiel
Kindly provide me 2 to 3 minutes to thoroughly confirm the pertinent information, enabling me to provide you with the most accurate resolution for the issue pertaining to your device.
-IdleSpiel
Thank you for this information. Please allow me a moment, approximately 3 to 4 minutes, as I check the details, ensuring I can address your concern effectively.
-IdleSpiel
I kindly ask for your patience for just a brief 2 minutes while I verify the details required to address the issue concerning your device in the most efficient manner.
-IdleSpiel
Please allow me a short 2 minutes to validate the necessary details, ensuring that I can adequately understand and resolve the matter regarding your device.
-IdleSpiel
I appreciate your understanding as I take 3 minutes to verify the pertinent information, which will enable me to provide you with the best possible assistance for the issue regarding your device.
-Rapport
I see you’ve subscribed to Wyze services. Thank you for choosing us—we’re thrilled to have you on board!
-Rapport
Thanks for subscribing to Wyze services. We’re excited to have you with us and appreciate your support!
-Rapport
I noticed you’ve subscribed to Wyze services. Thank you for your trust in us—we’re delighted to have you as a customer!
-Rapport
I see you’ve been a dedicated customer for a while, and I want to extend my sincere thanks for your loyalty. What can I assist you with today?
-Rapport
I see you’ve been a long-time customer, and I want to personally thank you for your ongoing support.
-AdditionalAssistance
You're so welcome! For now, may I ask if is there any other else you wanted to work on with? I'll be glad to assist you with anything.
-AdditionalAssistance
You're so welcome! For now, may I ask if is there any other else you wanted to work on with? I'll be glad to assist you with anything.
-Empathy
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you. Your satisfaction is our priority, and I assure you that I will do everything within my power to resolve this issue for you.
-Empathy
I'm genuinely sorry to hear about your experience. Please know that I empathize with your situation, and I'm fully committed to finding a resolution that meets your needs and expectations.
-Empathy
I understand the frustration this situation may have caused you, and I want to assure you that I'm here to help. Rest assured, I will work diligently to resolve this matter to your satisfaction.
-Empathy
We regret any inconvenience you've encountered, and I want to assure you that your concerns are taken seriously. I'm dedicated to finding a solution that addresses your needs and restores your confidence in our service.
-Empathy
It's disheartening to hear that you're facing difficulties, and I want to express my sincere apologies. I'm fully committed to assisting you through this issue and ensuring that we find a resolution that leaves you feeling supported and satisfied.
-EscalateRapport
Here’s how I can assist you better: I’ll document everything we’ve discussed today, including all the troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken. I want to personally ensure that this reaches our specialists, who can further analyze the situation since we’ve explored all available options. They will provide you with updates directly via email as soon as they have more information. Does that sound good to you?
-ProbingQuestions
For us to determine what's occurring, we'd like to learn more about the inconvenience you're having.
1. What specific Wyze device are you having trouble with?
2. How many of them are affected?
3. What specific issue/error are you having with your camera?
4. When did the issue start?
5. If there's any, what is the status light of the device?
6. If you're seeing any error, can you send over a screenshot?
7. Can you confirm the email address associated with your Wyze account?
8. Can you also provide any alternative email probably associated with you Wyze account?
9. Lastly, can you confirm any troubleshooting steps you've tried before reaching out to us?
-ProvidingInfo
After checking your account, I can see that you have the Cam Unlimited plan which already include personal monitoring plan which provides a multi-view timeline and the ability to arm and disarm your cameras
-AdditionalAssistance
Great! I'm glad I was able to help. At the moment, would there be anything else I can help you with?
-AdditionalAssistance
You're so welcome! For now, may I ask if is there any other else you wanted to work on with? I'll be glad to assist you with anything.
-EndingChat
I'm afraid that I may need to end our chat since I'm not getting any responses from you. No worries, I'll send you a follow-up email to continue working on your concern. Enjoy the rest of your day! Always keep safe.
-Empathy
I totally understand your concern, and I want you to know that I’m here with you through this. It’s frustrating when things don’t get resolved immediately, and I genuinely want to make sure we get this right for you.
-EscalateRapport
At this point, our specialists can take a deeper look into the issue, and I’ll personally make sure they have all the details we’ve discussed. I promise they’ll focus on resolving this for you and will keep you updated via email. I’m confident they’ll take good care of you. Does that sound okay?
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say
the word, and I shall be healed.
