Craigslist "Free" Ads
I've been trawling Craigslist for the past weeks for a desk and bookcases. Mostly the free section, as I'm a poor motherfucker.
I've noticed the freebie ads provide an intruiging insight into the workings of the modern mind. A good half of the ads I read (besides being horribly grammatically incorrect and intellectually offensive) contain two sentences, or attempts thereof. The first one is a vague description of the item for free. The second is a defensive statement regarding why said item is up for grabs.
Now, the defensive statement is not regarding the quality of the item versus its "free" status. It's about why the person is getting rid of it.
This begs a few questions. The main one, in my mind, is why is the defensive statement apparently necessary for the poster? Is our society so condemning that an indignant retort as to why they're *giving something away for free*, and apparently kind act, is so necessary that they anticipatorily apply it?
Here's an example:
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Title : Desk
Body: Good condition. No room for it anymore.
(Followed by a picture of a fairly nice looking desk.)
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Now WHY the fuck is that second sentence there?
Do they think the ad looks to bare with just a description? If so, why is the defensive statement chosen? Why not a more in-depth description? Maybe they could offer up a suitably nondescript request for donated, unnecessary compensation.
I just.... We're such a weak-minded group. What a guilt complex. Thanks, humanity.
I've noticed the freebie ads provide an intruiging insight into the workings of the modern mind. A good half of the ads I read (besides being horribly grammatically incorrect and intellectually offensive) contain two sentences, or attempts thereof. The first one is a vague description of the item for free. The second is a defensive statement regarding why said item is up for grabs.
Now, the defensive statement is not regarding the quality of the item versus its "free" status. It's about why the person is getting rid of it.
This begs a few questions. The main one, in my mind, is why is the defensive statement apparently necessary for the poster? Is our society so condemning that an indignant retort as to why they're *giving something away for free*, and apparently kind act, is so necessary that they anticipatorily apply it?
Here's an example:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Title : Desk
Body: Good condition. No room for it anymore.
(Followed by a picture of a fairly nice looking desk.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Now WHY the fuck is that second sentence there?
Do they think the ad looks to bare with just a description? If so, why is the defensive statement chosen? Why not a more in-depth description? Maybe they could offer up a suitably nondescript request for donated, unnecessary compensation.
I just.... We're such a weak-minded group. What a guilt complex. Thanks, humanity.