For the man
that does not fit
into a box! |
This cry is directed at me.
The caller walks towards me with a pile of brochures in his hand.
Hmm, why me?
Do I look like someone that does not fit into a box?
Yes, indeed, his description fits me, at least until I realise it is a contradiction in terms.
- His slogan is
in Dutch,
obviously not targeted at the many tourists here in Gouda.
- "For" is a limitation, it seems the leeflets are not meant for opponents of the out-of-a-box-thinkers.
Man
promptly excludes 50% of the rest.
- The box's boundaries are completed by
that does not fit into a box .
What am I to do?
- Ignore his slogan, suggesting that I do fit into a box?
- Accept the folder and step into his target group box?
What would have been a good paradox-free slogan?
Against
the man that does not fit into a box?
- It nicely avoids the paradox, but targets exactly the opposite of the desired target group.
Against
the man that
does fit
into a box?
- No, opponents of your opponents are not necessarily on your side.
For the man that fits
in two boxes?
-
No, the more boxes the smaller the space.
For everybody?
- Well, that does away with all boxes, but it is too wide a definition.
It takes me several minutes to find the ultimate slogan:
For the man
that does not
want
to fit into a box!
Well solved, if I may say so myself.
The paradox is not there anymore:
Not wanting
to fit into a box does not
go with
fitting
into a box, but does not exclude it either.
At the end of this train of thought I have long since passed the brochure distributor.
Shall I return to delight him with the improved slogan?
No, why should I?
I enjoyed the puzzle he gave me.
He may amuse more people with his current slogan.
Let there be hope!
Till next week,
Nut
|