Are YOU a Cheetah? (Do Cheetahs Ever Win?!)

[seoulsearch]

Hey Everyone!

I'd been thinking about this topic for a while, but Lynx solidified it by greeting our keep-in-touch group with a morning greeting that said, "Hooray For Cheating!" and, "Cheetahs Never Win" -- so I have to give him full credit for this title!

How about you? Are YOU a Cheetah?!

In other words... When you read a book, hear about a movie, play a game, work on a crossword puzzle, play trivia, hear a joke, etc. -- do you always play "fair and square", watching or working out the ending without a single spoiler or cheat code, or do you go fishing for answers from everyone's favorite digital family member, Brother Google?!

I have to admit that I have learned a very uncomfortable truth about myself -- when it comes to entertainment, I am definitely a cheetah.

I just recently got back into reading novels (I'm always reading something, but it's usually short things like articles I can digest quickly in between other tasks,) but I've just recently gotten back into reading entire stories.

And as with most entertainment... I find myself cheating. I don't really watch movies or TV, but in order to be able to talk to people, I do read or listen to summaries of things I hear people talking about. I don't watch horror movies but many seem to have interesting plot points that I promptly look up on Wikipedia. I don't play video games, but if enjoying watching someone utilize a good cheat code for a game in a YouTube video is a crime, then I deserve to be locked up!

And for some reason, I can find plenty of spoilers to pretty much any other form of entertainment, but unfortunately, haven't had much luck finding "cheat codes" to plot points in the books I've been reading! (I'm not subscribed to Reddit or any of the social forums I'm sure are brimming with spoilers -- so all I seem to find are review sites with copies of everything already printed on the jacket of the book.)

I know such actions might upset any purists, but I like being able to take in a vast amount of what's going on in pop culture in very little time and without things like gratuitous nudes scenes and whatever else.

In my own Christian walk, I've found that knowing a plot point here and there opens doors for me to form interactions with people that can lead to talking about matters of faith.

For example, I've been seeing videos of the latest Mortal Kombat guest character, Conan the Barbarian (via the 1980's Arnold Schwarzeneggar version) asks other players, "What god do you pray to?" It's an interesting bit of trivia I've tucked away because I could see using this as an opening line for an opportunity to ask someone what god THEY believe in, and go from there.

I'm pretty awful at games (no coordination!) and couldn't own them due to my own personal convictions anyway, so I'm glad there are little "cheat codes" like this that allow me to start talking to people on their own level. I've found that knowing just enough to be able to engage in what people are talking about, but without having to watch these things myself, has been a useful bridge that can lead to more meaningful conversations.

How about you?

* Do YOU believe in "cheating" when it comes to games, puzzles, challenges, and entertainment?

* Or do you prefer working things out on your own? Does it drive you crazy when people "leak" spoilers?

* When it comes to entertainment, what kind of "cheating" do you think is allowed, and why?

Just a fun little thread to help get us all through the week!

 

[Tall_Timbers]

Generally speaking, I'm not a cheetah, though I'm sure I don't have a perfect record.

Usually it doesn't bother me if someone leaks a spoiler.

There are probably some games where you cheat to win. That would be acceptable.

 

[maxwel]

Cheating?

Cheating would be breaking rules in order to gain an unfair advantage over others.
That being the case, we may be using the word cheating to describe some things to which it does not apply.

And I don't think it's possible to cheat at entertainment unless the entertainment is a game.
(I don't cheat at games. Not ever. Seems to me that just circumvents the whole point of playing the game in the first place. I play a game to see if I CAN win. So cheating would never allow me a good measurement of my ability. And losing really isn't a big deal.)

Anyway, if we first think about what cheating means, then we're going to have a lot of categories that we can't really apply it to.
We might need a different word to describe our moral failures in other areas... if they're actually moral failures at all.
Taking shortcuts, in many areas of life, is just smart, and good time management.



Weird but interesting topic.
You guys have a great week.
.

 

[Lynx]

Cheating?

Cheating would be breaking rules in order to gain an unfair advantage over others.
That being the case, we may be using the word cheating to describe some things to which it does not apply.

And I don't think it's possible to cheat at entertainment unless the entertainment is a game.
(I don't cheat at games. Not ever. Seems to me that just circumvents the whole point of playing the game in the first place. I play a game to see if I CAN win. So cheating would never allow me a good measurement of my ability. And losing really isn't a big deal.)

Anyway, if we first think about what cheating means, then we're going to have a lot of categories that we can't really apply it to.
We might need a different word to describe our moral failures in other areas... if they're actually moral failures at all.
Taking shortcuts, in many areas of life, is just smart, and good time management.



Weird but interesting topic.
You guys have a great week.
.

I have to disagree. Cheating has a much broader scope. Shoot, we even refer to it as cheating when somebody has sex with somebody other than his or her spouse.

In this case cheating refers to deliberately doing something in a different order than what the author intended, so you can know what the ending is without going through the whole story the author intended you to go through.

If that doesn't work for you, then there is still the archaic definition of passing time, cheating time. You save time by reading the end first.

 

[Lynx]

Hey Everyone!

I'd been thinking about this topic for a while, but Lynx solidified it by greeting our keep-in-touch group with a morning greeting that said, "Hooray For Cheating!" and, "Cheetahs Never Win" -- so I have to give him full credit for this title!

How about you? Are YOU a Cheetah?!

In other words... When you read a book, hear about a movie, play a game, work on a crossword puzzle, play trivia, hear a joke, etc. -- do you always play "fair and square", watching or working out the ending without a single spoiler or cheat code, or do you go fishing for answers from everyone's favorite digital family member, Brother Google?!

I have to admit that I have learned a very uncomfortable truth about myself -- when it comes to entertainment, I am definitely a cheetah.

I just recently got back into reading novels (I'm always reading something, but it's usually short things like articles I can digest quickly in between other tasks,) but I've just recently gotten back into reading entire stories.

And as with most entertainment... I find myself cheating. I don't really watch movies or TV, but in order to be able to talk to people, I do read or listen to summaries of things I hear people talking about. I don't watch horror movies but many seem to have interesting plot points that I promptly look up on Wikipedia. I don't play video games, but if enjoying watching someone utilize a good cheat code for a game in a YouTube video is a crime, then I deserve to be locked up!

And for some reason, I can find plenty of spoilers to pretty much any other form of entertainment, but unfortunately, haven't had much luck finding "cheat codes" to plot points in the books I've been reading! (I'm not subscribed to Reddit or any of the social forums I'm sure are brimming with spoilers -- so all I seem to find are review sites with copies of everything already printed on the jacket of the book.)

I know such actions might upset any purists, but I like being able to take in a vast amount of what's going on in pop culture in very little time and without things like gratuitous nudes scenes and whatever else.

In my own Christian walk, I've found that knowing a plot point here and there opens doors for me to form interactions with people that can lead to talking about matters of faith.

For example, I've been seeing videos of the latest Mortal Kombat guest character, Conan the Barbarian (via the 1980's Arnold Schwarzeneggar version) asks other players, "What god do you pray to?" It's an interesting bit of trivia I've tucked away because I could see using this as an opening line for an opportunity to ask someone what god THEY believe in, and go from there.

I'm pretty awful at games (no coordination!) and couldn't own them due to my own personal convictions anyway, so I'm glad there are little "cheat codes" like this that allow me to start talking to people on their own level. I've found that knowing just enough to be able to engage in what people are talking about, but without having to watch these things myself, has been a useful bridge that can lead to more meaningful conversations.

How about you?

* Do YOU believe in "cheating" when it comes to games, puzzles, challenges, and entertainment?

* Or do you prefer working things out on your own? Does it drive you crazy when people "leak" spoilers?

* When it comes to entertainment, what kind of "cheating" do you think is allowed, and why?

Just a fun little thread to help get us all through the week!

I will look up a new video game I think I might be interested in, in two different ways, for two different reasons.

First I will look up a let's play for that video game on YouTube. This is to see what kind of gameplay is present, and what kind of atmosphere the game sets out to build at the start. Sometimes the gameplay, although not objectively bad, is just not what I enjoy.

If I still think I will like the game, I look up a plot synopsis on Wikipedia. A lot of games have good gameplay but only a poor excuse for a storyline. Then there are some games which have a good storyline but it ends on a cliffhanger and the game studio was shut down before they could make the expected sequel. I would have hated to spend a lot of time learning how to play a game, getting invested in the storyline, only to be permanently disappointed with a story that will never be resolved. I play a game for the story, not to test my uber leet skillzz against a system that was designed to be conquered anyway.

That's about it though. If I'm reading a book I will just read it straight through.

 

[maxwel]

I have to disagree. Cheating has a much broader scope. Shoot, we even refer to it as cheating when somebody has sex with somebody other than his or her spouse.

In this case cheating refers to deliberately doing something in a different order than what the author intended, so you can know what the ending is without going through the whole story the author intended you to go through.

If that doesn't work for you, then there is still the archaic definition of passing time, cheating time. You save time by reading the end first.

Good points.

I usually think of the word "cheat" as meaning to defraud (deprivation of another person) but it does sometimes carry a meaning of deception and deceit as you pointed out. Good catch. I don't think "cheat death" really carries any normal definition of "cheat" though, as it's a peculiar stand-alone expression that has it's own peculiar meaning. But you definitely brought up some good points.

But cheat is a strange word, because it always has a negative moral implication.
The word "cheating" comes with inherent moral implications, like lying.
So when we use the word "cheat" to refer to something benign, like reading a book summary, I just don't think the word fits the situation. It would only fit the situation if the summary was part of a larger deception, like receiving a class assignment of reading a book, and instead of reading the book you only read a summary.
In that case, the moral failure is not really in reading a summary, it's in reading a summary and then LYING about it, and using it as part of a DECEPTION.

Conclusion:
A.) My whole point, my only point really, is that "cheat' has a negative connotation that ascribes moral failure, and I don't think it's the most appropriate or clear word to apply to all kinds of harmless and benign things.
B.) So personally, I wouldn't usually use a word with such a strong negative connotation to describe benign things.
C.) Others are free to use the English language however they choose... but I think we're really leaning toward some confusion if we sort of "accidentally" ascribe moral failure to harmless things.
D.) These kinds of distinctions don't matter much in casual conversation, but they might matter in a formal paper, or in a public speech. It's all pretty meaningless in normal conversation, but subtle connotations do become an issue in certain places.


Interesting stuff.
God Bless

 

[Lynx]

Good points.

I usually think of the word "cheat" as meaning to defraud (deprivation of another person) but it does sometimes carry a meaning of deception and deceit as you pointed out. Good catch. I don't think "cheat death" really carries any normal definition of "cheat" though, as it's a peculiar stand-alone expression that has it's own peculiar meaning. But you definitely brought up some good points.

But cheat is a strange word, because it always has a negative moral implication.
The word "cheating" comes with inherent moral implications, like lying.
So when we use the word "cheat" to refer to something benign, like reading a book summary, I just don't think the word fits the situation. It would only fit the situation if the summary was part of a larger deception, like receiving a class assignment of reading a book, and instead of reading the book you only read a summary.
In that case, the moral failure is not really in reading a summary, it's in reading a summary and then LYING about it, and using it as part of a DECEPTION.

Conclusion:
A.) My whole point, my only point really, is that "cheat' has a negative connotation that ascribes moral failure, and I don't think it's the most appropriate or clear word to apply to all kinds of harmless and benign things.
B.) So personally, I wouldn't usually use a word with such a strong negative connotation to describe benign things.
C.) Others are free to use the English language however they choose... but I think we're really leaning toward some confusion if we sort of "accidentally" ascribe moral failure to harmless things.
D.) These kinds of distinctions don't matter much in casual conversation, but they might matter in a formal paper, or in a public speech. It's all pretty meaningless in normal conversation, but subtle connotations do become an issue in certain places.


Interesting stuff.
God Bless

Strong negative connotations? You must have never known anybody who was part of the weight watchers program. They have cheat days.

And again, I refer you to the archaic definition of cheating time.

You can insist on your private definitions if you want, but the world seems to have outvoted you. When communicating with people at large, it is usually most convenient to accept what the majority decided about a given word.

 

[Lynx]

Good points.

I usually think of the word "cheat" as meaning to defraud (deprivation of another person) but it does sometimes carry a meaning of deception and deceit as you pointed out. Good catch. I don't think "cheat death" really carries any normal definition of "cheat" though, as it's a peculiar stand-alone expression that has it's own peculiar meaning. But you definitely brought up some good points.

But cheat is a strange word, because it always has a negative moral implication.
The word "cheating" comes with inherent moral implications, like lying.
So when we use the word "cheat" to refer to something benign, like reading a book summary, I just don't think the word fits the situation. It would only fit the situation if the summary was part of a larger deception, like receiving a class assignment of reading a book, and instead of reading the book you only read a summary.
In that case, the moral failure is not really in reading a summary, it's in reading a summary and then LYING about it, and using it as part of a DECEPTION.

Conclusion:
A.) My whole point, my only point really, is that "cheat' has a negative connotation that ascribes moral failure, and I don't think it's the most appropriate or clear word to apply to all kinds of harmless and benign things.
B.) So personally, I wouldn't usually use a word with such a strong negative connotation to describe benign things.
C.) Others are free to use the English language however they choose... but I think we're really leaning toward some confusion if we sort of "accidentally" ascribe moral failure to harmless things.
D.) These kinds of distinctions don't matter much in casual conversation, but they might matter in a formal paper, or in a public speech. It's all pretty meaningless in normal conversation, but subtle connotations do become an issue in certain places.


Interesting stuff.
God Bless

There are also people who cheat at solitaire, certainly a harmless enough cheat.

Don't get me started about video game cheat codes. That is just a way to play the game the way you wish, instead of the way the developer intended.

And video game cheat codes definitely support the definition of cheat as doing something intentionally different than the way the author intended.

 

[maxwel]

There are also people who cheat at solitaire, certainly a harmless enough cheat.

Don't get me started about video game cheat codes. That is just a way to play the game the way you wish, instead of the way the developer intended.

And video game cheat codes definitely support the definition of cheat as doing something intentionally different than the way the author intended.

If you cheat at solitaire, I would say that fits the normal definition of "cheat", and it certainly, to me, connotes a moral failure.
: )

Have a great night.

 

[Lynx]

If you cheat at solitaire, I would say that fits the normal definition of "cheat", and it certainly, to me, connotes a moral failure.
: )

Have a great night.

Cheating at solitaire is a moral failure?

My my, think of all the people who need to repent...

And all for lack of a red eight to put on the black nine.

 

[cinder]

I must admit that I'm a total cheater in the kitchen. I'll always try to find a way to work around longer cooking processes usually ending up with food that doesn't look as good ( when I make cheater moussaka it really does look like a skillet full of puke) or the texture is off. But I'm not starving and it's a rare occasion that I make something I can't or won't eat so it works.

Don't get me started on diets, I think every day should be cheat day when it comes to diets.

 

[Lynx]

That's another good one. Cheating at recipes. I will do that all the time, either because I don't have a necessary ingredient and can't be bothered to go get it, or just because I don't want to take the time to do it the long way.

 

[maxwel]

Strong negative connotations? You must have never known anybody who was part of the weight watchers program. They have cheat days.

And again, I refer you to the archaic definition of cheating time.

You can insist on your private definitions if you want, but the world seems to have outvoted you. When communicating with people at large, it is usually most convenient to accept what the majority decided about a given word.

We might be confusing the definition for a singular word, with the wholly different definitions derived from using that word in a figure of speech, or a particular expression. Figures of speech, or peculiar contextual expressions, often have very different meanings than the constituent parts. That's why translating a language is so difficult, because figures of speech don't translate directly.
A figure of speech, or a peculiar contextual expression, isn't always equal to the whole of the parts.

It's been fun.
You have a great night.

.

 

[Lynx]

We might be confusing the definition for a singular word, with the wholly different definitions derived from using that word in a figure of speech, or a particular expression. Figures of speech, or peculiar contextual expressions, often have very different meanings than the constituent parts. That's why translating a language is so difficult, because figures of speech don't translate directly.
A figure of speech, or a peculiar contextual expression, isn't always equal to the whole of the parts.

It's been fun.
You have a great night.

.

There you go! Now you're getting the hang of it!

So to bring this thread back on topic, do you ever cheat... Colloquially, if you insist... With books, movies or other media?

 

[zeroturbulence]

Hey Everyone!

I'd been thinking about this topic for a while, but Lynx solidified it by greeting our keep-in-touch group with a morning greeting that said, "Hooray For Cheating!" and, "Cheetahs Never Win" -- so I have to give him full credit for this title!

How about you? Are YOU a Cheetah?!

In other words... When you read a book, hear about a movie, play a game, work on a crossword puzzle, play trivia, hear a joke, etc. -- do you always play "fair and square", watching or working out the ending without a single spoiler or cheat code, or do you go fishing for answers from everyone's favorite digital family member, Brother Google?!

I have to admit that I have learned a very uncomfortable truth about myself -- when it comes to entertainment, I am definitely a cheetah.

I just recently got back into reading novels (I'm always reading something, but it's usually short things like articles I can digest quickly in between other tasks,) but I've just recently gotten back into reading entire stories.

And as with most entertainment... I find myself cheating. I don't really watch movies or TV, but in order to be able to talk to people, I do read or listen to summaries of things I hear people talking about. I don't watch horror movies but many seem to have interesting plot points that I promptly look up on Wikipedia. I don't play video games, but if enjoying watching someone utilize a good cheat code for a game in a YouTube video is a crime, then I deserve to be locked up!

And for some reason, I can find plenty of spoilers to pretty much any other form of entertainment, but unfortunately, haven't had much luck finding "cheat codes" to plot points in the books I've been reading! (I'm not subscribed to Reddit or any of the social forums I'm sure are brimming with spoilers -- so all I seem to find are review sites with copies of everything already printed on the jacket of the book.)

I know such actions might upset any purists, but I like being able to take in a vast amount of what's going on in pop culture in very little time and without things like gratuitous nudes scenes and whatever else.

In my own Christian walk, I've found that knowing a plot point here and there opens doors for me to form interactions with people that can lead to talking about matters of faith.

For example, I've been seeing videos of the latest Mortal Kombat guest character, Conan the Barbarian (via the 1980's Arnold Schwarzeneggar version) asks other players, "What god do you pray to?" It's an interesting bit of trivia I've tucked away because I could see using this as an opening line for an opportunity to ask someone what god THEY believe in, and go from there.

I'm pretty awful at games (no coordination!) and couldn't own them due to my own personal convictions anyway, so I'm glad there are little "cheat codes" like this that allow me to start talking to people on their own level. I've found that knowing just enough to be able to engage in what people are talking about, but without having to watch these things myself, has been a useful bridge that can lead to more meaningful conversations.

How about you?

* Do YOU believe in "cheating" when it comes to games, puzzles, challenges, and entertainment?

* Or do you prefer working things out on your own? Does it drive you crazy when people "leak" spoilers?

* When it comes to entertainment, what kind of "cheating" do you think is allowed, and why?

Just a fun little thread to help get us all through the week!

I remember after the movie Passion of The Christ came out people were saying, "He dies at the end. Sorry, didn't mean to spoil it for you."