They’re disempowering themselves. Describe themselves as a victim of circumstance, powerless and without responsibility. It’s a disempowering narrative. You’re shooting yourself in the foot. In this story that we live, you are casting yourself as an npc.

On the flip side, saying “I can’t” adds authority to your argument. You’re citing an unstoppable force as the root cause of your actions. So it’s a tradeoff that way.

  • billbasher@lemmy.world
    3·
    4 hours ago

    I can’t design a rocket ship implies I don’t know how. I won’t design a rocket ship implies I do know how but won’t because I’m too busy or am against the person likely morally. There’s a reason there are multiple words.

    I do agree though if you say like ‘I can’t eat this sandwich’ if you’re like full or vegan those are 2 different things