What *Do* You know? Dumblodore Context

[Talisman]

No: HPFGUIDX 163827

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <bboyminn at ...> wrote:
<snipped>

Hey Steve, 

Okay, so in the middle of the night, last night, when I was 
imprudently replying to your response instead of sleeping, I couldn't 
understand why you thought I was upset about DD's not having told 
*absolutely everything.*   

But, somehow, as I was staring like a zombie at a stop sign in the 
gray light of dawn, it  became clear to me that it was due to my quip 
about *reaming* someone if they *pulled that on me.*

I may have managed to cover this in my overly informative reply, but 
let me try again, now that I think I see the nub of the issue.

My problem, in this particular instance,  is not with DD's limited 
revelations, but with the *lameness* of DD parsing  his earlier 
statement the way he did.

I do think it was a bit incompetent--and intentionally over the top--
for DD to tell Harry that he was going to tell him everything.

But that alone wouldn't have been ream worthy.

When Harry challenged DD, DD might have done well to respond as you 
did: "Well, Harry, it'd be rather hard to cover literally everything, 
don't you think?  But I did try to convey the essential reason 
Voldemort is after you.  Now I'd like to tell you about
," etc.

(He would still be dissembling, but I'm used to that.)

Instead he chose that silly business:  "Oh I *did* tell you 
everything...everything I *knew.*

Which, besides being untrue, is just...groan-worthy.

Really, the only people who have played the  *I think* vs. *I know* 
game with me are fairly young children who are exploring the meaning 
of their world.

DD should be rather farther along Piaget's hierarchy, in my opinion.

If a five-year-old explains that they didn't tell you the hamster was 
loose, because they only *thought* it was loose, they didn't *know,* 
you might be able to stand it.  

If a forty-five-year-old pulls that, you're going to want to swing 
the empty cage at their head.  

I'm sure you wouldn't, but you'd want to, and a withering glance 
would certainly be in order.

Along with a hearty WTF?!

Hope that clarifies,

Talisman

PS  I think Rowling thinks it's lame, too.  We are supposed to say a 
hearty 
.well, you know.