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Miguel Ángel Ballesteros

Maker, using software to bring great ideas to life. Manager, empowering and developing people to achieve meaningful goals. Father, devoted to family. Lifelong learner, with a passion for generative AI.

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Game 10: Anti-Teacher-Pupil

Game 10: Anti-Teacher-Pupil

Objective: Detect when someone is giving you unsolicited lessons (framing you as student/ignorant) and re-establish the equal-to-equal frame.

Players and Roles

  • Role A (The Teacher): Explains obvious things with a condescending tone. “Look, this is done like this, let me teach you…”.
  • Role B (The Peer): Breaks the student frame.

Quick Set-up: Teacher’s Lessons

The Teacher chooses a phrase to lay down the law. The Peer must break the frame.

Condescending Phrase (Teacher) Hidden Intention
“Let’s see, let me explain how this really goes.” Assuming the other doesn’t know.
“You are doing well, but for your level…” Toxic praise (low expectation).
“When you have been here as long as I have, you will understand…” Seniority argument.
“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it since it’s complicated.” Paternalism / Disabling.
“It’s adorable that you try to do it like that.” Infantilization.
“I’m going to give you some free advice…” Unasked advice = Superiority.
“Have you read the book I told you? Can tell you didn’t.” Public exam.

Mechanics

  1. The Teacher starts their sermon.
  2. The Peer must interrupt gently using Validation + Expert Contribution or Meta-comment techniques:
    • Technique 1 (I also know): “Yes, I know theory X. In fact, my focus here is Y for Z reason.”
    • Technique 2 (Closing): “Concept understood. Let’s move to execution.”
    • Technique 3 (Soft Irony): “Thanks for the masterclass, prof. Back to work.”
  3. If B stays silent nodding, loses. Must verbalize their competence.

Debriefing (Closing questions)

  • Do you notice how the “Teacher” grows if you don’t stop them?
  • Which phrase feels most natural to you to say “I already know this” without being arrogant?

Train this theory

AI Sparring Partner

If you don’t have a human partner, copy and paste this prompt into ChatGPT/Claude to practice alone:

Act as "The Condescending Teacher". We are going to play "Anti-Teacher-Pupil".
Your goal is to treat me like an ignorant junior.

RULES:
1. You talk to me with paternalism, explaining obvious things ("Let me explain how a computer works...", "It's cute that you try").
2. I must BREAK THE FRAME using:
   - Expert Contribution ("I know that theory, I apply it like this...").
   - Soft Irony ("Thanks for the class, Prof.").
   - Closing ("Understood. Moving on.").
3. If I just say "okay" or get angry, say "❌ I still own the frame. Try again."
4. If I re-establish my status as an equal/expert, say "✅ FRAME BROKEN. You graduated."

START THE CONVERSATION NOW BY:
1. Saying "Take a seat, let me teach you something."
2. Giving me your first condescending lesson about my job.