Reasons for leaning: comfort, aggression, political, olfactory, weight distribution, other.

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If it was in my nature to lean so far to one side, I would have done so already.
The fact is, that leaning in a timely manner just a little, like this…. will only get you so far.

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What if I lean too far to either side? It could really put things off balance. However, if I lean forward, for example, I can perceive your thoughts in a slightly different manner, and possibly even have a renewed perception in certain situations.

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The direction of the lean, either forwards, backwards, or to either side, will allow the leaning character to lead the direction of the conversation. It becomes then, not only a manner in which to gain extra weight from a situation, but can be used to influence in a particular direction. If one leans far enough, the conversation will be dominated by the fact that the lean has become something other, perhaps an entirely different focus for the situation.

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Lean in, like this: take the weight off one foot, put the pressure on the other, and keep the lean until either of these two things happen: you perceive the situation differently, or the situation changes based on the propensity of the lean.

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Would the conversation be differently influenced, based on the direction of the lean? A left or right lean could be obviously appropriated as being politically motivated, but a forwards or backwards lean could contain a more personal ambition, either to be part of something, going forwards, or to remove oneself from an unpleasant situation, in going backwards.

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It could also influence others, not only in conversation, but in a situation, to start leaning also. Is that what is achieved here, for people to lean with you, or even against you, onto you, into you?

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Minda Andrén
Phelim McConigly