In many old tales knowing someone’s true name granted you power over them. In many fantastic stories the key to wielding magic is to learn correct sentences. It’s not just the imagination of authors. It’s not a coincidence. People were always aware that words are powerful when used correctly.
What if you could cast a blind rage spell on someone? Sounds like a unrealistic wish? Just try to say “Trump’s not all that bad.” to a woke vegan. Or argue that “religion should not influence political decisions when it comes to family planning” to my grandpa while he’s watching national TV news. I tried - Christmas Eve was a bit shorter this year. With globalization rose the need for tribalism. And to be honest while we think that we gather around certain ideas, in the end the masses are just repeating certain words. It’s easier than thinking. So now by using specific vocabulary you can make someone your best friend or your worst enemy in less than 30 seconds. With the shortest attention span in history you don’t need to do anything. Saying a word is quicker.
There’s one more side effect of globalization - our common, international language. English. Or rather Internetglish. Obviously the non-natives are limited in their vocabulary. On the other hand natives are simplifying so others can easily understand them. This leads to a big discrepancy between “normal” media consumers and language masters - PR specialists, journalists, marketers and politicians (some at least). This lack of equality allows the skilled to manipulate the others. By choosing correct vocabulary in an article they are pushing their agenda even it the content seems to be objective. Obviously less proficient English users cannot argue and in many cases cannot even spot the manipulation. It works on a subconscious level.
Can a video be abused?
Help me here cos' I'm confused ;)
Help me here cos' I'm confused ;)
Sometimes correct words are not those we’ve corrected. Have you ever erased a message 5 times before sending something vastly different then what you originally meant? Carefully selecting every word of your social media post to end up with something that your friends would never associate with you? I’m sometimes scared to just throw my thoughts out there in the age of political correctness. I’m catching myself shaping my thoughts and forming them into something I learned in Dale Carnegie's book. And I know for a fact I’m not alone. Maybe, just maybe, from time to time we should not waste our energy on censoring ourselves. Only then others will hear the real us.
What did you feel while reading my first paragraph? Any hint of anger? Are you often thinking why someone titled an article in a particular way? When was the last time you said something knowing it may not be the right thing to say, but it is your thing to say? Let’s exchange some correct words - at least speling-wise ;).
Honestly, I don't control my words. Sometimes, unfortunately, it brings considerable consequences. Words can hurt. When I'm angry, I often hurt my loved ones and, unfortunately, words can hurt more than deeds. I know I should be manage my tongue, but working on myself is very difficult. As for the manipulation in the media, I think that sometimes the title doesn't match into the article, just to read it.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, sometimes we can keep to ourselves what should've been said. There are always two sides to a coin. Keep letting your thoughts out it brings people closer in the long run.
DeleteWhat did you feel while reading my first paragraph? Any hint of anger?
ReplyDeleteI felt that it was interesting, no anger just knowledge presented by you :)
Are you often thinking why someone titled an article in a particular way? When was the last time you said something knowing it may not be the right thing to say, but it is your thing to say?
Yes, for sure. Many articles try to have as catching tiles as possible to get more views from the readers. I try to disagree when someone is not right but usually do it in more subtle way as words can be really strong and have great meaning.
I think we all try to adjust our words to have the best version that suits ourselves and people around us.
Indeed we do adjust. I like how you've phrased it. It's always good to give our best, as long as it's still ours.
DeleteAfter reading your paragraph I felt a little bit concerned, but no marks of anger ;) I usally find myself reading article titles carefully, not giving a judgement after just first read. There are often hidden meanings behind. The last time I've bitten my tongue was on Friday when I had to hold my horses during an argue. Actually I do that almost everyday whenever I feel like something might be not appropriate to say at the given moment. Honestly I got used to it and I have not recognized this as an issue.
ReplyDeleteThe correlation between the tittle and the content is getting more and more interesting nowadays.
DeleteIt's good to hear that people are aware of what they want to say. I hope you'll keep succeeding in that.
What did you feel while reading my first paragraph? Any hint of anger? Are you often thinking why someone titled an article in a particular way? When was the last time you said something knowing it may not be the right thing to say, but it is your thing to say? Let’s exchange some correct words - at least speling-wise ;).
ReplyDeleteI didn't feel anger. I think I resist quite well of words manipulations and when I hear something I firstly think what that person wanted to pass and why and how it is affecting me and what I can do with it. In this way there is rarely case when I react to internet news, or some conversation baits, rather only then, when I want to because of boredom, or just I like somebody and want to phisosophize a little bit :)
Yep, I did such a thing in this blog under another subject. I wrote something not necesarily nice, but true and important in my opinion.
Words are powerful and we do not always have full control over them. Some are controlled by emotions, some by subconsciousness.
I am aware that proper use of words and voice additionally can make miracles and work like as magic literally. Such motive were present in 'Dune' books where some ancient women order called Benne Gesserit could use their voice with such great control and consciousness that they could force almost anybody to do almost anything. I wonder if it is possible also in real world and you know what? I think it is ;)
I'm having Dune gathering dust on my shelf. I did a bold move and bought an English version. I's not the easiest of reads though.
DeleteIt's good to stand by your words. I appreciate you for acknowledging that you might have not been nice, but true to yourself.
What did you feel while reading my first paragraph? Any hint of anger?
ReplyDelete- No, It was just informative for me.
Are you often thinking why someone titled an article in a particular way?
- I don't analyze it very deeply, but sometimes I see headers which are obvious clickbaits. And that's the thing that I disagree with, so I just pass such articles by.
When was the last time you said something knowing it may not be the right thing to say, but it is your thing to say? Let’s exchange some correct words - at least speling-wise ;).
- I always try to think first when I say something so that doesn't happen very often, but sometimes when I'm chatting with somebody, my phone dictionary amends something for me and it's sometimes embarrassing. But I can't recall such situation now.
You're a strong one to always resist a good clickbait ;). I'm sometimes embarrassed of what I clicked.
DeleteReading your first paragraph I did not feel anything at all, but understood what you meant. However clickbaits really play on my nerves.
ReplyDeleteHaving a wife at home makes a great opportunity to train your word choosing skill, haha! One mistake and there's no dinner. I am joking and she knows it, but we are all humans, sometimes we hurt or say words we don't mean to. One thing is sure for me, that I can't stand manipulation made for the income. I feel wasted after I find out, that I was used.
I love your example. Relationships are a true test for even the best speakers. :)
DeleteI did feel nothing reading the first paragraph, at least it was not the feeling of anger. Indeed, the proper title/words may be used to manipulate the reader. We are sometimes programmed to behave in a particular way - when I read your article, the following scene from Bioshock game instantly came to my mind ("would you kindly..."):
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZSuBmROSL8
Games and their screenplays can truly be a gem. I'm sometimes sad that I don't really have much time for the telltale ones.
DeleteIn this particular moment I catch myself that I was thinking how to respond to your question to not sound offensive. For me this whole political-correctness is some kind of illusion but I'm not able to name it what happened in the last 15-20 years that it's almost impossible to don't "hurt someone's feelings". I think it could be something connected to the pyramid of needs. Worlds is much better place that it was few decades ago and the level of peoples lives increased in general that's why the basic needs are satisfied already and they moved forward but it was skipped, not overcame. It is only my theory for now but I think if you didn't need to go through "real" problems you will at some point be more susceptible looking for fake one. The whole topic is very interesting and I we could or maybe rather should spend some more time talking about it to our close ones. We shouldn't just let it be.
ReplyDeleteI stand by the theory of making up problems to cover up those real ones. I understand your frustration, at least to some extend.
DeleteAnd yes. Let's all talk with those that can listen. Friends may be the best place to start.
Reading the first part of your article I didn't feel anything special, however it is very important to know which word should be used in the right time.
ReplyDelete