by Tarandus » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:56 am
Inga: I'll visit that website. I think we all get misunderstood. I for my part am often misunderstood as people think I'm 'pedantic' whereas my justification for that is that if we don't all strive to be reasonably precise in our use of language, then what hope can we possibly have of ever being mutually understood? - A task that is very difficult at the best of times, even with a careful approach to language. It's odd that scientists are never accused of being 'pedantic' when they use their complex vocabulary with precision. If their vocabulary was not highly developed and precise as to the the things referred to, there would be a great deal of confusion in science and very little progress; the same would be true of Medicine. But in general discussions about religion, politics, general human issues, etc, people often get resentful when I insist on precision of vocabulary and arguments that are logically consistent. Lawyers, too are often unfairly accused of using language obscurely or pedantically. But Law is a highly developed science: the science of Justice. It, too needs its complex terminology to refer to difficult concepts. Without these, the Law would be even more uncertain than it is and those who resorted to Law to resolve differences would be even worse off as a result. I don't know what it's like in the US, but here in Britain there is a general tendency, particularly among those under about 30 to use very sloppy vocabulary. In fact, it's 'cool' to be inarticulate, to be virtually monosyllabic and say 'like' and 'man' every other word as meaningless fillers. What is particularly lamentable about this tendency is its prevalence among University students. It is as if they are deliberately and wilfully seeking to impoverish their intellects. I find this whole culture of 'cool' very ugly and demoralising. It's almost impossible to have a decent conversation with anyone anymore, to penetrate the mask of 'cool' and get to what is actually on anyone's mind behind the mask - assuming of course, that they have not indeed deprived themselves of the vocabulary with which to recognise their own thoughts and opinions, let alone describe them ... I find the whole fashion for being 'cool' in both dress but moreover manners to be utterly pretensious in a very negative and nihilistic sort of way. Perhaps it is a universal mask for a generalised personal insecurity. Kind regards, T.
'Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions. Live the questions now. You will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.' Rainer Maria Rilke.