Language, Euphemism, and Distorted Definitions

in psychology •  6 years ago  (edited)

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“The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper name.”
–Confucius

Language can be a tricky thing. Though words are simply sounds (or other sensual notations) representing ideas, but they can have incredible power. The nigh unto infinite combinations of words permit mankind to create glorious works of art (as did Shakespeare), inspire unity and justice (as did Martin Luther King Jr.), or inflict disastrous mind-control upon the masses (as did Adolf Hitler).

Examining the etymologies (origins) of words can clue us in to the intent behind their creation. However, words also take on colloquial (common) usages that skew (or even negate) this initial intent. In way of example, the following words are often used interchangeably; though when employed more carefully, they can express subtler nuances:

Wonderful: causing one to wonder; inspiring curiosity.

Awesome: grand; inspiring feelings of awe, or being overwhelmed.

Fantastic: bizarre, as though possible only in imagination or fantasy.

Terrific: extreme or intense, such as to inspire terror.

Magnificent: splendid, fine, of high quality or stature.

Remarkable: exceptional, unusual, notable; as would warrant specific remark.

The fluid nature of words and their related contexts is what provides beauty to poetry, or humor to comedy; but when employed with malicious intent, this malleability becomes a tool for manipulation.

Euphemism is the substitution of direct language with more mild or agreeable options. It’s an attempt to paint a certain idea in a more favorable light – an attempt to persuade, deflect, or deceive. Often this is used to “soften the blow” of bad news, as is the case when an employer tells you, “We’re letting you go” instead of telling you, “You’re fired.”

Euphemism can be a subtle art; a form of dark poetry. Words not only convey ideas to the conscious mind, but to the subconscious as well. They will elicit a particular response, even if used outside of their usual context. Let’s look at a couple of relevant examples:

“Casualties of war” This refers to some harm or otherwise undesirable outcome resulting from physical conflict. It could be illness, wounds, capture, or death. We hear this often from politicians to sanitize the brutal realities of war. The term “casual” evokes notions of comfort, relaxation, safety – the exact opposite of what’s actually being described by this phrase. It’s used to put the mind at ease, when the situation actually warrants horror and indignation.

”Enhanced Interrogation” This means torture. Savage, immoral practices employed to gather information. It can also be used to provoke false confessions, which could be used to justify predetermined actions that would otherwise be unjustifiable. The word “enhanced” is decidedly positive in common usage. It suggests that something is superior to other versions of the same thing. It implies progress, aptitude, increased benefit and efficacy – all things generally considered desirable in most circumstances.

There are many ways to misuse language in an effort to obfuscate the truth. More egregious deceptions - such as ascribing inaccurate definitions to words - can burrow so deeply into one’s belief system that any attempt to extract them can cause reactionary resistance from the ego. These perversions take up residence in the mind and solidify, creating a blind spot that goes wholly unnoticed by the affected individual. It often requires outside assistance to highlight the error, which can bring pride to the forefront and present a troublesome roadblock to illumination.

Consider the following concepts, and note how a false definition can obscure what’s actually going on:

“Consent of the governed” This suggests that people consent to be ruled by others. It is a concept that defies reason. Consent is an act of agreement, willingness to participate. To be governed is to have commands dictated, and obedience enforced. If one were to give their consent, they could not be said to be governed. The act of “governance”, in this case, would merely be a suggestion willingly accepted. This would obviate the need for enforcement. If obedience is being enforced, consent is rendered obsolete. The obvious impossibility of “consent of the governed” makes supplementary concepts necessary in order to hold the idea together; which leads us to our next example…

“Implied consent” This means that by performing certain actions, or not performing certain actions, you are expressing consent, even if not definitively stated. However, for consent to be cited in any circumstance, willing agreement must be present somewhere. One cannot unwittingly consent to something. Agreement requires conscious action. For implied consent to be valid, the terms of the implication must be willingly accepted by the affected party. This, of course, would root the implied consent in expressed consent. For one party to determine what constitutes the implication without any input from the affected party is mere imposition, or victimization.

Both of these concepts are attempts to suggest consent where none actually exists by skewing the definition of the word itself. This type of redefinition can be used to manipulate the colloquial usage of language for a desired effect. In time, as this erroneous concept gets passed on to new generations, it can utterly replace the original idea.

The first step in guarding against manipulation through language is to ensure that you are not participating in these deceptions. Call things what they are, on the most fundamental level. Words are an expression of thought, and by cleaning up our words we will be cleaning up our mind as well. When our internal and external dialogue comes into alignment with truth, these deceptions will appear strange by comparison, making us more capable of spotting them.

In addition, our uncommon use of language may inspire enlightening conversations with others, helping them to learn and grow in the process. By being the change we want to see in the world, we exercise our greatest power to see that change come to pass.

Thanks for checking in!
Brian Blackwell

The following article contains information that can assist in developing a keener eye for deceptive language:

Opening the Gate to Wisdom: The Ancient Trivium

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Don't you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible, because there will be no words in which to express it. Every concept that can ever be needed, will be expressed by exactly one word, with its meaning rigidly defined and all its subsidiary meanings rubbed out and forgotten.

  • 1984 - George Orwell.

Absolutely. I was just citing that very quote yesterday! An amazing insight provided by Orwell there (one of many). We've got to get it straightened out, one person at a time, starting with ourselves. If the world be full of sheep, let the shepherds lead them to enlightenment, and the vice of following be turned to virtue.

This is so important. Thank you for writing this! Deserves a hundred fucking dollars as far as I am concerned.

Language is power. Command of words. These labels help to shape, expand and/or limit thought. They shape and color our perception of reality often in imperceptible but profoundly important ways.

Words are tools by which we can shape and extract truth from our experience. As you imply, this reality is often weaponized against us in ever so subtle, truly insidious ways.

THANKS FOR THIS POST!

Wow, thank you, that means a lot. It's really important to me that I reach people and offer some value toward the goal of an enlightened society, and knowing a thinking man such as yourself believes the article can have that effect is very satisfying.

Hey, I checked out your YouTube, is that you there - Graham, is it? If so, it's very nice to meet you (well I suppose it's nice whether that's you or not Hahaha). I could count the number of people I know who understand this information on half a hand, so it's a great pleasure to encounter someone who shares this knowledge.

I watched your video on "Never interfere with your enemy..." and I really homed in on the idea that the immoral action as a mistake. I've often noted how to be morally "wrong" is to be incorrect; how the "sin" is a missing of the mark. But I've never thought about how letting it play out may be beneficial...

Obviously, there is a very thin line here, as immoral acts must be met with defensive action; however, consider the act of political protest... This is a rather ineffectual act of defense in the broad scope, but it clues the enemy in to the fact that they're approaching the line, and cues them to back off a little, devise ways to deceive you better, or screw you in a different way. This can actually aid the "tip-toe toward tyranny" effect, and do more harm than good in the long run.

There's more to uncover here. I have to think on this a bit... In any case, thanks for that, and of course the kind words and Steemit support!

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Without knowledge, there can be no wisdom or understanding.
The history of the suppression of the trivium method and the foundations that used the Prussian system to create a model of outcome based learning is both fascinating and infuriating.
This is how Edward Berneys was able to turn the US into a consumer culture by apealing to emotion with sophist rhetoric. And it's still working like a charm.

Great post.

Hey, thanks Cap'n! Absolutely... the trivium is so simple, but so key, and reminding people about it is so critical at this time. You look at something like the FOX/CNN effect, whereby viewers uncritically accept everything they see on their preferred channel, and are completely closed to everything being spoken on the other. There's no thought process happening in either case.

They had FOX on in the gym tonight (why do businesses always have news on the TV... the last thing people need at a gym or a doctor's office is to be stressed out with propaganda bullshit) and though I couldn't hear it, the tagline under the talking heads was "Liberal Hypocrisy Exposed". I thought to myself, "That's the mission statement of this channel in a nutshell". All it's about is fueling the fires of division. Anyone would half a brain could see that if they actually engaged their critical process. But that process has been sitting up in the attic getting dusty and rusted for their whole lives in many cases.

This is largely what I'm trying to address with my posts here on Steemit, and I'm very pleased to see that many others here are doing the same. I hope with all the cross-pollination that this platform provides that we can reach some people who really need to hear this stuff. Thanks again, I'll be following your work!

P.S. I see you've beaten me to the punch with your "Standing Army" post! I'll have to read it through and see if I have any additional insight to offer that would justify my intended post, otherwise I'll have to scrap it. No hard feelings Hahahaha

So very true. The mainstream news is toxic. Nothing but confirmation bias and bad rhetoric.

Liberal is another piece of grammar that has been convoluted and misinterpreted throughout the years. It's amazing Plato was trying to tell people this thousands of years ago. Now, instead of a cave wall, we have a t.v. screen. Go figure huh.

And don't scrap it man I'm sure there are some aspects that I left out.
Thanks, look forward to reading more of your work.

Wow.. I never thought of TV as the cave wall. Holy cow, how did I miss that? It’s almost like a Nostradamus trip or something... like he saw it and put it in terms he could understand. It’s exactly the same thing, and more relevant now than when it was spoken, because we actually have people living this way!

Excellent article! A topic that's much needed in our time. I'd like to take this opportunity to share some videos on my channel of the same topic. This is only three of them but I do have more.



That's too funny - Larken said the same thing about language being "tricky". I probably saw this vid at some point and had that in my subconscious when I wrote it. I was always unclear about what McKenna was driving at specifically when he spoke about language. I should probably revisit the topic from my current perspective via these videos, since I haven't listened to him for over a year or so. Thanks bub, good to see you here!