SEARCH BLOG: LANGUAGE
I'm presuming readers of this and other blogs have at least one thing in common (besides having access to the Internet): a large appetite for the news. We want to know the new things that have happened. We'll ask "what's new" or "was neu ist" or some such question; "inquiring minds want to know...."
The last two days, I have focused on the use of language... or perhaps its misuse... in the realm of news and information. It has been said ad nauseum that "knowledge is power." I'm sure that is partially correct, but in today's world it seems that "the news" is power. The news is what we could call "marketed knowledge." After all, what good is knowledge if it doesn't lead to power of some sort? That doesn't mean political or military power, although it certainly can lead to that. It can mean acquiring prestige and honor among peers. And being first to tell... first to make the news... is often the difference between power and parroting.
Bloggers seldom make the news... are the first to tell. Bloggers seldom acquire power from what they write; their goal is more to share opinions about what is considered "the news." What readers seek from bloggers is perspective... applying their intelligence, intellect... their minds to statements presented as knowledge or fact by "the News."
The last couple of days, I have given my perspective about issues making the "news" circuit... affirmative action, global warming, the economy and economists... but with the emphasis on how the misuse of language colors the news.
Why? Because it interests me and I hope it interests you.
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