Words

Words are useful. They have meaning. They have label properties. They conjure mental images. They communicate between people and within an individual’s brain. Conversation is one form of communication. Written words and reading them – sharing the words with others – are forms of communication. Thinking quietly within the mind is a personal communication of an individual. It is not shared perhaps, but it becomes the basis of shared communication with others later.

The internal communication is thinking, pondering, wondering about meaning, what changes may occur in the meaning with any change, then cataloguing those changes.

Embedded in thinking and external communication, are the very words we use in all contexts. They have weight for the person providing a message of communication, and they have weight for the person who receives the message. Some of those words are critically important in determining meaning of the message.

Fear, and any word related to it, is an example. So, is should or any derivative like could, would, etc.

What we do with those words is important. Even using the words is a decision that affects the message’s meaning.  

Fear is a word that raises tension and foreboding of bad things coming our way. Anything that creates that sense of dread is a fear-word. If it is used, or you suspect a derivative is used to conjure foreboding, you are most likely being targeted for manipulation. It is one thing to say bad winter weather is on its way, and another to claim ‘60 million people are at risk of cold and icy temps and conditions. Beware!’ Beware, indeed. We all live with our local weather threats year in and year out. What makes this storm or condition any better or worse than what we have experienced most of our lives? Stay indoors when it is storming, icing, and snowing. If you must go out, wear proper clothing, shovel your way carefully, and use snow melt or sand to negate slipperiness. If your heating system goes out of service, go somewhere warm – next door, family member’s home, or a public building available for this use.

For hot climates, stay indoors with air conditioning or go somewhere cooling is available. Do not subject yourself to known hazards unless you are confident you can do so well and successfully.

Fear may work if it makes us take precautions we might not otherwise. Other than that, it is a tactic to mold mind and tension. The why this is done is open for discussion. Saying something is bad does not make it so. Take warning is another matter.

Words matter. They hold meaning for me, you, and the stranger. How we use words matters. What we feel about a word may not be the same as another person. Care is advised in communicating with others lest we be the manipulator.

August 19, 2021