Choose Your Words Wisely: Obama's Oval Office speech: BP Oil Spill (SGO)

[williamhtrice]

This deserves many more views than it has. Incredibly well observed and conveyed.

[19Excel]

Why doesn't this have more views?! It's so refreshing to hear someone speak with such insight. Great choice of words and music throughout the entire video. Very well put together.

[Plomomedia]

@19Excel hey thanks :) - i think the music was too loud in the mix.

[paulineprojectlove]

You are a friggin' genius, man. We need more smart people like you. Excellent work!!!

[homeoftheherder]

I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!

[roseapple73]

 Informative :)

[qkcxv]

Ahhh! I love that you care; and that you have the time and energy to "share your care" on youtube, whilst I get back from work and have only the energy to watch your efforts. Thanks. The beard is good too :)

[nickeldog12]

great choice of music with deadmau5 

[vasniltere]

Very good video. Perhaps Obama speaks that way because the government is so inundated to that language now that they've forgotten how to speak in other ways.

[driventosustain]

Nice Job Steve

[thirdeyeindigo]

its called NLP : Neuro Linguistic Programming

[StationaryTransient]

Is that a vape on your desk?

[Plomomedia]

@StationaryTransient my subtle endorsement. :)

[StationaryTransient]

@Plomomedia Hahaha, good man.

[zoonr5]

only 200 views i dont belive it

[Prozac5647]

great video agree with all of your points

[mikeyfbi]

great vid again man. posted at InspiringAwe.

cheers man

[msampson3d]

Isn't "It begs the question" not proper grammar?

[Plomomedia]

@msampson3d I have heard that there is a discrepancy with the way people (and I) have used that phrase. school me?

[acromel]

@Plomomedia "School me" eeek. Teach me or educate me, but not, please, school me. Or even worse, `learn' me. Shame on you sir! :o)

It's a term to describe a logical fallacy, I suspect you meant `it raises the question'.

[Plomomedia]

@acromel teach me, educate me... how boring! besides, "to school" someone means to sort show them up, in colloquial use. I like using it in a self-deprecating way. Show me up! "learn me" sounds pretty redneck, but "school me" sounds skater.

[acromel]

@Plomomedia Okay, fair enough, I'll consider it dialect then ;o)

You say zucchini, I say courgette!

[acromel]

@msampson3d It's correct grammar but the term applies to a logical fallacy, to circular logic, rather than `raises the question' which is how most people, incorrectly use it.

[Plomomedia]

@acromel but how could that phrase possibly denote circular thinking? it doesnt sound like that at all. It sounds like "it's asking for the question to be raised" -- what does beg mean in this sense? 

[acromel]

@Plomomedia That's why it's so commonly misused, it sounds like a good fit.

It's refers to arguing for a conclusion that has already been assumed in the premise.

Eg. "We know God exists because we can see the perfect order of his creation, an order which demonstrates supernatural intelligence in its design."

It's logical nonsense. Nothing has been proved - simply assumed.

The question being begged is `what is the evidence for that claim`, or an assumption that begs to be challenged.

[Plomomedia]

@acromel i see. you should really be doing these grammar videos, not me!

[acromel]

@Plomomedia You're too kind. Language is such an important method of communication, whether written or spoken, that I think it's vital that we all understand how it can be twisted so that we can see through misdirection and just plain lies. Grammar and articulacy are so often considered to be snobby or elitist when they're just tools for effective communication.

Have a look at the debates with Christopher Hitchens for examples of how powerful language can be.

And more videos please!

[homeoftheherder]

@acromel That's a 'teleological' argument ;-)

[acromel]

@homeoftheherder Ah, interesting, that's a term I hadn't heard of before. Those darn Greeks: they thought of everything :o)

[iamacyborg]

Way to exploit the "Steve's Grammatical Observations" brand (which everyone likes) by packaging a bunch of your political rhetoric (which nobody watches) under that name in an attempt to get more people to listen to your political viewpoint.

[iamacyborg]

I do find it interesting how Maddow assumes it's government that's being corrupted by private industry and not vice versa. The government is not the embodiment of the will of the people because there's no such thing as 'the will of the people'. It's just a trite phrase that's used to justify an institution of nearly unlimited power.

Do you remember the Deepwater Royalty Relief Act, which subsidized deep water drilling? I'm sure that was the 'will of the people' as well.

[Plomomedia]

@iamacyborg Would you rather I make a video on "they're-their-there" ?

[iamacyborg]

@Plomomedia You're saying such a video would be less important. Fine. Make political videos, but IMHO don't label them as "Steve's Grammatical Observations". It's like your favourite grocery store puts carrot sticks in a box labelled candy because they want people to lose weight. People won't lose weight, they'll just go to another store.

Personally, I think your pacing and style are interesting enough I will sit through your political views sheerly for the artistic merit of the video.

[Plomomedia]

@iamacyborg but if you remember i had the same intention with the very first grammar video. I gave the grammar lesson and then said "but we have other problems" - so it's consistent at least! besides, now that Steve's Grammatical Observations is on facebook (with a page dedicated to more than just grammar but things related to language in general), I feel a little more at liberty to talk about anything in which particular language is used. besides, how many grammar lessons are there, really

[drawds]

You're my hero! You are so eloquent and to the point.

I hope you're still educating yourself about the impacts of your diet in the world, your health and the well-being of our cousins.

Did you finish watching Earthlings?

[Plomomedia]

@drawds I have not finished watching Earthlings yet, but I plan to, because the first few minutes were intense. I'm waiting to be in a particular mood for it. thanks again for recommending.

[aletoledo1]

nice video, except give it up. Obama is part of the establishment and he's not going to sacrifice his or his families lifestyle to benefit or care for us. If he cared for people, then he would have immediately stopped the bombings in the Iraq and Afghanistan.

[opensala]

true, and thanks ..

[LeftyHandedGuns]

I love your music taste.

I love your thoughts.

I love your interest/involvement.

I love your courage.

There's a pattern here.

:)

[BillyJHoward]

Good Work! I agree with you on all points.

[elanaisonfiire]

i dub you.. ruler of the world.

[acromel]

Excellent observations. Obama's language was rather cheap - and emotive. Either it's just clumsy or calculated. Neither bodes well.

The situation is bound to evoke emotions but the response must be rational and scientific. There is neither intent nor attack; it's a natural substance in an unwanted location.

It's not helped by your country's media, most of whom sound like they're talking to children.

America: redefining hyperbole hourly!

Very impressed with Maddow.

[Nettices]

I watched the Oval Office speech and the way he was speaking about it bothered me, but I couldn't put my finger on why. This explains it very well. Language has such a powerful effect on people, and leaders know that. I suppose it's time for me, at least, to listen to the message the speaker is trying to send to me, and ask why. Brilliant video.