Language & Power

[RubiconXing]

"So still I seek, the force governing life's flow -- and not just its external show" "The governing force, the reason? Some things cannot be known. They are beyond your reach, even when shown." "Why should that be so?" "They lie outside the boundaries that words can address, and man can only grasp those thoughts which language can express" [...] "Liar! Traitor! Where are the pulse and core of nature you promised to reveal?" "Ah, Faustus, you lack the wit to see them in every blade of grass"

[RubiconXing]

@RubiconXing From Jan Svankmajer's Faust. Others may think it has religious tones, but I would say spiritual. Would love to hear your take on this. There was a time I almost gave up on language and took a vow of silence.

[RubiconXing]

@RubiconXing I forgot: Mephisto also claims that "Words are greater yet than man".

[adam3176]

The illuminati has been Dumbing us down for a Long time.. They have us in a trance.. a little world.. some sort of a black magic.. they use the TV to get us stuck is these lame stupid stories.. They use tv to get us to b ignorant.. We are being dumbed down in a way no one could Imagine. And I could tell people what they are doing to our country and our armed forces.. But no one would believe me

[AshleyPinaSLP]

What is the best way to build vocabulary short of studying the dictionary? I read a lot but I don't look up every word that is unfamiliar to me. Instead, I try to gauge the meaning from context. But even when one infers through context, misunderstandings can be made when much of language acquistion is through association.

[Contextcatcher]

There is also a tragic dark side of word power...

[landgabriel]

I am self taught. My working vocabulary probably rests high above average. And my articulation improves by the day.

If there is a point at which language diverges from power, I cant see it. Perhaps the surreal and absurd. But all language conveys an agenda, a will to power. For this reason I taught myself to use language, to increase my individual power, and free myself from hierarchical power structures.

[optionism]

If I study high level vocab, I may be able to communicate with other people that know high level vocab, but I cannot talk on the same level with people that lack an extensive vocab.

[texme]

I have an addiction to Fiction, are we approaching "Peak Fiction" where is the rehabilitation, words are creating my jurisdiction. rable rable rable

[sweeetly]

...it says something about this in the book of Corinthians, I am sounding brass, the words are empty of creative force.

So speaking in the fullness of understanding the power of words, they become transformative by the feeling they carry.

Magic making is right :)

[sweeetly]

Very stimulating.

Word sound and power.

The word itself is amazing. Whats more amazing is how its said, with what feeling.

Words carry energy. When a person speaks from deep inside, it can change things. If all matter is a vibration of sound ( I think this is the case)

Consciousness begins with a sound, a word. Lets say 'I' was the first word.

It only has meaning by the feeling behind it.

If I say I love you but don't really feel it, my words have no power....

[YemSom]

I don’t remember how I got to your video, but I’m glad I did and I must say, I love what you stand for and I agree with you. I come from a different country and I had to learn English from ABC. And yes I struggled enough to get where I wanted to go to continue my education and only I knows how difficult that was, but glad I made it. I believe the best way to educate ourselves is to read more; a thesaurus is a key factor in building a strong vocabulary. Thank you!

[Contextcatcher]

"Every complete unknown language is a kind of acoustic mask; as soon one learns it, it becomes a face, understandable and soon familiar".

(Elias Canetti)

'Barbarism': a realy free word is out of context odd or ironic.

I'm Dutch and my English is a bit barbarian. I never heard of the concept: "Joe bloggs (blocks?) attractor", but it made me curious. And BS? Is that a typcial farmer abbriviation?

Buttt...what you said here is not bullshit. 

[BlakeBarbieDoll]

Excellent commentary. Words---language IS power. I am well read and have a pretty extensive vocabulary, but still, at times, I find myself struggling for the PRECISE word to make a point every now and then. I LOVE the power of words...how else can we convey and express our feelings on the deepest and most intimate human levels.

[Israe5l]

I could go to ways with this question. But if the partner of the conversation does not understand you, it will be an alienating experience for both.

[sar1906]

The plight of Man is driven by the frustration of being unable to convey to the other how He really feels. 

[TheCavecricket]

Jared Loughner

"What is government if words have no meaning?"

"He did not like government officials, how they spoke. Like they were just trying to cover up some conspiracy," one friend told The Associated Press on Sunday.

Both friends spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they wanted to avoid the publicity surrounding the case. To them, the question was classic Jared: confrontational, nonlinear and obsessed with how words create reality.

[Caitanyadasa108]

Good stuff man! This brings to mind the line from V for Vendetta:

"Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth."

[LoneAmerican]

Thanks for the video.It inspired me to get off my ass and increase my vocabulary!!!

[OfficialGetGln]

Well said my brother. I hadn't thought about words being from our ancestors, but of course they are lol =]

[gottagivafight]

I'd like to make reference to a great book for getting started on this wonderful journey of personal enrichment:

'Six Weeks To Words Of Power' by Dr. Wilfred Funk

This book was published in 1953 and is absolutely wonderful. It's changed my life.

Because of that book and my devotion to its study, both my recognition and working vocabulary are well above that of the average person and I'm very grateful.

[gottagivafight]

I really enjoyed this. Thanks. I love your passion on the matter and you're absolutely right. I've subscribed and I'm looking forward to more vids.

[shakeyourdimsims]

at 1:25 "you cant see the world other than in terms of the terms that you use"

sounds like Sapir Whorf i think.

maybe to substitute describe for see it would make sense

egsample i suppose Inuit peoples often have larger groups of words for snow, yet do they in their experience of snow have access to anything not visable to non inuit people ?

[GabrielZamoraMoreno]

The system also uses tons of words that not many people know/understand the exact meaning of (in law for instance) to control the massess

[SilentStefan]

In some professions, namely Nursing, some hold others who utilize higher-powered and overtly correct language in contempt. One drinks in the words given during formal education, thinking that these words are given for reason. Then you're told, "We don't use big words like that....". Science and patient care aren't equivocal? Hmmm.

I suppose the cornerstone to critical thinking is the ability to communicate with an agreed upon vocabulary.  When in Rome......

[helpvidz]

Thank you for this video.

[Anarch0tec]

I think you've made a very important point: to learn words/concepts is a means of fighting the spectacle, a means of decentralizing control, because it means your able to produce your own forms of meaning, of entertainment, of action. Brilliant. A low vocabulary is correlated to a lack of participation (the exception being non-symbolic pre-civilized indigenous).

[FlaviaSantosbr]

I completely agree with you! Very nice speech! I study language at college, and, each passing day, I recognize how important it is to acquire vocabulary. And I think it is undeniable reading is the best way for one to acquire vocabulary. But, to tell the truth, when I'm reading a book and I read an unknown word, I just get too lazy to go to the dictionary and look up for it.... hahahaha!

[PennnSmith]

Words are tools. Like a scientist uses a microscope to understand natural forces a philosopher uses words to discover that human boundaries don't exit.

Imagination has more potentcy than splitting atoms.

.

[Adrift00]

I love and appreciate your intelligent and enthusiastic videos. Thank you.

[camino1ca]

I love the points you make. I've tried to communicate such ideas to people about language only to get a "huh". Feels good to see someone who feels the same. Beautiful.

[Professoranton]

thanks for the support.

[camino1ca]

Vocabulary is absolutely essential to articulate concepts as closely as possible to the actual representation. Great video.

[FeelFreeToArgue]

You're so right in this vid. I love people who cherish old words & try to keep them alive - who insist on using them even if it means explaining them. One of my best friends is like that. She's always busting out with words that very few people know, & I love being able to ask her about them. She often treats me to derivations as well as well as definitions (she's one of those "well of knowledge" people.) I s/ explore more on my own though, read more authors who make me have a dictionary nearby.

[lifexisxaxstage]

The strangest moment I ever had was when someone told me that they don't understand the words I am using. Than when i was studying for the GREs, I realized how little i really knew.

Also, I really miss your classes, grad school is awesome but i miss the mind expansions that occurred in your class daily.

[f1ghtclub2k3]

and yes there are grammatical errors but but does not grammer place limitaitons on our concepts of space and time,...think 8th grade english teacher reading heideggar...grammar also must be overcome thus spoke nietzsche.

[f1ghtclub2k3]

I codone to pay the mechanic to fix the mediocre remeidial tractor which properties are broken...because i do not have the skills to do so and now must trust him,now in this case and in this context it could just be my style to infer a meaning on the words.

[f1ghtclub2k3]

quite literally language creates the world around us the only set back is the diferent tempos between each cultures language...this is why I am trying to tech myself latin in order to truly experience and grasp those concepts int heir original language b/c once translated something is lost...the tempo, style, spirit if i may?

[Dall5000]

Not knowing words are roadblocks on our path to greater knowledge. I keep an online dictionary handy when I get to one.

[BrianTheMusicMan]

This reminds me of 1984. If you restrict vocabulary you restrict potential thought.

[Neartothebrokenheart]

Thanks for uploading I enjoyed listening.

I guess you're a big fan of N. Chomsky then? My Christian theism is able to answer where such an innate linguisticality came from: we are created in the image of a speaking God. :)

[RaeofSunder]

I've posted this response video about feeling life on the "Gulf war" side of things...

"Dude, i like totally saw some heavy shit today, Love Garth."

But I realized that what I was lacking was not the intelligence but in fact the vocabulary as you say. The vehicle.

So I'm finding out what I care about, doing the reading and surprising myself with a new, remediated form of expression.

Thanks for sharing your ideas by the way!

[Professoranton]

Remediated. Great word.  Thanks so much

[notfitforsociety]

"I have had nothing to eat since breakfast and no telling when we will get rations for our rations are out, since we left our ration wagons behind in coming here to this place, for I know you have all had a good & plentiful dinner. I know you will say poor John, but this is only a chapter in military service which we often read..." - John H. Sweet (Excerpt of a civil war letter)

Looks like typical prose to me.

[fractal420]

This video made me discombobulated.

[regratex]

you are fnord.

[yupper99]

I've always found at least some piece of interesting thought in every one of your videos that I've seen--until this video. The argument you attempt to make here is incredibly elitist and colonizing. Why do you privilege books as a communication medium? So if something is not put to print or writing, it's somehow an inferior form of knowledge?

[Professoranton]

? What? Not following you?

[yupper99]

What do you mean you are "not following"...?

[yupper99]

Let me rephrase that: why do you privilege print literacy over other forms of literacy? A sidenote, I also a bit disturbed by that highly simplified account of grad school apps process was shocking because I've always thought you've sat on at least one admission (or hiring for faculty) committee and have seen enough to know how political, and often troubling, that process is...

[Professoranton]

I don't like the power abuses any more than you, my guess. But what are people, young people, to do?

Claim to be oppressed by elites and/or colonized by oppressor? Seriously? All Words are FREE, but spoken ones disappear quickly and cannot be seen anyway. Reading, and reading widely is a useful way to grow vocab.

AND Having a big vocab is not the point, anti-intellectualism is. Many people do not take the opportunities they so have to lessen others' power over them. Words are FREE.

[yupper99]

I feel like we are talking past each other. Intended or not, you make it sound as if academia is some pristine factory of knowledge production, where from my standpoint, it looks like any other site of struggle imbricated in relations of power marked by race, gender, class, and sexuality. Please clarify what you mean by "words are free." Free of history? Free of commodification? Free of violence and power? Nigger", is that word "free"?

[yupper99]

I get all your previous frustrations about how much of the "debates" on Youtube tend to be superficial and devoid of critical engagement. The original point I was making about (what I perceived to be) your "privileging" of "print literacy" is that language is not just about written words. For example, you wouldn't tell film studies students visual literacy is all but pointless because it de-emphasizes the importance of reading and writing.

[yupper99]

Would you ever actually tell politicized hip-hop musicians that their music categorically fails to articulate the lived experiences of urban youths of colour until they can express them in clear and concise written English? Please tell me that I am missing your point completely because it seems like you are promoting the ideal of some Habermasian ideal speech situation.

[yupper99]

How can you title the video "language is power" (which I agree) and in the same breath state that "words are free"? I just don't understand.

[Professoranton]

@yuppers99:

Not words can be used freely but that there is no way to own a word.

Erving Goffman writes, "Among all things of this world, information is the hardest to guard because it can be stolen without removing it." What does that mean?

[yupper99]

@PA. I am still unpersuaded, if you are saying that words exceed the capitalist logic of private ownership. Why do academic writing demand such a rigorous system of accounting through references and citations? If you are saying that the meaning(s) invested in a word simply cannot remain intact once it circulates, then yes (eg. "God", "death"), then yes...but I am sure I'd call that "free"...."free floating", maybe.... :)

[seigneurvoland666]

Do we have a right to force them to be "progressive - like" organisms? If they want to be stupid they will, that's what some people say.

[taboosun]

Hes just explaining his perspective nadda...

Wors are basically symbolic representations of meanings that vary in complexity, it should be obvious that the more words you have in your vocabulary then the better you can express yourself. It will all just flow...

[seigneurvoland666]

yeah i got that part lol.

[Israe5l]

personally, i like books. my room is cramed with books. i prefer books to computer memory.

although, yupper99 is kind of right. you, profA, did sound little bit elitest.

[Professoranton]

How so? To whom? I wonder how many people who have leveled THAT criticism grew up with more privileges?

And again, what should people do? Get on the wound-licking pity-party train?

To many people want to be done learning but they're not dead yet. They are, in fact, the elitist: They're irritated at being reminded that they might not be done yet. Seriously, who is oppressing people? Frito Lay and Fox T.V.? Themselves?

[yupper99]

That's quite a dismissal without engagement--what you've criticized many people for doing here--to deconstruct the self-proclaimed image of the ivory tower as some self-enclosed monastery uncontaminated by the "real world" is "wound licking"?

[Professoranton]

One FINAL time, and this is a response to your lack of engagement with the theme of the video itself:

WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE DO?

[yupper99]

Two things: "language" empowers, yes, it can also dominate and disempower, which is my point (and I am surprise that you feel I am not engaging you). "Language" grows when it gradually colonizes the world and its social relations into a system of meaning. Second, I respect you for making yourself vulnerable in this space for exchange and conversation, but "what should people do?" is the wrong question. Since we are not "outside"....

[yupper99]

...of the relations and structures we critique, the question should be "what should -we- do?" Or perhaps, what are we -already- doing? In attempting to disrupt what passes are normal "conversation" here, you've certainly done something. But I am still troubled by this video.

[Israe5l]

still debating: is material more basic or language more basic? Without food we will die. Without language we can survive.

[yupper99]

Alternatively, we can stop talking about them as if 1) there is a clear and uncontested boundary between the realm of "discourse" and the realm of "materiality"; 2) anyone can actually operate in one and not the other.

[Israe5l]

Good point.

OK lets try it this way. Materials are what they are. While language stands for something else than itself in the society.

But language can get closer to material, for example art. Perhaps this is an exception.

[yupper99]

But that "materiality/discourse" binary is itself an effect of language. My neighbour's cat does not ponder over the distinction, at least not until the moment it needs to communicate it's "needs" to my neighbour. Language has material effects, that's why it is "power", because words are never just "words" (and I am boggled by what is meant by "word are free"). Derrida tells us that there is always something "in excess" of language, that language itself produces. This where your...

[yupper99]

.."art" and aesthetics comment becomes important. Art tries to communicate what cannot always be subjugated by language. Kant calls it "the sublime." Maybe the task is to find a vocabulary that does not reproduce the distinction.

[Israe5l]

"materiality/discourse" binary is not air-tight. But its a good blunt distinction. It runs the society.

In philosophy we can never go out of language...true.

What is this "in excess"?

[yupper99]

Deconstruction

[Israe5l]

hmm... you have a very different idea of deconstruction. to me deconstruction is where we do a close reading of a text and find that priviliaged dichotomy is held up not by logic or Reason, but by figuritive language.

[seigneurvoland666]

word. Ive had conversations in my head about this

[Israe5l]

Language is precious. But vocabulary is not the only thing.

[Professoranton]

Seriously agreed. They're just one more underestimated free resource.

[plutodrvv]

Yes, wonderful insights about language and words. We take it for granted but as you say it is cosmic and magical.

[Cashify]

The more familiar you become with your audience, and what terms mean to them personally, the more powerful your communications become...and that is exactly what is happening with you in these presentations, They are becoming more powerful.

You say "apple" and he visualizes the rotten one the bully hit him with, ans she pictures sharing a granny smith from when she was five years old, sharing it with her mom...abtract terms produce a wider range. This is why dictionaries disagree.

[Sueezedtight]

A word is just a container, We have to use it with great care. Filled to the brim with our intent To make it say just what we mean So what is heard is really there Caring is consideration Part of the respect we should show To those with whom we must converse When we take the time for sharing How we are and what we know. So dont despise the form itself For we must use it for our gain The time that lets it run its course And that which fills it with a life To share the interest, not the pain.

[notonewhit]

Words, words, words, I'm so sick of words

I get words all day through

First from him, now from you

Is that all you blighters can do...

Never do I ever want to hear another word

There isn't one I haven't heard

Here we are together in what ought to be a dream

Say one more word and I'll scream.. (Eliza Doolittle)

[Sueezedtight]

Refinement is the "natural" (if not typical) progression.

Experience allows us to discern the specific meaning of any given form, contextually or inferentially.

Awareness is our capacity to observe, remark and employ every aspect of our existence.

Consciousness is the application of our awareness to our experience.

This allows implication which only depends on volition.

Intelligence is the organisation and evaluation of what and how implication impacts our existence.

Know better to be better.

[taboosun]

Words definitely are golden... remnants of the past.

[TheGraniteFlaneur]

Nice vid and I agree words should be studied, but only in order to be understood. There is, however a time and place for using them. This links to your 'have critique will travel' video. There is simply no point in criticising something with words and a method that can't be understood or beaten. I'm sure there is a famous quote that goes something like the following 'intelligence is making complex ideas simple. not making simple ideas sound complex'.

[AnomalousDataPoint]

I found your two examples of mistakes over meaning interesting. I think there is a clear country difference here because I can't imagine very many British people getting the meaning of 'remedial' wrong. Or perhaps it is a generational difference. More would stumble with condone, I think.

Surely flashcards and a stand alone study of vocabulary are the wrong way to go, the best and most natural way to improve your vocabulary is to be constantly reading stretching books.

[jaikook]

@AnomalousDataPoint I'm from Holland and I don't consider myself to be an expert when it comes to the American language, but I do know the meanings of the words condone and remedial. I can't actually believe there are Americans who don't know those meanings.. could it be caused by a lack of proper educational programs in the USA?

[matrixcmitech]

excellent insights

[cardellacole2]

beauty is in the eye of the beholder

[cardellacole2]

all words are perceptual illusions for your mind ,

[cardellacole2]

the word is a prison for your mind , it will only set you free among other prisoners

[cardellacole2]

what is is a living thing not a word for you to dwell in

[cardellacole2]

the more words you know the less you can see of what is

[gredgre99]

That was a great vid. Your passion convinced me.

[cardellacole2]

the word is not the thing

[alzico]

Vocabulary itself is not to blame for the confusion so long as it is understood at a deep level that language is an independent symbol system and NOT the world.

[cardellacole2]

@alzico yes i can see your point , for me its just like meeting your favourite soap star, you know he is not the part he has played but you have still spoken to him for the last 10 mins subconsciously regarding him as if he was , so can you really remain independent of what you know without error

[AvesParvus]

im gonna start

[1PostPoMoMaN1]

O quam verba volant!

[PluripotentBrain]

Pure brilliance!

Thanks.

Language = Power

and, I would like add:

Language = Perception of Reality

[0ThouArtThat0]

Thanks for the important reminder, Corey.

[Hockeyjason]

Precision in language is vital for stuff.

[alchemistra]

Very good points : ) I just hate it when I use a word incorrectly or misinterpret a word. I look up words in the dictionary all the time. It's probably my most used book, lol. I try to make a point of looking at the root of the word, and what language it comes from. But sometimes I still mess up words : (

[sweetelesue]

out of the park, Anton

[notfitforsociety]

Frankly I don't think I can handle more than one theowarner on the tubes. What can I say, I like it fast and easy, just like my women.

[GirlyVoice]

You say "go study some words" but is this something you recommend as some kind of exercise separate to normal reading?

I have no doubt that learning new words is extremely valuable but how many does one learn in book. Obviously its good to read new words in context but is there a more efficient way?

[GirlyVoice]

Hmm, looks like there are a few books for expanding vocabulary.

[MistertheSpike]

As a sometime linguistics major, I have to concur that language is possibly the most powerful tool we possess-as a species, we tend to lack the respect properly accorded to the this ability, without which we would be incapable of communicating anything beyond the most basic of thoughts. I still find it amusing (and a little depressing) that people say things like "That s just semantics", not recognizing the importance of the thing they are attempting to negate.

[jedimasterbooboo]

Interesting because the whole time you're talking about this, I'm thinking about how fluid language is, and how it's social agreement that changes things. If the majority agree that "random" has some silly new meaning, then that's the reality that sticks, and really that's okay. But it's so funny how we're also bringing money into this, because in a way I feel that money has that dynamic in a certain way, too. This dollar means something, only because you and I agree it does.

[jedimasterbooboo]

open source technology

"making recourse to all kinds o cliches"

Yeah, I like that teetering balance between punching with a great metaphor (sometimes cliche) and not using language that's been heard so much it skates right off the brain. Anyway. good video, and it's so sad that you have to argue and educate like this, but "this discussion needs to happen" eye roll.