Word Games

Why changing the word that labels a concept is a fruitless effort. Excerpt from The Blank Slate by Steven Pinker

Category:

Education

Tags:

• steven
• pinker
• the
• blank
• slate
• words
• concepts
• language
• negative
• connotation
• euphemism
• tredmill

[migkillertwo]

LOL he has pubes growing on his head.

j/k No really, he's pretty smart. Yeah this is a fruitless endeavor.

[Austrolibertarian]

Don't be jealous of his mop.

[RPFS2008]

I like Steven Pinker but I was rather bemused by his claim elsewhere that libertarianism is predicated on the notion that all humans are morally good.

[Eproctophil]

Great ending.

[FlowCell]

Don't forget Mongoloids becoming Retards.

[libertarianjury]

crimethinkers  ...LOL

[MeursaultBatemen]

i think the same about mutual respect and words, but i cant say that the euphemistic words havent achieved there goal to an extent, no one gets angry and calls someone a 'afro-american' or a 'minority', and fuck has a way different tone to it then intercourse.

[AnarchyInYourHead]

I say "necessary facilities" instead of "restroom". :D

[danielsondanielson]

Quite interesting video. Anyway, I would suspect that there are more reasons why some words become dated and archaic and other words replace them. And maybe it's normal - the language that would't change would be dead and boring. But yes, some English words really change too quickly - and I am glad I am not the only one who is annoyed...

[FarFromEquilibrium]

Blank Slate is an incredible book.

[Skullstation]

True, there is so much doublethink in the world today.