It has been noted that everything MAGA says is a projection. Thus, they have taken all our "best words" (in Trump speak) and reversed their meaning. For example, telling lies about what reality-based people say becomes "truth." Saying accurate reporting is a "hoax" become "reality." Etc.
Yes, Marick, that is exactly the strategy. When our very language is threatened, what do we have? Agreements, contracts, laws, science, commerce, relationships — what is not based on language? Pure power relies on one thing only, I think: fear. The new ziggurat is not an upward ascent of man reaching into the heavens but the downward, widening imposition of fear of the higher upon the lower, with only One at the apex.
Marick, thanks for reading and commenting. That's an interesting idea. I'll have to think about it. What comes immediately to mind is that the action is more of a high-jacking of words that express meanings most of us agree upon to apply them in ways that represent the opposite of that meaning, or otherwise degrade or violate our understanding. I experience as I would experience a rape, or at least a theft. When I say the word "democracy" and think of its meaning to me, I respond to the concept of democracy in a warm, almost spiritual, way. Democracy was conveyed to me as an ideal. I swallowed it whole, and it is nothing like I think the word means to those who would take the democracy I love away from us.
Hi Michael, thanks so much for reading — and this comment. I agree that Truth Social embodies Newspeak. Orwell was so tapped into the zeitgeist of 20th-century fascism in its various forms (in Germany, the Soviet Union, Cambodia, and elsewhere). But what would he think of the rise of AI as a deployable tool, which the makers of Truth Social can use to distort reality into a lie and call it truth? He likely did not see THAT coming! When the technology matures but the human using it does not, THEN we're in trouble. As we see.
I would add that Truth Social is a totally remarkable example of Newspeak. The way people now say "truthed" when referring to a post on Truth Social is something that would have shaken Orwell himself. It gets even more confusing when someone "truths" a self-evident lie. As Syme said to Winston, it's a beautiful thing, the destruction of words.
One of your best Tim. Do you remember the poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley "Ozymandias"? So appropriate to our political world today you describe.
I made up a word "Synomic" language. Basically, leaders don't say what they mean, so they find appropriate synonyms. In the case of Trump etal, its "antonical" language.
This (your new terminology) is very interesting to me, Lawrence. When we get a chance, let’s discuss.
I’ve completely forgotten about “Ozymandias,” if I ever really studied it at all. I was not an attentive student in college. As a young man, I was too overwhelmed with negative emotions to focus much on learning then. That emerged later, as I matured and learned how to manage those emotions. You caused me to read it (again?). I can see how what I wrote made you think of this, but I made no conscious connection.
Thank you, as always, for reading these posts and commenting.
It has been noted that everything MAGA says is a projection. Thus, they have taken all our "best words" (in Trump speak) and reversed their meaning. For example, telling lies about what reality-based people say becomes "truth." Saying accurate reporting is a "hoax" become "reality." Etc.
Yes, Marick, that is exactly the strategy. When our very language is threatened, what do we have? Agreements, contracts, laws, science, commerce, relationships — what is not based on language? Pure power relies on one thing only, I think: fear. The new ziggurat is not an upward ascent of man reaching into the heavens but the downward, widening imposition of fear of the higher upon the lower, with only One at the apex.
Marick, thanks for reading and commenting. That's an interesting idea. I'll have to think about it. What comes immediately to mind is that the action is more of a high-jacking of words that express meanings most of us agree upon to apply them in ways that represent the opposite of that meaning, or otherwise degrade or violate our understanding. I experience as I would experience a rape, or at least a theft. When I say the word "democracy" and think of its meaning to me, I respond to the concept of democracy in a warm, almost spiritual, way. Democracy was conveyed to me as an ideal. I swallowed it whole, and it is nothing like I think the word means to those who would take the democracy I love away from us.
Hi Michael, thanks so much for reading — and this comment. I agree that Truth Social embodies Newspeak. Orwell was so tapped into the zeitgeist of 20th-century fascism in its various forms (in Germany, the Soviet Union, Cambodia, and elsewhere). But what would he think of the rise of AI as a deployable tool, which the makers of Truth Social can use to distort reality into a lie and call it truth? He likely did not see THAT coming! When the technology matures but the human using it does not, THEN we're in trouble. As we see.
"Truth Social is an example of newspeak"
I would add that Truth Social is a totally remarkable example of Newspeak. The way people now say "truthed" when referring to a post on Truth Social is something that would have shaken Orwell himself. It gets even more confusing when someone "truths" a self-evident lie. As Syme said to Winston, it's a beautiful thing, the destruction of words.
One of your best Tim. Do you remember the poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley "Ozymandias"? So appropriate to our political world today you describe.
I made up a word "Synomic" language. Basically, leaders don't say what they mean, so they find appropriate synonyms. In the case of Trump etal, its "antonical" language.
This (your new terminology) is very interesting to me, Lawrence. When we get a chance, let’s discuss.
I’ve completely forgotten about “Ozymandias,” if I ever really studied it at all. I was not an attentive student in college. As a young man, I was too overwhelmed with negative emotions to focus much on learning then. That emerged later, as I matured and learned how to manage those emotions. You caused me to read it (again?). I can see how what I wrote made you think of this, but I made no conscious connection.
Thank you, as always, for reading these posts and commenting.