social testosterone

 Choosing the right words. Each morning when I sit down to write my thoughts I do search for the right words. You have to choose your words for the audience you wish to attract. My issue being, I'm not trying to attract any particular audience. It is my hope that the old adage, birds of a feather flock together, holds true. Still there can be disagreement among the flock. It could be said the Republican party is going through that at this very time, Cheney will most likely be unseated. Her words are going against the majority of the flock at this time. As for me, sometimes my choice of words are popular and at others, not so much. Well, unless one is trying for the commercial aspect of writing there is no telling what will be accepted and rejected. Publishing houses spend millions gathering the commercial works, it is a for profit enterprise after all. All the different genre's, same as music and art. Popularity, marketability, go up and down continually. In todays digital age that happens at an even faster pace. We have all heard of going viral. Like a virus something spreads across the globe. 

 I have always had an affinity for the right word. I wouldn't say I have an extensive vocabulary, it is rather limited, but I feel effective nonetheless. There are those that like to speak/write above others. Those ten dollar words we used to call them. They can be out of place and make you look foolish or pompous. Often they are employed in an attempt to give others an impression of intelligence. but in my experience those folks still say some pretty dumb stuff. The trend today however appears to be the use of profane, crude and otherwise "colorful" language in place of words with a bit more meaning. What I mean is the use of, what we called, cussing. Even government officials are using that language in their speeches these days. The governor of Maryland centered a whole campaign around, " wear the damn mask." Yes, it has been broadcast on television, posted on billboards. and taught to the children. Just wear the damn mask! What is the message however? To a child it would certainly seem like the governor is angry, and when you are angry you should cuss, it's the accepted practice. Cussing gets people's attention. I question his choice of words. Doesn't it convey a message of aggression? Seems like it to me.

 That is just one small example. There are many others if you listen. I do think that many have become desensitized to all of that. I've known people, good people, that string together those words just as a matter of course. It is the way they express themselves. Most are completely unaware of that having learned that from their parents and their peers. When I was first in the Navy it was something I noticed. Yes, they really did talk like a bunch of sailors. I saw the reason too, it is defensive language. Listen to me, I'm a tough guy, I'm serious because I use "strong" language. That attitude has permeated society in general. I just see it as a form of degeneration. A lowering of societal standards. It just isn't a good thing. It was something I was taught as a child, although I didn't understand it at the time. There was a period in my naval career that I fully participated in that as well. Yes, it was an attempt to fit in, to be accepted. After a while it became a bit of a habit, a bad habit and one I have since curbed, if not eliminated altogether. Anger can still give rise to that. 

 The words we choose do project our personality. Our speech defines us.  We've all heard someone say, he sounds smart. Many people will simply repeat whatever they have heard others say that impressed them. Those folks love to quote others, ride the coattails of those perceived to be intelligent so to speak. They point to references and sources as proof, a validation of what they said, even though they didn't say it. Their words are not from independent thought however, their words are the popular view, the accepted view, spoken or written in the accepted manner. We all choose different words depending upon the social situation we find ourselves in. That's natural and a normal thing to do. Well, I believe that used to be the case, but that practice is being abandoned in today's world. That's why we have a Governor saying. wear the damn mask. Just be aggressive! In that way you don't have to explain, you don't have to provide sound reasoning, you just order someone around. It's a form of that famous phrase your Mom would use, " because I said so, that's why. " And who hasn't heard that ? 

 I guess I'm just missing the days when people were more polite, more courteous, and far less defensive. I believe that society in general today is in defense mode. People are a little wary, just a bit afraid. That is the reason for the aggressive language. It's the, I'm not afraid, I'm not intimidated, defensive attitude I encountered while in the service. Cussing and the use of profane language is social testosterone! It is a reflection of the way society feels in general. Just a little scared.