When we think of war, we think of large tanks, burning buildings, fallen soldiers, tears, blood, and shrapnel in the street, the sun blocked by smoke and screams muffled by gunfire. A terrifying scene for anyone to endure and it's not one anyone wants to see again. Now it actually looks that it may never happen again. We are currently living in the most peaceful time in human history. There is no world war. There is no more conflict.
War is not the same as it once was. But that doesn't mean it's over. I believe that war has taken on a new form; language.
Language has become a very powerful tool and when used correctly, it carries the same chaotic potential as war without the high death toll. In addition, because language is a form a of communication and not a physical weapon, the perpetrator can walk in board daylight and avoid detection by the masses. Gone are the days where your typical bad guy is twirling his mustache and conjuring up evil plans. Today the bad guy looks like us, dress like us, and uses language to conceal their actions and intentions. The internet has compounded this problem by adding an anonymous element making language more and more attractive.
It is no wonder that this has become everyone's new favorite weapon. The gun is becoming more obsolete. It is an overt threat that signals a clear danger. The word on the other hand can be used by anyone and doesn't require licensing, can be used anywhere, at anytime. Unlike a gun, you do not feel the effects until it is too late. If you are ignorant enough, you never feel the pain that was inflicted.
Language is also quite versatile. See the below videos to show how authority figures can deceive the public,
Bonus video from the church
And another
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=37&v=Wu7FeHm5dlY
Lying is one example. And the videos depict large scale examples where authority figures abuse language to manipulate people in broad daylight. These criminals are more dangerous than your normal run off the mill thief. They are clever enough to use language to reach large audiences and steal money and votes over a long time span.
Language can be used to bully others. To avoid beating a dead horse, here is my previous article talking about cyberbullying
It can be used by SJWs to manipulate others. See this article for a more detailed approach to SJW methods.
See how versatile language can be? One key point here is that no one is likely to go to jail. There is no law against abusing language.
This is why I believe that language has become the new weapon for modern warfare. And it is the most dangerous. It is not like a gun or a sword; it is more of a poison or a virus, slowly spreading and infecting victims over the span of years or lifetimes.
Now unlike an active shooter or war situation, you have very few options to escape. But when it comes to language, you have one simple option; walk away.
Simple enough isn't it?
Thanks for reading!
I feel what you are saying. It's like land mines too. You keep skirting around words wondering which one will trip someone the wrong way. Good post.
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