w30bob wrote:
Oh HECK NO, you silly........we're all just vying for the top 10 posters spots so we don't have to pay the damn membership!!!! Get with it man!!
;0)
bob
Hello Bob.
Let me begin by stating that I firmly believe, from most of your previous excellent correspondence on this site, that you do not really mean some of the more contentious things you write, in the ways that they ‘might’ be interpreted by the readers.
Your latest contribution left me feeling somewhat uncomfortable and I needed some time to figure out why.
I liked the observation that some posters might be in an informal competition for the top 10 posters spots, as this appeals to my cynical sense of humour.
However, to concept seemed to be overshadowed by the words you used as a prologue and an epilogue to the main hypothesis.
Let me explain:
“Oh HECK NO” Is a perfectly reasonable exclamation, indicating that you do not agree with what had been said previously.
However, you proceed with “you silly------“.
‘Silly’ is a word which is associated with foolishness, absurdity, mindless, imbecility and, as such, one of its effects is to belittle, disparage, ridicule, and deride.
It is in fact what I have described in many rhymes as ‘name-calling’.
You conclude with “Get with it man!!” - which sounds a bit like the sort of command that is said within organisations to get individuals to tow the company line.
‘Name-calling’ and ‘Telling’ people what to do or what to think is a classic bullying trait which is particularly pertinent in domestic abuse cases where the covert bully presents to the outside world as a perfectly acceptable individual, whereas in the sanctuary of their own homes, they subtly belittle and disempower their partners by using words in this sort of way.
Very often they do not even realise they are indulging in such activities because they have done so for most of their waking lives and do not perceive it as ‘wrong’.
Someone such as myself, who has spent more than 40 years working with those who have been ‘victims’ of such abuse, I am sensitised to the use of words in this way and have chosen to write rhyming verse in an effort to ‘expose’ some of the deleterious effects it has.
I hope this does not offend you, but is viewed as an expression of an alternative perspective on the use of words.
Best wishes
Bill
WHAT IS SAID AND WHAT IS HEARD.
When we communicate with words,
then what is said ‘v’ what is heard
might in its meaning disagree
as it transfers from you to me.
Sometimes the message that is sent
is not the one that we have meant,
so, when the message is received
receivers may become aggrieved.
It seems to me that words can be
used and abused by a bully
to dictate and intimidate,
to dominate and subjugate.
It’s then I sit down with my pen
and try to make up rhyme, which then
might highlight what is going on
referring to the etymon. (origins of words)
Words which once were all in fashion
may be repeated with some passion,
but in these more enlightened times
become a no-no in my rhymes.
Words which imply harm or hate,
or those which simply denigrate,
I can no longer tolerate,
lest these words then proliferate.
Sometimes, some of these words are used
in humour, which can then be fused
with covert bullying techniques,
which forms the focus of critiques.
Whenever bullying’s about
I like to try to point it out,
especially when communicators
are not aware there are translators.
Be Withers 2020