The Intrinsic Value of Words
I believe the phrase “we are in unprecedented times” has lost all meaning. This also goes for its variants, like “things are crazy right now” and “this is definitely a strange time”. I mean, how many emails have you received from companies saying something along the lines of “We know these are uncertain and unprecedented times right now, but just remember that we are all in this together.” Personally, I have received at least 20 emails total from my university with those exact words somewhere in the email.
Source: cottonbro, pexels.com.
This got me thinking of the intrinsic value of words. Do words carry weight on their own? Some of my friends and colleagues may agree - the impact and value of certain words have created a lasting impact on our lives. For instance, I will always remember my father telling me that the only day we need to worry about is today, because yesterday and tomorrow are out of our grasp. While those words certainly carry a valuable life lesson (thanks, dad), part of what makes those words so compelling to me is the context and circumstances in which he spoke them to me. It was a few years ago now, and I cannot quite remember the specifics - however, I know I was going through quite a bit and was feeling a lot of anxiety. And at this time, I didn’t have any idea that 2020 was coming yet, so perhaps my frets weren’t as significant in hindsight. Anyway, when I expressed these feelings of worry and anxiety to my father, those were the words he responded with. Since I was in the right situation and he had the right intent and delivery, those words will stick with me ‘til the day I die.
But at the end of the day, words are just symbols that we (as a collective) have associated with certain sounds. They don’t mean anything on their own. The meaning is created by us. This might be where my firm stance in existentialism comes from. Nothing has inherent meaning - we must create it. The clothes we choose to wear, the words we choose to say, and the steps we choose to take all are given meaning by our own individual and collective interpretations. I think it is important for us to recognize that, and utilize that perspective in order to critically analyze the words that are spoken to us everyday.
Source: Burst, pexels.com
I have started applying this to when I am talking to friends and colleagues. I try not to only interpret words through my initial knee-jerk reaction (however, I am still guilty of this from time to time). When I am reading an email a professor sent me, for instance, I do not just give the email one read and then quickly send an emotional response. I read the email a couple of times, letting the words resonate with me, and try to understand the intent compared to delivery (I’ve met many people who have a stark contrast between these two!). It has helped save me a lot of potential arguments over miscommunication.
Words are just symbols, my friend.