[Moo] garbiter

[Ii Saburou]

On Fri, 16 Jul 2004, Juliet Arrighi wrote:

> I don't follow your logic.   The term was created to describe a
> particular type of behavior.   If there were no such behavior, the phrase
> would not exist, and eliminating the phrase does not further the cause of
> communication.

Neither does it hinder it, imho.  Creating new words is fine, I just think 
that this particular word construction causes more harm than good.  Are we 
really expressing more information and meaning?  I feel like we are 
expressing less.

Also, when you start to use negative descriptions of people, you shut down 
avenues of communication.  If you say to someone: "You're a rude person." 
how are they to respond?  "No I'm not!"  It feels confrontational, and 
puts the other person on the defensive.  Same thing happens all the time 
in national politics, news, radio talk shows, etc.  It is a verbal 
rhetoric that shuts down the other person by dismissing their actions as 
'bad' immediately.

On the other hand, if you can encourage the use of positive descriptions 
and terms, communication is better facilitated and overall I feel that 
things become more enjoyable.  If you say to someone: "I do not appreciate 
what you just said." then you are now allowing them some room to 
apologize--you aren't automatically putting them on the defensive, 
labelling them with an epithet.

This goes for both sides of the coin, btw.  People who want to come up and 
discuss your clothing should likewise be sensitive in how they approach 
you and what they say.  For all the good intentions one might have, 
realize the other person may not take it that way.

And, I guess I would agree that labelling behaviour is not so bad. 
"seamchecking" is one that I've heard that describes the unwanted activity 
without, imo, painting the person into a corner.

Finally, it isn't the creation of new words we don't need.  It's the 
negativity we bring along with such words.  Am I perfect in this regard?  
No.  I often say things I shouldn't.  Just because it is natural doesn't 
mean it is right.

-Ii