The Silent Manipulation

The Silent Manipulation

(This letter was published in today's Hilton Head Island Packet)

Words are incredibly powerful. They frame perception through association, and present us with binary solutions to complex problems. Look at the words used in the present crisis, situation, pandemic, or current unpleasantness.

It is a little disheartening, upsetting or shameful if not revealing, that certain terminology has become accepted and widespread in these difficult days, challenging times or devastating pandemic.

First, what does the word “lockdown” mean to you? Prison bars, dark cells, forced containment? No wonder so many people are complaining about their rights being trampled.

So how about a “stay-at-home” order instead? That doesn’t sound nearly as Orwellian as a lockdown. But it’s still an “order”. How about “Stay-at-home guidance”?

What about the term “social distancing”? That implies isolation, loneliness and even rejection? Isn’t the term “physical distancing” not only more accurate but less aggressive, harmful and threatening? No wonder people are feeling isolated and depressed.

Then there is the “novel coronavirus”. That makes it sound a little quirky and cute? The word “novel” can also connote a work of fiction. Could that be why so many people think that the virus is really a hoax?

Ever since Sigmund Freud’s nephew Edward Bernays applied his uncle’s theories about the self to the fledging world of public relations, words have been subconsciously and more often consciously used to shape public opinion. A hundred years later this challenge, issue, problem, threat, has become ever more important, urgent or desperate. It’s actually a matter of national security