More random notes on (Ebony's) language
So, cynical and ignorant. These are two words that I seem to use in a different way than others. Jon and I were speaking about the word cynical the other night and it was the first time I became aware that some folks use it as a synonym for bitter. Which just seems weird to me 'cause I always used it as the primary definition: to be mistrustful of the motives of (certain) others. I don't see how that equates to being bitter automatically. I'll keep using it my way, but I'll be aware that other people use it the wrong way. =)
And when I use ignorant I'm using the primary dictionary term literally as well: to be lacking in knowledge of a given idea or field. Not (necessarily) someone stupid or unintelligent. I think we're all ignorant about something. The only time it becomes problematic is when someone is willfully ignorant and refuses to accept knowledge (usually because it doesn't fit in line with their preconceived notions or general world view).
Basically I see myself as cynical and ignorant and don't see that as a bad thing nor a problem. *shrugs*
Also I recently noticed I need to pull back when people say "I don't get it." My impulse is to teach (especially if someone is saying they "don't get" something about human nature). Part of that might be that I work with youth and when they say "I don't get it" they are being literal. And I want folks to understand. I've found myself thrown in a few situations where folks (not the girls) said "I don't get it" and I said "oh! well it's because blah blah blah blah" and the person was all "yeah... I understand it. I just don't understand it." And now I get that what they mean is they don't connect to the ideology or can't relate to it. But those first few times all I could think was "well if you understand why did you say 'I don't get it'???"
I take some things very literally. lol
Kinda reminds me of when I discussed how people view "you've lost weight" as a compliment. I think I've conditioned myself now to the point that I usually forget that other people view that statement as a compliment. Kinda cool.
I really wanna start calling people young the way Jay-Z calls himself "young hova." I have no idea why that is so funny to me, but it cracks my life up!
My mini pet peeve is when people go from third person to first person in their facebook status updates. lol Stuff like "Ebony is about to go get myself some ice cream." Herself, dickhead. Herself.
Also, the term "world-traveled" means absolutely nothing to me. I was kinda thrown when, the other day, someone referred to another person as world-traveled in a context that made it seem like hoping on a plane and landing in different places made you wiser or more savvy or adept in a given field. Strange.
I swear a lot of folks need to re-read The Emperor's New Clothes. Cats are still fallin for the okey doke.
And when I use ignorant I'm using the primary dictionary term literally as well: to be lacking in knowledge of a given idea or field. Not (necessarily) someone stupid or unintelligent. I think we're all ignorant about something. The only time it becomes problematic is when someone is willfully ignorant and refuses to accept knowledge (usually because it doesn't fit in line with their preconceived notions or general world view).
Basically I see myself as cynical and ignorant and don't see that as a bad thing nor a problem. *shrugs*
Also I recently noticed I need to pull back when people say "I don't get it." My impulse is to teach (especially if someone is saying they "don't get" something about human nature). Part of that might be that I work with youth and when they say "I don't get it" they are being literal. And I want folks to understand. I've found myself thrown in a few situations where folks (not the girls) said "I don't get it" and I said "oh! well it's because blah blah blah blah" and the person was all "yeah... I understand it. I just don't understand it." And now I get that what they mean is they don't connect to the ideology or can't relate to it. But those first few times all I could think was "well if you understand why did you say 'I don't get it'???"
I take some things very literally. lol
Kinda reminds me of when I discussed how people view "you've lost weight" as a compliment. I think I've conditioned myself now to the point that I usually forget that other people view that statement as a compliment. Kinda cool.
I really wanna start calling people young the way Jay-Z calls himself "young hova." I have no idea why that is so funny to me, but it cracks my life up!
My mini pet peeve is when people go from third person to first person in their facebook status updates. lol Stuff like "Ebony is about to go get myself some ice cream." Herself, dickhead. Herself.
Also, the term "world-traveled" means absolutely nothing to me. I was kinda thrown when, the other day, someone referred to another person as world-traveled in a context that made it seem like hoping on a plane and landing in different places made you wiser or more savvy or adept in a given field. Strange.
I swear a lot of folks need to re-read The Emperor's New Clothes. Cats are still fallin for the okey doke.