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| graphic by Mike Licht |
Dear reader:
I could use your help. Now that the comments feature of this blog
is working properly, I’m looking for opinions on a question of style. As a
child of 1960, I’ve grown up in a George Carlin world. Much of the powerful,
memorable, progressive communication of this era has been punctuated with words
that, used strategically, grab you by the shoulder and say “Wake up and listen dumbf**k,
this is important!”
Of course, some people have always gone far beyond “strategically”,
and used almost nothing but Carlin’s 7 Dirty Words. Currently,
in song and on TV, the f-word is the most common preposition and punctuation
mark. It definitely has less power used that way. And some people have
sensibilities such that they hear nothing in and around what they perceive as
vulgar slang.
It seems an odd time though. There are places in my writing where
it seems just as jolting NOT to use what would normally flow out of my mouth. I’ve
been commonly using the word “crap” for the entire toxic, processed food nature
of the current American diet. I could use “garbage”, but it’s weak. It has no
emotion. “Sh*t” is so overused, it’s numbing and doesn’t grab anymore. And I
want to grab a little. I’m not a dispassionate researcher. I’m a survivor of a
significant threat to my life! I’m a preacher spewing a little fire and
brimstone, warning my fellow humans that the eating of crap is the 8th
deadly sin!
But, just because I think my considered, judicious use of
shoulder-grabbers is justified, doesn’t mean I won’t repel more than a few
precious ears. And a message with no audience is worthless. Hence this informal
poll. I’m just a few days away from publishing “Refusing the Needle: A Diabetic’s
Natural Journey to Kick-Ass Health” and if enough people felt strongly about
words like “crap”, I’d have to re-weigh the pros and cons of my lexicon.
If you have an opinion, either way, let me know.
Thanks
Russell
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