I wonder if the Daily Mail has finally succeeded in opening the eyes of its apathetic readers to the true nature of its anthropology (that is, what they think is the intrinsic value or meaning of human beings in society).
The Miliband saga has intensified, with expressions of anger from some unlikely people.
What interests me most is how this feeds into a more general problem in the public discourse: the conscious and deliberate corruption of language. It is disingenuous of the Deputy Editor of the Mail to say in yesterday's Newsnight debate with Alastair Campbell that “headlines have to be read in conjunction with the text of the article” when the world and his wife knows (a) that headlines often mislead (deliberately?) and (b) that deliberate association goes beyond the literal text or juxtaposition.
Repeated use of simple phrases makes a powerful appeal to the subconscious that goes beyond the specific words. At the Conservative Party Conference this week the word 'hardworking' hung over and behind the stage on which speeches were made. The word dripped into the rhetoric of many speakers and commentators – as if we all understood what was meant by it and who was included in it. Or assumed to be included in it. Poor hardworking people (in multiple part-time and low-paid jobs and who are increasingly using foodbanks) are clearly not included.
Aren't stay-at-home parents 'hardworking'?
To go back to the Daily Mail furore for a moment: why was it illegitimate to recall the Daily Mail's antisemitism, support for fascism and affection for Adolf Hitler at the same time as deeming it (obviously) legitimate to quote from Ralph Miliband's teenage diary?
As I have argued many times on this blog, the corruption of language is deliberate and very dangerous. It is used to suggest and associate – working at a subliminal level and categorising people without always spelling out what is going on here and why. It is something George Orwell understood very well and articulated very clearly.
“Arbeit macht frei” is a simple and 'true' slogan, isn't it?
October 3, 2013 at 4:55 am
Reblogged this on hungarywolf.
October 3, 2013 at 5:36 am
Governments across Europe seem to be following a policy of working their people to death, an early death, so they can save on pensions, because we’re all living too long. Or am I being too cynical?
October 3, 2013 at 8:29 am
Pure and neat language I love, yet plain and customary. A barbarous phrase hath often made me out of love with a good sense, and doubtful writing hath wracked me beyond my patience.
Ben Jonson
October 3, 2013 at 9:08 am
The Daily Mail mauls dully. Thence Dully Maul.
I’m not a Green Party person but much enjoyed several hours of conversation with a German Green couple on the longest European bus route a few years ago.
They are shareholders and thereby subscribers to a national daily newspaper there which is broadly progressive and run by its staff.
No agenda in the interests of foreign billionaire owners looks like a plus to me.
Have you read it Bishop Nick? What did you think?
October 3, 2013 at 10:16 am
Reblogged this on act justly love mercy walk humbly and commented:
I really like this succinct post which captures how and why the language we use is so important. Time to realise it is used to mislead, misinform, seduce and control…
October 3, 2013 at 4:02 pm
Not just written text either but images as well – which in a predominately visually orientated culture that functions through oracy rather than traditional forms of textual literacy and prefers soundbites and ‘easy to read’ — is arguably even more pernicious – putting both together with malicious intent is not much different to a culture that condones criminal activities in the name of profit.
October 3, 2013 at 4:40 pm
I consider it’s really important for us Christians to be aware of and understand what is going on in our culture, often subliminally, and to challenge the corrupting influence that lazy or absent morality has in the press. Thanks, and keep saying it.
October 4, 2013 at 1:53 pm
Bioshop, for once I agree with you. “Arbeit macht frei”, ?? How about “Honour bound to defend freedom” on the gates of the Guantanamo Bay prison camps http://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-11-09/the-entrance-to-a-maximum-security-facility-at/59498. Kevin K
October 9, 2013 at 9:26 am
I was amused by the tweet comment that it is actually none of the Government’s business how hard I work!
October 9, 2013 at 4:20 pm
Best not tell HMG I’ve still not got round to reading Bertrand Russell’s “In Praise of idleness.” I might be pilloried in a certain “newspaper ” …