Wordlife
Words are powerful. They can change the world faster than it would take the U.S. to declare war with Iraq. They can create or destroy establishments in record time. They are able to stretch the truth to unimaginable lengths. They can even kill people. With just a few strokes on a keyboard, or a few scribbles with a pen, a person can unleash an upheaval of information capable of drastic results. There is much truth to the saying “the pen is mightier than the sword.” While a sword causes instant death to one man, a pen can slowly murder more than one. Which brings us to the question: why then are all people given the ability to write words, with all these heinous things it can do?
Before civilization reared its ugly head, words were unheard of. Prior to its invention there was primitive communication. Records show the utilization of basic tools as modes of interaction, a mundane version of “talking.” As time progressed, man continually gained more knowledge and intelligence and with that, the first words were uttered. Then came grammar, vocabulary, and then linguistics. Over the years many people got involved with linguistics while others studied more on grammar and carried over as superb writers. The rest inevitably knew how to write paragraphs of varying lengths. Man’s interest in writing made it clear that words are no longer limited to communication. His growing thirst for more information demanded more functions from words. Almost immediately, books were created to provide facts about anything under (and eventually, beyond) the sun. Still, having the books regarded into the most basic source of information was not enough. Man wanted even more. So much, that he wanted basically anything that’s happening all over the globe. Current events have become as essential as man’s necessities, giving birth to journalism. Journalism eventually filled everybody’s wanting for the newest, most up-to-date information by daring to places where no one has gone before. Of course, journalism was not safe from flaws and blemishes, which caused the accumulation of false news, also known as gossips, speculations and rumors. And that did not bode well to the majority. The effect, the same words used for data gathering were used to ruin one’s reputation. Squabbles ranging from petty pillow fights to coast-to-coast wars were all caused in some way by the misuse of words. Millions of lives were lost because of said words. Supposed groundbreaking plans and announcements were cancelled because of words. Numerous relationships ended because of words.
But in reality, did words really cause all these? Looking back, words were created to elicit interaction, to aid man in their philosophical quest. Not to instill madness and chaos all over the world. The real culprit is definitely the wrong application of words, usually for personal gain. Hundreds and thousands of journalists were the receiving end of explosive bullets all because of their duty to tell the people of the truth, risky news that expose men in power of the criminals that they are. Celebrities have their reputation stained and reduced to pieces thanks to gossips regardless if they are true or not, released to the interested massed by jealous individuals. No, words do not give you the power to kill. You give words the power to do so. If we could only learn how to use words effectively, then the original function of words will be restored.