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Dan...'s avatar

Is it really about manipulation of language? Language IS manipulation. Language is a means to communicate concepts to others - which always has some motivation, overt or background. We always have some purpose or goal when we reach out to others.

Thus, the point is not about manipulation, but about the person behind the particular message. Is there honesty? Sincerity? Respect for the other? Intention to reach a win-win target? Or…?

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Robert Dyson's avatar

Stanford list: While I can agree with a few terms being avoided, for example - half-breed, I think most sensitive people will know and avoid them.

However, how anyone can think India summer should be avoided is beyond me.

I don't see any difference between, "this person is senile" and "this person is suffering from senility".

The people assembling the list did not really do their homework. Thug is really from India where there were groups called that who befriended travellers and then when their victims were getting tired murdered them by choking with a scalf (a rumal) around the neck; the word translates as deceiver. They were investigated by William Sleeman in the 19th century, arrested and the practice stopped.

The list is insane, "surprising" would be an understatement. The people who made the list are stupid, not boring or uncool.

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