Absolutes

The truth is, the vast majority of things operate in a continuum; it is incredibly rare for any particular thing or concept to operate in black and white terms. 

And yet, there exist only so many modifiers to affix to our adjectives; what is the discernible and objectifiable difference between saying something simply is bad, is not bad, very bad, quite bad, so bad, somewhat bad, incredibly bad, or abysmally bad? All these descriptors are subject to the whim of human language perception, forming a subjective definition of reality that contrasts greatly from person to person. And often, we don’t even use a modifier to begin with; what does it really mean when we say we are “happy” or “sad”? When we say something is “good” or “bad”? 

Most of our conversations do not extend long enough for us to understand the nuances of each others’ perspectives. Because of this discrete, often dichotomous conception of the world through the crude tool that is our language, we implicitly believe we’ve each taken a side. That if someone else says something, paradoxically, we intuitively use our own perception of what their words meant, and not their perception of what their words meant. 

As I’ve discussed in previous posts, the limits and confines of our language are more than capable of inadvertently corrupting our information space and worldview as a whole. To speak with any degree of probity and transparency, whether in our daily or professional lives, we must bear these limitations within our consciousness.