DOUBLESPEAK

Have you ever felt manipulated by language? It happens daily. Doublespeak is used to disguise, distort, or reverse the meaning of words, often by employing euphemism or ambiguity. For example, downsizing vs layoffs; freedom fighter vs terrorist; full-figured vs fat; visually impaired vs blind. I think the word you choose depends on which side you are on. I have found that I have to filter input through a doublespeak lens. Even then, I don't know how much gets through without being detected. I find myself second guessing the weather report.

Another interesting word is doublethink. It was coined by George Orwell in his sci-fi classic 1984. Doublethink is the mental capacity to accept as equally valid two opinions or beliefs that contradict each other. We see it everyday. One example is the man that has an affair and also believes he is committed to his marriage. He sees no contradiction, or perhaps rationalizes his behavior in some way. Rationalization is the bedfellow of doublethink. If you can define the rationalization, you can identify the doublethink.

When you face up to your contradictions, you either change one of the beliefs, or you adjust your philosophy of life to allow both to coexist. If someone points out to that person the original inconsistency and the corresponding lifestyle adjustment they made, their reaction can be extremely defensive. That's not surprising, since they are probably expending a lot of mental energy keeping everything balanced in their mind. We see this most often when someone is raised with certain moral values, and then rejects those values as an adult because those same values condemn their present moral behavior.

Have you been the recipient of doublespeak or a victim of doublethink?

DARK STAR SAFARI

Paul Theroux revisited Africa 35 years after teaching in Malawi. He traveled from Cairo to Cape Town, and along the way records the changes that have occurred. This is a discouraging book to read, because Africa has become "...hungrier, poorer, less educated, more pessimistic, more corrupt, and you can't tell the politicians from the witch-doctors."

It is just as interesting, however, to study the author. He describes himself as a loner, and thoroughly enjoys being where no one knows where he is. His encounters with various personalities along the way reveal inner struggles with loneliness, pessimism, and despair. Frankly, that trip would make me have those feeling too, but you get the sense that he planned this trip to escape from western culture one last time while his health is good. He has absolutely no hope for Africa's future, and he himself has no hope. It is a journey of a hopeless man traveling through a hopeless continent. His character reminds me of Jack London and Ernest Hemingway.

Before you say, "Forget reading that book!" I want to assure you that you will not be disappointed. Thoroux has a way with words that make Africa come alive in your mind. There is a reason he is recognized as a successful writer. If you research his life, you will find that the whole extended family is full of writers. (Why did he get all the genes?)

Most interesting is his opinion of aid workers. It convinced me that organizations such as Lahash are the only successful ones, because they are partnering with existing local ministries, as opposed to a top-down approach.

Read this book and give me your feedback.

REDEEMING THE TIME

Everyone likes to have time. Time for a vacation, time to work, time to play, time to be with the one we love. I have been thinking a lot about time. The old adage "stop and smell the roses" applies here. I have a tendency to plan into the future without enjoying today. A lifetime of doing that would be like the movie of the guy who goes into Bed Bath and Beyond and gets a remote control that allows him to fast forward through life. I can't remember the name of the movie, but it had a message. Are you having fun yet? Or is the fun always in the future?