yacs' blog

a declaration of codependence

 abuse

I’ve been thinking a lot about words lately.  (Truthfully, I’m always thinking about words, since they’re my livelihood – but lately, I’ve been thinking about them in a more negative context.)  Used properly, words should simplify or illuminate a topic, and possibly move the reader – essentially, they guide an audience toward the essence/truth of an idea.  Unfortunately, they can also hide the truth.

Recently, I learned a new word: “funemployment.”  Have you heard this one?  It was coined to describe the situation faced and embraced by a sub-culture of the unemployed – those who aren’t concerned by their new status.  They have no bills, no families and no commitments, so they see their situation as an opportunity to live fat and happy for a while, collecting money from ever-dwindling Unemployment funds and using it to play golf, go to the beach, and generally have fun.

Meanwhile, the word trivializes unemployment for the rest of us.  It’s great that they aren’t worried about their finances; I’m glad there are people out there who aren’t living hand to mouth.  Really, I am.  They deserve to enjoy that feeling.  But if you’re one of them, keep that feeling to yourself.  Elsewhere, families are suffering and people are feeling real pain as a result of their job loss.  Have a little respect for them, and shut the hell up.  Would you wear a Rolex while volunteering in a soup kitchen?

“Funemployment.”  Use that word in front of me, and you’re likely to be answered with another phrase that begins with “Fu.”  Because the more you use it, the more people think it applies to everyone who’s unemployed.  There’s already a stigma to that situation; it’s amazing how many people think the unemployed are sitting at home, eating bon-bons and watching their afternoon stories, compliments of the public dole.  Along comes the word “funemployment” and that stereotype is suddenly validated.  Gone is the concern, gone is the compassion, gone is the conscientiousness.  Gone is the conscience.

Yes, conscience.  Why should we listen to our inner voices, when we have cute little buzzwords telling us how to feel?  Buzzwords have become the bread and circuses of the modern age.  Want to put something over on the public?  Just wrap it up in pretty words like “patriot” or “green” and they’ll never see it coming.  If you’re lucky, maybe a celebrity will die at the same time, providing them with further distractions.

Quick, America – how many of you know what was in the last-minute Cap and Trade Amendment?  How many of you knew what was in the Patriot Act?

Now, how many of you know what was in Michael Jackson’s will?

Never mind religion, Mr. Marx – pop culture is the true opiate of the masses.  We’ve let it so numb our minds that we no longer care what’s behind the words.  But it’s time we started paying attention again, starting with these words: “And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”  Of those last two, one is pretty scarce among the people today.  The other is pretty scarce among the politicians.

But we don’t have time to think about that right now; there’s breaking news on MTV.  It seems that Michael Jackson is still dead.

Care for some bread?

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Filed under: Lifestyle