In his book Walking through Anger, Dr. Christian Conte enumerates what he calls “the five errors of communication.” The current political scene provides numerous examples of one of these errors, the error of inaccurate language.
Both sides of the political spectrum are guilty of the error that includes generalizations and extreme descriptions. (akin to someone's saying to a loved one, “You never listen to me.”) Both Biden and Trump are guilty of this error. Biden’s inaccurate language centers on what he calls MAGA extremists. Trump’s inaccurate language focuses on elections past, present, and future. The danger in using such inaccurate language on a national stage lies in the potential for self-fulfilling prophecies motivated by fear and hate.
Hook, Line, and Sinker
Inaccurate language would not be a problem if listeners had a logic filter. However, most people appear to listen not through a logic filter, but rather through an ideological one. Extreme language isn’t different from any form of language in that it is subject to misinterpretation. Yet, there is a difference: Extreme language often results in extreme action. Two examples: The January 6 mob action at the U.S. Capitol and the attempted murder of a Supreme Court Justice.
When the brain filter or lens is ideology, alternative actions receive little attention. The ideologue acts on emotion while justifying actions as perfectly reasonable.Thus, ideologues accept as truths extreme language that supports their perspectives.
Fish That Don’t Bite
Mental laziness and impatience drive us toward any lure. Specificity in any human endeavor requires work. It also requires patience. Accustomed as we are to rapidity in every phase of life (e.g., Amazon deliveries, fast food, microwaves), we just can’t wait for anything complex or nuanced. So, whenever someone drops the ear worm of extreme language into the pool of life, we bite.
This use of extreme language is a worldwide phenomenon. Moscow pundits serve as example.Taking their lead from Putin’s flippant remarks about using nuclear weapons in Ukraine, they spoke with a smirk about nuking the UK and the US, senselessly disregarding their own vulnerability to nuclear annihilation. And, of course, some in the threatened countries responded in kind.
Begetting
Extreme language engenders more extreme language in a feed-back loop that reminds me of a passage in Matthew. Chapter 1, versus 2-17 (King James) reads
2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; 3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; 7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; 10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; 11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: 12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; 13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; 15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
That’s the analog for the heredity of extreme language. Like the biblical characters, today’s extreme language stands like Abraham as the father of extreme language yet to be born, different but members of the same family.
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