Distinguished Abuse


We’ve inherited the Brit way of talking and using words like “distinguished”, “honourable” and “gentleman”. So MP’s are referred to as honourable people. Never mind the murders, rapes and thefts they may have committed.

Wouldn’t it be appropriate to just drop all such syrupy sweet, ass kissing terms for entire categories of people? After all, if we use those terms selectively for some guys in the category but not for others, it would just create a new issue of why use it for this guy but not for that guy?

I prefer the American way of just addressing people as “President” or “Senator” or “Judge” or whatever. I guess that’s American pragmatism at work: while both Lincoln and Nixon (or George W. Bush, if you prefer) were presidents, it would be insane to place them in the same category! And why grovel before a judge?

Wondering what triggered this blog? I just saw something on the Internet where the usage of such terms crossed a line:
“…to be helmed by the distinguished philosopher Huw Price, the distinguished astrophysicist Martin Reese, and the distinguished programmer Jaan Tallinn…”

Now I work in IT, but what the hell is a “distinguished” programmer?! Please, let’s not carry these feudal terms into the Information Age…

Comments

  1. KumarFebruary 1, 2013 at 2:06 PM

    Well taken point.

    The American pragmatism and directness is of course praise-worthy; but even the British intent of expressing respect for the position did not fare badly in Britain. They don't stoop to the level to which we do; they have a way of formality in language and in their thought. That is not a big hindrance in the way of their dealing with official work. In India, the silliness in this regard is entirely due to our poor mindset of us.

    A huge proportion of those in high places, bureaucrats or politicians, are obsessed with (their own) importance, power, position, pomp, praises etc. while many in this group may have no substance to either govern well or contribute anything worthwhile to the society. Another section is so entrenched in the feudal subservience that they sacrifice all dignity and some principles too, in order to please those who are in high places. Psycho-fancy comes easily and those in high positions prefer that to truth; truth tends to be either bitter or elusive for them. The attitude of easily endorsing falsehood is also the reason why rank exceptionally high in corruption among the nations.

    Unfortunately, it is not going to be any soon when the decay gets checked and new growth of positive things happen. Some generations have to pass into oblivion before we can hope for anything worthwhile happening.

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