Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
Let's say you basically don't think there's any natural-law right to freedom of expression, and let's say you don't see any teleological value in protecting speech. But let's say that otherwise, you're committed to good things, as we'd all basically define them here on Ricochet.
What other grotesque euphemisms would you quite like to see banned?
I might start by banning the word "euthanasia" to describe this practice.
Schadenberg points out that figures from 2007 indicate approximately 10% of all deaths in the Netherlands were connected to the practice of terminal sedation.
"Many of those deaths were caused by dehydration, by the physician sedating the patient and then withholding hydration until death occurs, which usually takes 10 - 14 days," he said.
Schadenberg said the Netherlands does not collect information on how many people with disabilities die by euthanasia, nor was information provided in the government report on how many infants born with disabilities are euthanized based on the request of the parents and the agreement of the physician.
It's easy to get enthusiastic about the idea of banning speech, isn't it? Just think of all the ways that a bit more plain-speaking would be morally clarifying.
They don't call totalitarianism a temptation for nothing.
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Jul '10
Re: Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
I would like to ban the phrase "momma grizzlies".
Actually, I would propose prohibiting Sarah Palin from ever speaking at all, but I suppose that would be a bill of attainder.
Jul '10
Re: Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
Claire Berlinski, Ed.:
I might start by banning the word "euthanasia" to describe this practice.
I once suffered an accident which led to the loss of half of my body's blood. This immediately resulted in a raging thirst, which still lingers in my mind as the most horrible sensation I've ever experienced.
Sedated or not, this is cruelty in the extreme.
May '10
Re: Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
Kenneth
I once suffered an accident which led to the loss of half of my body's blood. This immediately resulted in a raging thirst, which still lingers in my mind as the most horrible sensation I've ever experienced.
Sedated or not, this is cruelty in the extreme. · Nov 10 at 10:59pm
I'm not feeling very sanguine about the direction this conversation is headed...
May '10
Re: Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
"Progressive" and "Liberal" - either isn't very much so. They exist mainly as wishful thinking dunked in a steaming vat of tautology.
Oct '10
Re: Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
If a Gitmo detainee were deprived of water for 10-14 days it would (rightly) be called torture. Can one legitimately request to be tortured to death? I guess so in the Netherlands and Oregon. I’ll bet it’s illegal to withhold water from a pet dog or cat in those locales (as it should be). But not for a Doctor to do the same if the patient “requests” it? What if my cat wants to “die in dignity”? Can I torture her then? I mean, I think she and I know each other pretty well. We certainly have more of a relationship than most Doctors and patients do. Sure, we have some communication issues, but we manage. I’m telling the truth here, Mr. Pet Control Officer, she really wanted to live out her last days in agonizing, thirst-driven delirium. Besides, who can dispute that death seems like a blessing under these circumstances? Surely Kitty enjoys the same ‘right to die’ as Grandma . . . no reason to let your species-bigotry interfere in this “personal” decision.
Aug '10
Re: Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
I prefer the word "euthanasia" to "dying with dignity " , the current euphemism- a bit like "termination" and "right to choose". Might I nominate any Napolitano term to deal with Islamist terrorism- man-caused disasters", etc.And overuse of the word "fascism" is a particular bugbear of mine.
Oct '10
Re: Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
Who can top “euthanasia without explicit consent”?
To think that once we called this “murder.” What a silly old fashioned notion that is. Thankfully, only religious kooks could hold such beliefs in this more enlightened era.
Oct '10
Re: Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
OK, that does it. Now I have to ask you to marry me. Bonus points if you actually do believe the universe to be teleological. ;-)
May '10
Re: Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
I think we should find the most virtuous person in the Ricochet Republic and declare them Censor. A role outside of the power of the government and probably less scary.
May '10
Re: Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
Here's a more lighthearted suggestion: Instead of banning words because we don't like the meaning, why don't we ban words because they are overused to the point of meaningless, exist only to lend a patina of sophistication to things that are just plain dumb, sound like fingernails across a chalkboard, or (the best reason yet) because they annoy me? Here are some candidates:
1. Paradigm
2. Disrespect (only when used as a verb)
3. Closure
4. Whereas, wherefore, herein, hereinabove, hereinbelow (N.B. - I'm a lawyer)
5. Dialogue (when used as a verb and to describe any conversation that's not printed in a book)
6. Other (when used as a noun)
7. Any form of "dialectic"
8. Constructive
9. Any word longer than 6 letters that appears in a seminary course description
10. Interdisciplinary
11. Holisitic
12. Organic (except for Ph.D chemists, and then only for use in their work)
13. Brainstorm
14. Retreat (to describe a meeting)
15. Teleological (Just kidding, just kidding; but see item 9 hereinabove)
One last gripe: You should pay a fee to Strunk & White's publishing house when you use a hypen to manufacture a noun.
Oct '10
Re: Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
"Jobs created or saved." "Man-caused disasters." "Social justice."
Jun '10
Re: Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
Duh, Diane Ellis, Ed.?
Re: Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
Matthew Gilley:
15. Teleological (Just kidding, just kidding; but see item 9 hereinabove)
Enthusiastic about all your suggestions for improved state regulation of speech save for this one. Find me a word that expresses this concept more succinctly and accurately and you may persuade me. Seems to me any substitute would require more words, or at least letters, and would thus be no improvement. Assume we are rationing words. (Rationing, of course, being the natural consequence of government intervention in the market).
Re: Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
Kenneth I once suffered an accident which led to the loss of half of my body's blood. This immediately resulted in a raging thirst, which still lingers in my mind as the most horrible sensation I've ever experienced.
Sedated or not, this is cruelty in the extreme. · Nov 10 at 10:59pm
Kenneth, I couldn't agree more. I suspect all the sedation does is prevent these poor tortured creatures from bothering the doctors with their screams.
May '10
Re: Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
How about destroyers of innocents calling themselves the "man/boy love association"?
I also deplore "female circumcision"--as if it were comparable to what Jewish boys harmlessly undergo.
But no euphemism has done more concrete evil than "woman's right to choose."
While we're on the subject, let's not forget the reverse phenomenon is also a reality-depleter, viz. the de facto banning of words we dislike, such as "retarded" and "illegal alien".
Re: Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
I nominate the word "Obamacare". Let's call it what it actually is: "NOCARE." And if we're going the way of Sweden, I suggest to everyone...drink up.
Re: Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
I'm with Matthew Gilley and would only amend his list to add one word:
discourse
Nov '10
Re: Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
There was an old Calvin and Hobbes comic strip I recall where, after complaining that the word "access" went from being a noun to being a verb, he says "Verbing weirds language."
In that light, I concur with "disrespecting" and "dialoguing", and also add "antiquing".
As far as corporate buzzwords, I'd like to axe "onboarding".
I'd like to be able to use the word "green" again and not have a pejorative meaning.
And finally, as a morbidly obese man, I do not approve of using "plush" as a euphemism for fat. I worked very hard to become fat. I am not an overstuffed pillow or fancy towel.
Nov '10
Re: Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
Emily Esfahani Smith, Ed. : I'm with Matthew Gilley and would only amend his list to add one word:
discourse · Nov 11 at 7:26am
And one more for his list: Iconic. Was overusing "classic" really so bad in comparison?
May '10
Re: Suppose We Jettison Free Speech ... What Words Shall We Ban?
Claire Berlinski, Ed.
Matthew Gilley:
15. Teleological (Just kidding, just kidding; but see item 9 hereinabove)
Enthusiastic about all your suggestions for improved state regulation of speech save for this one. Find me a word that expresses this concept more succinctly and accurately and you may persuade me. Seems to me any substitute would require more words, or at least letters, and would thus be no improvement. Assume we are rationing words. (Rationing, of course, being the natural consequence of government intervention in the market). · Nov 11 at 6:11am
Down South, we say, "Quit fiddlin' around," but you are correct that involves more words and letters. Therefore, "teleological" regains state sanction, but something must take its place on the list. Which shall it be - "Aqua Buddha" or "I'm you"?