Language

Language is extremely important for humans as we use it as our main means of communication. We have been molding language for years. Changing the meanings of words such as "peruse" which once meant to read in detail, whereas today, it means to skim over. Adding new words and definitions to our dictionary such as selfie and tweep. Our language is ever evolving, and extremely important. Language is not given the appreciation it deserves in today's society as peoples abuse it. To make a connection to English class, we spoke of advertisements and the pictures and language being used to persuade the masses to purchase a product. Rather than using language as a means of communication, we have manipulated it to falsely direct ourselves. Saying one thing with empty and vague words to hide our true intentions and mislead those around us. We have become so dependent on language and yet we continue to tear it down and misuse it. In doing this, we are creating a spiral in which our language declines. 

"...it is clear that the decline of a language must ultimately have political and economic causes: it is not due simply to the bad influence of this or that individual writer. But an effect can become a cause, reinforcing the original cause and producing the same effect in an intensified form, and so on indefinitely. A man may take to drink because he feels himself to be a failure, and then fail all the more completely because he drinks. It is rather the same thing that is happening to the English language. It becomes ugly and inaccurate because our thoughts are foolish, but the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts. " - George Orwell, Politics and the English Language

Senses & Opinions

Whenever I get the chance, I spend my time playing PS3, X-Box or games on my computer. It’s my way of escaping from reality. Whether it be the chaos of Saints Row, or the calmness of Minecraft, I enjoy every second. Some of my friends however would argue that there is “too much going on”, or find themselves baffled by the controls, making the experience of the game unenjoyable for them. In a way, this breaks my heart. I adore my collection of games and question how somebody could dislike them in any manner. Opinions change from person to person, and I understand that, I just wonder what forms these opinions. Do they have a personal experience that morphed these opinions? Did somebody else influence their thoughts? If so, do they realise? Do I realise that somebody could have morphed my own thoughts toward video games? Later in life will I still feel the same way? Or will my thoughts change and transform over time?

Plato's Cave

The “Allegory of the Cave” strongly connects to the phrase “I’ll believe it when I see it” in my opinion. A large portion of the human population has shunned the act of deep thinking and taking a minute to reflect on life. Rather than doing such important and interesting things, such as questioning reality, they spend their time mindlessly working through their days, believing what they see and what they are told without question. These people are the ones trapped in the cave. They lack true wisdom as they wander blindly through their world. Though it is their reality, it may not have been their choice for it to have been such. How do you question your world when you are never notified of such possibility? How can you question what is true when you are not given the words to do so? Going back to statement “I’ll believe it when I see it”, I find this very narrow minded. The sense of seeing is very small and fragile on its own. It is with other senses and deep thought that one can start to understand their surroundings. Saying this is like becoming the people staring at a wall and knowing only shadows. You are shutting out all other possibilities that may go against what you know, therefore building the walls of the cave around yourself and creating an illusion that everything is fine.

Though I speak of “my opinion”, it is not truly and completely mine to claim. I have spoken about the subject of Plato and the “Allegory of the Cave” in a class full of minds that perceive things in different manners. The sole act of listening to another student’s opinion has altered my own. This can tie into the topic of reality quite easily, as my own reality changes along with the input of others

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