Are you familiar with the short-lived TV series "Wonderfalls?" I've been viewing my own personal marathon this weekend and I can't help thinking of you. Although I know very little about you except what I read. And no. I don't see you talking to inanimate objects, like Jaye does. I do, however, see you slipping medication in to all the little holes on your CPU. By the way, now is a good time to purchase all the seen and unseen episodes at Amazon. The complete set for less than $20!

Oh, your posting? I think some people use big words as weapons. I thought you are supposed to your audience. Technical jargon is another matter entirely: It saves a thousand words. Thanks for using the "f-word" a whole lot! You do understand us!

Somehow "tailor your writing to" was omitted from my comment..."I thought you were supposed to tailor your writing to your audience.". I could have sworn it was there yesterday!

And I see "ego boosting" as just another use of words as a weapon. Inflating one's own ego is always done at the expense of someone else's. Words are like paint to an artist. I never like to say the same thing the exact same way.

Notice how prescient the system made me look! I anticipated k's comment! Christmas in May!

Perfectly valid thoughts, though I assume everyone knows I was joking . . .?

Goldstein has an academic background, and has studied communication in a very clinical way. He's entitled to use the metalanguage appropriate to his discipline.

I disagree that when one builds up one's own ego, one is necessarily tearing another person's down. There are people out there whose egos do need to be built up to the correct level.

Me, I gear my speech to my audience, and my writing too, though to a lesser extent. The entire purpose is communication. If people don't understand the words I'm using, I'm not communicating.

Of course, I'm also enamored with words and slang and the music of language in general. Plus, I figure I own this language, so I have a perfect right to mangle it as I choose.

Words as weapons? See it all the time. Also, very much, as ego boosters. Such bullshit, as to both counts.

People who think their big words will impress me are only impressing upon me how insecure they are - and how willing to build themselves up at the expense of others.

Bah!

We, of course, didn't read Goldstein's piece, or even seriously consider your point, if any. We just wanted to interact with you and see our names in print. Isn't that why people visit blogs? It beats getting a real life! Much less work! Sort like spending your life on the Holodeck...:-)