Category: humanities/liberal arts

In a time when science and math are considered the only things worth studying, the liberal arts are more relevant then ever.  We cannot afford politicians, soldiers, and diplomats, let alone citizens, who are unaware of other countries’ cultures and histories.  This category will continue to defend the liberal arts.

On titles, respect, and doctor-flaunting: who’s a “doctor”?

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These people are unambiguously called "doctors."

 

“Titles are but nicknames, and every nickname is a title.”

Thomas Paine

I admit, they had me.   I really thought that Jill Biden was an MD.  It’s not implausible that such a high-level official as the VP would have a high-achieving wife.  But then the truth came out, and I realized I’d fallen for “doctor-flaunting.”

There are implicit and subtle sociolinguistic principles that govern the public use of doctor (this list excludes all the countless hucksters and quacks who have bestowed the spurious title “doctor” on themselves):

On titles, respect, and doctor-flaunting: who’s a “doctor”? full post

(377 words, 1 image, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)

Political correctness — ubiquitous and relentless

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The babble of political correctness

Politically correctness attacks the teaching of English. Be afraid.
Be very afraid..

“The truth is what most people believe.  And they believe that which is repeated most often.”

-Josef Goebbels

“[The English language] becomes ugly and inaccurate because our thoughts are foolish, but the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts… if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought.”

George Orwell

Political correctness — ubiquitous and relentless full post

(875 words, 1 image, estimated 3:30 mins reading time)