Quote:
Originally Posted by watley
The thing to realize is that words are just expressions of thought. If you are arguing that words have made no difference it is tantamount to arguing that human thought has amounted to nothing, which is, I think, patently untrue. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that certain aspects of human behavior have not been significantly altered over the span of civilization; you compare the 'giant stick' to the sticks used in the past.
I think, SITA, you need to narrow down the scope of your existential angst a bit before we can profitably commiserate with you. In any event, some things do change over time, and I cannot say that I concur with your assertion concerning the futility of words. For instance, a year or so ago, you and I hadn't yet shared any words, and if I may be so indiscreet, my world is just a bit richer for having done so in the months since. So from a personal perspective, I can respectfully say that I must disagree with your statement.
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You have exposed my angst like a heart surgeon Mr Wately (I have to call you Mr Wately out of respect from now on).
Words are indeed just thoughts outside the head. In the end it is not for us to force our thoughts into the heads of others, after all who knows what a stray thought/word could do.
I guess my worry is that we have dressed a monkey in fine clothes and expensive shoes, taught him to drive a car and given him a blackberry, but underneath it all beats the heart of a monkey. Have we really progressed, have all our words really changed our hearts?
I wouldn't disagree with the answer 'yes', but I wish it was enough, I wish words were enough.