The Transformation of Language

YO, WORLD.

Today, we’re going to talk about slang, and the powers of language to change the material world. In the beginning, the most basic written language was pictures representing ideas. Cavemen painted images of the hunt, signifying the most powerful and important aspects of their pre-civilized culture. An animistic religion developed from these kinds of images and thoughts, representing an important “soul,” or vital essence to every creature. The life of the animal; the work of the hunter; the death of the animal; the feeding of the tribe, all were deified and made of holy importance.

As language progressed, more complex ideas were able to be transmitted. Along with the birth of technology, the creative aspect of human culture became noticeable. We were(and still are, for that matter) a force to be reckoned with in the animal community. Because of our nature as social animals, these developments allowed us to cultivate the land, transfer stories, develop humor, build complex shelters, and ultimately survive and thrive. We became the dominant life-form on the planet this way.(Note: Being a vegan and someone who tries to remain environmentally responsible to a degree, I do not think that we should take our dominant life-form status to mean that anything goes, but I do think the freedom it has allowed us is wonderful and, at the same time, terrifying.)

Language continued to progress through the ages, allowing us to examine not only the ‘How’s, ‘when’s, and ‘where’s of life, but the ‘why?’ We could communicate ideas of vastly different meanings, with minimal effort. Writing and speaking became second nature, and although, for many years, were kept from underprivileged classes, they still greatly effected the ways in which we operated. Communication moved towards becoming free. As it did so, it also went through many changes, in every single culture. Languages developed and died, were translated and transformed, mutated and mangled, and ultimately progressed as we did.

Now that speech and writing are very free in many parts of the world, we come to a point where we must examine another ‘why’ and another ‘how?’ That is why we use the words we do, and how they can effect us. Very simply, negative words can be redeveloped, and so can positive ones. In order to move language in a positive direction, we must really begin to grasp where we want our culture to move. It is a large task, and daunting, of course, but within our reach, to continually move forward and progress.

Fact: The term “g”, used in hip-hop culture, now translated as “gangsta,” originally was a slang developed by a group called the Five Percent Nation to mean “God.” All men of this culture were called “God,” and thought of as divine, and it can be heard many times in the albums of the Wu Tang Clan and many other hip-hop artists.

The word “gangsta” or “gangster” has a fairly negative connotation to many socially adapted people. It represents a criminal element, one of violence and corruption. “God” is completely the opposite. It represents divinity, justice, love, wisdom, and many other positive qualities that we have chosen, over the years, to apply to an idea of an ever-present caretaker from a world beyond. I’m not saying that all conceptions of god are this, and it is, in fact, a gross oversimplification of what a “god” is in theology and philosophy. However, I don’t want to drag this out into a theology piece, nor do I feel it’s necessary to go too into detail on my own beliefs in that. HSP’s mission is to welcome people from all theological walks of life, whether they atheist, pantheist, theist, deist, panendeist, agnostic, polytheist, monotheist, animist, or otherwise.

Back to the topic, I do believe that seeing a certain sense of divinity in other people and in ourselves can be appropriate. We are part of a magnificent system, comprising individuals and a whole. The two seem opposite, but are, in fact, a false dichotomy. We are inseparable from the causes and effects of others, and other natural phenomenon, be it time, weather, or any other thing. To see ourselves as part of a whole, much as the way fingers are on a hand, is to see our own usefulness, and even applies a great sense of meaning and encouragement to engage in the world. Therefor, next time you say, “G”, if you do, really give some thought to what you’re saying. By explaining this to someone, you may encourage someone to see themselves highly enough to accomplish their goals, and even establish higher ones. This view is, without a doubt, applicable to the Stoic practice that I advocate, because it allows us to see the importance of other people and truly cherish them, and see the value in our relationships. We may not always enjoy the company of everyone, but recognizing their value, in one form or another will allow you to ensure that they have basic human rights, and allow you to help them through their lives. I should say, though, that this is not the only way to do it. It’s worked for me, but it is not the only technique possible. If you feel it’s not in line with your religious values, don’t stress it. I just felt that it was worth discussing, because of the transformation of the term, and the power it has to transform people. From “Gods” to “Gangsters,” is quite a leap, and I think it’s worth noting that in the time that the first switched to the second, the mainstream culture of hip-hop has become less conducive to an orderly, prosperous, free, and happy society.

Also, many people say “peace,” to say goodbye, these days. I am not sure if that was independent of Islamic or Judaic culture, but, in fact, the greetings and goodbyes in the languages of Hebrew and Arabic are translated, roughly, to “Peace be with you.” To “come in peace,” and “leave in peace,” is a powerful concept.

What IS peace? It is a sense of tranquility, and a being of tranquility. Leaving a place or person unharmed, or even better off, out of respect and recognition. It is not just a state of life without war, but so much more than that. It is not always without conflict, but a peaceful state of mind can generally better solve conflict. Peace is, very much, coming to terms with our conflicts and environments. It is necessary for our species to thrive..it is a positive demeanor coupled with the results of that demeanor and its actions. Conflict will always arrive, but a peaceful person will always remain to solve it..this is not just a faith I have, but a knowledge I have gained through experience.

Next time you say “peace,” while on the phone, perhaps try adding “be with you,” afterwards for full effect.

“It’s all good.” Is it all good? How good is good, and what is good? Goodness, as defined by the moral philosopher Albert Schweitzer, is a very simple, and yet somewhat difficult concept.

“Reverence for Life affords me my fundamental principle of morality, namely, that good consists in maintaining, assisting and enhancing life, and to destroy, to harm or to hinder life is evil.”

When I talk about morality, I generally approach it from this stand-point. Most people find that life is a positive thing, while that destroying it is generally a bad thing. This is not to say that death is unnatural or evil, but the forced death of a being, if unnecessary, is not such a good thing. This moral approach allows us to really embrace not only our lives, fully, but the lives of other people, animals, and life forms in a safe way. It keeps us from being too focused on ourselves, while reminding us that we cannot survive very long if we do not show our bodies respect.

So is “it all good?” In a way, yes. Even our hardest moments allow us new realizations on life. If we truly look for the meaning in them, and examine all sides with good effort, we may find that even the hardest circumstances can bring us closer to other people, and to attaining good goals. There are, of course, many negative things that happen, but in the grandest scheme of things, if we remain optimistic, we will find that our lives are generally good things, and that becoming involved in them is “All good.”

Next time you say “it’s all good,” it may be appropriate to dwell on this for a moment.

As a proponent of many forms of meditation, I believe it is important, at this time, to draw attention to the method of reflection. This is the most simple, and many people engage on it at many points in their lives without knowing the power it holds. To reflect on our lives and our actions and words results in a greater understanding of who we are, and who those around us are. We can see our “human strength” and our weaknesses. Examining these things helps us weed out the bad and grow the good. Just like a garden, we need plenty of maintenance, water, and nourishment to do this. Reflection is a part of good maintenance.

Using the Stoic precepts to guide me, I’ve gained much new knowledge of myself in the past few years. Meditating through reflection on becoming less-attached to unimportant things, loving people wholly, finding the beauty in things, and finding the truth in the world has allowed me to make many steps in my life I would not have found to be possible otherwise. Truth, beauty, and love were said to be the “three treasures” of Stoicism that allow us to act as Stoics, and become good people. Finding these treasures and knowing their true value will help us live great, successful, prosperous, and healthy lives, while still having a sense of humor.

Peace be with you, readers!