A Shocking Discovery About Us

[_Philo Sofee]

Two weeks ago I heard a Unitarian Universalist minister give one of the most shocking speeches I have heard in years. It concerns me as a parent and grandparent. It's time to wake up. I'm serious, It's time to wake up. We cannot afford to continue being so divisive and nasty in our country.

Since around 1990 the use of many English words has gone down from between 57% all the way down by 87%. What are some of these words in our language, and are we sure we don't want to keep them and use them, and make sure they do have a good effect on every human life?

Thankfulness Down 83%
Uprightness Down 80%
Fortitude Down 74%
Kindness Down 70%
Gentleness Down 70%
Politeness Down 69%
Bravery Down 66%
Modesty Down 65%
Honor Down 65%
Sincerity Down 64%
Fidelity Down 61%
Marcy Down 60%
Charity Down 57%
Thoughtfulness Down 56%
Gratitude Down 56%
Grace Down 53%
Dignity Down 47%
Decency Down 42%
Truthfulness Down 40%
Love Down 35%
Humility Down 31%
Wisdom Down 25%
Courtesy Down 22%
Respect Down 17%
Appreciation Down 7%

There has been one word that has risen by an amazing 68% and that word is compassion. I will let you guess as to why.

Are we really wanting to leave our public discourse without these fabulous words so our children, our grandchildren will not have them to discuss, use, and appreciate? Are we sure we can't improve ourselves first and try to keep these words and what they stand for IN FRONT of our youth? I have grandchildren now who are so overwhelmingly incredible. I don't want a world without these words. So here is my challenge. Lets all try for the next year to increase our use of these words at least 10%. That's not an overwhelming goal at all. In fact it's almost a lazy goal, but we need to start somewhere.

Especially since we are always talking about Mormons and their apologists and their leaders who appear to us to be just so very far off track. Is there a way we can start squeezing this kind of good vocabulary back into all our lives? I for one will commit to do so. How about the rest of you? Are you game?

[_Holy Ghost]

Ahhh, Fox News has been such a wonderful thing.

[_Philo Sofee]

Ahhh, Fox News has been such a wonderful thing.

I find your lack of integrity disturbing........

[_Res Ipsa]

Two weeks ago I heard a Unitarian Universalist minister give one of the most shocking speeches I have heard in years. It concerns me as a parent and grandparent. It's time to wake up. I'm serious, It's time to wake up. We cannot afford to continue being so divisive and nasty in our country.

Since around 1990 the use of many English words has gone down from between 57% all the way down by 87%. What are some of these words in our language, and are we sure we don't want to keep them and use them, and make sure they do have a good effect on every human life?

Thankfulness Down 83%
Uprightness Down 80%
Fortitude Down 74%
Kindness Down 70%
Gentleness Down 70%
Politeness Down 69%
Bravery Down 66%
Modesty Down 65%
Honor Down 65%
Sincerity Down 64%
Fidelity Down 61%
Marcy Down 60%
Charity Down 57%
Thoughtfulness Down 56%
Gratitude Down 56%
Grace Down 53%
Dignity Down 47%
Decency Down 42%
Truthfulness Down 40%
Love Down 35%
Humility Down 31%
Wisdom Down 25%
Courtesy Down 22%
Respect Down 17%
Appreciation Down 7%

There has been one word that has risen by an amazing 68% and that word is compassion. I will let you guess as to why.

Are we really wanting to leave our public discourse without these fabulous words so our children, our grandchildren will not have them to discuss, use, and appreciate? Are we sure we can't improve ourselves first and try to keep these words and what they stand for IN FRONT of our youth? I have grandchildren now who are so overwhelmingly incredible. I don't want a world without these words. So here is my challenge. Lets all try for the next year to increase our use of these words at least 10%. That's not an overwhelming goal at all. In fact it's almost a lazy goal, but we need to start somewhere.

Especially since we are always talking about Mormons and their apologists and their leaders who appear to us to be just so very far off track. Is there a way we can start squeezing this kind of good vocabulary back into all our lives? I for one will commit to do so. How about the rest of you? Are you game?

Philo, did the minister mention where he got those figures?

[_moksha]

I can't remember ever using the word uprightness. Pretty sure it is now relegated to erotic literature. The rest of those words are in general use.

I agree with Philo about civility taking a hit in public discourse. Anyone who has listened to Trump in the last two weeks will notice a dramatic decline in civility and a skyrocketing of nastiness.

[_Kishkumen]

I use the word upright quite a lot.

[_moksha]

I use the word upright quite a lot.

In relation to erotic literature?

[_Kishkumen]

I use the word upright quite a lot.

In relation to erotic literature?

[_Gadianton]

I don't know Philo, have you ever read apologists when they are describing other apologists? They use these words abundantly.

[_Res Ipsa]

I think I found the study on which the study is based. https://poseidon01.ssrn.com/delivery.ph ... 82&EXT=pdf

It measured changes between 1901 and 2000, which makes much more sense.