Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

As was discussed on today's program, "Kumbaya" is often used as an oblique epithet these days. A handle for a particular sort of naive thinking. Never mind that there is plenty of naivete to go around. It's an interesting example of the way bits of language are "captured" by partisans and used against their opponents.

It's interesting to listen to our political parties argue about exactly who is the exclusive guardian of, say, "Family Values." Or "The Environment." Or who exactly is a "Patriot."

This is nothing new. Though, in our increasingly-short-attention-span culture, it appears to be increasingly effective. I mourn the loss of nuance as the sound-bytes seem to be composed of fewer and fewer bits. It feels like our ability to communicate (pardon the digital slang) gets corrupted.

I would enjoy hearing from others who would like to find ways to shine some light on this eternal problem.