Spelling: Modern manipulations Part I

For a topic this broad, we broke it down into two podcasts. In Part One, we looked at what “spelling” is. Just looking into the history of the word and its uses was fascinating. We spell words by breaking them down. The perfect combination of letters makes a word that projects messages. Our words are powerful and can create emotions, call people to action, offer warnings, blessings, convictions, and pardons.

People often don’t recognize the power words have. We take commercials, propaganda, chants, and songs for granted. Put to rhythm, words can encourage victory at a ball game. When repeated, we can invoke a riot or call for peace.

People will watch an infant be baptized, sprinkled with Holy water while a priest chants, believing the soul is forever saved and under God’s watchful eye. Yet the same people find it hard to believe that someone could put energy forth with words, and create a frenzied crowd. Riots have been started with less. Groups gather, march, and chant. The chants create a sense of indignity and oppression turning into rage. People start yelling in anger, provoking others to join in, and suddenly, someone breaks a window. Looting, fires, and fights begin. The police come in, and suddenly it’s all out war between people who had been calm and collected that morning and officers who were sent to ensure safety of all.

Who is doing the manipulating? Who is sending the message? And most importantly, how are you receiving the messages you get? Do you even recognize when you are being manipulated?

Original Air Date: 11/04/2020