In the latest issue of Skeptical Enquirer, David Levy, professor of psychology at Pepperdine University, presented a guide to deconstructing academically fashionable phrases for the uninitiated. The uninitiated, IMHO are those who voted for Obama.
That editorial comment aside, here is a sampling of the guide.
PHRASE: All points of view are equally valid.
TRANSLATION: I am willing to abandon all logic and evidence just to maintain the illusion that I am being open-minded and fair.
PHRASE: We need to neutralize the effects of power, status and privilege.
TRANSLATION: I wish I had more power, status and privilege.
PHRASE: In our culture, empiricism is over-privileged.
TRANSLATION: I don’t have any facts to back up my agreement.
PHRASE: Permit me to educate you.
TRANSLATION: Permit me to invalidate your opinion.
PHRASE: Permit me to deconstruct this socio-cultural myth.
TRANSLATION: Watch me demonstrate how superior I am.
PHRASE: I am very passionate about these ideas.
TRANSLATION: The more strongly I feel the more right I must be. (Boy! Does that explain the progressive mindset.)
PHRASE: I’m not saying “better”. I’m saying “different”.
TRANSLATION: I’m saying “better”.
PHRASE: This merits more conversation.
TRANSLATION: I can’t believe that you still have the temerity not to agree with me.
PHRASE: Do you think that sounds kind of racist?
TRANSLATION: Good luck trying to disagree with me now.
PHRASE: These are the types of issues we don’t talk enough about around here.
TRANSLATION: You’re not feeling guilty enough yet.
PHRASE: It’s not about race.
TRANSLATION: It is about race.
PHRASE: It is unfortunate that that discrimination will always be with us.
TRANSLATION: Which is actually fortunate because my entire identity would evaporate if I didn’t have an enemy to fight against.
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