Words by Design

LANGUAGE FANATICS

I was just skimming the November issue of the magazine Fast Company, which happened to be in my kitchen when I ate breakfast. By the third or fourth page, its language was growling at me. Is it just me, or is the media getting aggressive with language? All you have to do is read cover pages on a magazine rack and you’ll be threatened with idiocy if you don’t get in the groove or at least buy the magazine.

These phrases taken from Fast Company and my interpretation :

—three great books and everything else you need to try right now
         it’s urgent, and you’re needy

—the most dangerous weapon of all
         you’re going to die if you don’t pay attention

—effects of technology [is] rampant
         you’re so dependent and don’t know it

—a latte with art
         your latte is inadequate, so’s your art

—music-driven culture
         it’s on overdrive and you don’t know about it?

—We live in real-time now
         where have you been?

—who wants to wait for good kicks?

         your life is boring, shake it up

—the business world’s most forward-thinking people
         if you don’t know these guys, you’re a bonehead

This wouldn’t be so disappointing if magazines delivered on the promises. However, if you look past the hyperbole, you’ll find that as a general rule, the articles contain rehashed information you already know. I’ve used Fast Company as an example, but it is only one of many such magazines.