Baiting Flies with Honey
Been spending too much time on social media lately? How can you tell? When you turn it all off, and you’re still
fuming and frowning. Ya know, that isn’t good for the facial lines or the blood pressure.
Sometimes I yell at the computer screen, so I
won’t be tempted to post in public what I really
think. If you’re tempted to comment on a particularly offensive post, and start
with “You big mouth, lying meddler …” STOP! With a wry grin, try this instead …
“I have a right to my opinion. Don’t be such a …”
Generally, the wording is much more derogatory
than quidnunc,
when perusing the idiocy that pervades online. It occurred to me recently while
researching, the word “social” should be replaced with ANTIsocial. It’s a
better definition for what it has become: “2) against the basic principles of
[polite] society, harmful to the welfare of the people generally” …
There are ways to complain, refute and argue without defamation, inflammatory emotion, and
truly vile rhetoric, wouldn’t you agree? Want to turn someone to your POV? It’s
true … you catch more flies with honey. What you do with them once you have them, is up
to you.
Now we have a term that will make us smile as we
ponder the preponderance of social panic. Quidnunc is simply fun to say. Of
course, that doesn’t fix the social platforms’ bullying … alas, we have unleashed
a monster that cannot be tamed.
Sadly, we have smashed to pieces an old, beloved adage, “Sticks and stones may
break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Though not completely true, it was a great comeback line.
However small a drop in the bucket, I have
severely limited my time perusing the monster’s collective quidnuncs’ hateful,
manipulating, abhorrent, and destructive patter. Life’s angst without it is
enough.
How much more pleasant our online experiences
would be, if we ALL practiced civilities in our criticisms and protests. Much
more productive.
Word Challenge: QUIDNUNC. This could be a great word for millennials who tend to
eschew everything that went before them. Town gossip and busybodies are so
yesterday. Whatever your generation, consider updating your vocabulary with a
smile, as you fit quidnunc into your week of alternative writings.
Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and
it isn’t fattening! Expanding your mind is a no-cost simple joy. Do you feel
that way too? Share your comments below, about Wordplay
Wednesday or learning in general. What’s your inspiration?
Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle)
LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by
trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books (of
three) in her Blast from Your Past
series, available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1 – Rock & Roll
Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2 – Rock & Roll
Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon, … The Psychedelic Seventies!
E-N-Dzzzzzzzz
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