Zeitgeist – Wordplay Wednesday™ 07/01/2020

End of Alphabet Marks End of Eras

The beginning of this new decade surely gives cause to worry about its place in history and its …

ZEITGEIST (ʹtsīt-_,gīst) n. – the general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of an era. [WW #275]

A zeitgeist isn't just any old group of years. It needs a certain spirit or character that makes it historically notable.

The zeitgeist of which the dictionary speaks, does not register the physical or monetary state of an era. Yet, so much of our current zeitgeist (as it surely shall be known) is a bi-product of the pandemic and its deleterious personal health and financial effects on our “intellectual, moral, and cultural climate.”

Taken as a whole, today’s zeitgeist may be an anomaly for this century; however, the 1970s of the 20^th century set the precedence in recent history. Perhaps minus the global pandemic … but there were plenty of ills to be avoided 50 years ago, as well.

Though fortunately not on the level of the 2020 pandemic, in 1970s America, everyone still learned of and worried about the swine flu and Legionnaire’s Disease. No other decade before us, however, has experienced a zeitgeist quite like ours. Why?

We’re the first to worry out loud … over and over … with anger and rancor … and blame everyone …with fake stats or real … vehemently and with quiet, insidious malice … in social media and podcasts.

Those who play the blame game will eventually fade into the fog of this zeitgeist era, while those who look toward the future to resolve problems without blame, will live on long after death.

What will the rest of this exceptional decade’s zeitgeist hold? Depends if the blamers or the futurists dominate. We can’t change history, but we have the power to shape a future that will become our history. What do we want it to be? Me … I’m looking ahead, how about you?

So authors, are you writing a book or short story of an era that zeitgeist could define? Or perhaps ready to wow your friends with an updated vocabulary in your first social distancing party. Write on …

Word Challenge: ZEITGEIST. Consider with broad strokes, the encompassing background of your story, as you fit zeitgeist into your week of panoramic writings and clever conversations.

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? What’s your inspiration? Share your creative genius and Wordplay Wednesday comments below.

Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle) 

Cheers to learning a new word today!

@PenchantForPen
@Irishwriter

[LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books in her Blast from Your Past series (of three) about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. True behind-the-mic tales make GREAT Holiday and anytime Gifts 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!]

*Note: 1) Dictionary definitions are quoted from Webster’s New World College Dictionary. Yes, we sometimes present them out of “official” context—but that’s half the fun! Think of it as “creative context.” 2) Neither I (LinDee Rochelle) nor Penchant for Penning are responsible for how you use information found here, that may result in legal action.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz  

 

Flower Power – RETRO Wordplay Wednesday™ 09/19/18

Let Your Writing Blossom with Retro Fun 

The 1970s were terrifically prolific with slang! Oh, so many to choose from … Having lived through them while working at UC Berkeley, however, none stand out more than …

FLOWER POWER (flouʹɘr pouʹɘr) n. – a nonviolent ethic as advocated by hippies. Merriam-Webster.com [WW / RETRO #182]

Dictionary definition: again, no “official” dictionary definition, but the best slang rarely makes the tome’s pages, don’t you think?

Gaining momentum in the late 1960s, Flower Power truly defined the early 1970s. Throughout this turbulent decade of contrasts, the phrase personified a more peaceful movement, away from the ugliness of international wars and national strife.

Said to have originated in 1965 with American poet, Allen Ginsberg, Flower Power stemmed from his imagined world where peace and love would conquer conflicts. He, along with other free-thinking literary scholars led the advent of the beat generation, which fed into the Sixties’ hippies. Hence our rose-colored glasses of the 1970s.

Embodying all that is right in nature, flowers in all their vibrant colors, usually make people happy. How can we be mean and combative when given one, right? Great in theory.

The 1970s embraced Flower Power from its beginning (until it was trampled by Disco Duck in the latter part of the decade). “But it wasn't until the spring of the '70s that Flower Power really blossomed in the pages of most major magazines. As with all things, it takes the mainstream a while to co-opt the culture of the trend makers. Once the Mad Men (and their clients) realized the selling power in groovy graphics...”

Together with Peace signs—cue two fingers to form a V—and psychedelic music, Flower Power tried valiantly to climb the “Stairway to Heaven” and change the world. Alas, we were too cynical, even for Hippies and powerful musicians.

However, Flower Power remains a fond symbol of a not-forgotten time when some at least tried to turn the world on its axis with “Make Love Not War.”

Word Challenge: FLOWER POWER. Whether you remember the 1970s or simply curious about them, give a pretty petunia to someone as you fit Flower Power into your week of blossoming 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? What’s your inspiration? Share your creative genius and Wordplay Wednesday comments below.

Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle) 

'Til next time ... PEACE OUT to a wonderful "wordful" week … 

                       

@PenchantForPen

@Irishwriter

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