Commentaries on the Soul

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The soul is defined and denied in many ways. It is defined as spirit. It is explained as the immaterial essence of a being or as the core or character of a thing. It is denied as non existent because it cannot be measured or seen or because it only survives as long as the body it inhabits survives.

Believers think the soul is eternal. Some believe it is reincarnated time and time again until it becomes part of an absolute called God. Others think a soul can inhabit an atom. Many believe the soul can be saved or damned. Skeptics think it is an erroneous concept held by mankind.

Perhaps the soul is more than all it is alleged to be. Perhaps it is less. If it more, than it can arise in anything that exists, living or not. If it is less, than perhaps it is the greatness of nothing.

Political Language

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In the United States the notion of freedom of expression fiercely extends to language. There is no Academy of Language that maintains the purity or even the meaning of the words we use. We live in a state of descriptive linguistics rather than prescriptive linguistics. Our grammar books struggle to keep as things can be “very unique” and we do not know who killed “who.”

Words like unique don’t mean what they used to. Something can become very one of a kind and “sick” means wonderful. Our politicians “otherize” groups and people who do not bode well for their continuing success/re-election.

When television became dominant, Mc Luhan made the case that “The Medium is the Message.” His point is the messaging is greatly influenced by the medium presenting it. This concept has great importance with the exponential explosion of the multiple avenues for messaging.

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