I can be a very argumentative person, thanks to that family trait of stubborness that runs so strongly through my personality. My mother always said I could argue with a box of rocks. Which, come to think of it, is not so bizarre, because a box of rocks is very illogical. What's the purpose? Regardless, stereotypes are something that I enjoy arguing about. I will go out of my way to make someone think twice about a cliche niche. I went from playing flute for seven years to playing a big ol' tuba, for God's sake. Well, for stereotype's sake actually. Girls don't play tuba, typically. But here I find myself getting heated about stereotypes. I intend to direct this type of argument to the connotation of a definitonal word that may not necessarily take on the definition that society has given it. Have I confused you yet?
The example given by The Tipping Point is the word epidemic. The thought of an epidemic is normally proceeded by ideas of the bubonic plague or swine flu. These are a type of epidemic, but that is not all the word technically means based on the definition. An epidemic can be a good thing, also. It could simply mean one idea catching on between people and spreading like wildfire until it becomes an epidemic. Fashions can be an epidemic. Now I am on my way to re-discovering another definiton with a connotation, and giving it a new light.
The first word that came to mind was captivity. I began to use this word in a paper for my theater class just last night. And then... i thought better of it and changed the word. Captivity is a word used mainly in the sense of being held hostage. But i wanted to use it in the sense of captivation, which is essentially rooted to the same word. But your mind could be held in captivity during a dramatic play, or a particularly exciting book that you just cannot force yourself to put down, no matter how tired your eyes are.
This is not the word I want to use however. it is too simplistic. I want to find a word that creates an epiphany for readers. That really makes you rethink its meaning and you will never forget my definition when you come across it in other readings. I want it to be strong, and argumentative. Where is the word that burns with potential and is just hiding behind common language? I have not found it yet. But i am waiting for it to pop out at me. The search continues... I will be listening.
