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But this does raise an interesting point:  When the mere use of certain terms reinforces the legitimacy and/or appeal of an ideology or culture that supports the dominant power structure (even if that usage creates potentially bad associations for those terms), then does using those terms become intrinsically Orwellian (because no matter how and when and to what end the speaker uses them, they serve to reinforce the dominant power structure)?

Using (in an imprecise way : because after all, the original meaning is still valid) buzz speak when the speaker does not intend to promote it feels much more Orwellian than when there is such a promotional intent.

I believe that for something to be Orwellian, there has to be an intent to deceive or distort

Because the problem with Orwellian speech is not its use as propaganda, easily recognisable as such, but but when indeed its formulations and simplifications become part of common discourse, orienting thoughts its way... I'd find it much more worrying if the economist was using "brand name" without being aware of its impreciseness rather than because he was fishing for some speaking tour in business conferences...

Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères

by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Fri Nov 28th, 2008 at 10:15:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I think you first need to back up your assertion that he is using "brand name" imprecisely.

Here is the paper in which he develops the idea (I have not read it, just the Scientific American interview):

Pirational Choice: The Economics of Infamous Pirate Practices

linca: Because the problem with Orwellian speech is not its use as propaganda, easily recognisable as such, but but when indeed its formulations and simplifications become part of common discourse, orienting thoughts its way.

Here I think you are presuming people guilty until proven innocent of being intellectually compromised by corporate buzz speak.  I believe the burden of proof goes the other way around.

Truth unfolds in time through a communal process.

by marco (cowannar at gmail punkt com) on Fri Nov 28th, 2008 at 10:48:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I don't have the time to do an actual etymological research on the meaning of the concept of "brand name", beyond noting that apparently "brand" got its modern meaning after the last pirates where hanged, and skimming the paper, it didn't seem the author wasted any time justifying the use of modern economics concepts (and the applicability of such concepts to other periods of history is at least debatable).

I'll also note that the author is a member of the Georges Mason University Department of Economics, which was heavily funded by right wing fundations. Giving a bit more of that Orwellian vibe.

Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères

by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Fri Nov 28th, 2008 at 11:29:46 AM EST
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