Shortcut to new histories

A thesis: The frequency of words used is one lens to view the similarities and differences between two political candidates.

Words chosen are a direct reflection of the universe one chooses to represent to others. Word frequencies can tell us in a concrete way what a speaker is most concerned about.

In both the first debate and the victory and concession speeches for the 2008 US presidential election, the most frequent word Senator John McCain used was I. The most frequent word Senator/President-elect Obama used was We.

Here is how it breaks down in terms of an I-versus-We orientation for each candidate, including a ratio of how many times the word I was used in comparison to the word We.

Obama First Debate
I and related terms = 172
We and related terms = 338
RATIO of I to We = .509

McCain First Debate
I and related terms = 218
We and related terms = 150
RATIO of I to We = 1.45

Obama Victory
I and related terms = 41
We and related terms = 88
RATIO of I to We = .466

McCain Concession
I and related terms = 70
We and related terms = 18
RATIO of I to We = 3.889

Language reflects, and communicates with specific words. Chosen words and the most-often/frequently used tell tales. It is tempting to skip to tales' ends from these examples from the US presidential contest. Yet need we be tempted to study this much further? Not really.

America chose its next president. The choice was at least in part because of what (who) the candidate appeared to be most concerned about before and just after the election.

New histories are being worded as we speak.

Silent, Memory*

Into awareness like a dog called to the fore, but for this admonition:

Dare not recall childhood still. That would admit its hold, and the beauty that was.

Dare not surface memories. If not, you are the old age you are.

Deny them now their voice. Hang to youth made of repression, as long as illusion can last.

The game needs rules. Break them and you'll be down the slide to inevitable's end.

Dare recall to deny this terminus, Master, the story by telling, mastering fate. Once memories're out, they no longer hold.

Show the story its telling's not over. Till the pen rests upon the desk, and the ashes on the mantle . . .

---

*For loved ones, family and friends, not necessarily in that order. Christmas 2008

No X

There is no truth in the sense of some great unknown X that we approach in an infinite progression, to which we match our statements in an ever more appropriate and correct manner; there is only the active "discussion" with that-which-is, during which we also show ourselves differently. And all this is a creative process, since every design of Being produces, materially and spiritually, a world interpreted and organized in a definite way. (p. 219)
Safranski, R. (1998). Martin Heidegger: Between good and evil. (Osers, E. Trans.). Cambridge: Harvard University Press.