Libraries

Take a look at this post I saw on Facebook a few days ago:

Libraries Relevant

I love libraries, I’m glad Facebook users are supporting them, and I reposted the message myself.

But this message is an example of the traps built into our language. The phrase “no longer relevant” raises doubts in the same instant that it tries to dispel them.

If that seems crazy to you, think about this scenario: A man is leaving on a business trip. He kisses his wife and says, “There’s a myth going around that men have affairs at these conferences. Honey, that’s not true, and you don’t have a thing to worry about.”

Gulp.

Language is a highly useful tool – but it’s also a slippery one.

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