Things I Wish My Family Knew

Have you ever paused to wonder what happens when words lose their meaning? In “Mere Christianity,” C.S. Lewis cleverly highlighted how the word “gentleman” went from being a precise term (a land-owning man with a coat of arms) to something vague and subjective. Today, we’re experiencing something similar on a broader and more troubling scale. Just look at how definitions of “male” and “female” have shifted from clear biological realities to increasingly fluid concepts.

We’re living in a time where “truth,” “freedom,” “justice,” and even “love” are highly personalized, influenced by our individual experiences and cultural backgrounds. While embracing diverse perspectives sounds inclusive, the paradox is clear: if words mean anything to anyone, do they really mean anything at all?

Truth itself has become relative in our post-modern world, a shift meant to promote acceptance but often breeding confusion and division. Shared understanding breaks down, dialogue becomes difficult, and misunderstandings escalate into conflicts. Think about political debates—terms like “democracy” are tossed around as weapons rather than tools of understanding. Disagreements over simple policy decisions quickly become battles over who’s the greater “threat to democracy.”

And speaking of misunderstandings, digital communication adds another layer of complexity. Once, we navigated subtle cues through body language; now, we decipher texts and emails filled with emoticons and abbreviations, each medium carrying its own implied urgency or subtle meanings. Ever felt slighted because someone didn’t respond to your text? You’re not alone.

George Bernard Shaw famously joked that England and America are separated by a common language—imagine the confusion in today’s globalized, individualistic world!

We’re at a critical point: clarity in language is not just desirable but essential. We need common meanings—not to restrict individuality, but to ensure we can truly understand each other. Because when words can mean everything, they end up meaning nothing.

—Iam Kerr, with assistance from ChatGPT, March 23, 2025