A person confused by words they did not understand.

How Words Can Cause Confusion and Inaction

Words which people read and use which they have not clearly and accurately defined can cause confusion and inaction.

I Can Prove This

I can easily prove this to you with this simple exercise:

  1. Please take out a piece of scratch paper and a pen or pencil.
  2. Draw a very rough and quick picture of a “house.”
  3. Now add a very rough and quick picture of a “tree.”
  4. Put a rough and quick drawing of a flower in the picture.
  5. Have you had any trouble so far? [Probably not!]
  6. Now add a rough and quick picture of a “dub.”
  7. [At this point people will usually 1) make up what they think is a “dub,” and draw a dog, a shrub or whatever they think may be a dub; or 2) stop in their tracks, no longer follow instructions, and probably start arguing with you or someone else. If they have no easy way to find out what a dub is, they are sunk.]
  8. Per the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, a “dub” is a pool of water or a puddle. So, now that you know what a “dub” is, please add it to your drawing.

So, what is the result of having incorrectly defined words or words that are not defined?  Various forms of confusion, inaction and arguments.

Arguments Over the Constitution

The news is filled with arguments over the Constitution and alleged abuses of Constitutional power.  Yet surveys show the majority of Americans have not read and understood our Constitution, the supreme law of our land, even though it’s only about 7,000 words or 25 pages long. Many students and adults find it difficult to read and understand because of its over two-century-old language and unusual words.

In 1787, when our Constitution was being debated by the states, before it was approved, newspapers at the time printed the entire text of the Constitution, with arguments for it and against it.  People read it, discussed it, and had strong opinions about it.  I’d like to see that level of understanding of our Constitution approached again today.

Which is why I wrote The People’s Guide to the United States Constitution with simple definitions and examples so now the original text can be read with understanding in just a few hours.

I wish to thank L. Ron Hubbard for his insight on the role words play in creating confusion or inaction.