Profanity in the Blogosphere

Gateway Pundit compares the frequency of foul language in blogs on the right and left side of the blogosphere.

Would you believe that blogs on the left publish about 41 times as much profanity as those on the right?

What does profanity accomplish?  It conveys intensity of emotion -- so far, so good.  It can be interesting as an occasional novelty or intensifier.  Fine.

But it also demonstrates gracelessness.  It's not the stuff that our proudest moments are made of.  There's a reason why solemn moments and places in our society -- weddings, funerals, houses of worship, presidential inaugurations, shuttle launchings, graduation ceremonies and the like -- do not feature profanity. 

It's because at those moments we are striving together for what is best and finest in us.

But shouldn't we be striving for what is best and finest in us at all times?  Or, at least, shouldn't that be the rule, rather than the exception?

In my mind, profanity should be reserved, if at all, for occasional toe stubbings when "by golly" just won't do -- not routinely published on the internet where our words will outlive us and become part of our legacy. 

Profanity often is used as a substitute for thought.  Remove the profanity from some people's remarks and you'll find that there's nothing left. 

That's why there is little or no profanity at this website.  Comments that contain profanity rarely, if ever, see the light of day.  News stories that revolve around profanity are generally ignored unless there is a good reason they have to be discussed.  That's because we're among the many blogs out here that are aiming just a little bit higher.

Comments

[benning]

Well, poop!

Good points made, Gina. When in conversation with someone who uses profanity too often for my own comfort, I either complain about their tiny vocabulary, or inject as many "well, Angels Heinies!" as I can, until they get the idea that something is wrong.

Then I explain.