Language influences the way you think (fwd)

[Myra Shawaway]

Thank you DL,  It is dis-heartening to see your words become something else
from a media source.  MJ
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Gene Lewis" <coyotez at DARKWING.UOREGON.EDU>
To: <ILAT at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU>
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2003 4:48 PM
Subject: Re: Language influences the way you think (fwd)


> Dear all,
> I have cut n paste the issue below;
>
>
> > I would suggest that those who conduct these kind of studies should,
> if
> > possible, take steps to ensure that the media does not misinterpret
> > them, because the effects can be quite damaging.
>
>
> This is a common problem with the media. Two years ago I had an
> article published on the origin of the word Oregon and the media chose
> several different ways to report our theory. I think this problem
> occurs because their scientific experts are, manytimes, from a
> previous generation of education and had preconceived (old school)
> scientific notions in their analysis. This may also be why many new
> and interesting theories on social science and linguistics don't make
> it into the media, because it may be considered too avant garde or
> radical for the mainstream. These media scientific analysts could then
> be considered gatekeeping and straining current theory for the
> mainstream.  I'm at a loss as to see how the original authors of such
> articles can have any control over this process. For my article, I was
> only ever questioned by local media and the AP never saw fit to call
> me to clarify anything before publishing their anaylsis.
>
> I have also found that many people never actually read the original
> published articles and rely upon media reports of those articles. I
> think this is a cultural phenomenon of the information age, where we
> have so much information thrust upon us that we must rely on second
> hand media analysis to take much of it in. I know this happens with
> myself. But I find that for those few specialized subjects that I am
> studying and interested in that I will go get the original articles
> when possible.
>
> Perhaps this is the best way we can proceed, and seek to correct media
> errors on a case by case basis.
>
> David Lewis