Babel 17

I started reading/listening to Babel 17. I was intrigued to read this based off its name. Sounds pretty badass in my opinion. However, we can’t judge things solely by how interesting the language used is. That being said, it’s an interesting concept to use the actual speaking of a language as a way of changing the way you think about things. But I guess that is really what language is. Language is a powerful tool; as such it can be used as a form of propaganda. Which is pretty much how it was used in the book. Where propaganda harnesses subliminal messages to an extent, (sometimes they are not so subliminal) speaking Babel 17 subliminally changes your thoughts. Sort of like mind control without any surgical apparatuses.

            Language makes it possible to convey what is on our mind. But in a way it sort of limits that same possibility. There are only a certain number of words that can work together to provide meaning. This is something that I believe music and visual artwork is stronger for. These say things that words cannot. When the three, music, words, and visual arts are combined, the effect is extraordinary. (See: Goodbye Blue Sky: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I4O0852u6U&feature=related Comfortably Numb: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUYzQaCCt2o&feature=related (if you must, skip to  6:19)

            Goosebumps. Every FREAKIN’ time!