Towards the conclusion of my previous post (28 March, 2012), I wrote something like this:
If the public had the evidence that demonstrates how external stimuli can move whole organisms
from a distance, behavior analysts would surely gain support and consensus.
Experts could identify words as the remote stimuli and the conditioned reinforcers, which persons
all over our planet are able to see, hear and speak; read and write. And repeat.
Though words are intangible, they influence people in many penetrating ways.
I would like to add: words affect humans even more than pills, tonics or stimulants are supposed to.
Words reflect reality in myriad ways - literally different sides, angles and points of view - depending
on where people stand, what they're afraid of and what attracts them.
Hence, words could be the cause of enmity or the reason for goodwill.
I feel sure folk the world over - despite this battle of words - experience common need and struggle
for hope. I now wish to conclude with an optimistic reminder: there are still plenty of valid words,
phrases, sentences - meaningful mottos and messages - which may be chosen with care.
And spread to further more empathy, less cruelty, and greater appreciation of normalcy.
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