Colorful language in the workplace is nothing new but business books titled with profanity? A product of increasingly casual in-the-moment communication styles possible with mobile and social technologies? Or the urge to be ‘distinguished’ in a crowded market?
I’ve been getting bombarded with ads for the new social media how to: No Bullshit Social Media: The All-Business, No-Hype Guide to Social Media .
Profanity in the spoken word can sometimes be effective when used judiciously by a respected person — with the right audience – to make a point. But the written word? I think it’s a lazy cop-out for weak language skills and when used to title a professional book, diminishes the credibility of the author and message therein.
Is this the best way to sell ideas to highly educated, professional market? But then the title did get my attention. What do you think?
Swearing is the new black.
Think of funny movies, and how they’ve changed. Once a genuinely funny – and memorable- movie like “Ace Ventura – pet detective” managed to be funny without (much) swearing. And I think “Happy Gilmore” is pretty much swear free. You can check these films and probably you will find expletives of one kind or other. But my point is these films are funny – urban myth kind of funny – without overdoing the swearing. Compare this to the first version of “The Hangover”. Swearing in this movie is – and by now you’ve already decided I’m a conservative (I don’t believe this to be true) – swearing in this movie is just everywhere, all the time – and, dare I say it, unnecessary? “the Hangover” is also urban myth funny.
In 2011, some people swear at each other – and that’s just “how they talk”. There is always a better word to use. Especially if someone is selling you their words, phrases, sentences – sense. If you swear because you can’t think of the right word, then you are lazy – and really don’t deserve my money. And if you are bothered, upset, frustrated, annoyed, angry – just tell us – and if you can’t think of a word “really” works – as in really tired, really lazy and so on. Let’s maintain the standard. Really.
love the comparison to pop culture. Are screen writers also plagued with lazy language or is that what folks really want to hear?
A title with profanity is bound to grab someone’s attention, but I’ve noticed that a lot of people who resort to curse words in their copy do so because they aren’t confident in their ability to attract clients without shock and awe. If you’re good at what you do – really good – then there shouldn’t be a need for foul language.
agree, and maybe what they are offering can only be differentiated by the colorful language they use.
I always try to use un-profanity language. If it is used right, I think it can work even better than any profanity when using it especially as a suprise ending. What I mean is, I have not needed profanity in my poetry. If any of my ramblings is making sense?
best to use graceful tone, especially with poetry