Semantics

[3DMonkey]

Words are symbols which represent ideas, in all languages a given word can have 1 or more official definitions, in order for that word to be useful for communication the majority of people you communicate with in that language should have the same definition in their minds of that word as you do. It is possible for 2 people to believe in an improper definition of a word and end up conveying a message clearly to someone else, but its more likely for people to understand your message less clearly if you use an improper definition of a word. Furthermore its even easer to misunderstand someone through written communication than face to face because of the lack of that semi-psychic link which is present when talking fact to face.

Describing abstract concepts which are based more on faith than empirical evidence is probably the hardest type of verbal communication, Ra and Q'uo express such concepts very eloquently by using proper definitions of a word, in fact there were many times when Ra used a word I never heard of before so I searched for its definition on dictionary.com, once I understood the definition it made the message clearer by adding in the nuance of that particular word which could have been replaced by more well known word which meant essentially the same thing.

Using your own subjective definitions of words may be very useful for diaries, journals, dream logs, etc. because they would have more meaning to you than the official definition of the word, but using that kind of language on a forum is bound to lead to confusion.

Dude, what would you say has played the biggest role outside of yourself to influence your own wisdom? I'm talking parents, school, society, location, technology, etc. I want to learn from you. Your presence makes me metaphorically weep for my 19 self.