Anxiety or

It’s rather ironic and could be considered amusing at my stage of life, but anxiety seems to be provoking caution,

I wrote something innocuous (or so I believed ) recently, and included a not uncommon word. The day it was published I received several messages of caution. They reflected fear my meaning could or would be misinterpreted.

I responded, explaining my use of the word, (a normal noun) and believed the matter had ended.

Apparently not.

Other contacts, (those who are entrenched on the opposite side of the political aisle) chide me not for using the word but rather relinquishing its original meaning.

It appears to that group that I have validated the theft of the meaning of the term.

A number of other friends, (equally adamant about the state of the nation,) have congratulated me for being aware of the current reinterpretation of vocabulary.

They fervently believe it is imperative to recognize the shift in meaning of our normal treasure of terminology.

I don’t know if I agree with either group.

Rather I resent any misinterpretation of a time honored four letter word. Yet I am cautious and yes, perhaps aware of the complications of being attacked by social media.

Is today’s level of anxiety provoking our current state of fear?

Or perhaps is the current state of fear provoking the increase in anxiety?

I don’t have an answer, but I wish I did.

Several weeks ago, a minor but relatively well known entertainment figure was accused of inappropriate behavior that occurred twenty years ago. The accusation was given bold headlines in a national newspaper.

Within days, the actor had been purged from most of his upcoming commitments including a new TV production.

However, the matter did not end there. During the following days, many pictures of him and his wife were given prominent front page status in the same tabloid.

They were all negative and derogatory.

I don’t know the personality involved, nor do I have any association with his business or family.

Yet my reaction is a question. Why is he being hounded in print with an accuser not providing proof of her claims?

I believe the concern today should be about more than changing the meaning of a word.

It is the pervasive level of permission for cancel culture to thrive that is the true threat.