I just listened to an insightful, acute and funny radio show by legendary writer Clive James. He attacks companies that change their names and the verbal gymnastics they go through to come up with new words. Here’s a snippet:
Such changes of name were once made by freshly appointed executives who wanted to announce their arrival, and who, unable to change what they should, changed what they could. But by now, surely, it’s done out of a kind of desperation, as if words could work magic. It happens throughout the culture, and the misguided use of the word “culture” is a disturbing further development of what is essentially voodoo.
You can read a transcript on the BBC’s website [Corrected link]. It’s worth scrolling down and clicking on the audio button so you can listen to Clive James reading it – his delivery is part its charm.
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You may have already heard about this, but Clive James is doing a special video series to tie into with his vast ‘Cultural Amnesia’ book.
It’s 3 x 15 minute web-only films, and the first is up tomorrow on Coco Chanel & the Nazis, Albert Camus and Mao. You might enjoy it.
It should appear here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/clivejames by tomorrow.