First of all
the inevitable pedantry: it's blue in the face, not mouth !!

No-one knew that Orwell was a prophet, but in "1984" he predicted, as well as the constant surveillance society, Newspeak which is similar in concept to txt, i.e. it is a reduction of the English language.

Have a look at: www.newspeak.com/Newspeak.htm if you're interested.

Personally, from a completely selfish point of view, the lack of standards is good for me and mine; "in the country of the blind the one-eyed man is king". My 21 year old complains about it as well; my 12 year old is starting to use txt like her sister did, but it's a phase, and she'll come out of it.

Despite the publicity about how Harry Potter got children back to reading, not knowing how to write coherently - as many posters don't - is a sign of not having read enough, as well as not having had enough attention from teachers and parents.

But to come back to the Orwell theory, reducing language is a political stance. The less we can communicate complex constructs, the better for those in charge. The proles can be kept happy by Big Brother and the Lottery (another thing Orwell predicted). An apathetic, ill-educated majority is exactly what any government whose aim is unopposed power wants.

DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER !
( I_Was_Mordred, Wed 4 Feb 2009, 10:32, 2 replies)

Good rant, and I agree wholeheartedly.

As for the pedantry though - I was actually quoting Monty Python: Dead Parrot Sketch.

John Cleese: "If you want anything done in this country you have to complain until you're blue in the mouth"

But I'll let that slip.
(Mr Twisty Cheeky The worst kept secret in B3ta..., Wed 4 Feb 2009, 10:36, closed)

"Is this the right room for an argument ?"
"I've told you once".
( I_Was_Mordred, Wed 4 Feb 2009, 10:42, closed)

Arf!
"I could just be arguing in my spare time"
(Mr Twisty Cheeky The worst kept secret in B3ta..., Wed 4 Feb 2009, 10:44, closed)

Meh
I don't see any evidence for the government wanting an intellectually impoverished population - it's just that they don't want to do the necessary to prevent one. It's more cock-up than conspiracy.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Wed 4 Feb 2009, 10:39, closed)

Oh, I'd agree
"1984" hasn't been achieved by totalitarian power.

But by giving the proles bread and circuses, it has achieved the same end.

Not caring to make a change from poor circumstances when that change is possible, desirable and beneficial is not much worse than deliberately bringing about the poor circumstances in the first place.
( I_Was_Mordred, Wed 4 Feb 2009, 10:46, closed)