Random Thoughts

Just got done reading Pragmatism, Bourdieu, and Collective Emotions in Contentious Politics by Emirbayer and Goldberg from the Journal, Theory and Society. It was published in 2005. What an interesting topic... no really. It was all about how words (symbols) are used to elicit emotions and create power for their users. Think about that old rhyme, Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Seen in the light of this monograph, nothing could be further from the truth. Words are powerful and it amazes me just how many people don't think about how they use words. The authors cite pragmatists Pierce, James and Dewey along with Freud and even Kant to make their point. Strong stuff. I'll never teach the same way now that I have read this.