In George Orwell’s 1984 there is a conversation about how the invention and control of NewSpeak silences dissent as it removes the ability to express another opinion. In our world today we have witnessed the redefinition of many words and their subsequent loss from normal usage. Language and definitions are also central to the Overton window and the parameters of acceptable behaviour.
Join us as we discuss the redefinition of words, what words are currently at risk, and how we can reclaim our language and the narrative of our culture.
Three years ago, I helped out at the Wellington Anti mandate protest.
It’s a bit of a cliché, but I’m proud to have worked alongside some of the nicest people I’ve ever met in a common struggle against vaccine mandates and discrimination against unvaxxed kids.
One of the things we brought when we moved house was a to get a cat.
It was one of those decisions that worked out really well.
The kids adored that cat, and they all settled down nicely together in our new home.
We had picked out the most lively and responsive cat out of a litter of them, which meant she was very adventurous and out going.
Perhaps, though, maybe we had got a cat that was too adventurous.
She had that ‘I’m indestructible’ attitude about her, which didn’t help when she tried to cross the road.
A rushed trip to the vet with the kids was the best we could do, but she was in a lot of pain with internal injuries, so my wife made the difficult decision to have her put to sleep.
We had a funeral for her at home, which gave us a chance to say goodbye. Our daughter played a sad song on a recorder as we lay her to rest.
I would of liked to have treated that funeral as a celebration of her life, but words just failed me at the time.
She brought so much joy to us in her short life, it’s a shame it came to an abrupt end.
I do wonder though, if that overly adventurous attitude she had, meant she wasn’t meant to be with us for long.
However, there is some good news…
Fortunately, we had a second cat, which is a lot quieter, and somewhat reserved. It’s made it easier for the kids to move on.
May she be with us for a long time.
P.S. I hope so, because having to bury kids pets isn’t fun.
Uncoffined 
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