#Eloquence

The Quiet Power of Simplicity in Life

Transitioning to a broader perspective, Kimmerer, both as a botanist and an Indigenous thinker, often points to the natural world for inspiration. Nature’s ecosystems thrive through balanced interdependence and remarkable efficiency, proving that complexity is best managed through elegant simplicity. For instance, a forest floor teems with life that recycles nutrients in profoundly simple cycles—a testament to the eloquence found in natural simplicity. [...]

The Role of Words When Ideas Falter

Building on this, psychologists have observed that people frequently use language as a defense mechanism to obscure uncertainty. In moments of discomfort or intellectual discomfort, filling silences with words can help maintain authority or control. This aligns with the concept of ‘empty talk’ described by social psychologist Irving Janis, where group dynamics encourage verbose but shallow discussion when true consensus is absent. [...]