#Rhetoric

Rethinking Power: The Pen, the Sword, and Sharpness

Expanding on Pratchett’s point, history shows that influence is rarely absolute. For example, revolutionary pamphlets like Thomas Paine’s *Common Sense* (1776) incited change, but only in societies already primed for upheaval and not under immediate military threat. Pratchett’s remark slyly suggests that the pen’s effectiveness often hinges on the real-world context and the vulnerabilities of its adversary—in this case, a ‘short’ sword. [...]

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. [...]

Words Are, Of Course, the Most Powerful Drug Used by Mankind - Rudyard Kipling

Kipling likens words to a drug because of their ability to influence social dynamics. Leaders, writers, and speakers have historically used words to inspire revolutions, create movements, or manipulate populations. [...]