Words
The Memory Game #2
In physics, a medium is the carrier through which energy is transferred from one place to another. Air mediates the sound you hear, conduction mediates the heat you feel and electromagnetic fields mediate the light you see. But what is the medium of human experience?
I think the answer is words. Some may argue images or ‘vision’, but what does a picture paint? Be it in books, braille, broadcasts, ballads or even your brain; words are the carrier through which reality makes sense. So, do you think you have them unlocked? Let’s see.
As of March 2023, the Oxford English Dictionary estimates that there are 170,000 words in current use. Given the omission of slang, neologisms and proper nouns, we’ll call it 200,000. The average native English speaker knows 20 to 35 thousand words whilst the average non-native English speaker knows 5 to 10 thousand words. Since, for the English language, there are 5 non-natives for every 1 native, we can estimate that the average English speaker knows approximately 11,000 words.
But you’re an educated, intelligent substack reader, right? Let’s say you know 20,000 words. Even if this is the case, of the words you’ve ever known, you’ll only ever use 20%. And of the words you’ve ever used, you’ll only ever speak 20% of them in a given day. If you’re having a particularly verbose day like me, 1000 words is the medium of your reality. Life is given less than half a percent of the substance it needs to live.
My point is exaggerated and oversimplified, but hopefully clear. Cut your ‘word key’ with intention and it will unlock the right door. Your door.
The following John Lovell quote indirectly encapsulates exactly this:
“I could always hear my best self clearing his throat in the room next door.”
What would they tell you?
Without freedom of expression, you will be chained to your tongue and eventually found out for it. After all, you’re judged when you enter a room, but you’re known when you open your mouth.
So… next time you are running for your physical health or meditating for your mental health, ask yourself: what am I doing for my verbal health? I’m not here to give advice, but if you want to start expanding your word bank, I suggest using the ‘WordUp’ app. Alongside reading and writing, using this every day for the past couple months has had a profoundly positive impact on my spoken English. Maybe it could help you too.
On a side note, if you enjoy the rich history of language, information and truth, I urge you to subscribe to this Substack:
It has some great insights and explores modern implications in the technology space.
Word of the Week: Media
The main means of mass communication (broadcasting, publishing and the internet) regarded collectively. Plural form of medium!
Quote of the week: “You’re only as smart as your tongue”
Let me preface that this is not a new idea but a culmination of many quotes that emphasise the power of words. As I’ve hinted at, our mouths are the bottleneck of our minds. I think there is huge potential for successful start ups in this space.
How much truth and genius is hiding behind an inability to express it?
Thanks for reading :)
Thanks for sharing! And this is useful as always. 😊