Over my not-so-short lifespan, I have seen many terms assume
completely opposite meanings. When I was in college, it was cool to be “funda”(mentalist).
One strived to understand math, physics, chemistry from basic principles, which
were called fundamentals. Textbooks and prestigious institutes of science and
research bore that word in their titles.
Then, the world started changing. The word “fundamentalist”
presupposed the unspoken prefix associated with religions. The term started
representing anti-social elements that held the potential to cause destruction
and death.
A similar etymological evolution has occurred with the
word “right”! Growing up, it was a good thing to be right. The world has,
since, been drifting to the “right” – exclusive, irrational, polarizing forces
wiping out the possibility of an intelligent discourse. Just like the f-word, I
now stay clear of the r-word! Right has become the new Wrong!!
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