The Bias of Language

Last semester, we discussed how language was the only medium through which humans could express their lives. Stories are necessities if we intend to leave any impact on the world behind us. The Bias of Language, the Bias of Pictures affirms this. It states that no matter how good a reporter's intentions may be, he will never be able to conceal his emotions from an event. Because events are, in essence, abstract, nothing concrete could possibly capture them. There is no such thing as an unbiased word.

Even if an unbiased report could be made, the inference of the reader would prevent it from actually being solely descriptive. The article provides the statement, "Manny Freebus is 5'8" and weighs 235 pounds," and then indicates that it is meant to be a "pure description," involving no, "judgments or inferences." The moment the reader comes across this sentence, and idea of Manny would pop into his head, and it is likely that he would imagine a man who eats an unhealthy amount of food. Unless the story is actually about Manny's glandular problem, the reader will assume what he will and get on with his life.

The article then goes on to say that a picture captures only a specific moment in time. I disagree. A picture can be a complete fabrication just as an oral report can. With today's modern technology, I could take a photo of Aladdin dressed as Big Foot in the forrest and sell the picture, allowing the buyers to assume its truth. Pictures can also aid a fabricated story. A photographer in favor of the war in Iraq could find a photo of a soldier lifting a young child from a bloody scene while one against it snaps the remains of an American soldier. Photos are equally as emotive as words, and have equal capacity for bias.