Clichés

Don't you just hate overused phrases? Like, they are so common and easy to say that we sometimes forget that we are unconsciously using them on a daily basis and what emphasizes and justifies this use of cliches is that literally everybody is saying them. As a result, the American conversation have become overly casual. Like, you know what I mean? These words such the life out of writing, and yet people are using them, but why? Decades and decades of repetition of certain phrases makes it obsolete and to the point where clichés don't even make sense anymore:

This stuff is "selling like hotcakes:" Why does this phrase even exist in this day and age? Let's get something clear here: pancakes are NOT hotcakes. Hotcakes are made out of cornmeal and cooked in either your preference of bear grease or pork lard.  Isn't saying "selling like hotcakes" in twenty-fourteen literally mean selling nothing? 

"Don't cry over spilled milk:" Do you know a single person who has balled his/her eyes out over spilled two percent? If you someone that has, you need to introduce him/her to the MAIN concern of life to cry about, like spilled ice cream. 

So why do clichés exist? The reason for this is that there is truth to them, and because of this, these phrases have been used and used to such an extent, that it isn't good to say or write anymore. Clichés are very catchy and communicate exactly what you want to say in a given moment

So how does one avoid using clichés? The first step is acknowledging and being aware of the problem. One way to do this is by noticing if you are overusing certain words or sayings. With time, you will start to notice it and then will subsequently change your vocabulary, if you choose to do so. The other way to notice clichés is by noticing what other people are saying. Usually, if a friend or a family member says a cliché of some sort, we choose to unconsciously ignore it and proceed on with the conversation. I am not saying to correct your friend's or family member's mistake, but next time you hear them talk, you might want to CONSCIOUSLY acknowledge the mistake, but choose to say quiet. What I am trying to say, I do not go around and correct other people's mistakes (unless the mistakes are problematic), but trite sayings are something that an individual has to notice on his/her own, and then decide on whether or not he/she wants to fix the problem. A way to replace the clichés being use. Google is a great source that can help increase one's vocabulary. By utilizing this technique, your voice will be "fresh" and attractive. This skill will help you in the long run, in that, it will give you a higher chance in landing a job and meeting a whole new variety of people. It is all of a process. Even I am currently trying to change I speak to other people and it can be tricky at time, because the vocabulary I have is a development of over 17 years of my life, but there is more to life and it is never too late to make a change, so I encourage all of you to do the same: Change your trite sayings into something different and make your voice "fresh." 

TED Talk reaction to David Gallo

Recently, I have been thoroughly viewing multiple TED talks this past week. The reason? In a matter of  less than two weeks, I will be performing one of these talks, and watching multiple TED talks helps me see the multiple ways a TED talk can be performed. The most interesting TED talk, in my opinion, is by David Gallo. David Gallo is an oceanographer, ( a geologist by training) who wants to map out our uncharted world. Here is the video to his TED talk (Check it out. It's short, I promise) ....

As a person who reads science blogs and articles on a daily basis, the description and title of the video caught my attention, with a close second to time/ video length (Just kidding. I can listen to the topic of this video all day.). 

David starts by introducing the audience to his topic of discussion: the magnificence of the great ocean blue. His presentation is accompanied by a series of short videos to keep the audience engaged in the presentation, focused on the topic discussed at hand, and mesmerized at the creatures that lie in the deep. 

The first video he starts off with involves creatures that exhibit bio-luminescence. Bio-luminescence is a fancy way of saying glow-in-the-dark.  Bio-luminescence is used to avoid becoming prey, attract potential mates, and hypnotize prey (I always think of the Finding Nemo scene where Dory and Marlin are staring at the pretty light.). From a blue pinwheel, green fireworks and yellow pulsating light flows, these designs of bio-luminescence can come in a variety from colors and shapes. According to David, we have only discovered three percent of this underwater jungle at most. Well, in actuality, underwater jungle is an understatement. 

David then shifts his talk to parts of the ocean we have discovered: the shallow waters. David goes on to display several videos in which sea creatures such as octopuses and cuttlefishes use their magnificent camouflage ability to fade into the background. He also goes on a side note on how aggressively beautiful squids can be. In the entire video he sets up multiple jokes, which brightens the audience's mood creating a better atmosphere.  

My opinion on this video, I really like it. His delivery is clear, his videos are interesting, and his jokes are funny. He has managed to keep me engaged during the duration of his talk and he had a solid exit. My only regret is that this video wasn't longer. I wanted to hear him speak more and see the compilation of videos in his arsenal, because I know that as an oceanographer, he's hiding the goods. If I can even manage my TED talk on Bollywood, I might rely more on my performance, rather than using a collage of videos.