Alan Weiss’s Monday Morning Memo® – 12/16/2024
A euphemism is a mild or indirect word or expression used in place of one that might be considered too direct, harsh, or unpleasant. We might say someone is borborygmic or flatulent rather than “that person farted.” (Or we might wish we weren’t on that elevator.)
However, we’ve gone beyond merely avoiding unpleasantry today, because we’ve eviscerated meaning and undermined seriousness. For example, what on earth is “food insecurity”? That sounds to me as if someone needs to place a lock on the refrigerator. What we’re actually talking about here is hunger. “Hunger” elicits a lot more compassion and action from me than does “food insecurity.”
I cannot grok “unhoused” or “unsheltered.” When I leave my home I’m “unhoused” until I return or go to someone else’s house. We are referring in reality, of course, to homelessness, which is a shameful stain on our national escutcheon. But I don’t get all passionate about “unhoused.” Sounds like someone needs to get home in a storm.
And then there is the horrid “undocumented immigrant” (or “alien”). “Undocumented” here means they don’t have documents—papers—that would legally allow them to enter and remain here. That makes them illegal and, therefore, not eligible for our services and hospitality except for extenuating circumstances. No matter what our empathy levels, even we can’t afford to put Latin America on our welfare system in the US.
I guess someone is trying to make people feel better about themselves with these euphemisms, rather than face the fact that we are delinquent in providing sufficient response to these conditions. Perhaps you disagree, and you think that kinder phrasing helps to remove the underlying problem.
In that case, I’d suggest that rioters be called “undocumented shoppers.” Then we could “defund the police,” which is a truly deceptive phrase for the positive intent of improving policing or the negative intent of circumventing law and order.
Asymmetrical warfare is a euphemism for terrorism, just like collateral damage is a euphemism for killing innocent civilians. —Alan Dershowitz
Euphemism is a euphemism for lying. —Bobbie Gentry
“Women’s fashion” is a euphemism for fashion created by men for women. —Andrea Dworkin
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Zoom Workshops 2025: January 7: High potential marketing for 2025. The key market segments and avenues to reach them. February 4: Fearlessness. How to be bold and assertive in any situation. March 4: Conversation with a star. A candid conversation with a success in my community. April 8: Creating unsolicited referrals. An oxymoron, perhaps, but there is a system. May 6: Gaining financial security. Stop guessing about “how much is enough.” June 3: Conversation with a star. A candid conversation with a success in my community. July 8: Dramatic conversational pivot pointsHow to move any conversation to your destination. August 12: Improving and sustaining an abundance mentality. Understanding that abundance is not what you have but rather who you are. September 9: Conversation with a star. A candid conversation with a success in my community. October 7: Self-Awareness and self-honesty. The greatest lies are the ones we tell ourselves and believe. November 4: Questions you always wanted to ask. I’ll amass the questions, but you’re invited to comment. December 9: High potential marketing for 2026. The key market segments and avenues to reach them. Each session is $450 or $5,000 for the year. Recordings are included within 24 hours. Add $2,500 for five, 30-minute coaching sessions one-on-one. Time: 10:30-12:00 US eastern time. https://alanweiss.com/growth-experiences/zoom-workshops-2025/
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We’ll explore this and more over two days of intense discussion and exercises in a small group. We’ll get together in Los Angeles for two 9-to-4 days, June 11 and 12, including a reception. As you know, you’ll learn a lot from your colleagues and peers in that room. $7,500. https://alanweiss.com/growth-experiences/beyond-success/
Master Master Class 2025
I’m happy to once again offer the unique Master Master Class in 2025. It will be in the exquisite Newport area on March 12-13, two full days of learning, experimenting, and building new collegial relationships.
We will achieve:
- New offerings and IP for a volatile, No Normal® world.
- A consistent “voice” of expertise in your market—a “go to” magnetism and attraction.
- The identification and evaluation of your existing “body of work” to be repurposed and exploited for passive income.
- A book idea—commercially published or self-published, hard copy or electronic, written by you or “ghosted”—that will establish and perpetuate your stature. • The HOV lane for advisory work with high fees and low labor.
- The confidence and presence to deal successfully with anyone at any time in any environment. (Very special role plays.)
This will be all new material from prior Master Classes. The fee will be $15,000 which includes lodging and most meals and a reception. (This will probably be the last Master Class I conduct in person, on site. No, I’m not kidding.) I have three people already attending simply by hearing me discuss this informally. My limit is a dozen people. It will not be recorded, but you may attend by Zoom, although I caution you on the intrinsic disadvantages of so doing. Attendees may record the session on their own.
The fee will be $15,000 which includes lodging and most meals and a reception. (This will probably be the last Master Class I conduct in person, on site. No, I’m not kidding.) Write me to apply: https://alanweiss.com/growth-experiences/master-master-class-2025/
