Drowning in words

We are now living in a time where voices, even those once considered powerful, seem to echo in a void.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

Inflation refers to the declining purchasing power of a currency, meaning that over time, the same amount of money buys fewer goods and services. In much the same way, the overuse of words, opinions, and statements has led to their diminished power. When there is an excess supply of speech and commentary, the value of each word or statement shrinks just as in economics. We are now living in a time where voices, even those once considered powerful, seem to echo in a void.

There was a time when every speech mattered — when words carried the weight of change. Protests, rallies, and public outcries were powerful enough to shake the foundations of governments and institutions. A single voice, used effectively, could create ripples that forced policymakers to rethink their decisions. Movements were born from these voices, shaping the course of history.

But now, no matter how desperate or impassioned the plea, no matter who stages a hunger strike, renounces their titles, or puts themselves in harm’s way, it seems increasingly difficult to make oneself heard. The sheer volume of voices in the modern world has created a kind of verbal inflation — words are abundant, but their value is diluted. The world is flooded with noise, and amidst this constant hum of opinions, the individual voice struggles to stand out.

Politicians, who once delivered speeches that inspired nations, now repeat the same tired lines. They take oaths, make promises, and introduce policies with carefully chosen words that are crafted to sound inclusive and progressive. Yet these words are often devoid of real substance. “We are public servants, and we make inclusive policies,” they declare, but the reality is often different. The words sound right, but they are hollow, offering little more than lip service to the ideals they claim to uphold.

Organised workers sign contracts filled with complex and favourable language, only to find that these agreements often work against them in practice. Unorganised labourers, who should be the most protected, are given titles such as “partners” instead of “workers” or “labourers” in an attempt to mask their exploitation. These words, while seemingly progressive, do little to change the underlying conditions. It’s all a façade — a manipulation of language to present an illusion of fairness and equality where none truly exists.

The truth is, we are drowning in words — on social media, in the news, in speeches, and in policies. Everywhere we turn, someone has something to say. But the sheer abundance of communication has numbed us to its effects. Words no longer move us the way they once did. The inflation of words has left us desensitised, immune to the impact that speech once had.

In a world where words are overused and undervalued, perhaps what we need is not more talking, but more listening. Maybe the key to restoring the power of words lies not in the quantity of what is said, but in the quality of attention we give to those who speak. In doing so, we might rediscover the true value of words — their ability to inspire, to move, and to create real change.

akshanshvimal2000@gmail.com