"Corporate speak" is designed to be avoidant and gives the illusion of intelligence. Regular people value clarity, and Kamala is unable to provide that.
Great observation. You nailed it. The “corporate speak” (I’d call it “academic speak”) is seductive. As you pointed out, in the academic environment the the speech and writing become increasingly obscure, masking as insight and brilliance! Believe me, I know! I graduated with a PhD and instead of going into academics I went into a small Wall Street firm. I learned very quickly that I had no clue how to write for that community, but I turned around fast and got rid of the “academese”. It’s “get to the point”. One of the most vivid memories is in one of my early presentations to the sales force about a stock I thought they should recommend to their clients….I was about 10% into my presentation (building my argument from the ground up) when the top salesman, sitting opposite me, picked up his Wall Street Journal and started reading it! Message received. From then on, I gave my recommendation, two or three main arguments and if they wanted more backup I had it and they could ask for it!!!! The best communicators are straightforward!
Yes, this fallacy that if you don’t understand what someone is saying is because you’re stupid or ignorant just means you’re listening to academic/corporate/science double speak. The better they are at saying absolutely nothing, the more they’re accepted and promoted in these worlds. Especially if you’re dropping a few Orwellian phrases.
At least academics are generally saying something, however jargon filled and laborious it might be. Harris isn't building an argument from the ground up, she's just circling in the air, never getting anywhere.
I live in the corporate environment. Her style is beyond even that. She sounds like a) a lawyer, which I imagine is her background, as a DA and b) someone who is being very careful not to misspeak, which, as others have pointed out suggests she is not only inauthentic but most importantly, not the one in charge
I agree - very much the responses to questions that a communications employee will give after receiving the talking points that have been written, reviewed, and cleansed.
Excellent observation about the disconnect between Harris and the public. Corporate speak is the language of the assimilated who believe in the superiority of their character and intelligence. Academic language is great for using a lot of big words to say absolutely nothing.
Adam is excellent at breaking down ideas using simple, straightforward language which is why his writing resonates with people across an educational spectrum.
Exactly and thank you. I'm very purposeful in using clarity when communicating to the public. It's why people say that reading my writings are easy. Not because I'm using first grade words but because it's very clear as to what I'm communicating.
I can’t listen to her talk for more than 10 seconds. Listening to her breaks my brain. I find myself thinking “Why is it so hard for her to answer a question?” Now I have an answer. Also, I think she’s a blithering idiot, but YMMV.
We are really having a difficult time garnering the proper amount of excitement over the recent efforts. Per our guidelines in the employee manual, we would find it more satisfying if you could explore alternate paths to success. Unfortunately, if you cannot meet the criteria, we are not quite sure if there is a way to move forward as regards to this initiative.
LOL. It is definitely a combination of avoidant and condescending.
Let’s circle back later and loop the other group in so we can collaborate and build some synergy there. We can introduce some additional progress metrics to demonstrate our success.
It is only when one is unburdened by the passage of time can one begin to work towards togetherness as we turn the page on our past and imagine what can be as we look forward to a future of joy unencumbered by what has been wrought by time's passage so that we can work for togetherness together in the light of what has been and what is to come.
How did I do? I still think it made more sense than Kamala, but it's the best I can do.
Not really arguing... I would call it university-speak. Out here in a midwest mfg company($3B) our execs tell it like it is supporting your point about clarity.
After tonight the Democratic Party (my party) must rethink many of its policies as it ponders its future.
To have a chance at victory Democrats should try listening to the concerns of the working class for a change. As a lifelong moderate Democrat I share their distain for many of the insane positions advocated by my party.
Democrat politicians defy biology by believing that men can actually become women and belong in women’s sports, rest rooms, locker rooms and prisons and that children should be mutilated in pursuit of the impossible.
They believe borders should be open to millions of illegals which undermines workers’ wages and the affordability of housing when we can’t house our own citizens.
They discriminate against whites, Asians and men in a vain effort to counter past discrimination against others and undermine our economy by abandoning merit selection of students and employees.
Democratic mayors allow homelessness to destroy our beautiful cities because they won't say no to destructive behavior. No you can’t camp in this city. No you can’t shit in our streets No you can’t shoot up and leave your used needles everywhere. Many of our prosecutors will not take action against shoplifting unless a $1000 of goods are stolen leading to gangs destroying retail stores. They release criminals without bond to rob and murder again.
The average voter knows this is happening and outright reject our party. Enough.
Dave, I really appreciate your comment. You're very similar to myself but I decided to not affiliate with any political party moving forward.
But the changes from the Democratic side are so disappointing and radical that we can't pretend to think they're same group from Obama's 2008 run. They're vastly different. I'm glad you noticed because a lot of people are still in denial.
100%. I've been in the corporate world for too long now, over 30 years. When I started there was no powerpoint. I wrote reports that passed through several editors. My writing had to be concise, clear, and accurate. Over time I've watched that changed. Now opacity, verbosity, and ambiguity are valued. It's bizarre. And Kamala is a pro. And that explains her appeal to some.
Add to that her overt "step down' to speak in patronizing and insulting vernacular, tone and cadence - usually to black audiences - which smacks of falsity, racism and lack of respect.
It's baffling that she is allowed to get away with it, since it is equivalent to an adult speaking to an adolescent in baby talk and expecting that adolescent to believe that's how they always talk, when they've seen them speak as an adult day in and day out.
It's basically saying: "I think your so stupid, ignorant and beneath me not only do I need to dumb down my language and mannerisms so you can relate to and understand what I am saying, but you're so gullible that if I shuck and jive for less than a minute you'll ignore that I've never lived in the hood, I have a white husband and ancestors who owned slaves, and on a daily basis my life set so far above yours that you literally are like another species, until I need your vote."
You make a great point about what we used to call "Corporate-ese". The first time I noticed it was in the military, when USAF JCS, implemented corporate management practices, That was when the uniform went from a military uniform to an airline pilot's uniform. It saw a rush of new terms that had nothing to do with the military. It is rampant in todays large and small companies. I work for a major defense contractor and there's no end to the intelligent stupidity, of the language used.
We are in a time of the Pseudo Experts - which are really just the even less qualified and capable puppets of the the deep state orchestrators. obama was the first of these hollow place holders and harris is version 2.0.
Great observation. You nailed it. The “corporate speak” (I’d call it “academic speak”) is seductive. As you pointed out, in the academic environment the the speech and writing become increasingly obscure, masking as insight and brilliance! Believe me, I know! I graduated with a PhD and instead of going into academics I went into a small Wall Street firm. I learned very quickly that I had no clue how to write for that community, but I turned around fast and got rid of the “academese”. It’s “get to the point”. One of the most vivid memories is in one of my early presentations to the sales force about a stock I thought they should recommend to their clients….I was about 10% into my presentation (building my argument from the ground up) when the top salesman, sitting opposite me, picked up his Wall Street Journal and started reading it! Message received. From then on, I gave my recommendation, two or three main arguments and if they wanted more backup I had it and they could ask for it!!!! The best communicators are straightforward!
Great story @Janice Yes, those with the most responsibility have the least time - and often the least tact as well!
Yes, this fallacy that if you don’t understand what someone is saying is because you’re stupid or ignorant just means you’re listening to academic/corporate/science double speak. The better they are at saying absolutely nothing, the more they’re accepted and promoted in these worlds. Especially if you’re dropping a few Orwellian phrases.
At least academics are generally saying something, however jargon filled and laborious it might be. Harris isn't building an argument from the ground up, she's just circling in the air, never getting anywhere.
I’d add the qualifier “some” or “many” depending on the academic field!😝
I live in the corporate environment. Her style is beyond even that. She sounds like a) a lawyer, which I imagine is her background, as a DA and b) someone who is being very careful not to misspeak, which, as others have pointed out suggests she is not only inauthentic but most importantly, not the one in charge
I agree - very much the responses to questions that a communications employee will give after receiving the talking points that have been written, reviewed, and cleansed.
Excellent observation about the disconnect between Harris and the public. Corporate speak is the language of the assimilated who believe in the superiority of their character and intelligence. Academic language is great for using a lot of big words to say absolutely nothing.
Adam is excellent at breaking down ideas using simple, straightforward language which is why his writing resonates with people across an educational spectrum.
Exactly and thank you. I'm very purposeful in using clarity when communicating to the public. It's why people say that reading my writings are easy. Not because I'm using first grade words but because it's very clear as to what I'm communicating.
I can’t listen to her talk for more than 10 seconds. Listening to her breaks my brain. I find myself thinking “Why is it so hard for her to answer a question?” Now I have an answer. Also, I think she’s a blithering idiot, but YMMV.
LOL same
My dad used to say, you use a lot of words to say nothing.
Well Adam,
We are really having a difficult time garnering the proper amount of excitement over the recent efforts. Per our guidelines in the employee manual, we would find it more satisfying if you could explore alternate paths to success. Unfortunately, if you cannot meet the criteria, we are not quite sure if there is a way to move forward as regards to this initiative.
LOL. It is definitely a combination of avoidant and condescending.
Lol
Let’s circle back later and loop the other group in so we can collaborate and build some synergy there. We can introduce some additional progress metrics to demonstrate our success.
Masterful lol
It is only when one is unburdened by the passage of time can one begin to work towards togetherness as we turn the page on our past and imagine what can be as we look forward to a future of joy unencumbered by what has been wrought by time's passage so that we can work for togetherness together in the light of what has been and what is to come.
How did I do? I still think it made more sense than Kamala, but it's the best I can do.
Perfection
Not really arguing... I would call it university-speak. Out here in a midwest mfg company($3B) our execs tell it like it is supporting your point about clarity.
How dare you argue with me! Lol jk
What Kamala Harris speaks is much worse than”corporate speak.”
It is a creole of “legalese” and “academic speak.” Note that she comes from both of those worlds.
I have worked in all three domains, and I still have no idea what she is saying.
I think her inner voice is saying: “Keep those lips moving and sound intelligent.”
LOL
"Corporate speak", also more colloquially known as "talking out your ass".
Gee Adam, a well written intellectual column that I actually understood. Go figure…
LOL
Thank you
After tonight the Democratic Party (my party) must rethink many of its policies as it ponders its future.
To have a chance at victory Democrats should try listening to the concerns of the working class for a change. As a lifelong moderate Democrat I share their distain for many of the insane positions advocated by my party.
Democrat politicians defy biology by believing that men can actually become women and belong in women’s sports, rest rooms, locker rooms and prisons and that children should be mutilated in pursuit of the impossible.
They believe borders should be open to millions of illegals which undermines workers’ wages and the affordability of housing when we can’t house our own citizens.
They discriminate against whites, Asians and men in a vain effort to counter past discrimination against others and undermine our economy by abandoning merit selection of students and employees.
Democratic mayors allow homelessness to destroy our beautiful cities because they won't say no to destructive behavior. No you can’t camp in this city. No you can’t shit in our streets No you can’t shoot up and leave your used needles everywhere. Many of our prosecutors will not take action against shoplifting unless a $1000 of goods are stolen leading to gangs destroying retail stores. They release criminals without bond to rob and murder again.
The average voter knows this is happening and outright reject our party. Enough.
Dave, I really appreciate your comment. You're very similar to myself but I decided to not affiliate with any political party moving forward.
But the changes from the Democratic side are so disappointing and radical that we can't pretend to think they're same group from Obama's 2008 run. They're vastly different. I'm glad you noticed because a lot of people are still in denial.
100%. I've been in the corporate world for too long now, over 30 years. When I started there was no powerpoint. I wrote reports that passed through several editors. My writing had to be concise, clear, and accurate. Over time I've watched that changed. Now opacity, verbosity, and ambiguity are valued. It's bizarre. And Kamala is a pro. And that explains her appeal to some.
Great article. Case in point, I recently had a elements of a proposal rewritten to be less clear so that it would appeal to corporate types.
Lol fascinating
Well said. Corporate nonsense has been ruining this country for decades now.
Add to that her overt "step down' to speak in patronizing and insulting vernacular, tone and cadence - usually to black audiences - which smacks of falsity, racism and lack of respect.
It's baffling that she is allowed to get away with it, since it is equivalent to an adult speaking to an adolescent in baby talk and expecting that adolescent to believe that's how they always talk, when they've seen them speak as an adult day in and day out.
It's basically saying: "I think your so stupid, ignorant and beneath me not only do I need to dumb down my language and mannerisms so you can relate to and understand what I am saying, but you're so gullible that if I shuck and jive for less than a minute you'll ignore that I've never lived in the hood, I have a white husband and ancestors who owned slaves, and on a daily basis my life set so far above yours that you literally are like another species, until I need your vote."
You make a great point about what we used to call "Corporate-ese". The first time I noticed it was in the military, when USAF JCS, implemented corporate management practices, That was when the uniform went from a military uniform to an airline pilot's uniform. It saw a rush of new terms that had nothing to do with the military. It is rampant in todays large and small companies. I work for a major defense contractor and there's no end to the intelligent stupidity, of the language used.
We are in a time of the Pseudo Experts - which are really just the even less qualified and capable puppets of the the deep state orchestrators. obama was the first of these hollow place holders and harris is version 2.0.