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"Oprahfication" defined

Bruno

Edited from the digests of the AltEdDiscourse discussion list [14 Jan 2002] in which the conversation begins with the question: "Please define *Oprahfication*."

[Bruno writes:]

One could provide so many descriptions. Since I've never really written up a "dictionary definition" (I probably should have), I'll give it a whirl below.

• "a level of 'sensitivity' to others beyond all reason."

• "a level of worship of feminine traits & denigration of masculine traits leading to a state of mind where all things must be tolerated except criticism, which is falsely labeled "intolerance" by those who are "Oprahfied."

Example - "Todd Beamer's wife exhorting him 'not to do anything to call attention to himself' on flight 93. To in which he replied, 'I love you... LET'S ROLL!' Todd was not Oprahfied."

[Note: the above definition is work in progress. I'm willing to accept ideas & critiques]

And now a few words from Teddy Roosevelt: "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself on a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails by daring greatly."

[Bruno writes:]

Envision, if you can, the exact opposite of the above statement.... Use that opposite statement as the definition of "Oprahfication".

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