The word "bold" is used these days like confetti. <There is a clear implication: we must act now, act boldly, and act together. >
But they use it in a way that implies "we must act without thinking further and do it in a big way".
I remember about 40 years ago when a motorcyclist I knew said he "accelerated out of trouble". I thought at the time that it was possible but my experience of trouble is that I brake my way out of trouble. He was keen on speed. Another motorbiker, Brent Smith, [who lived up the road from me], crashed his motorcycle into a pole on the corner of Wallace Road and Church Road. He died. My brother in law crashed his motor bike outside Brent Smith's place, damaging his back. My motorbikes did not get up to such hazardous speeds, normally, though I did skid off my Yamaha when zipping around a corner apparently too fast for the coefficient of friction. My current 50cc motor scooter goes at a genteel speed and I'm an old motorcyclist.
There's a saying, "There are old motorcyclists, there are bold motorcyclists, but there are no old, bold motorcyclists".
The word "bold" includes an element of risk. The use of the word these days invariably exludes the element of risk. They use it as though they will get the great results they seek as they accelerate out of danger and the risk does not exist, or can be ignored.
Okay, let's be bold, cross our fingers, and accelerate out of danger. It is certainly exciting to go really fast, and then to accelerate to warp speed as we near the event horizon. We might even reach escape velocity.
Or, we could be meek, not bold, and inherit the earth. Big shots at Jackson Hole can do the bold stuff.
Any time I see the word "bold", it looks very much like "Let's not do any of that thinking stuff. Let's just do this dangerous thing I say because I love being the boss." Run for cover when you see the word "bold". They are going to accelerate you into a power pole.
Mqurice |
