The Millionth Word

According to this article, "Web 2.0" became recognized by the Global Language Monitor as the one millionth word in the English language.

Being a tech-savvy word nerd, this headline caught my attention immediately. My inner geek found this to be a poignant and appropriate moment, a definitive example of human possibility brimming with significance. Oh, how this millionth word represented the evolution of human communication, the endless opportuntiy for human growth! I thought what whimsy and meta-fun it would be to share this idea through facebook, as surely this would impress my peers and in turn validate me (this is pretty much the reason I do anything on facebook).

Then I read the article.

While the Global Language Monitor seems to have pretty admirable aims, the nebulous nature of language in itself makes the idea of counting words pretty pointless. Other "English" words making the list include "Jai Ho" and "n00b" - each derived from specific cultures, yet somehow further validated by working their way into American culture and being slapped on a list.

The melting-pot nature of American English is wonderful in its ability to adapt and incorporate. Claiming ownership of a word, however, opens the door to redefining it. At best, redefinitions become watered down versions of their original intention - the word "cool" for example is bandied about so easily and usually with the intent of a marketer, the original tone and concept is forever lost. At worst, redefinitions steal the language of marginalized communities, subverting attempts at expression and rebranding concepts as negative-catch-all-cliches-and-labels.

Personally, I'm continually for an expanding language. The more tools one has to articulate their beliefs and position in the world, the more likely they are to have an empowered role. I guess I should foster my original enthusiasm then at what possibilites this "millionth word" represents, while using the very medium it describes to acknowledge the millions of other words, not on the list.

An Introduction

It's with equal parts dread and enthuiasm that I consider embarking on this project.  Despite writing, erasing, and rephrasing this introduction for the past twenty minutes, the fundamental idea of this journey is exciting.  The dread, however, comes from knowing that I have a habit of starting projects that quickly become forgotten.  Without accountability to anyone but myself, an inclination towards laziness often debunks my best efforts - my gym membership alone can attest to this.  

A month ago I attended a conference where the keynote speaker introduced me to the concept of "adaptive expertise."  On the subject, he writes:

“The ability to change and continually innovate is where the concept of equipping students to be adaptive experts comes into play...Compared to routine experts, adaptive experts are more likely to relish challenges that require them to 'stretch' their knowledge and abilities.  They tolerate ambiguity, at least for a while, and they think of themselves as people who know a lot, yet still know little compared to all that is knowable.” 

– John Bransford, "Thoughts on Adaptive Expertise"

The Adaptive, then, is my attempt to fulfill several goals:

• Chronicle my growth as a professional educator, and also as one continually learning to teach.
• Discuss technology within the context of human thinking, learning, and development. 
• Maintain enthusiasm and engagement within my own thinking, learning, and development.
• Challenge myself out of complacency or boredom and maintain vigorous interest in the human spirit.  
• Be an active participant in global conversations about topics I find fascinating.

Ambitious?  Perhaps.  Yet it's my hope that I step beyond my initial "dread" in order to foster this ambition in order to learn - to grow - to adapt.