Keeping it fresh in a clichéd world
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There are too many clichés in the world today.
I distinctly remember a speech that I had heard back in fifth grade. She started off by stating a word and then recounting its definition, as though the audience had no other background in the subject. Admittedly, we were a bunch of fifth graders, so she probably had it right.
Now skip forward two years to seventh grade English class. We were told that we needed what is commonly called a ‘lead’ to start off papers, speeches, and essays; and although I thought I was the most intelligent middle schooler that ever lived using the dictionary example trick, indeed I was actually a copy of a copy of a copy.
So why is it that we turn to other people’s work instead of bothering to come up with something new? Maybe it is the brain, jumping to phrases and ideas that are just sitting lazily up in our minds, having been heard countless times before. After all, clichés are clichés because multiple someones said, “Hey, I like that, I want to use that.”
Column: a decorative pillar? No, I didn’t want to hold anyone or anything up. Well what about newspaper column? According to thefreedictionary.com, these mere 500 words that I would be writing once a week would be “an article giving opinions or perspective.” Crap. A weekly opinion can be hard enough, but originality can become even more scarce over time. How would I face this battle of novelty versus familiarity on a weekly basis? I was once told that the secret to originality was hiding your sources, but it’s not like I could say “Luke, I am your father,” in a deep voice, while hoarding every single “Star Wars” movie and piece of memorabilia imaginable, and keeping James Earl Jones as well as the entire cast of the movie locked away. But more importantly, I could never say it without expecting people to understand the reference.
Our own secret language, people have always continued the trend when it comes to writing. It is the people who are clichés that often annoy the most. Movies about high school and eating lunch in a bathroom stall, or going out to spend a weekend at a cabin while having some difficulty with the ghost, man yielding a chainsaw, or zombies. We are trained to expect what will ultimately happen, and no matter how loudly or how much we yell at the jock not to check the circuit breakers in the basement, or for the pretty (but dumb) girl to grab the gun, not the flashlight, we are oftentimes disappointed that they do not hear our cautionary yells.
On behalf of most people, this is my cautionary warning. Not that clichés are bad, but they are considered overused for a reason. I’m expecting nothing less than for people to go for the flashlight: I mean, I have. May the odds be ever in your favor.
sschoch@lanthorn.com
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Pictures of the Year 2012-2013
Courtesy Photo/Joe Kargula and Erik Peterson run the Marathon leg of the Ironman Triathlon
GVL / Robert Mathews Quarterback Heath Parling (12) leading the offense past Notre Dame College.
GVL / Eric Coulter Senior Jake Isaacson placed eigth in the Spartan Invitational. Isaacson's time of 25:04 was the highest among Division II athletes.
GVL/Jessica Hollenbeck Student Senate President Jack Iott speaks to the assembly during Thursday's meeting.
Courtesy / gvsu.edu President Haas and Montcalm Community College President Robert C. Ferrentino sign the transfer agreement
Courtesy Photo/ GVSU Athletic Department Sophomore Chris Cunningham lines up a putt at a past match.
Courtesy Photo / GVSULakers.com Andrew Darrell prepares to return the serve earlier this season.
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Archive Forward Briauna Taylor (31) chases down a lose ball in a game last season
Courtesy Photo / Dean Breest Sophomore Allyson Winchester was named the GLIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year after finishing first with a time of 20:48.8.
GVL / Archive GVSU's Breland Hogan rises and fires over three defenders last season.
GVL/Bo Anderson Briauna Taylor leads the fast break during a game earlier this season.
GVL / Robert Mathews Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning, James Moyer, leading a walk through of the Mary Ideam Pew Library
Courtesy Photo / GVSU DII Men's Hockey Jeremy Christopher chases down a puck during a matchup last season.
GVL / Bo Anderson Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom
GVL / Robert Mathews Martin L�wenberg, holocaust survivor, speaking at the Genocide Awareness Night presentation in the Grand River Room.
Courtesy / Dean Breest Senior Sam Lockhart finishes her indoor career with two individual national championships in weight throw and shot put at the 2013 National Championships.
Archive / Robert Mathews Giancarlo Brugnoni (40) rounding the bases during a previous game.
GVL/Bo Anderson Seniors Christ Koppenaal, Bill Madsen, and Mitch Weber measure the exterior of the Wesley House as part of an energy audit.
GVL / Robert Mathews Senior Anthony Campanella pitching against Tiffin University during the Lakers double header.
GVL / Eric Coulter Brother Jed Smock, a member of Campus Ministry USA, speaks with fervor to a student. Many students, all with differing views, came to watch the Campus Ministry members speak.
GVL / Sean Mouton A passing walker stops to admire some recently constructed pieces of Art Prize 2012.
GVL Archive Senior Nick Gunthorpe follows through and watches his shot at the Ardenson last year. This weekend the team will be playing in South Haven.
GVL / Bo Anderson GVSU's Katie Martin points to her teammate after safely reaching second base.
GVL / Robert Mathews Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons under construction.
GVL / Archive The Grand Valley Rowing Team during Spring Training in Florida last spring.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
Upcoming Events
All day | GVSU Women's Golf at NCAA Division II Nationals
10:30 am | Team Hope Walk for Huntington's Disease
All day | The 5th Annual Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Academy
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6:30 pm | Broadway Theatre - Anything Goes
All day | GVSU Men's Golf at NCAA Div II Championship
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5:30 pm | MBA Information Meeting: PM Session
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