The American language fascinates me. And yes, I consider it a different language with it's own idioms, words and phrases. While it's close to English, we seem to have an overdeveloped sense of euphemism, creating words, or using other words, to avoid using the word that actually describes what is going on because it would be 'not nice.' For instance, 'crowdsourcing' has become one that irritates me. My Nephew in Law has this idea for drones. He explains it to me (about seven months ago) and I say (savvy businessman that I am) - 'how are you going to build the prototype?' He says 'Crowdsourcing.' Like that means anything to me. I of course ask 'what the fuck is that?' He then explains it. I ask the simple obvious question: 'So, you're basically asking strangers on the internet to give you money for nothing in return? Do I have the concept down?' He says 'Well, they get to be a part of something.' I respond: 'Well, do they get A part of something?' He says 'well, no that's not how it works.' I said 'This is precisely how begging works. Call it what it is.' Needless to say, he wasn't happy with my description of it. Focus: What euphemisms, words, or phrases have come into the common vernacular that drive you crazy because there are already great words to cover the same situation?
Drone. Don't get me started. THIS is a drone. THIS is a shitty RC toy from Radio Shack... it's not a fucking drone. It's a quadcopter, at best.
Seems fitting: Focus: I can't think of any words that are euphemisms that I despise, but one word immediately comes to mind because of how it's used: latte. I've never known anyone who declared they were consuming a latte who wasn't a pretentious tool about it; as if mere coffee was beneath them.
To me that is only annoying if people assume they are the same thing and prefer to say latte because it sounds fancier. Like the person who orders a latte without milk and then gets pissy when the barista clarifies that they just want coffee so they aren't charging extra for the latte.
Well for me its a lot of the corporate bullshit speak. "I'm concerned the ad won't be done in time." "I'm curious as to how you expect to finish the designs in time." I'm beginning to find the thinly veiled accusations, mistrust and polite bullshit more offensive them if they just asked "When am I going to get my shit?"
I'm going to defend crowdsourcing a bit. For people like indie film makers and indie musicians, for example, it's a cool way to raise money for their projects. I'm involved in both communities, and it's really amazing how much money it takes to create a professional looking/sounding piece of work. So your options are: invest thousands of your own dollars when you're already doing something that doesn't pay very well, or try to find a label/investor/whatever who will take a big chunk of creative control. Begging is some guy I don't know asking me for money for something he may or may not actually do or buy. Crowdsourcing is more "hey fans, here's our plan for a bigger, better version of the kind of stuff we're already doing; throw some money our way if you want to help us create it." Having said that, there is some overlap, and yes some people are essentially just begging. But others work hard (creating short web series', or playing local gigs) to build a small to medium fan base who are more than willing to give $20 if it means an artist they like will be able to create more shit and get more attention. No, you're not A part of it, but that's the whole point. If you give them $1000 they don't have to product place your stupid bullshit in their movie. Or they don't have to take that verse out of their song because it offends your wife.
This. Crowdsourcing is perfectly fine for things that are accessible to everyone. Music is a great example. So is writing - the author of Terminal Lance raised money to cover his living expenses so he doesn't have to work while writing his book. People say, "Hey, I'd love to read a book by that guy. It's a shame that his novel-writing time goes toward $company. I'll kick in a few bucks to help him make ends meet." Of course, this hinges on the guy actually making a good product. It goes off of trust - do you really trust JoeCanada to actually deliver a good album after a few months? Is he just going to spend the money on weed and then shrug? You don't know. But the fact that an artist is asking for support from his fans basically gives him an obligation to work his ass off. "You guys believe in me. I'd better put something good out." I think anyone with a large enough fanbase to crowdsource is invested enough in his craft that he's not going to spit in everyone's faces like that.
The grifting based economy is a subset of crowd sourcing. Real crowdsourcing, as it was originally intended by sites like Kickstarter, is when a large number of people put up development costs up front, in exchange for something when it is completed. Last year I backed an artist on Kickstarter who was designing a deck of cards based on US currency. I am now in possession of a pair of decks that are so fucking nice to look at I refuse to actually play with them. Maybe I'm an idiot, but at least I received what I "sourced" for. An interesting dynamic I've noticed more and more is the crowd funded project that ostensibly gives something of value, but since no one actually wants that thing, it's really just asking friends and family to fund your project as a gift. This applies to basically every film and theater based endeavor my friends have engaged in post college. No I don't want to exchange money for a musical based youtube video, but if you beg me and make it clear that you understand my newfound wealth can buy and sell you... I just might toss you a few bucks.
I fucking hate corporate speak. The new owner that took over my company last year fucking LOVES to detail everything in worthless corporate speak. Her biggest line, her mission statement of sorts, is "We're going to find efficiencies where ever we can and think outside of the box so that we can meet and exceed our client's expectations." 'Thinking outside of the box' is the biggest bullshit term in business. At our company this means we are just going to copy some process other companies in our industry do that we don't or if all else fails google the problem and copy and paste the answers into communications like she knew what she was talking about in the first place. If she says you aren't thinking outside of the box enough it's her code speak for, "I think you're stupid but I don't want you documenting my bullying bullshit and reporting it to anyone."