The Mode

Being a logophile, I am always in search for words and terms that spark an interest. This word immediately caught my attention.' Goblin 

Mode' is the word of the year chosen by Oxford dictionary. Merriam Webster has chosen 'Gaslighting' as the word of the year. I wondered and then researched of what goes into choosing the word of the year?! Is it the most searched word or does it have other parameters to top the list. Google says, that every year candidates are shortlisted and debated upon finally choosing a winner that is judged to reflect the ethos, mood or preoccupations of the particular year and to have a lasting potential to have a cultural significance. If this is the case, we have 2 words- 'Goblin Mode' and 'Gaslighting' reflecting the mood, culture and the significance of the society we belong to. 'Vax', meaning Vaccination remained to be the word of 2021, and it had to be, as it reflected our state of body, mind and actions of 2021, being the Pandemic year!

'Goblin Mode'  defines a type of behavior which is unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly or greedy typically in a way that affects social norms or expectations. 'Goblin Mode' has 2 perspectives- Being the reckless, self indulgent human being as the definition states or showing off the true wild selves unkempt and off stage exhibiting the vibe within. Even though a positive side to this term is explained, I relate it more to the primal side of the human beings unleashed in this state. People who claim excessive freedom not adhering to social norms and term the same as individuality enjoy being in 'Goblin Mode'

'Gaslighting' is manipulating someone using psychological methods into questioning their own sanity or powers of reasoning. Most of them use this as a method to gain control over others. Although there are a variety of reasons behind these type of abusive behavior, selfishness and  jealousy are the main contributors to these patterns.

Don't you agree with me that both terms have one thing in common which is the lack of empathy? Be it 'Goblin Mode' or 'Gaslighting' or may be a new term coined in the future, the minute you stop  thinking from others perspective,  at least for tiny weeny bit, you lose the humane ability to think, act and react to situations.

The  amusing  irony of the entire situation is when there is a lot of shout out about coming together and humanitarianism, this world faces cultural significance with terms like 'Goblin Mode' and 'Gaslighting'. As the universe tunes itself into togetherness, kindness, new resolutions and more of goodness in 2023, I leave with you to ponder upon this perplexing reality of what the current sociological approach has left us with!