I noticed some years ago that the word "problem" seems to have fallen out of favor and dropped from the popular lexicon. There are very few (if any) problems now, just "issues".
Did anyone else notice the change? Any idea why it occurred so suddenly and pervasively? Is it political correctness?
I've been curious about it for a long time and thought I would get some opinions from a NG that I consider populated by fairly articulate and thoughtful people.
I think "issue" came along as self-help and counselling became more commonly used.....it might be part of "corporate-speak", too...gack!!..I can't stand meetings or the opportunity to "interface" about an "issue". But, then, my issue may be a problem to someone else. My "issue" is that the neighbor just keyed my car and it will be his "problem" as soon as the police arrive :o)
A boss of mine never used the word "problem"...when he did have a problem he'd always say, "I have another opportunity for you." That always meant that some PIA employee had an issue that my boss didn't want to get to his boss. If the issue got to HIS boss, it then became a problem. :o)
Nooooooo....I was the reason the boss could leave every day at five o'clock sharp! I really enjoyed his "opportunities", because work life without challenges is mind-numbingly boring.
What's with criticizing the guy for a post about water pressure? He described the symptoms....if he knew more, he probably would not have asked the question. Geesh!
I noticed. I even posted about this on alt.english.usage about a month ago.
I especially noticed when the judge on the People's Court said something about a woman in the courtroom having problems. The womane very sternly, firmly, maybe angrily, said, "I don't problems. I have issues."
Maybe it's a sign of weakness to have problems, but issue has other meanings too?
I don't know if it is sudden or not. Maybe so if it only started a couple years ago, but I also don't know when it started. Maybe much longer?
I think "political correctness" is a silly term. It has always been proper not to say offensive things, especially when the ones who will be offended are either present or will hear or read it later.
The people who most complain about political correctness are the ones who don't mind being rude, offensive, obnoxious. In fact the ones who complain the most like being that way but don't like being criticized for it.
I suspect that it is a trickle-down from business-speak. According to upper management, you never have a "problem," you have an "opportunity" (to satisfy/impress a customer with your handing of a "situation.")
Well, yeah, there's that, but sometimes I have real problems, as well. (I just don't use that word when talking to customers.)
An issue is a problem for debate or discussion. In business, counseling, or usenet, problems are likely to be issues. Sometimes calling a problem an issue is a demand for attention or a way of laying responsibility on somebody else.
On Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:49:42 -0500, mm wrote Re Re: OT issues vs. problems??:
In my mind, problem has a slight negative connotation. If a problem isn't fixed, something undesirable will likely result. Whereas, issue does not carry that conation in my mind. An issues can be addressed or ignored, and something undesirable may or may not happen.
If I had a personality problem, I would much rather it be described as an issue, that way I wouldn't feel pressured to address it. That's why I personally consider it to be bull-shit feel-good double-speak.
Like so much else in American (and maybe Western) culture.
Years ago, the medical electronics company I worked for ordered all "bug lists" destroyed, and "issues" were the only suitable name for such things in the future.
It's not culturally sensetive to have issues with people who are diagnostically challenged. About the only guys we can ridicule now days are fat, balding, middle age white Christians. Like me!
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