Ah, the Personal Computer – commonly held to be the biggest advance in technology since the wheel (or perhaps the internal combustion engine). A tool which has brought people together in a way that we haven’t seen before. And set them apart.

I am talking about the words that we choose, words typed hastily into a keyboard that would never spill hastily from our mouths. ‘Keyboard Warriors’ is a term bandied about a bit, but using the term warrior gives the idea that they are fighting for a cause, displaying loyalty and following orders. Most often they are not. They are fighting for themselves, from a place of fear or hate. Because the thing is, in a world of words why draw on weapons of fighting instead of the purpose-made tools of rhetoric?

The term ‘Troll’ is fairly apt, this time conjuring ugly and isolated creatures who, according to Wikipedia, “are rarely helpful to human beings”. Trolls are certainly rarely helpful to our human race. They are harnessing their dark arts, splitting their soul into their various anonymous accounts and spitting out unforgivable curses. Of course, in this world the powers I am discussing are the powers of language. The power to intimidate, vilify, change perception and incite violence. The power to persuade people to hate in a way they have never hated before. The power to end lives.

We know that language has this power, we have seen it again and again. We have seen individuals targeting high-profile women; harassing, threatening and putting their lives in danger by finding and publishing personal details. We have seen leaders divide communities, clearly designating ‘us’ and ‘them’. We have seen the impact of cyberbullying on young (or not-so-young) people’s mental health – to devastating effect.

So what do we do? With a problem so complex, once again there is no simple answer. And I am nowhere near smart enough to try. But perhaps we can stop trying to undo what we have already started. Having witnessed the power of language over and over again, perhaps we can accept the need for PC language right now. Hopefully, one day, we will live in a world where everyone is able to show understanding and respect, but until we get to that world we might need to just accept some rules. It may seem pedantic or over-the-top to change your language patterns, even when you’re among friends, but language both demonstrates and shapes our thoughts. For thoughts do not exist without language. If you’re using the language then you’re having the thought.

So next time someone asks you to change your language, or raises an eyebrow at your joke, indulge in a moment of self-reflection. Are they being ‘too PC’, or do you really want to send those thoughts out into the world?