America and the 'Fun' Generation - NYTimes.com - 0 views
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In the history of language, words rise and fall. We make and remake them; they make and remake us.
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Melissa Mazzanti on 02 Apr 14How do words catch on?
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turning away from an arguably aristocratic idea of the intrinsic worth of things: from pleasure, with its sense of an internal condition of mind, to fun, so closely affiliated with outward activities; from excellence, an inner trait whose attainment is its own reward, to achievement, which comes through slogging and recognition.
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“Pleasure” carries a hint of the sublime; it speaks of a state of mind that comes organically, that need not be artificially induced.
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