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Is the term 'tragedy' overused/misused?

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donnie_darko
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17 Jan 2012, 5:27 pm

The original meaning of the term 'tragedy' was to describe a Greek play that was sad in an entertaining way. After a while, it instead meant a situation that was complex and very sad, like say, Hamlet's life or something like that.

Today, the term is pretty much used to describe any death or injury. Personally I think it's annoying how liberally the word is applied to everything. A 90 year old celebrity dying isn't a tragedy, it's natural. I wouldn't even consider an untimely death tragic unless there's some kind of irony or lost hope involved. Or even a mass death isn't necessarily tragic. For example, Vincent Van Gogh's suicide seems more tragic in its nature than the events of September 11 do, even though it was only 1 person who died rather than three thousand, at least to me.



IdahoRose
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17 Jan 2012, 6:44 pm

Comparing a single suicide to a national tragedy is asking for a firestorm. I don't know what country you're from, but I'm an American and hearing you say something like that makes my blood boil. I'm not going to flame you, but somebody else probably will.



CockneyRebel
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17 Jan 2012, 7:06 pm

The thing that makes me angry, is when people call autism a tragedy. I don't see my condition as a tragedy at all. I see it as a gift.


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17 Jan 2012, 7:09 pm

I'd say an insane aristocrat scheming with his fellow cultists to massacre the innocent for the glory of their evil god was classic tragedy, especially given his exile and eventual assassination as a consequence. High status protagonist, check, evil deeds, check, character flaws leading to his own downfall, check.


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KyleTheGhost
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18 Jan 2012, 6:44 am

CockneyRebel wrote:
The thing that makes me angry, is when people call autism a tragedy. I don't see my condition as a tragedy at all. I see it as a gift.


As do I. I'm proud of my High-Functioning Autism.


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Sweetleaf
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18 Jan 2012, 6:50 am

IdahoRose wrote:
Comparing a single suicide to a national tragedy is asking for a firestorm. I don't know what country you're from, but I'm an American and hearing you say something like that makes my blood boil. I'm not going to flame you, but somebody else probably will.


I would hope not, because harrasing someone for their opinion would only get them banned.


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TallyMan
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18 Jan 2012, 6:59 am

I think overuse of the word is a tragedy.


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Henbane
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18 Jan 2012, 7:52 am

Am I the only one with the Bee Gees singing to them right now?

Yes?

*shuffles off*



TallyMan
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18 Jan 2012, 8:40 am

Henbane wrote:
Am I the only one with the Bee Gees singing to them right now?

Yes?

*shuffles off*


:evil: You were until I read your post; the contagion has now spread to me too! :lol:


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OliveOilMom
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18 Jan 2012, 8:45 am

When I saw this thread I wanted to post:

Tragedy -

When you lose control, and you got no soul.

That's a tragedy.

- The Bee Gees


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18 Jan 2012, 8:49 am

Henbane wrote:
Am I the only one with the Bee Gees singing to them right now?

Yes?

*shuffles off*


I can do worse.

Steps. :P


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18 Jan 2012, 5:29 pm

puddingmouse wrote:
Henbane wrote:
Am I the only one with the Bee Gees singing to them right now?

Yes?

*shuffles off*


I can do worse.

Steps. :P


I think of their cover first. 8O


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abacacus
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18 Jan 2012, 5:34 pm

IdahoRose wrote:
Comparing a single suicide to a national tragedy is asking for a firestorm. I don't know what country you're from, but I'm an American and hearing you say something like that makes my blood boil. I'm not going to flame you, but somebody else probably will.


The thing is 9/11 was NOT a tragedy. It was a disaster of sorts, or an attack, but it was NOT a tragedy.

A tragedy is a story, a fictional event.


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Moog
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18 Jan 2012, 5:53 pm

Quote:
A 90 year old celebrity dying isn't a tragedy, it's natural. I wouldn't even consider an untimely death tragic unless there's some kind of irony or lost hope involved. Or even a mass death isn't necessarily tragic. For example, Vincent Van Gogh's suicide seems more tragic in its nature than the events of September 11 do, even though it was only 1 person who died rather than three thousand, at least to me.


I'm surprised this hasn't turned into a flamefest.

Tragedy can be personal. You may not care about someone's grandmother you never met, but somebody else might. Everything in your post is an opinion.

The universe probably wouldn't care that much if we all died tomorrow.


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Last edited by Moog on 18 Jan 2012, 5:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.

OneStepBeyond
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18 Jan 2012, 5:54 pm

Henbane wrote:
Am I the only one with the Bee Gees singing to them right now?

Yes?

*shuffles off*


at least you didn't get stuck with Steps :evil:



Moog
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18 Jan 2012, 5:57 pm

I was going to say something like, yeah it's kind of annoying when people break a nail and call it tragic or something. Some people do tend to go a bit overboard.


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