This Little Symbol ..
? Its a question mark; a mark of ignorance. Usually preceded by a collection of words, it signifies that a question has been asked. Its true that it does not require, in itself, that the preceding collection of words should be answered, though, generally, when one sees this little symbol one jumps to give it an answer. An answer gives the little symbol some dignity .. even to a collection of words that appear to be undignified. So you see that, once upon a time at least, the symbol loved having an answer assigned to it.
These days of course it is more often just ignored .. though, just as often its assumed that any collection of words that follow one of these little symbols will satisfy the symbol. Of course, once upon a time – and I was taught this – the collection of words that fill the blank spaces after the symbol were supposed to relate (just a little) to the collection of words that preceded the symbol. This was a long time ago.
These days none of this really matters. Now we see all these words as just a collection of noise that the intelligent can ignore and the ignorant among us can bludgeon with noise, or silence, as they see fit. Its not necessary any longer to equate the words preceding the little symbol with the noise or deafening silence that the little symbol once thrived upon. In fact, the more unrelated noise or deafening silence one can use when coming across this little symbol, the more its taken to be the apogee of enlightened discourse.
Like I said, once upon a time .. a long time ago. Its not surprising that this little symbol has lost its meaning after all, and especially in Australia, we all follow the lead of our dignified leaders. I used to get caned for not being able to relate the preceding collection of words with the symbol and the collection of words that I tried to sell as an answer. How times have changed. Now the greater distance one can put between the preceding words, the symbol, and the noise we dignify the symbol with .. the more cash you can make. It is funny isn’t it, that we’re redefining all these age old notions to come into line with a modern education fit for a king.
Note, I didn’t put one of these little symbols in here, not because I’m smart, but because I lack the dignity and education fit for a modern king.
“New presbyter is but old priest writ large” – John Milton.