Article February 3, 2014 Issue

Ending the blame game

Jill Gooding

While I was watching the television news the other evening, it dawned on me that many pundits were trying to blame someone or something for undesirable events. There was much speculation and finger pointing as they looked for someone to pin the blame on and take responsibility for certain troubles.

Who was to blame for getting the world involved in Afghanistan and Iraq? Who caused the recent world recession and collapse of the banks? Who is the cause of the adverse fortunes of political parties? Who is to blame for a particular football team not winning? Who is to blame in cases of separation and divorce? And who is responsible if young men or women fail their exams, can’t get a job, or drift into taking drugs?

The world appears to be experiencing a contagion of blame. Blame (which relates to another familiar word, blaspheme) means to find fault with; to censure; to place responsibility on. Synonymous terms include condemnation, accusation, criticism, depreciation, rebuke, recrimination, reprimand, reproof.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Don’t take it personally