"Impotent"

[Lost Sheep]

Personally, I think we spend far too much time looking for things that MIGHT offend SOME people. How about this STOP BEING OFFENDED. The word is not calling you names, it's not intended to be hurtful, it just is what it is... You can call it whatever you like but it won't change the fact that you can't get an erection.

Larry

You are quite correct that we spend too much time debating (some say "arguing") what words to use for what meanings.

It is a lot easier to monitor/regulate/control word use than to monitor/regulate/control meanings. (Note: This has a lot of significance to another discussion thread - about profanity).

The fact is, however, that the words we use - even with identical meanings - have emotional impact on the listener/reader. When we (as authors/speakers) ignore that fact, we risk impeding (or even altering) the meaning of our message to our audience.

It is a basic tenet of public speaking to consider how your audience will receive your message. It is not enough to be correct in grammar and vocabulary sufficient to preserve the meaning of your message to the ears of your listener. It is (at least partially) the responsibility of the speaker to take steps to preserve the meaning of the message past the ears of the listener(s), into the minds of the listener(s). To do any less is to risk (or guarantee) loss of one's meaning. And if you don't care about that, why compose the message at all?

Example: If you want a gal to take you into her bed (and body), would it be more effective to say, "I have a dildo in my penis." or to say, "I have an everlasting erection." or perhaps the ever-popular, "I have a bionic dick". Or, my favorite, "You can ride me 'Cowgirl' until the cows come home."

[Larry10625]

Personally, I think we spend far too much time looking for things that MIGHT offend SOME people. How about this STOP BEING OFFENDED. The word is not calling you names, it's not intended to be hurtful, it just is what it is... You can call it whatever you like but it won't change the fact that you can't get an erection.

Larry

You are quite correct that we spend too much time debating (some say "arguing") what words to use for what meanings.

It is a lot easier to monitor/regulate/control word use than to monitor/regulate/control meanings. (Note: This has a lot of significance to another discussion thread - about profanity).

The fact is, however, that the words we use - even with identical meanings - have emotional impact on the listener/reader. When we (as authors/speakers) ignore that fact, we risk impeding (or even altering) the meaning of our message to our audience.

It is a basic tenet of public speaking to consider how your audience will receive your message. It is not enough to be correct in grammar and vocabulary sufficient to preserve the meaning of your message to the ears of your listener. It is (at least partially) the responsibility of the speaker to take steps to preserve the meaning of the message past the ears of the listener(s), into the minds of the listener(s). To do any less is to risk (or guarantee) loss of one's meaning. And if you don't care about that, why compose the message at all?

Example: If you want a gal to take you into her bed (and body), would it be more effective to say, "I have a dildo in my penis." or to say, "I have an everlasting erection." or perhaps the ever-popular, "I have a bionic dick". Or, my favorite, "You can ride me 'Cowgirl' until the cows come home."

While I don't disagree, I don't think of the negative all the time so, I don't evaluate every word I say to find the negative meaning in it. I keep getting poo-poo by a few members and Paul over what I say and how... here's a plan... if they stop taking everything I say as negative, maybe, just maybe they won't be offended. Them being offended about almost everything I say is offensive to me. Who do I get to complain to??? Maybe the Moderator??? Oh wait, he has no authority anyway.

Larry

[Lost Sheep]

A couple of plans:

For those writers who have the skills for it, try to compose messages that have as little provocation as possible (unless provocation IS the message) and instead, focus on making the message understandable by the intended (and unintended) reader.

For those readers who have the skills for it, consider reading for the intended message and ignore unintentional insults to propriety.


Of, course, this is off the point of the original post - that is, finding a less emotionally charged and more descriptive word than "impotent" to describe men who do not get robust erections. One that is more universally understood than ED, rolls off the tongue easier than "erectionally challenged" or "erectile dysfunction" and maybe easier to spell, to boot.

[Lost Sheep]

Yes, it is difficult to achieve and keep an erection for an impotent man. It affects men's ability to perform well to get satisfactory intercourse. This is a very common health condition and occurs at any age. The cause of impotence can be a variety of physical and psychological problems.
(edited for focus)

Yes, Ralph. This thread is not seeking do define the condition (which you did very well, by the way, leaving out only the details that it may be induced by medications or other environmental factors and that the condition may be permanent or temporary, depending on the particulars), but to find a less emotionally charged and disparaging word than "impotent" which is also easier to pronounce and type than "erectile dysfunction" while also being formed of more common and less technical-sounding words.

[Cranberry1]

hi
just read floppy's account of his journey after his RRP. His story is mine. I was born in 61' and had my OP 5 years ago and would love to get a normal erection... Have a pump, take cialis and prelox and can masterbate but use the pump in order to give my lovely girlfriend penetration - which she enjoys more than me, I believe. our sex is Ok but over too quick as i have to keep poppin to the loo to pump up. I use 2 cock rings.
I'm 59 now, fit and cancer free and wondering if implant is the way to go. I have saved nerves on on side - so my surgeon told me.

any advice guys?

[Whodat]

Cranberry....May be way out of the ball park here...but consider the penile injection therapy. It's simple and cheap but produces wonders. Last resort would be an implant.
However at my age I pray the injection therapy will continue to work. Implants are beyond my consideration.