Shack vs. Dwelling,

and Other notions of Political Correctness

I'm given to understand that just as the handicapped are now the differently abled, one now uses the term `Developing Nations' rather than `Third World Countries'. And as I've mentioned elsewhere the US, obstensibly the first world nation, is not exactly in an exalted position right now. Setting aside the shortsightedness of our foreign policy, then there are the constant complaints of our over-consumption---of meat, of electricity, of luxury goods--- our insatiable demand for oil, and, oh yes, all the noise, exhaust, loss of habitat, not to mention obesity that comes out of our driving everywhere.

So this is what it means to be first world country? Okay, I admit it: I'm still in a very cranky mood about the USA. Yes, I love it. Yes, I'm certain I'll get less cranky. (I sincerely hope. It's tiresome, being cynical.) No, I don't want to live anywhere else. And yes, I vote.

But the point is I just can't bring myself to use that term, `developing nation'. The Third World to me sounds exotic, alluring, intriguing, with traces of old customs, old crafts. That's not to say I don't value the increase of knowlege or technology, nor blame anyone for wanting the greater intellectual resources, and the consequent increase (one hopes) in understanding, not to mention the comforts improving technology brings. But where I live, most people look rather askance at `Development' because what that means is that all the pretty local farms are being turned into strip malls and McMansions---not what I'd call a positive trend; and the association is so strong I simply can't bring myself to say `Developing Nation': it too much smacks of the headlong rush to adopt everything that's wrong with ``first-world'' nations.

And the shack? Well, I presume this is someone's dwelling---but I'm not altogether certain. Maybe it's neither a year round nor permanent residence. And in that case, do I want to make automatically the assumption that the structure in question is someone's home, when it might not be? Regardless, whether it's a home or just a shelter against the rain while tending the fish farm out front, it's a shack. One of the joys of (American) English is there are so many words from which to choose, to attempt precisely the right nuance.