Kill the word "Guru"

16 years ago

Guru is another word for teacher.

It also has the connotation of a teacher that others blindly follow.

On the other hand, some people think of a guru as someone who has wisdom to share.

So, the word guru, in and of itself, isn't bad.

For the record, I have used the phrase "so-called gurus" in my sales copy. I do that to differentiate between real gurus, and self-professed gurus.

The funny thing is that most real gurus never call themselves gurus, even though they are. While those who claim to be gurus usually aren't even close to living up to the title.

All the best,
Michael

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ThomM

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

Guru is another word for teacher.

It also has the connotation of a teacher that others blindly follow.

On the other hand, some people think of a guru as someone who has wisdom to share.

So, the word guru, in and of itself, isn't bad.

For the record, I have used the phrase "so-called gurus" in my sales copy. I do that to differentiate between real gurus, and self-professed gurus.

The funny thing is that most real gurus never call themselves gurus, even though they are. While those who claim to be gurus usually aren't even close to living up to the title.

All the best,
Michael

From Wikipedia which is pretty much the same as what you said

A guru (Sanskrit: गुरु, Tamil: குரு) is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others (teacher). In Sanskrit gu means darkness & ru means light. As a principle for the development of consciousness it leads the creation from unreality to reality, from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge. In its purest form this principle manifests on earth as a divine incarnation (saint), a person with supreme knowledge about God and all creation.[1] Other forms of manifestation of this principle also include parents, school teachers [1], non-human objects (books) and even one's own intellectual discipline.[2]

Anyways another similar word I have issues with the use of is Diva.
Growing up I was taught a Diva was an exceptionally talented female Opera singer. Now it seems to mean any female singer or a female with a big attitude. Seems the words meaning has been downgraded considerably.

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Lawrh

16 years ago

Originally Posted by ThomM

Anyways another similar word I have issues with the use of is Diva.
Growing up I was taught a Diva was an exceptionally talented female Opera singer. Now it seems to mean any female singer or a female with a big attitude. Seems the words meaning has been downgraded considerably.

Even worse, it is used to label attitudes from either sex now.

The degradation of language is sad. Sad because we think using language. I guess thinking is frowned upon nowadays.

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Kay King 16 years ago

I hearby declare the terms "guru" and "gurette" dead. They will be replaced with the single connotation of know-it-all.

There, that does it.
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- WebMarketeer 16 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Kay King
  
  I hearby declare the terms "guru" and "gurette" dead. They will be replaced with the single connotation of know-it-all.
  
  There, that does it.
  
  Perfect...
  
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CDarklock

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Lawrh

Even worse, it is used to label attitudes from either sex now.

I was actually rather impressed by the gender-blindness of two young women at El Corazon for the Black Tide show in February of '08, who had this exchange:

Blonde: "Don't be such a d**k."
Brunette: "Don't be such a p***y!"

Wow, I remember when that conversation only would have happened between two men. As they say - you've come a long way, baby.

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ThomM

16 years ago

Originally Posted by CDarklock

I was actually rather impressed by the gender-blindness of two young women at El Corazon for the Black Tide show in February of '08, who had this exchange:

Blonde: "Don't be such a d**k."
Brunette: "Don't be such a p***y!"

Wow, I remember when that conversation only would have happened between two men. As they say - you've come a long way, baby.

One of my favorite saying used to be "don't be a Dick".
What people didn't know was I had a good friend named Dick who could be a real jerk when he was drinking. That was who I was referring to. I even said it to him on many occasions

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JustinDupre

16 years ago

Originally Posted by ThomM

One of my favorite saying used to be "don't be a Dick".
What people didn't know was I had a good friend named Dick who could be a real jerk when he was drinking. That was who I was referring to. I even said it to him on many occasions

I wish I have a friend name Dick. Guru is just a word just like professional.. don't sweat the small stuff!

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seasoned

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

Guru is another word for teacher.

It also has the connotation of a teacher that others blindly follow.

On the other hand, some people think of a guru as someone who has wisdom to share.

So, the word guru, in and of itself, isn't bad.

For the record, I have used the phrase "so-called gurus" in my sales copy. I do that to differentiate between real gurus, and self-professed gurus.

The funny thing is that most real gurus never call themselves gurus, even though they are. While those who claim to be gurus usually aren't even close to living up to the title.

All the best,
Michael

INCORRECT!

Guru WAS another word for teacher.

NOW, it seems to just mean arrogant jerk.

It NOW has the connotation of a "teacher" that others blindly follow.

It USED to be a sign of respect.

On the other hand, some people THOUGHT of a guru as someone who has wisdom to share.

NOW it seems that people want to just be able to sell even INCREDIBLY basic stuff, at a high price!

So, the word guru, in and of itself, IS NOW WORTHLESS!!!

For the record, I have used the phrase "so-called gurus", and often quote stuff to distinguish the devaluation of the terms!

The funny thing is that most real gurus never call themselves gurus, even though they are. While those who claim to be gurus usually aren't even close to living up to the title.

WOW, we AGREE on that last one!

One of my pet peaves has been the co-opting of terms, awards, etc... , to try to gain acceptance or credit. EVENTUALLY, people catch on and the terms are devalued RETROACTIVELY! Guru is only ONE such term.

Steve

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Memberhere23094

16 years ago

Can't say I have much of if any opinion of the word lol.

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WebMarketeer 16 years ago

Great, thanks for the lesson guys, but i know what it means, i am sick of hearing it, bottom line, especially in sales copy, so I thought I would post it in the off topic section, what ever happened to the word Professional.
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Gary J Martin

16 years ago

It reminds me of a dude in loose clothing sitting on a cushion administering to his flock of followers.

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SuiteJ

16 years ago

I like when gurus refer to "gurus" in their sales copy in a negative way in an attempt to separate themselves.

Gurus (in IM) have become known as the "enemy to newbs" so now nobody wants to be known as one. lol

I know where the OP is coming from, but if you're going to get rid of guru for the overuse of the word in IM, you're still going to be left with another 137 overused terms that fill the annoyance void, so it's better just to forget it not let it bother you. lol