Phrase shift

Usually, by the time people who care about such things notice that a word or phrase is being terrbily misused, it's too late to do anything. (Witness the demise of "beg the question," or Google it if you are unfamiliar with the original meaning.) Last night, I heard the first example of what I fear will become another lost battle. But it is early, and perhaps the troops can make a difference if we are vigilant. The phrase, used on the world news and in today's printed stories, comes from this quote taken from a story about how search engine access has changed our brains. "We are becoming symbiotic with our computer tools, growing into interconnected systems..." Here's the problem. This is a very catchy, but completely wrong, use of "symbiotic." Setting aside the "bio" aspect, and even allowing that computers benefit from our fondness of them, it completely stomps out the wonderful and valuable concept of mutual benefit (think shark and remora or human gut and acidophilus bacteria), turning the word from a useful and enlightening tool of our language into a cutesy, worthless cluster of syllables.

Why should I care? Because I build things with words. If I were a carpenter, I would care if my favorite brand of nails was replaced with one containing copper instead of steel. (Not being a carpenter or metallurgist, I allow that this might not be the perfect metaphor.) We can't become Humpty Dumpty, letting each word mean what we choose. I love the word "symbiosis." It has a specific and useful meaning. (Quibblers will point out that not all biologists feel the "mutually beneficial" aspect is essential to the definition. But I feel the distinction between symbiot, parasite, and other relationships is definitely essential to the novelist.)

Okay. Point made. Remain vigilant, and we might be able to rescue this word.