Technical Problems
Whenever an editor uses the term 'technical problems' to explain erratic delays, linguistic bloopers, missing punctuations and wrongly captioned photographs, you can be safely assured that there is more to it than meets the eye.
At best, it can be a genuine problem involving machines that require lubrication or software that suddenly decided to wobble. Or at worse, it can be one of those reasons that drives editors round the bend and turning them into raving lunatics.
But conspiracy theories being one of the latest in pseudo-scientific studies, it is but natural that 'technical problems' become fair game to these dubious theorists and scientists. Explanations can range from the involvement of the abominable Yeti or aliens from Alpha Centauri, wrong configurations in some distant constellation, bad placement of furniture to the Flying Dutchman making an onshore visit.
'Technical problems', as we all know, is the perfect term for any unforeseen emergencies of the unsavoury kind. The phrase is not meant to be, but has certainly become a 'euphemism' for absolutely anything we can think of.
It has become a general excuse that can be latched onto any mishap whose explanation cannot immediately be made available. It is easy and precise, and gives the impression of a genuine calamity without actually giving anything away. Besides, there are few people who would actually ask for a full technical explanation because people, by and large, do not like to appear ignorant. They'd much rather smile and offer consolation, and hopefully dig for an explanation through innuendo. Sometimes it works and at other times, it remains as engrossing as a debate with a stone-wall.
However, there are times when there is actually no plausible explanation for a 'technical problem', and in such cases, the term actually helps in identifying and sorting out possible problem areas. It becomes a rallying point to get something done and fast. And in such cases, it can actually be a very helpful term because it provides a springboard for corrective action.
Lastly, no personal pronoun was used or abused in writing this column.
At best, it can be a genuine problem involving machines that require lubrication or software that suddenly decided to wobble. Or at worse, it can be one of those reasons that drives editors round the bend and turning them into raving lunatics.
But conspiracy theories being one of the latest in pseudo-scientific studies, it is but natural that 'technical problems' become fair game to these dubious theorists and scientists. Explanations can range from the involvement of the abominable Yeti or aliens from Alpha Centauri, wrong configurations in some distant constellation, bad placement of furniture to the Flying Dutchman making an onshore visit.
'Technical problems', as we all know, is the perfect term for any unforeseen emergencies of the unsavoury kind. The phrase is not meant to be, but has certainly become a 'euphemism' for absolutely anything we can think of.
It has become a general excuse that can be latched onto any mishap whose explanation cannot immediately be made available. It is easy and precise, and gives the impression of a genuine calamity without actually giving anything away. Besides, there are few people who would actually ask for a full technical explanation because people, by and large, do not like to appear ignorant. They'd much rather smile and offer consolation, and hopefully dig for an explanation through innuendo. Sometimes it works and at other times, it remains as engrossing as a debate with a stone-wall.
However, there are times when there is actually no plausible explanation for a 'technical problem', and in such cases, the term actually helps in identifying and sorting out possible problem areas. It becomes a rallying point to get something done and fast. And in such cases, it can actually be a very helpful term because it provides a springboard for corrective action.
Lastly, no personal pronoun was used or abused in writing this column.
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