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To enable a person to handle the effect of misunderstood words, L. Ron Hubbard developed the subject called Word Clearing. Word Clearing is part of the broader field of study technology, but in itself Word Clearing has many uses and applications. Word Clearing can be defined as “the subject and action of clearing away the ignorance, misunderstoods and false definitions of words and barriers to their use.”
In his observations of society, Mr. Hubbard had noticed a deterioration in literacy during this century. This conclusion is inescapable if one compares the political speeches and literature of a hundred or even fifty years ago to those of today. He noticed that the public was more and more dependent upon radio, motion pictures and television, all of which contain the spoken word, and he considered the possibility that these messages were not being fully received or understood. His observations were confirmed when an advertising association undertook a survey which showed that television audiences misunderstood between one-quarter and one-third of all the material they watched – findings with alarming implications. Not only are there serious economic consequences, as the study pointed out, wherein up to one-third of advertising expenditures are wasted because the public does not understand the ads. More importantly, such a gross level of noncomprehension can generate antipathy and even aggression among viewers.
When one speaks or writes, one has the responsibility to others to do so in a way that he will be understood. Further, one has a responsibility to oneself to ensure that he understands what he sees and hears.
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