The power of words.

Let's see what words the news organizations are using about the financial situation. Keep in mind, this is just in the parts they are showing without clicking on the stories.

NY Times

Pain

Vice

Tighter

Crimping

Bailout

Turmoil

Toxic

Crisis

CNN

Crisis

Bailout

Cost

Lifelines

LA Times

Bad

Rescue

Bailout

USA Today

Rescue

Crisis

Washington Post

Depression-Era

Rescue

Massive

Restore

Forges

Crisis

Risks

MS NBC

Crisis

Toxic

Worst

Emergency

Turmoil

C-SPAN

Vulnerable

Bad

Instability

Turmoil

Uncertainty

Emergency

NPR

Bad

Gigantic

Massive

Rescue

When it comes to the stock market, I'll admit having a limited knowledge of economics. I have no idea how serious this situation actually is. But it's the feeling I get when I read these words that worries me. Even when they are interspersed at random, it leaves me feeling panicky and uncertain.

The media plays a huge role in forming the national mindset. Is it our responsibility to restore confidence? Probably not. But I do feel like sensationalizing the story, even through something as simple as word choice, isn't right either. In a media-smothered country, is it more important to sell papers/get more hits online or is there a way to use this power to improve conditions?

I'm not only talking about the stock market, but so many other social, political and economic issues as well. Let's go beyond raising awareness and start thinking about actions. What do our words cause people to do? And can we live with those consequences?

And, for your amusement, the Fox News Headline: "Gov't in Full-Court Press to Solve Financial Crisis"