Sensitive field mics at this year's College World Series picked up LSU star pitcher Paul Skenes blurting out "son-of-a-b****" in a moment of excitement, and that led to a conversation on our show Wednesday about live mics capturing pro athletes using profanity. People complain whenever that happens - but I argued that there is the potential to hear profanity anywhere you go, and there is no way to completely protect your children from hearing profanity.
When kids are watching a sporting event and an athlete drops the F-bomb - instead of freaking out and predicting the demise of America - why not use that as a teaching moment? Explain that the word used is inappropriate and it's not acceptable.
Today, I talked about research that points out the benefits of using profanity. Yes - the benefits!
In an interview with CNN, Professor Timothy Jay - Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts - says that in the past 20 years advanced research and better study of the brain and emotions have led to new conclusions about cursing.
Research concludes that cursing is a sign of intelligence, because language is related to intelligence and the creative use of profanity can be a reflection of intelligence.
Cursing also reflects honesty. When people curse they are expressing their honest feelings and that can be the sign of greater integrity.
The use of profanity also helps humans deal with pain. The expression of curse words when a person is hurt can help deal with pain. Imagine if you hit your hand with a hammer and you remained silent and couldn't say "F***?" The absence of that verbal expression would cause more focus on the pain.
And cursing at someone may actually be a way of expressing contempt without physically fighting. Swearing is a form of aggression that can replace the need to enter into a physical altercation.
When dealing with certain political or social topics - I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to say on the air: "That's BULL****!"
