Light and Dark
These words (used in the previous post) need exploring. We are not nocturnally well adapted so naturally fear the dark. This leads to much weight being attached to the words and makes their metaphorical use a powerful tool in discourse. But that use reinforces an association that is false and wrong in other contexts. Should it be avoided? How can we avoid the negative effects without giving up much of the richness of our language?
Note also the negative implications of pallor (esp in China) and darkenss as robustness or strength. Would striving for more balanced use of metaphor save both ends? How can this be encouraged without introducing a tone of moralistic political correctness?