Published on CD-ROM, and online. Created in Flash, 2005.
Jargon Reducer was a software art project which manipulates text. It removes or reveals words which might be considered 'jargon,' specialized language that is not a part of the common vocabulary. The project invites the user to input text for jargon filtering.
The project also comes with 12 significant texts ready for filtering demonstration and analysis. These include excerpts from: Tristan Tzara's 1918 The Dada Manifesto, The U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights, Genesis, Aristotle's Poetics, The Four Nobel Truths, Wikipedia on Critical Thinking, Dick Higgin's Statement of Intermedia, Allen Ginsberg's Howl, The Communist Manifesto, The Malleus Maleficarum, The PNAC's 1997 Statement of Principles; and Dr. King's I Have a Dream speech.
Jargon Reducer is a humorous, yet poignant entanglement on the culture and politics of language.
Audio includes typewriter typing while the logo animates and while processing text; and a cowbell ding when text processing completes.
Jargon Reducer is a handy English language tool which helps you to understand what is really being communicated. Troubled by an email from a colleague or a lover? Confused by political statements and ad campaigns? Unsuccessful in your grant applications and sabbatical proposals? Jargon Reducer will point you to the crux of the message. Jargon Reducer comes with two poignant functions. The Revealer reveals jargon, emphasizing the keywords of any communication and thus the true and oftentimes hidden agenda. The Reducer removes jargon, leaving only the uncritical mass of the message.
Both Revealer and Reducer come in three levels of engagement. Level One is suitable for interpersonal communication missives such as emails from family or friends. Level Two operates effectively on occupational correspondence, commercial adveristments, news items, and political propaganda. Level Three is a high powered engine specifically designed for scholarly papers, white papers, legal documents and other fine print items.