Not to be pedantic, but I was totally thinking the same thing when I saw the article. I get the figurative thing but I also feel like these kind of headlines are just trying to pander to simple minded people.
even used figuratively, it’s bad writing for the reason i explained. this isn’t some high school essay; it’s a headline in a well-regarded, internationally-recognized newspaper. this should never have passed editorial muster. it’s sloppy.
Words should matter though. The guy you responded too is correct. There is a very big difference in responses to pandemics vs drought. Both can cause upheaval, but that’s about where the similarities end.
sigh… a drought can’t be a pandemic because it’s not a disease. ffs, is there nobody literate in journalism anymore?
if drought is on the verge of becoming widespread and devastating, just say that.
Not to be pedantic, but I was totally thinking the same thing when I saw the article. I get the figurative thing but I also feel like these kind of headlines are just trying to pander to simple minded people.
Ok, Mr. Literal.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literal_and_figurative_language
even used figuratively, it’s bad writing for the reason i explained. this isn’t some high school essay; it’s a headline in a well-regarded, internationally-recognized newspaper. this should never have passed editorial muster. it’s sloppy.
Words should matter though. The guy you responded too is correct. There is a very big difference in responses to pandemics vs drought. Both can cause upheaval, but that’s about where the similarities end.