h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Is there any phrase in the English language which is as vacuous as the instruction "Be assured that…"?

It's entirely meaningless. In fact, it's far worse than that - it's dangerous. it is designed to persuade you to disregard the apparent risks. It's issued in response to you highlighting your concerns. It's also issued without any supporting justification.

I mean, they might was well say: "Look, I don't like you complaining. I don't have anything tangible to offer to allay your fears, and I'd like you to forget these risks exist."


Let us look at a couple of examples from a quick Google search:

"Please be assured that the NSA does not conduct mass surveillance on U.S. citizens" - A US senator

"Please be assured that we treat every comment and concern seriously and in complete confidence, so that we make sure your concern does not affect your current care and future treatment." - Mid-Staffordshire NHS


So, do you feel comforted by hearing someone telling you that you should be assured, or even worse, 'rest assured'?

Or would you rather hear people say things like:

"The NSA does indeed monitor and store all electronic communications of US citizens, and indeed the rest of the connected world, as was recently revealed by Mr Snowden. You may wish to take up the issue of mass surveillance with your political representatives".

"We are aware of having had serious failings in our duty of care to patients, and members of our trust have been implicated in attempting to cover up the details, as has been widely reported. This may well have shaken your confidence in our organisation and the people who run it."

Anyway, you get the picture.

This post has been removed.

Was it something I said?

I think Mala does this every year, it's not just you.

Interesting comment about "rest assured" etc - I shall look out for that one.

Please rest assured that being unfriended is an apparently cyclical event and has no personal connotations!

Please be assured that you are now under attack by the Crimson Permanent Assurance. Hand over your stocks, bonds, dividends and deeds.

<BB<

Not very different from 'I swear (by this, that or the other)'. The Quakers had a point.

Be assured that Icy did not intend to spam you.

[Amy P]

Be assured that I read your original post, and wish you well.

I think it means, 'Believe us, even though we have proven ourselves to be completely untrustworthy.'

I like spam its good with brown bread and Mayo

Spam musubi isn't bad either. I didn't even know it existed until I went to Hawaii.

Rest assured that I am reading every word of every researcher's journals, and am applauding your efforts.

No, really.