In his book "Hostage," Elie Wiesel discusses how the language we use has evolved over time, often reflecting the complexities of social and political contexts. He highlights how certain terms have been modified or replaced to fit contemporary narratives. For instance, the term "poor countries" has shifted to "disadvantaged" or "underprivileged," and the word "propaganda" has been softened to "brainwashing," indicating a move away from direct confrontation with reality.

Wiesel emphasizes that these changes in terminology often prioritize profit and marketing over the truth. He points out the prevalence of terms like "destabilization" and the trivialization of revolutions in cultural domains such as fashion and technology. The focus, he argues, has shifted from significant struggles that involve real human experiences to superficial trends that lack substance, demonstrating a concerning detachment from the gravity of these issues.