I've always been a bit bothered by the word "valid." It has an Orwellian character to it. People use "Orwellian" as a synonym for "totalitarian," but I'm being more specific here. Orwell wrote about language. He decried the weakening of language, and how words slowly lose all meaning and power. It's not enough for something to be bad, it has to be "ungood." Corporate speak is an example of empty Orwellian language. It's a retreat to euphemism and vague platitude.

The problem I have with "valid" is that it's utlimately a completely empty and meaningless word. You would never call someone or their struggles "invalid." Therefore, calling something valid doesn't mean anything. It's just feel good hollow nothingness.

I'm not saying we should go around calling people invalid. I just don't like the word valid at all. Validity is defined by the invalid. If nothing can be invalid, then nothing can be valid. It's a word ultimately devoid of meaning, the left wing version of "thoughts and prayers."