Errol Morris’ mother

Errol was away at school as a teenager in Vermont.

One day his mother came up to visit and they got talking. And talking. And talking.

But none of his classmates could understand what they were saying. Not because of the broad Long Island accents but because his mother was one of the most ironic people ever.

Errol is sure his theory of language came from his mother. His theory that when someone says something, sometimes they mean the opposite.

There’s something about language that fascinates him. Everyone thinks language is a vehicle for communication, but it really isn’t.

It’s a vehicle for obfuscation, elision, confusion.

It’s the twists and turns that give it its power.