This doesn't make any sense. If there is an oddity its in saying "THE speed of light." THE is what makes it singular and begs the question "in what direction?"

This doesn't make any sense. If there is an oddity its in saying "THE speed of light." THE is what makes it singular and begs the question "in what direction?" The answer is in any direction. But that doesn't mean direction is not important. If somebody asks you for THE velocity that is a nonsense question. If somebody asks you for A velocity they are asking you for the speed in each direction. Even in 1D, where the units of velocity and speed are the same, these are still not the same concepts because velocity can be negative to signify the direction of "backwards" so there are two possible velocities of light even in 1D.