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From Mensagenda - May 2001
Blue River
Survival: Eye Metaphor Conceits
As a self-appointed troublemaker, I find
that I need to provide concepts that make people think, which is troublesome,
for most people are afraid of thought, especially of something new or different.
Mole is a delightful word, with many
meanings. Nouns: gram-molecular weight, a mass of fleshy material in the uterus
(mola), a spot or stain, a pigmentary nevus, a mark of identification, a
blemish, a small mammalian insectivore, a spy, a subsoil plow, a masonry work
laid in the sea as a sea jetty, a massive Roman tomb. Verb transitive: to
excavate, to spy. Then there are the words in other languages. These have the
same spelling and close pronunciation but different meanings.
Consider the quadruped, Equus
caballus,
with many names. Equine, stallion, steed, mount, trotter, nag, pony, charger,
bronco, cayuse, Arab, etc. All are simply the common horse.
When talking about a concept, one needs to have a bit of
agreement as to the subject. I have learned to listen to what is said and then
attempt to put it into my own jargon. First, what is the genre? Do I agree?
Often, if I find a consensus, I attempt to present an opposing orientation.
There is pleasure in discovering the multiplicity of ideas that can be
generated, each providing a basis for developing imagery or fantasy, ideas with
the potential of being developed into something real or having the heuristic
basis for further investigation. Sometimes one just states a formula as
E=MC2,
and if it is understood, one continues the subject. It may require a quick
definition as in which mole is being discussed, or an
agreement of terminology as with the horse.
Sometimes there is no hope of agreement of
meaning, so one goes on to discuss the weather. "Are you familiar with the
role of adiabatic pressure in the development of chinooks, mistrals, and
Siroccos?"
Sometimes one needs to discuss politics or
occupations as one finds a common lingo. One may find great delight in finding
the rare individual who has some knowledge of a subject. It may not have
agreement with personal tenets or opinions, but it can be a start. I have been
accused of being disagreeable for the sake of disagreement. I accept the honor
of being guilty. If my audience wishes, I can sist and decease (or is it cease
and desist?) in hopes of harmony (reference to the movie Flesh Gordon).
A good
discussion is delightful and a learning process. I dislike denial, fear, bias,
phobias, attempts to control, and self-imposed authority.
I learned a long time ago, starting in
medicine, then in other subjects, that I need to not only listen to what is said,
but to question, test, and perhaps do some independent study or find other
sages who have the ability to give options and information. Authorities too
often seek to control others because they fear the loss of control of the self.
There is a necessity for acceptance of a code of conduct for societal concord
and harmony.
If my audience does not want to drive me
out of town, sometimes, like the Rabbi, I have not done my duty of engendering
the delight of options and innovations. I no longer need to impress anybody or
worry about my image. Such concerns may require labels, and I find most labels are
Post-it® Notes that can be easily removed or misplaced without reference to the
reality of what they may define. I give my name, Ray Voet, and my social
security number as givens. A friend tells me those are also temporary, but I say
they give me identification so that no other person receives the blame for my
intended deeds.
Life is a delight if one finds the humor
in everything. The metaphors we use reflect the diverse heritage of our American
culture. A conceit is a fanciful notion. I love it!
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