On War, Dancing and Light: Why Metaphors Matter

On War, Dancing and Light: Why Metaphors Matter

Metaphors matter. They are not simply the stuff of Shakespearean drama or poetry or the SAT. We all use metaphors every day in an endless variety of ways. Metaphors are an essential element of how we think and engage with others at home, in our work and in all of our social interactions. But too often, we are unconscious of the metaphors we choose and the impact they may have on the quality of our life.

As George Lakoff and Mark Johnson observe, one powerful example is the way that many people describe argument as war and embellish that metaphor in extended metaphors.

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Weekend Reading: May 2016

Weekend Reading: May 2016

What are you reading this weekend? We’re thinking about the power of metaphor to shape our experience—and even the way we understand ourselves. We’re also enjoying some insightful author interviews; reading six of the best short stories published this year; reflecting on one man’s astonishing feat of memory; and worrying about the loss of humanity in the workplace.

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