It is the true teacher who leaves the class knowing they have learned the most.
Tucson, AZ
Joined September 2006
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Terrible. I empathize and wish sorry was helpful, but it never helps me. I, too, have a penchant for mysteries! And yes, reading was a safe place for me because it's what my Mom loved most and didn't hate me for. She also loved when I sang. She could not carry a tune at all.
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We have a lot in common alrighty. Did you find solace in learning? I always return to reading and studying when I recognize I need up out of victim mentality.
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I just reread the Judaic old testament and the entirety of the King James Bible in March when Covid hit here. I do that every decade or so. Other specific books too.
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It's not uncommon especially when illness and age are in play for extroversion and introversion to change. I'm a social extrovert, but need a lot of time away from people. Words have been a source of relationship drama for me (most!). Not with my husband who was like your friend.
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So if I had to define an identity, I think "Kafkaesque" applies best. Dark, strange and full-on hatred for bureaucratic systems. No, I have not yet transformed into a cockroach, although I know plenty who'd like to stomp me 🤣
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Both of my brothers are wonderful writers, speakers, teachers. Better than I ever was except in poetry and music, where I do not suffer word obsession. But the master was Franz Kafka, my fourth cousin once removed, maternal. All bizarre, dark, troubled and very high functioning.
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I weaponize words. My father spent a lot of time around the docks in NY/NJ (mafioso, Teamsters, racketeer, gambler) used to say I could turn dockworkers and sailors blue. My mother had no filter. Appeared in thought, out the mouth. Beautiful, funny and very cruel. I work on it.
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Misinterpretations of big chunks of social ideals cause massive upheaval. Do unto others as they do unto you = war. Money is the root of all evil = Economic upheaval. First do no harm? Sure. Look at USA healthcare, which harms intentionally for profit. We can use words to heal.
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3. Hippocratic oath "First do no harm"
These words never appear in the original text or the updated oath from Tufts University in the 60s. The actual message is this:
If you cannot help, then do not cause more harm.
#Words #Semantics #Meaning #Society #DigDeeper
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2. "Money is the root of all evil"
Now read this:
"Love of money is the root of all evil"
Very different meanings!
#Words #Semantics #Meaning #Society #DigDeeper
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1. Golden rule as most describe it "Do unto others as they do unto you."
Now read this:
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
The meanings are very different!
#Words #Semantics #Meaning #Society #DigDeeper
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Another phenomenon in language is if one is able to read, we often do not read carefully. We also can learn a definition and accept it as fact and repeat it. Three examples from Western beliefs: Golden rule, money is evil, the Hippocratic oath. Very human, yet is repairable!
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What articulate words and beautiful, elegant meaning.
A delight! Thank you so much for all the insight and inspiration.
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Narrative, storytelling - we share a love of this. Typically, this comes from our family and heritage. My mom would start a story at noon, follow a non-linear narrative, and tie it all together with one comment an hour later that, if you followed along, could leave one in awe.
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And I thank you! Your experiences and ability to write about them also show you to excel at language. Your comment regarding drawing the dream because of impatience with words is especially interesting to me, as is the dream itself, which I love!
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