Showing posts with label metaphor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label metaphor. Show all posts

Monday, March 17, 2014

Let’s Consider: Computers

There is much more that can be said and discussed about these amazing machines than I can cover here, but let’s get a taste.

The thing, the physical stuff sitting in front of you – emitting various wavelengths of light, spinning magnetic platters, generating heat as electrons flow in time to the vibrating of crystals – is not what you’re looking at. You’re looking at what I've written – probably imagining waves and spinning, heat and vibrations, crystals and little pin-points of light (that’s how I imagine electrons). The physical thing in front of you, if measured and considered as a physical thing, is basically a water-slide for electricity; the electrons spin around and around inside a box, and then that energy becomes heat, or light, or just goes around some more until you stop the ride (that is, turn off the machine).

They're in the computer?
But, obviously, that isn't what your computer is. Your computer is essentially metaphysical. A computer takes a lot of a

Monday, February 17, 2014

Sequels: Terminator 2 (2 of 2)

Read part 1.

Something like a movie is capable of two things. It can either reflect on and attempt to grasp the truth of things in a deeper sense (things like humanity, courage, love; the big stuff), or it can reflect on the state of things as we find them – truth in a limited sense.

The first Terminator did the first, with some of the second thrown in. The struggle against relentless forces and man’s potential destruction by the work of his own hands, while perhaps not timeless themes, are at least themes that encompass all of time; Ditzy 80’s chicks, insecure waitresses, and killer robots have more to do with current issues.
Wait! Instead of shooting him,
get him to volunteer at the home for boys!
Once he sees what lovable scamps human kids are,
slaughtering us all will simply no longer compute!

Monday, November 25, 2013

The Lion King

Something bothers me about Disney’s The Lion King. Now, some of you may be outraged by what I am about to say. You may scoff at me. As I read the words below, I can feel your probable scoffing even now. But bear with me, as I do have a point.