"A metaphorical concept can keep us from focusing on other aspects of the concept that are inconsistent with the metaphor." We focus more on one part rather than seeing it as a whole. It then goes on to talk about the "cooperative" aspects of arguing. This was interesting because nobody ever views arguing as cooperative. The complex metaphor is an odd way of looking at things; ideas are objects? These examples are everywhere: I gave you that idea, It's difficult to put my ideas into thoughts. It is a little hard to understand just because it is a new way of looking at language.
Chapter 4
Orientational metaphors deal with up-down, in-out, etc. Example: "I'm feeling up today." the word "up" is associated with happy. Culture again plays a large role in metaphors. I never thought of the physical aspect of metaphors; drooping posture represents sadness or depression. More is up, less is down. It is fascinating how much these metaphors are in everyday life. Again, the point is brought up about the connection between metaphors, society and culture. The explanations of the metaphors and then linking it to other related metaphors was thought provoking.
Chapter 5
Simple cultural values will relate to the simple metaphors of that culture. It seems odd to me to assign status to metaphors: "more is up seems always to have the highest priority..." Who chooses which metaphor has the highest priority? ahhh, my question is answered. Personal values and culture influence the matter of priority of metaphors. Metaphors change as culture changes; small cars used to be associated with high status but that doesn't hold true today. Priority of metaphors can also change.
Chapter 6
Experiences are thingified which lets us think about them in a deeper, different way. In our society we create boundaries that are not really there, for our benefit. It seems necessary to make things into entities, such as inflation and the mind. It seems weird to think that all these examples are metaphors. These seem "perfectly natural" to us. Where there aren't physical boundaries, artificial ones are created. The container idea makes sense, it is just a weird way to think of things. "Events and actions are conceptualized metaphorically as objects, activities as substances, states as containers."
Chapter 7
This chapter was easier to read compared to the others because personification is more of an obvious thing to notice and it is used constantly. It can be specific which i found interesting like this example, "It not only gives us a very specific way of thinking about inflation but also a way of acting toward it. We think of inflation as an adversary that can attack us, hurt us, steal from us, even destroy us." Personification puts some ideas into more understandable terms; makes abstract concepts into something concrete.
Chapter 8
Metonymy is a form of personification where people aren't actually referred to. "Metaphor is principally a way of conceiving one thing in terms of another, and its primary function is understanding. Metonymy, on the other hand, has primarily a referential function, that is, it allows us to use one entity to stand for another." It is similar to metaphors in the way that we use it everyday. The face and picture concept was interesting to think about. The face is the all-telling feature to people. "Like metaphors, metonymic concepts structure not just our language but our thoughts, attitudes, and actions."
Chapter 9
It is odd to think that in other cultures, front and back is reversed. Time as a moving object goes along with the front, back orientation. Weird that weeks to follow and weeks ahead of us essentially have the same meaning. Two ways to look at time; one is as a moving object and two as a stationary object. There is a difference between coherent and consistency; most metaphors are coherent, they fit together.
Chapter 10
It is so fascinating to read the examples because I have said so many of them but I have never thought that ideas are food, people or plants. Understanding is seeing also stuck out to me. How many times have i sat in math class confused and then when i understand the concept i say ahh, i see now. Interesting how love has many different metaphorical elements; physical force, a patient, magic, madness, war.
Chapter 11
Some metaphors we use in our everyday life but there are deeper metaphors that are categorized as "figurative" or "imaginative" The dead and alive metaphors was a little confusing for me.
Chapter 12
"...most concepts are partially understood in terms of other concepts." It seems the only concepts that can be understood without metaphor are the very simple, basic ones like "up"
"All experience is cultural through and through..." the different types of experience was confusing and hard for me to follow.
Chapter 13
The metaphors that are deeper and more specific allow for a lot of elaboration and detail. Irrational and unfair ways of fighting: intimidation, threat, authority, insult, etc. Even rational arguments can still be seen in a war like way. "...the metaphor is built into the conceptual system of the culture in which you live." Even the most academic, rational arguments are grounded in the Arguments is War metaphor.
Metaphors from the weekend!
We're up here and you're down there.
He's solid as a rock.
When we got back to the dorm she crashed.
Don't worry, I'm on top of things.
He drives me crazy.
I'm just feeling down.
Lets go, we're running out of time.
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