Notes for My Lecture on Analogic

People don't learn logically, but rather analogically.  

This is to that, as this other is to that other.

Visual art (the kind that's not really politics) is analogical.

Poetry (the kind that's not really journalism) comes down to the use of analogical constructs.  

Logic is a subset of analogic as equal triangles are a subset of similar triangles. Equality is a special case of similarity.

Our thoughts are not binary and even our use of cold hard Logic is made possible by seeing how to apply a logical form (classic or stoic syllogism, for example) in *similar* situations.

Our brains are hard-wired for similarities. Analogies. 

 Oh: how often do we see faces! In rock formations, ceiling cracks, drywall texturing?

"In the beginning was the WORD" (Latin: RATIO). 

People know analogically, reason analogically, learn analogically.  

Great teachers understand this. They illustrate. They break things down. The point out similarities. They tell stories.  

The Zen master uses koans.

Jesus spoke in parables. 

Earbuds Tips

Those soft ear-contact tips come in all colors. Lately I have been seeing them in neon colors with silver glitter!

One color that might be really useful, though, I have never seen.

Earwax color. 

See? Autumn Leaves!

I don't want to give you the impression that California is completely devoid of colorful Autumn wonderfulness.

We have, for example, beautiful Poison Oak.

But the color peaks around July or August.

More Leaves Than Color

In California, the prevailing autumn colors are shades of brown. 

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

Old Tomato Can

You know, my father used to drink coffee out of an old tomato can.

He always said, "The coffee couldn't kill you, but an old tomato can!"*

-+-+-+-+-

* I didn't get that gag until I was about 30 years old. 

Consumption Culture

I'm already sick of ads about my "holiday shopping" and it's not even October yet. 

Just think how jolly I'm going to be by the time we turn the spooky corner into November.

I'll be so sick of it all that I'll feel like -- well, a new 21st Century meaning for "dying of consumption". 

There's money to be made

If you keep your eyes open while walking the neighborhood streets, you can find coins. Maybe not every day, but sometimes. 

Lately the coins I find have been ground against the ground so long they are barely recognizable. 

Are these even still legal tender? I have my doubts. Especially that clipped dime.

But twenty-two cents! On one walk! Such fun!