When listening to the TED Talk, I was able to understand the references better than when reading the transcript. Listening and watching him talk made me understand the impact of metaphors in our everyday life better. When reading the transcript, I was able to clarify the use of synesthesia in metaphors. It is interesting to think people who experience synesthesia are rare, but everyone referencing it in metaphors is so common.
I had a text to self connections while reading and watching the TED Talk. One of the tests that Geary talked about, the Stroop Test. There are names of colors on a sheet of paper, but the ink that they’re printed in is different from the name. I have done the experiment before and not many people were able to complete it without messing up at least once. When he explains the test at the end saying, “The test shows we cannot ignore the literal meaning of words even when the literal meaning gives the wrong answer”, this resonates with me because it shows the human condition. The idea that even when we are instructed that something is wrong, we cannot break from what we were originally taught.
When Geary talks about metaphors creating expectations, I started to think about all of the expectations that could be thought of with the metaphor, “My life is the dark tunnel leading to the light”. The expectations of this metaphor can be that there has to be dark times to have a good time. People may think that there has to be a light coming soon, but in reality the light can come as fast or as slow as you want it to. There are many perspectives to metaphors, so when writing in them you cannot know how someone would perceive them.
First of all, I enjoyed learning more about you on your “About Me” page. Your family sounds like so much fun! I love the bit about you all ending up in the water. I’m excited to read about your creative background. My family and I are into the theater, as well.
You wrote: “When reading the transcript, I was able to clarify the use of synesthesia in metaphors. It is interesting to think people who experience synesthesia are rare, but everyone referencing it in metaphors is so common.” I can’t help but agree. I thought the same thing!
Your last paragraph was just lovely. You do an excellent job transferring the information you gleaned from Geary and applying it critically to something from your life/world. Fantastic work!