Analogy One
Imagine insects with a life span of two weeks, and then imagine further that they are trying to build up a science about the nature of time and history. Clearly, they cannot build a model on the basis of a few days in summer. So let us endow them with a language and a culture through which they can pass on their knowledge to future generations. Summer passes, then autumn; finally it is winter. The winter insects are a whole new breed, and they perfect a new and revolutionary science on the basis of the 'hard facts' of their perceptions of snow. As for the myths and legends of summer: certainly the intelligent insects are not going to believe the superstitions of their primitive ancestors.
(William Irwin Thompson)
1 comment:
Indeed - I've also heard the analogy of being a fish in a small pond, insofar as being aware of the world outside...it's very clear, we know very little. Good to hear from you, hope all goes well.
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