Definitions #2

[Ayshela]

I'll try to get these up on Mondays, though today i'm only making it by a half hour or so.

 

Defining ambiguous words to illustrate the variance in definitions - what better word than this to define?

 

normal

 

Have fun!

Edited October 7, 2003 by Ayshela

[Lelu_Asana]

Normal? Haha :woot: Now there's a word that isn't in my vocabulary. I am far from normal....though I pride myself in being wierd. Anyway, normal is typically seen as anything that is within people's standards. Anything outside someone's standards, thoughts and beliefs is said to be wierd or "not-normal"...like ME!!!

[Peredhil]

Normal. I grew up knowing it was a college that trained teachers. We had one in my home town, on Normal Hill.

Then my parents started adding on definitions:

A statistical average in large enough sets, a chemistry PH definition, a perpendicular in math.

Then I hit school, and found in first grade, neither I nor any of my family were "normal". By that time though, I really didn't have much desire to be. This "normal" was fitting within the cultural norms and means of the majority segment of current society.

 

In computers, we "overload" operators to perform different functions and operations depending on the context when parsed.

 

In these threads, I see the words overloaded as well. Context is essential.

 

-P

[Alaeha]

Normal (Adj.):

 

1) A word used either as an affirmation of belonging, if spoken by those who conform, or as a derogation toward the aforementioned conformists by those who do not.

 

2) If spoken by the former of the two previously mentioned groups, a word meaning "like me".

 

3) If spoken by the latter, "Like them."

 

4) Conforming to the norm, or relative set of standards of the group in question. In a gothic group, for example, dark clothes and bad poetry are the norm, therefore one who wears perky yellow t-shirts and writes limericks about mechanical pencils would not be normal within that group, even if she were in other groups.

[Ayshela]

Peredhil - yes, it is. that's part of the point.

[Nyyark]

In a closed societal system the most widespread opinion of how most others are.

 

In relation to me, it refers to the standards set by society that I either meet or don't meet.

 

My usage:

 

1) A crutch when talking to people who haven't explored their personal word definitions.

 

2) (as in Normally) meaning usually, oftentimes. I like the way it rolls in my mouth.

 

3) I use it when specifically refering to a closed system exclude from interveining reality. Since I normally don't bother with those systems I often time finds little use.

 

Personally I kinda think the way "Normal" is used is neat. "But Bob, thats not Normal". It serves as a rallying flag and a morality, even though it can change with setting. I think that a mind that could use normal in this way, yet adapt normal to whatever the current culture they reside in would be extremely survivalistic. However I think that doing so would require enough intellegence that the concept of normal would be rejected for its somewhat obvious philosphical flaws, so I don't think one would meet many people like that. One would have to choose that mindset rather than be born to it.

 

Ooops, I rambled away

[Ayshela]

once i have a few moments of consecutive non-headache-blinded time, i'll get my entry for this one typed up.

 

But, to clarify a point or two -

 

YES i wholeheartedly agree that, especially with such ambiguous words (which were deliberately selected so), context matters. That's a major portion of the point of the exercise here.

 

We communicate through words. IRL, face to face, nonverbal cues can clarify meaning, but here, IRC, instant messengers, PM or e-mail - words are all we have. There have been many instances around here of miscommunication and "oh no, that wasn't what i meant" and sometimes that's caused because words mean different things to different people.

 

So, i thought, what better way for everyone to become aware of that than to have a little fun with it? I admit, i thought that as the exercise progressed our habits as writers would take over and the definitions would become more illustrative than narrative, but i didn't want to say "you HAVE to write a poem" or "you HAVE to write a story or scene" because i wanted to leave it open to everyone.

 

The general gist of the exercise is - here's a word. When you read that word, what does it mean to you - first thought, because that's your most immediate association with it.

 

Now.. provide the context and show us what it means **to you**, and when we have everyone's illustrations all lined up we can stand back and giggle a bit, and realize how very differently we all understand things.

 

Choosing your words carefully is not a life-or-death skillset for everyone, which is a good thing, because it means it hasn't had to be. Yet for those who want to communicate effectively, sometimes you need to learn the skills learned early on by those for whom it was. i thought this would be a fun way to handle some of that.

 

*shrug*

 

(edited - i *will* learn to type in complete sentences, truly i will)

Edited October 8, 2003 by Ayshela

[Peredhil]

Was there a problem? I thought this was a fun idea...

[Ayshela]

so did i..

and it wasn't a large scale problem..

but it seemed some clarification was in order.