Peredhil Posted May 29, 2004 Report Posted May 29, 2004 Given that Example by Argument is based on building a discussion for the base similarities between two things, while analogy consists of building a discussion from the similarity of the RELATIONSHIP of two dis-similar things (and posting on this topic is to answer the clarion call of analogy) ,this might be an apt place to point out that the feeling of being overwhelmed is analogous to the disoriented "which way is up" feeling of a person trapped in the to and fro over- and under-tow of a wave pounding at the beach. Occasionally one breaks for a breath of air, only to be sucked down into the turmoil once again. The abrasive scrape of sand gives a momentary point of reference as to what is "down" but the inner ear may deny that reference, insisting that the sand encountered is "up" in relationship to the body, and not down. The fear engendered by loosing all points of reference, of being betrayed by the senses and unsure of the reality of any input, of having no "rock" on which to cling to survive the current reality, this fear is similiar in relationship to being caught in a pounding wave at the ocean's shore - it is an analogy. The reality is that other than the relationship drawn in a person's mind, there is no realistic base similarity between the impersonal tidal/wind action of water and the complexities of a person in sensory overload. This is what prevents this from being an Example by Argument. Lost is another reference issue - since one always knows where one is, it is only the reference in *relation* to other points, whether they be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual, it is the relationships and proportions which are defined as "lost". Thus if one defines the self as center, one is no longer lost. It is the world which must be explored and charted from the given "self" which is the challenge, not the perceptional problem of self not having a place in the world. Welcome back Salinye. You've been in my prayer. Hugs Peredhil
Finnius Posted May 29, 2004 Report Posted May 29, 2004 Having to pick, I'd have to choose lost. The feeling of not knowing where you're at, not knowing who you even are, is definitive of my current state of being. While I am fully cognizant of my physical location, or at least most of the time, I am caught in the slow spiral of apathy and self-disinterest. Having picked lost, I find myself at a crossroads, neither direction of which particularly appeals to me. Unlike Robert Frost, however, I will not choose a direction based solely on the appearance of travel. My mind does not allow for picking at all, instead my feet and body carry me where they wish me to go. It is a liberating feeling, to be lost. The paths I tread are mine and mine alone, sometimes physically, most times otherwise. Seperation from the bulk of normal thought processes provides for greater mental output, or something like that. *Grins. Welcome back, Sal.
Yui-chan Posted May 29, 2004 Report Posted May 29, 2004 (edited) Yui completely skips the entire point of the thread to GLORMP Salinye! Sali-chan! {Edit to do credit to the project: To be overwhelmed is to return to a place you love after too long gone and find that it hasn't stopped while you were away. It is to find a hundred new gems waiting for you there and to put your hand into the pile only to feel the sting of the dozen black blades mixed in because of the fallibility of humanity. To be overwhelmed is to come home uncertain, and it is best countered by a smiling face and unconditional welcome. 'Lost' is the feeling you get when you can feel another's pain and confusion, yet you don't know what causes it or how to save them from it. Lost and helpless often go hand in hand. } Edited May 29, 2004 by Yui-chan
Gwaihir Posted May 29, 2004 Report Posted May 29, 2004 If I were a ubb moderator I would delete your post for being off topic. Overwhelmed, being lost in the beautiful and not needing to know the way back.
Tamaranis Posted May 30, 2004 Report Posted May 30, 2004 (edited) Are we supposed to pick whether we're lost or overwhelmed, or if Salinye was/is lost or overwhelmed? First case, lost. Second overwhelmed. I'm not going to try and go into details on that, because I'm so greatly outmatched in that sort of thing by those who already have gone into detail that I'd just seem silly. We were kinda starting to worry about you, Salinye, it's good to see you're still around. Also, an evil midget, who is even now reading over my shoulder as I type, insists I use a ninja smilie. It's just easier to agree. Edited May 30, 2004 by Tamaranis
Regel Posted June 1, 2004 Report Posted June 1, 2004 Lost: As a mathematical formula is defined as, Locomotion + inattentiveness = Lost
Ozymandias Posted June 1, 2004 Report Posted June 1, 2004 This'll be SUCH a freeform riff, I have no idea where it'll go, but 'ey; what the heck. Lost is the state in which one does not know where one is located in some sense of the word 'location'; this can also be applied to the known location of an object. Lost is all too often looked on as negative state of being, even though such tried and true sources as the Webster's Dictionary say it is "Pronunciation: 'lost Function: adjective Etymology: past participle of lose 1 : not made use of, won, or claimed 2 a : no longer possessed b : no longer known 3 : ruined or destroyed physically or morally : DESPERATE 4 a : taken away or beyond reach or attainment : DENIED <regions lost to the faith> b : INSENSIBLE, HARDENED <lost to shame> 5 a : unable to find the way b : no longer visible c : lacking assurance or self-confidence : HELPLESS 6 : RAPT, ABSORBED <lost in reverie> 7 : not appreciated or understood : WASTED <their jokes were lost on me>" That's a whole lot of lack, shunning, and disregard in one little entry. Being lost can be pretty bad. Is it *all* bad? I say thee nay! As much as not having a feeling or knowledge of 'one's place', as it were, breeds fear and anxiety, I think it's safe to say that that state of being actually breeds more questions than it does fear. And it's a good kind of curiousity, the one that leads most often to "Why am I here? What is my greater purpose?" or "What is this place really like?"; the sort of-all encompassing, yet sincerely asked questions we put to ourselves that are the simplest bases behind our drives not only to improve but our desire to understand the world around us. I really *don't* know if all that is either statistically or actually true, but I can say I've got a good, solid feeling of truth to behind it. So, yeah. :>) On that note, I go forth to abate some more of the directionless feeling I've had all afternoon, and answer the challenge to a friendly game of Worms World Party that has just been thrown down. I love community fun. YOU GOIN' DOWN!!!!!!
Ayshela Posted June 1, 2004 Report Posted June 1, 2004 Lost is akin to finding yourself completely off the map you hold, with not the faintest idea where you are, how you got there, or how to get either where you were or where you want to be. Also known as a day in my life. =) When i'm overwhelmed i feel as if i'm standing on a spinning platform juggling knives as random people from the crowd are throwing me a bottle, a scarf, a bowling pin, a feather duster, a ruler - all of which must be caught and worked into my ever expanding circle of things i must keep in the air, or catch with a foot and kick back up where i can catch it once again and keep it moving, all the while hoping i don't slice my foot open while trying not to drop anything.
Annael Posted June 2, 2004 Report Posted June 2, 2004 Lost, definetly lost. When I'm overwhelmed I at least have a inkling that things are going to get better. But lost, dang, I know that things can only get worse until I find my way back. I just haven't been able to find my trail of breadcrumbs for the past oh, I dunno, 3 months or so? I think that the scary part is that I'm getting used to the feeling of being lost. That is scary isn't it?
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