A World Without Words May 5, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Mindfulness, Word Play.comments closed
How did we think . . . before we had words?
As a child, if we had been born to someone who did not use words, how would we have learned to think?
I’m not talking about learning how to communicate basic needs, like hunger.
That’s easy.
As a baby, we would have cried and left it to our silent caretaker to figure out if we needed to be fed, changed, bathed, or cuddled.
Later, we would have learned to grunt and point to communicate our needs.
If we were hungry, we would have pointed to our mouths and then to the type of food we wanted to eat.
But those basic communication skills don’t allow for nuances the way verbal expression of thought does:
Hey, Mom. Feed me. is not quite the same as Hey, Mom. I’m hungry. Do we have any of that delicious lasagna left?
Without words to label and categorize our thoughts, how would we learn to think? And, if we thunk an interesting thought, how would we communicate that thought to others in a meaningful way?
S~L~O~W~L~Y.
First, by using pictographs. Similar to the cartoons that Carl puts together to amuse and educate us:
Cartoon History: Illustrating the Concept of “Idea”
Then, by using text speak . . .
In-ack!-ur-8-ly!
What would happen if all our words evaporated?
That’s what happens to Alzheimer’s patients. They lose words one by one and eventually lose the ability to think.
Are we headed in that direction?
Perhaps.
My Best Friend Is A Screen raises lots of interesting questions with no easy answers.
Let’s give it some thought.
Let’s use words.
No rules. Just write!
Related posts: Pepper Speaks! (Reflections from a Cloudy Mirror)
Sungevity’s Zero $’s Down Solar Lease! May 5, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Home & Garden, Sustainable Living.comments closed
This offer (a partnership between Green America and Sungevity) is NOT available everywhere . . . yet. It is available in:
Arizona
California
Colorado
Delaware
Maryland
Massachusetts
New Jersey
New York
Here’s how it works:
Sungevity, an award-winning home-solar installer and member of our Green Business Network™, puts up solar panels FOR FREE when homeowners sign up to lease them.
The homeowner pays Sungevity on a monthly basis for the home solar lease, usually the same or less than what the pre-solar electric bill used to be.
Sungevity sends each lessee a $500 cash gift card once the new solar system is installed and inspected, and donates $500 to Green America for the referral.
Sounds pretty good, right?
Prospective solar clients just need to click Sungevity.org/green-america to request a free solar iQuote.
Within 24 hours, Sungevity’s remote solar designers will e-mail details about potential solar savings, and what the solar home lease would look like.
If you’re bummed you do NOT live in one of those 8 states, move!
Just kidding . . .
Sungevity is expanding, and [may soon be able] to offer solar leasing in your state. In the meantime, it’s a win-win-win for anybody you know who can take advantage of this offer.
They get solar energy, a lower electric bill, and $500, plus it’s a win for the environment and a win for Green America.
If you know anyone (or know anyone who knows anyone who knows anyone) who lives in one of these 8 states . . .
SPREAD THE WORD! POST TO FACEBOOK! TWITTER AWAY!
The sooner this idea catches on the better . . . for us and the planet!
Spirit Lights The Way 