[A name is like a piece of jewelry hung around his neck at birth.” – Wittgenstein] Yes, around your neck where others can see that name you wouldn’t have chosen for yourself, a name, perhaps, now shared with a newly disreputable politician or crazed serial killer who’s no relation to you, a name that could be taken as male or female, a name that no one can pronounce - including you - ... [FYI, the German here is "ein Schmuckstück"] … [Read more...]
“Dammit Johnny” / Memorable Fancies #1720
2 January, 2017 by Leave a Comment
[“Why shouldn’t it be possible for a person to regard his name as sacred?” – Wittgenstein] If your name is sacred, then it can be taken in vain, a swear-word. Yes, that’s what happens, like when my Dad used to say “Damn it, Johnny, I don’t ever want you to ...” whatever it was that time. And so my name became ‘Dammitjohnny,’ at least I remembered it that way while Dad was still alive, and even now, even now,... … [Read more...]
“Mistakes” / Memorable Fancies #1615
20 October, 2016 by Leave a Comment
[“...as a result a mistake becomes something forbidden.” – Wittgenstein] What if mistakes were punishable crimes? If you’re mistakenly sentenced for a mistake you didn’t make, is the judge punished in your place? Or would that be a mistake? [Click ‘Random Post’ above – be astonished] … [Read more...]
“Metadreaming” / Memorable Fancies #1169
30 July, 2016 by Leave a Comment
[“Someone says ‘I believe I am now dreaming’” – Wittgenstein] I dreamed I was dreaming, and then I woke – or was I still dreaming even then? And even now, while I’m telling you this,... [Click ‘Random Post’ above – be astonished] … [Read more...]
“Counting” / Memorable Fancies #829
14 September, 2014 by Leave a Comment
[“No one but a philosopher would say ‘I know that I have two hands.’” – Wittgenstein] “One hand,” he says. “But you have two hands,” she says. “I have one hand, two times,” he says. “And just one foot, too?” she says, sarcastically. “Possibly,” he says, “but that’s for next semester.” <END> THE SUNDAY PITCH If you liked this post, please tell your friends and share a comment here or in StumbleUpon, Reddit, Facebook, or other social websites. AVAILABLE NOW on … [Read more...]
“The Gods of Yes and No – II” / Memorable Fancies #490
15 October, 2013 by Leave a Comment
[“It is no less astounding that man should have conceived of a deity of time than it would be to conceive of a deity of negation or disjunction.” – Wittgenstein] In a far country, there are two religions: Some people worship the god of Yes, and others the god of No. Each has its temples, its priesthood, its ritual in which the heads of worshippers move up and down for the god of Yes, or sideways for the god of No. As a child matures, its character is carefully observed, analyzed … [Read more...]
“Wittgenstein Counts His Toes” / A Memorable Fancy #392
7 July, 2013 by Leave a Comment
[“What reason have I, now, when I cannot see my toes, to assume that I have five toes on each foot?” – Wittgenstein] One morning while putting on my shoes I happened to look at my feet, and noticed that I had only four toes on each foot. When did that happen? It could have been days ago, and I just now noticed. Whatever happened, why hadn’t it hurt? I remark on my lack to others. They look at me strangely. One says, “Were you born with an extra toe? Those can be removed … [Read more...]
“The God of No” / A Memorable Fancy #356
29 May, 2013 by Leave a Comment
[“It is no less astounding that man should have conceived of a deity of time than it would be to conceive of a deity of negation or disjunction.” – Wittgenstein] There are gods of No and Or and Yes and Maybe. Each god has its temples, its votaries and priesthood, its rituals in which heads move up and down, or sideways, or alternately up/down and left/right. As a child matures, its character is carefully observed, analyzed as to whether its nature is No or Or or Yes or Maybe. … [Read more...]
Memorable Fancies 