Emergence of a higher order pattern language through constellations of entangled metaphors?

Correspondences between Traditional Constellations and Pattern Languages (Part #8)

---

[Parts: First | Prev | Last | All] [Links: To-K | From-K | From-Kx | Refs ]

---

The domains with which strategically significant metaphors are associated can be usefully explored as a form of constellation. It is then appropriate to note how metaphors associated with one domain are borrowed by others -- suggesting that they communicate systemic insights and patterns otherwise unnamed. The following table is indicative of the process. It can also be considered indicative of the continuing struggle to offer collectively comprehensible images of subtle systemic dynamics transcending conventional language -- a form of global sensemaking.

Qualitative constellations of metaphors used to label experiences in disparate domains
	weather (climate)	nature (environ- ment)	economy (finance)	astrophysics (stars, light)	reputation (credibility)	knowledge (infor- mation)	combat (military, sport)
"weather" storm tides, waves heat, cold sunny. cloudy	--		liquidity solid	darkness	waves, tides, winds (of opinion)	fog obscurity darkness
"environment" growth fertile		-	fertile growth	stellar performance		fertility, cross-fertilization (creativity)
"economy" performance efficiency			--	stellar success		"economic with the truth"
"health" alive, dead				dead stars
astrophysics			black hole	-	supernova, dead stars	shining star
reputation	"in the cold"	sympathetic / hostile environ-ment	beneficial	celebrity stars	-	"in the know", "out of the loop"	"knock them out", crushed
knowledge						-
military							-
sex			business

In a period in which widespread emphasis is placed on the rising temperature associated with climate change, it is appropriate to consider -- in the light of the above comparison -- the extent to which this may be usefully recognized as a metaphor for other forms of "heating".

This is most evident with respect to overheated economies, to social unrest, and to heated political and ideological discourse. Is there a danger of a "2 degree" rise in social unrest before the end of the century? Does climate change discourse distract from recognition of such phenomena which undermine consensus on effective response to it? (Climate Change as a Metaphor of Social Change: systemic implications of emissions, ozone, sunlight, greenhouse and overheating, 2008).

The process could be explored more systematically through patterns of correspondences with which credibility is variously associated (Theories of Correspondences -- and potential equivalences between them in correlative thinking, 2007).

---

[Parts: First | Prev | Last | All] [Links: To-K | From-K | From-Kx | Refs ]