The author shows a tendency to give colorful, but opaque names like "gutterballing" to things that can themselves be explained in a short phrase ("working on something that is similar to, but not exactly what you actually want, and getting predictably frustrated").
Where does this tendency come from? My first guess is self-help literature. Or maybe this is a personality trait to write this way? Or a kind of marketing, becasue only your writing has these colorful fun terms?
I was once watching an old school survivalist talk about Native American/First Peoples legends.
These legends often had a bumbling main character who would usually cause some kind of problem b/c he forgot to do the key thing required for survival. For example, he would pick wet wood that wouldn't work for making a fire etc while his smart friend would pick the dry wood or the wood with lots of oil in it. Let's say bumbling dude is name "Chintatook" (made up name).
Now, when someone is starting to do the wrong thing or not think things through, you can say "Hey, don't be a Chintatook!" and everyone knows what you are talking about.
> That's why having goofy names for them matters so much, because it reminds me not to believe the biggest bog lie of all: that I'm stuck in a situation unlike any I, or anyone else, has ever seen before.
Toward the bottom of the article in case you didn't get that far.
“That's why having goofy names for them matters so much, because it reminds me not to believe the biggest bog lie of all: that I'm stuck in a situation unlike any I, or anyone else, has ever seen before.”
Hey, the author, if you are reading this, I was stuck in the bog too. But in my case it was neurological rather than psychological. Turns out the "insufficient activation energy" you mention is an ADHD symptom. Meds worked total wonders for me, so much I like to say I was reborn the day I started my treatment.
I still find your post very valuable and insightful in addressing the psychological bog.
Discussed at the time (sort of):
So you wanna de-bog yourself - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39942288 - April 2024 (85 comments)
The author shows a tendency to give colorful, but opaque names like "gutterballing" to things that can themselves be explained in a short phrase ("working on something that is similar to, but not exactly what you actually want, and getting predictably frustrated").
Where does this tendency come from? My first guess is self-help literature. Or maybe this is a personality trait to write this way? Or a kind of marketing, becasue only your writing has these colorful fun terms?
Short names for complex topics can be very handy.
I was once watching an old school survivalist talk about Native American/First Peoples legends.
These legends often had a bumbling main character who would usually cause some kind of problem b/c he forgot to do the key thing required for survival. For example, he would pick wet wood that wouldn't work for making a fire etc while his smart friend would pick the dry wood or the wood with lots of oil in it. Let's say bumbling dude is name "Chintatook" (made up name).
Now, when someone is starting to do the wrong thing or not think things through, you can say "Hey, don't be a Chintatook!" and everyone knows what you are talking about.
Sokath, his eyes uncovered!
Thanks for "Temba, his arms open wide"-ing me a chuckle!
> That's why having goofy names for them matters so much, because it reminds me not to believe the biggest bog lie of all: that I'm stuck in a situation unlike any I, or anyone else, has ever seen before.
Toward the bottom of the article in case you didn't get that far.
The author appears to be an academic in the social sciences, giving things names is pretty much the game there.
I liked it, anyway. Had a few things there that resonated. I doubt it will change my life, but maybe I do need to do my teeth and go to bed.
“unsticking myself always seems to be a matter of finding a name for the thing happening to me”
“That's why having goofy names for them matters so much, because it reminds me not to believe the biggest bog lie of all: that I'm stuck in a situation unlike any I, or anyone else, has ever seen before.”
Great opening section. Really good. After that, those three sections, not so sure. Some good, but nets-out negatively I think.
Hey, the author, if you are reading this, I was stuck in the bog too. But in my case it was neurological rather than psychological. Turns out the "insufficient activation energy" you mention is an ADHD symptom. Meds worked total wonders for me, so much I like to say I was reborn the day I started my treatment.
I still find your post very valuable and insightful in addressing the psychological bog.
This was profoundly relatable for me in this moment in my life. Some great insight about my situation I haven't noticed till now.
Give it a try.
[dead]
[dead]