How metaphors shape our world: Reflections on David Brooks’ ‘poetry for everyday life’
A while back, David Brooks wrote a fascinating New York Times column about the role of metaphor in everyday life, titled Poetry for Everyday Life. Here’s the link: Read the article.
One line from the piece has stayed with me:
“Even the hardest of the sciences depend on a foundation of metaphors. To be aware of metaphors is to be humbled by the complexity of the world, to realize that deep in the undercurrents of thought there are thousands of lenses popping up between us and the world, and that we’re surrounded at all times by what Steven Pinker of Harvard once called ‘pedestrian poetry.’”
This perspective is both grounding and inspiring. Metaphors aren’t just tools of language or writing; they are integral to how we think, perceive, and navigate the world. They shape the way we understand even the most complex concepts, from scientific discoveries to the everyday moments we might otherwise overlook. Brooks’ reflection reminds us to pause and recognize the intricate, poetic web of thought that frames our experience.
