Philosophy: Signs
In an interview Jeannette Walls, the author of the book The Glass Castle, is asked about the signs of homelessness in kids. She replies that the kid will often hesitate when asked address the address of his house; often he would wear the same set of clothes for days. Signs are a very powerful tool and are used all over. In a chemistry lab, when a substance turns grey upon reaction with an agent, we are able to determine its composition. Similarly, when the skies become cloudy, it is a sign that it is about to rain. When the car wobbles a bit on the freeway, it’s a sign that the wheels need to be aligned.
Upon further analysis, signs can be derived by observation. What I mean by observation is that if an action/event (say A) is followed by or results in action/event (say B) many times, one can assume it will happen the nth time. This is very similar to the principle of mathematical induction in math. In simple terms, lets take a person had too many chilies, and is jumping up and down. Say he sees milk somewhere and drinks it, and it gives him relief. On another day, he eats too much hot stuff, and this time looks for milk, and drinking it gives him relief. He probably suggests the same to his wife and kids. Thus is born a sign that milk provides relief for hot food.
Signs in science and medicine are elaborately studied and documented. Lets focus on the concept of signs in a personal context. In a conversation when a person is sitting back in a relaxed way, it’s a sign that he/she is not interested. However, I wish to look at the power of signs well beyond this, and in a much more tailored way. Hypothetically lets take a person Chris. Chris has found that his relation with domineering girls never work out. Chris observes that domineering girls show early signs by being overly assertive. So next time Chris sees a girl as overly assertive in simple things, he will be wary from the start. This can be extended to all walks of Chris's life. Say he discovers that whenever a client is interested in Chris's business proposal, he asks Chris to join him for lunch. Another sign, Chris can use. Chris, now watching out for signs, which he has mastered, walks around knowing in advance the outcome of things. The implications of this are immense.
I guess the question, which now arises, is if it is even possible for one to master sign's to such an extent. One must take into account that people belong to different age group, communities, social standing etc. Would the signs be too varied for one to master. And say one is able to master them, can't people fake signs.
In the end, I guess the power lies in the skill of the practitioner.
Upon further analysis, signs can be derived by observation. What I mean by observation is that if an action/event (say A) is followed by or results in action/event (say B) many times, one can assume it will happen the nth time. This is very similar to the principle of mathematical induction in math. In simple terms, lets take a person had too many chilies, and is jumping up and down. Say he sees milk somewhere and drinks it, and it gives him relief. On another day, he eats too much hot stuff, and this time looks for milk, and drinking it gives him relief. He probably suggests the same to his wife and kids. Thus is born a sign that milk provides relief for hot food.
Signs in science and medicine are elaborately studied and documented. Lets focus on the concept of signs in a personal context. In a conversation when a person is sitting back in a relaxed way, it’s a sign that he/she is not interested. However, I wish to look at the power of signs well beyond this, and in a much more tailored way. Hypothetically lets take a person Chris. Chris has found that his relation with domineering girls never work out. Chris observes that domineering girls show early signs by being overly assertive. So next time Chris sees a girl as overly assertive in simple things, he will be wary from the start. This can be extended to all walks of Chris's life. Say he discovers that whenever a client is interested in Chris's business proposal, he asks Chris to join him for lunch. Another sign, Chris can use. Chris, now watching out for signs, which he has mastered, walks around knowing in advance the outcome of things. The implications of this are immense.
I guess the question, which now arises, is if it is even possible for one to master sign's to such an extent. One must take into account that people belong to different age group, communities, social standing etc. Would the signs be too varied for one to master. And say one is able to master them, can't people fake signs.
In the end, I guess the power lies in the skill of the practitioner.
posted by Mohit Gupta at 11:44 PM
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