Thought Experiment

Recording of my participation.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• language
• understanding
• meaning
• philosophy

[bubonicnate]

And although it took me a lot longer then I expected, I was kinda of settled in for the night and didn't make a time constraint for myself... time vs meaning - hmmm... if it sounds looney let me know haha!

[rUTokKIN2ME]

Not looney at all. I was half kidding, but now that you mention it, I didn't consciously consider how much time I had, but I almost always feel rushed when I finally get a chance to "play". And I think it does effect our approach, and maybe even our ability to discern the most accurate meaning.

[rUTokKIN2ME]

Bubonicate, also, aren't you the only one who had any idea what circadian meant? I thought we handled things very similarly, and yes, you were much more relaxed than I was. Not a negative trait for learning in my estimation. I was quite intimidated by the experiment and initially tried to keep my vids private. My lack of ability to navigate youtube led me to swallow my pride and post the bloody vids.

[bubonicnate]

wow - you ripped through that! haha don't watch my video - I'm embarassed. As far as efficiency - I think it was amazing how quickly you got through this... I think part of it was a sort of disregard for things you didn't understand and continuing search for more text in the hopes of something to relate the things you didn't udnerstand. I am amazed at your instincts/skills.

[rUTokKIN2ME]

Thank you for the compliment. I already watched your first two vids. Didn't realize there were others until later. I definitley do keep reading, and I have a sense of urgency you may or may not have. Four kids and a wife who don't share my interest in youtube! lol Time is at a premium.

[bubonicnate]

We need to make another video series then - Meaning; Troubles in the 4th Dimension!

hehe

[bubonicnate]

I can't rememebr now but I think maybe Joshbuckler might have as well - but I know i had seen it before so I think it made things easier for me to understand. From what you are telling me, I'm getting the notion that our (the reader's) present situtation may be a large factor in how we find meaning in text? You made a judgement call about your time before you even sat down to read it perhaps?

[rUTokKIN2ME]

I think this is the appropriate place to point out the distinction I make between "meaning" and "understanding". The reader is attempting to derive an understanding. An understanding might roughly percieve the meaning behind the text, or might quite accurately percieve the meaning. This could be tested by querrying (sp?) the author, or perhaps by.... following the instructions and getting the expected result, etc.

[scoutie111]

We find that they have no trouble managing this. For example, imagine yourself thinking about all the times you've had jet lag...and even thinking about your wife at that time, your job, your trip, that you had a great time, etc.) You still wouldn't INSERT those thoughts into a summary--if I'd asked you to summarize the text.

[scoutie111]

rU - I started to type here but ran too long. I may try to address this issue in my summary vid. Just a note: Many EXCELLENT readers have BOTH a sense of shared USE with the author and they ALSO branch (what we might consider 'branching') "away" from text during reading.