(no subject)
Whilst in the computer lab yesterday, I overheard one student explain to another the contents of a recent paper he had turned in. I relate the contents of the conversation merely as a startling illustration of how the mind of a mad genius works.
Student X, a short, plump Indian fellow, had been assigned to write an essay on the current international political climate and the War in Iraq. While brainstorming, his eye caught sight of his dormmate's poster of inspirational quotes by President Bush. This one set his mind reeling:
"Let other nations be the peacemakers. The United States will be the pacemakers."
The word "pacemaker," Student X realized, bore a striking resemblence to the word "Pacers," as in basketball team "The Indiana Pacers." Basketball, like international politics and war, can be a rough and tumble enterprise where two adversaries square off in an ultimate battle for supremacy.
If the United States were "pacemakers," i.e., The Pacers, who would balance out the metaphor and represent "other nations"? "My favorite team," Student X pondered, "has always been the Lakers. But what is a lake? A lake is an independent body of water, apart from the streams and oceans. It is an isolationist body of water, much like the rest of Europe. Yes, that is it, the rest of the world are Lakers!"
He then proceeded to extrapolate on this metaphor in ways that anyone not familiar with basketball players and basketball rivalries would be at a loss to understand. I lost it, but I could tell that he wove quite an intricate web of analogy. I think Putin might have been Shaq or something, and Bush was Reggie Miller, but I'm not sure. Sadly, he concluded that the professor was not pleased with the result, and he received a "check minus" as his grade.
***
P.S.
you may enjoy the website www.ljdrama.org
Or at least, Gabe might.
You all may enjoy the web
Student X, a short, plump Indian fellow, had been assigned to write an essay on the current international political climate and the War in Iraq. While brainstorming, his eye caught sight of his dormmate's poster of inspirational quotes by President Bush. This one set his mind reeling:
"Let other nations be the peacemakers. The United States will be the pacemakers."
The word "pacemaker," Student X realized, bore a striking resemblence to the word "Pacers," as in basketball team "The Indiana Pacers." Basketball, like international politics and war, can be a rough and tumble enterprise where two adversaries square off in an ultimate battle for supremacy.
If the United States were "pacemakers," i.e., The Pacers, who would balance out the metaphor and represent "other nations"? "My favorite team," Student X pondered, "has always been the Lakers. But what is a lake? A lake is an independent body of water, apart from the streams and oceans. It is an isolationist body of water, much like the rest of Europe. Yes, that is it, the rest of the world are Lakers!"
He then proceeded to extrapolate on this metaphor in ways that anyone not familiar with basketball players and basketball rivalries would be at a loss to understand. I lost it, but I could tell that he wove quite an intricate web of analogy. I think Putin might have been Shaq or something, and Bush was Reggie Miller, but I'm not sure. Sadly, he concluded that the professor was not pleased with the result, and he received a "check minus" as his grade.
***
P.S.
you may enjoy the website www.ljdrama.org
Or at least, Gabe might.
You all may enjoy the web