Flux
Well hell, everybody else is doing it, why not me too? (Since following the crowd seems to be my new trademark) Ya'll know that I myself have been going through a number of changes recently, but that's not actually what I want to talk about right now (for a change, seems like I haven't shut up about how my life is changing in months, sorry about that) Marissa left a comment on Durden's blog that sent me in search of the actual definition of the word. Now I knew what it meant conversationally, but, it's often amazing to me how little I actually know about words I think I know, and this one was no exception. In fact, I found it so enlightening that I felt the need to share it, with you, my loyal fans (lets all say that together now....)
There are actually a huge number of definitions listed, but I don't feel like talking about all of them. In case you care, I was sweet enough to provide a link, 'cause I know you're too lazy to type the darned word into your friendly neighborhood search engine. (If that doesn't apply to you, feel free to ignore it)
The great thing about Dictionary.com is that they give you definitions from a number of different sources, it's your one stop shopping headquarters for definitions.
From The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition:
Constant or frequent change; fluctuation: The newness and flux of the computer industry has meant many opportunities for women and minorities (Connie Winkler).
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc:
Flux\, a. [L. fluxus, p. p. Of fluere. See Flux, n.] Flowing; unstable; inconstant; variable.
The flux nature of all things here. --Barrow.
The act of flowing; a continuous moving on or passing by, as of a flowing stream; constant succession; change.
Languages, like our bodies, are in a continual flux. --Felton.
From WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University:
5: a state of uncertainty about what should be done (usually following some important event) preceding the establishment of a new direction of action; "the flux following the death of the emperor"
8: in constant change; "his opinions are in flux"; "the newness and flux of the computer industry"
So we're all in agreement that Flux means change, but it seems like there are some differences in opinion on exactly what kind of change, and whether or not it's a good thing. I tend to be a little set in my ways, and I resist change whenever possible, but change is "the nature of all things here" (god how I love to butcher quotes) and I've gotta say all the change in my life lately has been for the better, so I'm not complaining (again, for a change [pun intended])
Now constant change sounds a little terrifying, being the fan of consistency that I am, but on the other hand, aren't we all constantly growing and changing? Or at the very least, shouldn't we be?
Then there's the one that talks about the state of uncertainty about what ought to be done. I think that's the scariest, I don't think change is nearly as bad as that horrible feeling that you just don't know what to do about it. Making decisions is tough. I for one constantly second-guess myself, I've been known to spend so much time trying to decide what to do, that by the time I make up my mind, the opportunity has passed me by.
But that's the old me, this is the new, improved decision-making me. Heck, I even pick my own movies these days.
There are actually a huge number of definitions listed, but I don't feel like talking about all of them. In case you care, I was sweet enough to provide a link, 'cause I know you're too lazy to type the darned word into your friendly neighborhood search engine. (If that doesn't apply to you, feel free to ignore it)
The great thing about Dictionary.com is that they give you definitions from a number of different sources, it's your one stop shopping headquarters for definitions.
From The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition:
Constant or frequent change; fluctuation: The newness and flux of the computer industry has meant many opportunities for women and minorities (Connie Winkler).
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc:
Flux\, a. [L. fluxus, p. p. Of fluere. See Flux, n.] Flowing; unstable; inconstant; variable.
The flux nature of all things here. --Barrow.
The act of flowing; a continuous moving on or passing by, as of a flowing stream; constant succession; change.
Languages, like our bodies, are in a continual flux. --Felton.
From WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University:
5: a state of uncertainty about what should be done (usually following some important event) preceding the establishment of a new direction of action; "the flux following the death of the emperor"
8: in constant change; "his opinions are in flux"; "the newness and flux of the computer industry"
So we're all in agreement that Flux means change, but it seems like there are some differences in opinion on exactly what kind of change, and whether or not it's a good thing. I tend to be a little set in my ways, and I resist change whenever possible, but change is "the nature of all things here" (god how I love to butcher quotes) and I've gotta say all the change in my life lately has been for the better, so I'm not complaining (again, for a change [pun intended])
Now constant change sounds a little terrifying, being the fan of consistency that I am, but on the other hand, aren't we all constantly growing and changing? Or at the very least, shouldn't we be?
Then there's the one that talks about the state of uncertainty about what ought to be done. I think that's the scariest, I don't think change is nearly as bad as that horrible feeling that you just don't know what to do about it. Making decisions is tough. I for one constantly second-guess myself, I've been known to spend so much time trying to decide what to do, that by the time I make up my mind, the opportunity has passed me by.
But that's the old me, this is the new, improved decision-making me. Heck, I even pick my own movies these days.