There are different forms that talking can take. We reveal that we are familiar with this when we rely on the common distinction between “small talk” and a “deep” conversation. Sometimes, someone says “we need to have a talk,” and you know it’s serious, and other times we mockingly refer to ourselves or others as […]
There is something to be learned by reflecting on the simple expression “not here.” Notice how the words in “not here” function. The first word, “not,” needs the second word in order to be meaningful. The second word did not have to be “here,” but it had to be something, because the “not” is always […]
There are many essential aspects of human life that are inherently non-individual, that is, aspects of life that individuals depend upon but that no individual alone could ever define, create or maintain. Language is one of most obvious examples of this: minimally, language must be something adopted and developed by at least two people acting […]
We often have a sense of pride in a product that we have made, and the effort we put into forming the thing gives us a sense of ownership. After years of practice with the soccer ball and the playing field, I feel on the “inside” of soccer, I feel that soccer is “my thing.” […]