I agree that we fall into war metaphors much too easily and often inappropriately, but I think you underestimate the attraction war has for many people. War is Galvanizing and Important and Urgent; War unites your tribe in a common purpose and calls for common sacrifice. Think of how much nostalgia Americans have for World War II. This is, I think, why we had a War on Drugs and a War on Poverty. James Hillman, for one, has written insightfully on this.
In any event, it makes it harder, if no less urgent, to find better metaphors for framing our lives.
Also, Hillman and other Jungians have written of the importance of metaphors, including different metaphorical viewpoints for illness.
I like this piece Joe, as a cancer survivor ( Hodgkins Disease ) I am pulling for ya, do whatever works for you. For me it wasn't fighting so much as optimism and a positive attitude that kept me going.
I agree that we fall into war metaphors much too easily and often inappropriately, but I think you underestimate the attraction war has for many people. War is Galvanizing and Important and Urgent; War unites your tribe in a common purpose and calls for common sacrifice. Think of how much nostalgia Americans have for World War II. This is, I think, why we had a War on Drugs and a War on Poverty. James Hillman, for one, has written insightfully on this.
In any event, it makes it harder, if no less urgent, to find better metaphors for framing our lives.
Also, Hillman and other Jungians have written of the importance of metaphors, including different metaphorical viewpoints for illness.
I like this piece Joe, as a cancer survivor ( Hodgkins Disease ) I am pulling for ya, do whatever works for you. For me it wasn't fighting so much as optimism and a positive attitude that kept me going.