| November 9th, 2005 |
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is purportedly: to do the same action over and over again expecting different results.
I've heard this phrase quite a lot in recent years. I fear it needs some speaking about.
Truthfully, the definitions of insanity, and I'll quote Merriam-Webster for this, is:
1 a : a deranged state of the mind usually occurring as a specific disorder (as schizophrenia) and usually excluding such states as mental retardation, psychoneurosis, and various character disorders b : a mental disorder
2 : such unsoundness of mind or lack of understanding as prevents one from having the mental capacity required by law to enter into a particular relationship, status, or transaction or as removes one from criminal or civil responsibility
3 a : extreme folly or unreasonableness b : something utterly foolish or unreasonable
The linguistic argument that the original phrase is an idiom, as it is, aside for moment, I want to propose a change to it. Doing the same thing over and over again is much more closely related to the definition for stupidity then insanity. Stupidity implies that the person repeating themselves is making bad decisions, not ones that are caused by some sort of mental illness.
I think, glancing in retrospect over the last few times I've heard this phrase, that it is what people really mean, and I am a proponent of saying what people actually mean.
Note: Yes, I know this idiom fits the 3rd insanity definition pretty well. But it fits the 1st definition of stupid even better. |
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I have been working for my cousin's business: Tourthisplace.com. My first set of jobs was just a pair and I took care of them within a week. Then nothing until last Thursday. On Thursday I hot like 4 orders all at once, then another the next day, and now a sixth has added to my workload. Luckily things are such that I've been able to combine a couple of trips and keep my driving down. Still, I've only photographed 4 of 6 jobs and still have tons to do.
And I thought I was going to get some serious (in amount not tone) writing done this week.
I fully expect another two week hiatus after this, because that's how life works.Current Music: They Might Be Giants - Thermostat |
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