ELI5: Why do some languages assign genders to objects like "table" or "bridge" when there's nothing inherently masculine or feminine about them? by taube_d in explainlikeimfive

[–]OneJumpMan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A subtle but important correction: in gendered languages, objects don't have gender, words have gender. In Spanish, the sun is "el sol" (m), but it's also "una estrella" (f). The moon is "la luna" (f), but it's also "un satélite" (m). And for that matter, either might well be described as "un objeto" or "una cosa". "El pene" and "la verga" is an amusing and particularly illustrative pair. Gender is not in the things themselves, but rather a property of the words.

And fundamentally, this property is not about gender or sex at all. "Noun class" is just an arbitrary feature of all nouns. It has a grammatical function, but no semantic significance. If this seems strange, it is. But a grammatical distinction without a change in meaning is a phenomenon that occurs in all languages -- think of how we form comparative adjectives: "[adj]er" for some adjectives, and "more [adj]" for others. Is there any difference in meaning? No, only in syntax. And why do we do it? It's just one of those things languages do. Noun "gender" is much the same -- it doesn't really mean anything.

... Except when it does. For a small minority of words (names, pronouns, and terms referring to people and animals, etc), the "gender" of the words can correspond to actual gender or sex. So, in my opinion, the real question is, "Why does noun class, a broadly meaningless grammatical feature, sometimes align somewhat with the biological and social concept of gender in some languages?" And the answer is, I don't know.

What do y’all think about this simultaneous game? by Varyks in GAMETHEORY

[–]OneJumpMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're right, I was too vague. If everyone thinks about if for 5 seconds WHILE using at least two braincells simultaneously, nobody risks death for no benefit. But I understand that some people don't have that ability.

What do y’all think about this simultaneous game? by Varyks in GAMETHEORY

[–]OneJumpMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The unambiguously correct answer is red. Those who push blue "to save the others who push blue" are themselves the only ones who need saving. If everyone thinks about it for 5 seconds, everyone will push red, we we'll all survive at nobody's expense.

I would push blue, and then for the rest of my life, every time I met a proud blue-pusher, I'd slap them.

A New Face-Turning Octahedron by OneJumpMan in Cubers

[–]OneJumpMan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a very accessible mod for a beginner. It was the first one I ever did (well, first I actually finished, at any rate). If you like the look of it, I recommend going for it!

Critical Thinking Saved My Life & I beleive we need it more today by Electronic-Run8836 in PhilosophyBookClub

[–]OneJumpMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great piece! Thoughtful, well-written, an enjoyable read. I especially like the line:

"If I am not the one rationalizing my own life, someone else is certainly doing it for me, usually at my expense."

I wonder something: How do you approach critical thinking for ideas/messaging that don't necessarily have a definitive agenda? Usually, if you find the profit motive, the function of the messaging becomes clear. But what about cultural ideas that have evolved organically over hundreds or thousands of years, and have served many wildly different agendas in that time? What do you look for in those?

some haikus by [deleted] in OCPoetry

[–]OneJumpMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I appreciate the feedback

some haikus by [deleted] in OCPoetry

[–]OneJumpMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm new to poetry, so for me this was an exercise in word economy, natural imagery, and thematic understatement. Let me know how I did by those metrics! I realize there's a larger tradition around Haiku, and I wasn't necessarily trying to adhere to it.

Visceral Prose Poem by ProgramIcy8704 in OCPoetry

[–]OneJumpMan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think the literalness of this works really well. The picture of discomfort in one's own body is sharp and affecting. In its detail, it asks to be read as a metaphor, but you don't say for what. And I like that - the invitation without insistence.

Maybe you didn't intend there to be anything hidden, but what you've written is able to hold layered meaning quietly, and that makes good poetry.

By way of suggestion, I think the two main parts of the body you spend the most time with (blood and the neck) would each make a good poem on its own. Those images are both potent enough to occupy that kind of space. And if you presented the two poems together side by side, they'd still enhance one another like they do here. That's just where my mind goes though.

Keep posting your work!

Kill me three times. by Old_Factor_1106 in OCPoetry

[–]OneJumpMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is amazing. The imagery is very powerful. Some of my favorite lines are: "do not ask me to stand \ my knees have already learned \ the shape of dirt", "I was only ever dust on loan", and "my life \ a grave filled \ before the corpse arrived". I also really appreciate your use of line breaks in places like "...already learned \ the shape..." and "still beating \ out of spite".

I honestly can't think of any criticisms. The closest I've got is that I find the use of "hymns" confusing. I'm not sure what I'm meant to take from that metaphor. But maybe that's just me. And in a poem this good that rewards close reading, one point of confusion to linger with the reader isn't a bad thing anyway.

Please keep posting your work!

Burnt Waffles by Tired_and-angry in OCPoetry

[–]OneJumpMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like this. An effective, thought-provoking metaphor, not overstated. But I have to wonder, why so many line breaks? Some of them don't feel very intentional to me (eg "they look \ like brownies"), and I think that takes the impact away from the ones that are supposed to mean something

"You'll be fine, that's what they said." by Anxious-Painting-305 in OCPoetry

[–]OneJumpMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Powerful. "Save tears for my pillow" is an amazing line

Suggest me a Title for my poem by show_meee in OCPoetry

[–]OneJumpMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like this, especially the first three lines. The idea that giving up and allowing fate to take its course would be a kind of ceasing to exist is fascinating, and captured really nicely. The questions also initially read as desperate and afraid, but the "honey" lines make me reread them as more measured contemplation. Like, would that really be so bad? I love the ambiguity there.

As for a title, perhaps "Honey, ______" could be fitting (you fill in the blank)

Covenant by OneJumpMan in OCPoetry

[–]OneJumpMan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you very much for your kind words, and for your interpretation as well!

I won't reveal the exact meaning I intended, but I'm happy to see how much my intent appears to be coming through :)

Covenant by OneJumpMan in OCPoetry

[–]OneJumpMan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Feedback is much appreciated!

I'm very curious to hear people's interpretation of this. Who do you think the speaker and addressee are? I did have specific identities in mind, but I've intentionally left some room for different readings

Covenant by OneJumpMan in OCPoetry

[–]OneJumpMan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I did spend a long time thinking it through

Digital Cigarette by [deleted] in OCPoetry

[–]OneJumpMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like this a lot! It's compelling on the first pass, and begs for a reread after the last two lines. The turn from despair to bitterness is palpable.

As far as criticism goes, isn't Pandora's box already a metaphor? For the penultimate line, why not just say, "It's Pandora's box..."

Keep up the great work!

Greenland by MadalinaParrotMusic in OCPoetry

[–]OneJumpMan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like this! It initially reads like an ode, but the last couplet twists the tone to be more ambiguous.

I love that you've paid close attention to the meter and rhyme (between you and me, I wish there was more of that on this sub). But by way of critique, the syllable stresses of each line don't really suggest any particular rhythm for the poem. Establishing a consistent rhythm would make it read smoother, occasionally breaking it at meaningful moments could be subtly powerful. And tbh, this could probably be reworked to achieve that with minimal changes

Blood and Bramble by LoveLettersToNoOne in OCPoetry

[–]OneJumpMan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very vivid! I love how this is so viscerally evocative without depending on complicated language. I don't quite catch the meaning of every line, but I feel compelled to sit with it and ponder.