The Secret Life of Metaphor

October 9, 2011, 4:00 PM

Z Space
450 Florida St.

“Smart fun for anyone fascinated by the play of language. . . . Geary traces the history of [metaphor] from Aristotle to Elvis.”

—The Washington Post on James Geary’s I Is an Other: The Secret Life of Metaphor and How It Shapes the Way We See the World.

We utter about one metaphor for every ten to 25 words, or about six metaphors a minute. In this lively and informative talk (which includes live juggling of balls as well as words) James Geary shows how metaphor influences our attitudes, beliefs, and actions in surprising, hidden, and often oddball ways.

While you’re waiting for Geary,

…read the New York Times’ David Brooks on Geary and use of metaphors

…see Geary speak at TED

…peruse Geary’s blog: All Aphorisms All The Time