Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with analogy

What's a Particle Friend?

maryh — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 01:43:07 -0800

What is a "particle friend"? I assume this has some connection to quantum physics, but I've seen it used lately in broader sense. Can anyone explain?

Help me find a few-years-old essay about flirting

ictow — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 09:12:48 -0800

Help me find an article/essay/blog entry I read 2 or 3 years ago about how obvious flirting is and always will be. What I remember is an analogy that compared someone trying to flirt to a very tall asian man, wearing a white tracksuit and carrying a boombox, walking into a quiet store. Both are conspicuous.

It's quite possible that most of this description is off, but that was the general gist. Do I plan on feeling awful if it turns out there's no mention of him being asian? Yes, yes I do, which is why I have to find this.

Help me find a suitable analogy

superfurry — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 02:26:21 -0800

Analogy-filter. I've been tasked with presenting a topic at a meeting which will involve me assessing the need to improve some processes. The thing is, I will be the one tasked with making these changes once I identify them and present them. I have to give this presentation about changing things we currently do. I'll be the one tasked with actually making these changes after I present them.

I know the answers, but I want to start my presentation with an analogy, explaining in a funny way that this is like being asked to 'dig my own grave' or something similar. Now this isn't life or death so the aforementioned analogy doesn't cut it.

I'd like something like "this is like asking a x [insert profession] to y [insert a task associated with said profession]' that aptly describes what I'm being asked to do - ie: create work for myself.

I'd be most grateful for any ideas !

Analogy whiz

Mach3avelli — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 13:09:39 -0800

What's the difference between a metaphor, allegory, simile, and analogy? I need closure on this. I've been using them all interchangeably all my life without anybody correcting me. I've tried google, but all I get are definition-style answers. I'm a pragmatic learner, so if someone could walk me through the differences, I'd appreciate it.

What is a good metaphor and a good analogy for this phenomenon?

k8t — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 17:54:54 -0800

I need a metaphor and an analogy for an application of social network theory. I am terrible at thinking of metaphors and analogies and now I need to create both for a proposal. I am using social network theory and social network analysis to explain the phenomenon of favors given (in both formal and informal ways) in adult life to and from classmates from Soviet secondary schools (15-20 kids together from age 11-18 all subjects, all day, every year). When they grow up they tend to hook each other up with jobs, etc., to put it simply.

So, now I need a metaphor and an analogy to describe an institutionally-created (i.e. non-family but informal) network where individual members benefit greatly from being in the network in a favor system.

Any ideas? ACK! And a special request, I like animal and nature metaphors and analogies!

What are baby apes called?

Miles Long — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 09:23:14 -0800

Cats have kittens, dogs have puppies, Geese have goslings, foxes have kits, goats have kids, people have kids. What do apes have?