Chatper 19-24

加菲猫

This section gets a little deeper into how different metaphors show up in culture. The metaphors we use aren’t random—they come from shared experiences and values. So, for example, in American culture, there's a lot of emphasis on individualism, control, and competition. That shows up in metaphors like “MIND IS A MACHINE” or “IDEAS ARE PRODUCTS.” Like, we “produce ideas,” “grind through work,” and try to “maximize efficiency.”
There’s also discussion of how new metaphors can actually change our culture or challenge old ways of thinking. That part felt really powerful. If the metaphors we live by shape how we understand life, then changing the metaphors could mean changing how society operates.
This made me think about how much of our thinking is culturally inherited. I’ve always assumed I “own” my ideas or my emotions, but maybe I’m just thinking through concepts my culture gave me. Like, the fact that we treat work as a kind of production process makes creativity feel like a job, not an experience.  
It’s kind of empowering to realize that metaphors can be challenged or reimagined. Like, if we stop seeing love as “madness” or a “battle,” maybe we can experience relationships in healthier ways. That idea stuck with me—it’s not just about noticing metaphors, but about choosing which ones we want to live by.