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Previous Thread Next Thread Print Thread Page 1 of 2 1 2 Symbolism #7956 10/15/00 12:30 PM Joined: Oct 2000 Posts: 4 C Cursquid OP stranger OP Cursquid stranger C Joined: Oct 2000 Posts: 4 The quote that accompanied the Word Of The Day SYZYGY was There is hopeful symbolism in the fact that flags do not wave in a vacuum. -Arthur C. Clarke, writer (1917- ) I've been puzzling for some time now, but I don't see this hopeful symbolism. Nationalism will not flourish in deep space? Astronauts should not carry flags? Vacuum cleaners are not bound by national borders? Help! Cursquid Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Symbolism #7957 10/15/00 01:44 PM Joined: Oct 2000 Posts: 197 cary, nc, usa X xara member xara member X Joined: Oct 2000 Posts: 197 cary, nc, usa Perhaps Mr. Clarke means to imply that the pety squables of nations won't prevail in space. I've read many times that astronauts are inspired by how nations seem insignificant when you see the Earth from above, with no boundaries drawn out. I find it quite inspirational. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Symbolism #7958 10/15/00 01:59 PM Joined: Oct 2000 Posts: 4 C Cursquid OP stranger OP Cursquid stranger C Joined: Oct 2000 Posts: 4 Indeed it seems to be the only suitable solution. Although the problem remains, of course, a flag *does* wave in space. It only costs more money to get it waving, and it will wave endlessly from that moment on. But let's not get too scientific :) Got to admit I start liking the quotes better than the words. Why not AQAD? Err- AWAD actually is AQAD ofcourse. Sorry. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Symbolism #7959 10/15/00 05:03 PM Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 6,511 lower upstate New York AnnaStrophic Carpal Tunnel AnnaStrophic Carpal Tunnel Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 6,511 lower upstate New York Yep, like xara said. If you like the quotes better, Cursquid, may I direct you to some 'A Quote A Day'-type sites, then? http:// http://www.gagler.com/quotes/gagler.htm http://www.quotelady.com/ http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/8156/Twain.html There are many more out there. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Symbolism #7960 10/15/00 06:01 PM Joined: Oct 2000 Posts: 4 C Cursquid OP stranger OP Cursquid stranger C Joined: Oct 2000 Posts: 4 merci beaucoup! Cursquid (holding back the urge to make a stupid, stupid joke about Cata Stophic but failing hopelessly- sorry...) === "Why does noone ever quote *me* for someone's sake?" -Richard Helmholz === Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Symbolism #7961 10/16/00 08:28 AM Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,027 Switzerland wsieber old hand wsieber old hand Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,027 Switzerland >There is hopeful symbolism in the fact that flags do not wave in a vacuum.< Indeed this phrase bears multiple interpretations. Maybe this is a condition for being quoted at all . Once I came across a collection of nonsensical aphorisms, of which I only remember: "Even lame dogs can carry flees".. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: nonsensical aphorisms #7962 10/17/00 11:03 AM Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 460 Hobart, Tasmania, Australia P paulb addict paulb addict P Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 460 Hobart, Tasmania, Australia One of the New Statesman competitions [in 1969] was to invent aphorisms or proverbs of a self-evident nature, the example being an Ashanti proverb "Do not rub bottoms with a porcupine". Correspondents came up with the following [a selection only]: He digs deepest who deepest digs. He who has the biggest feet will cover the most ground. A bird in a taxi's worth two in a bus. If there's no lead in your pencil you don't need a rubber. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: nonsensical aphorisms #7963 10/17/00 12:04 PM Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,891 B belMarduk Carpal Tunnel belMarduk Carpal Tunnel B Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,891 Here are a few more... He who laughs last, thinks slowest. A day without sunshine is like, well, night. On the other hand, you have different fingers. When the chips are down, the buffalo is empty. I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges (or used-up bicycles). Nothing is fool-proof to a sufficiently talented fool. It is said that if you line up all the cars in the world end to end, someone would be stupid enough to try and pass them. (probably a guy ) Latest survey shows that 3 out of 4 people make up 75% of the world's population. The things that come to those that wait may be the things left by those who got there first. A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well. It was recently discovered that research causes cancer in rats. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: nonsensical aphorisms #7964 10/17/00 12:25 PM Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 11,613 Louisville, Kentucky Jackie Carpal Tunnel Jackie Carpal Tunnel Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 11,613 Louisville, Kentucky Oh, bel! I have laughed till my tummy hurts! Thank you!! Oh, what fun!! One correction: I'd be the one trying to pass all the cars! Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: nonsensical aphorisms #7965 10/17/00 12:42 PM Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,027 Switzerland wsieber old hand wsieber old hand Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,027 Switzerland Thank you, belMarduk, That was a king-size box of pralinés surfins Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Page 1 of 2 1 2 Moderated by  Jackie  Hop To General Topics ------  Information and announcements  Q&A about words  Wordplay and fun  Words and languages in schools  Miscellany  Weekly Themes  Looking for (writers, speakers,... (Old) Weekly themes. 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