Not only “definitions” and “rules” (see my previous post) but also “power” and even “weapons” were mentioned strikingly often in the first week of Rhizo14. Are here definitions being used for fighting? I had to closely read whether this term was used as a weapon. I even did a Find-on-Page of “def” to reveal the actual sequence of the word occurrences.
Today, Jenny Mackness very plausibly pointed to a re-definition of the word “cheating”.
I was attracted by the Rhizomatic metaphor because of its topological affordance which I tried to depict with my futile graphical attempts, and which is so suitable to explain the big message of connectivism: that nodes have long been overrated over edges, and trees over networks, and that a balance must be regained between these sorts of thinking.
But I do not want to become a warrior to just violently reverse the imbalance. Tomorrow I’ll have to rethink all this.
I hadn’t thought about a warrior metaphor — weapons, yes, but for gaming. Now that you mention it though, there seems to be loaded language, a drawing of lines and taking positions. That might pass with the topic.
The horticultural image is flexibility, resilience and spreading. Balance suggests flexibility — multiple perspectives co-existing.
Vanessa, thanks for adding your perspective, which I like.
Shrapnel.
http://tachesdesens.blogspot.fr/2014/01/rhizomatic-learning-wmd.html?m=1
this reminded me of your edges comment: edges and visual complexity as aids to navigation, http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-01/uoo-hae012014.php
Wow, Simon, Vanessa, what great continuative connections! Many thanks.
Hello friend…
Your post reminded me of a piece of native philosohy. Guarani indians in Brazil have a word, Txucurramãe, which means “warrior without weapons”. It refers to someone who lives a disciplined life, like a warrior, but who does not fight against enemies, in violence or shedding blood.
Kaká Werá Jecupé, a contemporary Guarani philosopher, says: “Suddenly, one discovers that when we stop creating the enemy, the necessity for weapons extinguishes itself.”
This is also the philosophy of Aikido, which is a non-violent martial art aimed at protection and preservation of all life. The Budo, the path of the warrior, is a path of self-improvement and self-transformation.
Thanks for reminding us this. Peace! : )