Jim, I thought it was funny.

I just now read this thread, and as usual, I see everyone's point. But I do have opionions of people I've read over time, and most seem to follow my predictions of their behavior and words.

***Watch Bill squirm...Bill, your gentlemanly conduct always shines through. Much like Rick Fielding's.***

Funny how we all have a quote which stands out. For me, it hit me smack between the eyes, and of course, it tells A LOT about me, and could be a thread in itself. (But frankly, I don't think anyone else would be interested in it.)

According to the romantics – and this is one of their principal contributions to understanding in general – what I mean by depth, although they do not discuss it under that name, is inexhaustibility . . .
No matter how long I speak, new chasms open. No matter what I say I always have to leave three dots at the end. Whatever description I give always opens the doors to something further, something even darker, perhaps, but certainly something which is in principle incapable of being reduced to precise, clear, verifiable, objective prose.

That's me! Openendedness and lots of ...

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RE: analogies

I learned in teaching not to use them in my speech. When speaking to a diverse group, the chances of misunderstandings were just too great. (the benefit/risk ratio was just too low)

I also learned when working in research labs and constantly communicating ideas that few people thought like I did. I found two.      One was a retired guy (brought back as a consultant) that "thought out loud" as he was going through a process. Another was a guy from Thailand that thought "wholistically" rather than "sequentially" when using equations.