"A library is thought in cold storage".
Herbert Samuel
The notion of thoughts being frozen is difficult for me.
If I stop to think of thoughts, then I tend to think of activity, flightiness, movement, darting, fleeting, meanderings...all action and active words. I don't tend to think of them frozen, immobile, solid, non-responsive. So this one is tricky for me.
I guess the library idea is that the thoughts have been captured in books which are solid entities, and then within them are the written down thoughts. I get that libraries hold masses of thoughts that have been recorded, viewpoints, ideas and opinions, and in a way they are in cold storage. Perhaps cold storage just indicates that they are in a form of suspended reality - and that they will be re-energised as soon as someone starts to read?
Now that's a thought I can begin to deal with!
Anyhow, the photo below acts not only to illustrate the cold storage idea, but also to join in with Jennifer and Julie's search for Roy G. Biv - finding the rainbow each month, and this month the colour to search for is blue...
Herbert Samuel
The notion of thoughts being frozen is difficult for me.
If I stop to think of thoughts, then I tend to think of activity, flightiness, movement, darting, fleeting, meanderings...all action and active words. I don't tend to think of them frozen, immobile, solid, non-responsive. So this one is tricky for me.
I guess the library idea is that the thoughts have been captured in books which are solid entities, and then within them are the written down thoughts. I get that libraries hold masses of thoughts that have been recorded, viewpoints, ideas and opinions, and in a way they are in cold storage. Perhaps cold storage just indicates that they are in a form of suspended reality - and that they will be re-energised as soon as someone starts to read?
Now that's a thought I can begin to deal with!
Anyhow, the photo below acts not only to illustrate the cold storage idea, but also to join in with Jennifer and Julie's search for Roy G. Biv - finding the rainbow each month, and this month the colour to search for is blue...
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| ©2010 Fiona Dempster - ice hole Columbia icefields. |
I actually find this quote quite thought provoking! I've often thought about all the books that hold their secrets between their covers...unknown to us until we read them. Thanks for taking part in the Search. (And your green challenge fabric is on its way to you).-Julie
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie - the green arrived today! I think there can be a sense of latency of unfulfilled potential with books, but in more of positive framework for me, waiting to be stimulated and sent forth, rather than frozen...As you say, plenty of food for thought!
DeleteWhat a wonderful image that is - a library as thoughts in a suspended reality, just waiting to be re-energised when someone starts to read - and that ice hole is extraordinary.
ReplyDeleteHi Charlton - I like the notion of suspended reality more- it gives me a sense of future possibility rather than a gradual decline. Funny how the same notion can be expressed in different ways and create different meanings for people... thanks for helping me with this one!
DeleteInteresting... I don't resonate with that idea, either. I'm thinking about a something I read in the David Abram's book, "The Spell of the Sensuous" (I think that was where) He described how the Spanish had a lef up on the Mexican Indians because of books - how the indigenous were so spellbound with how books "spoke" to the Spanish. How they openened them and the books "came alive". They thought that therefore the Spanish had some powerful magic. I'm not sure I got this all right, but hopefully the general idea. Your idea that ideas are 're-energised" made me think of this. I suppose, also, that a person holding the magic key - literacy - is what brings the ideas to life. You might enjoy Abram's book if you haven't read it.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a good book Valerianna - and the energy contained within books - either as 'magic' or awaiting to be re-eenrgised, is a great way to think about it too. Thanks!
DeleteI also feel uncomfortable about thoughts being in cold storage unless they are antiquated outdated thoughts in the archives. I think rather that a library is a place where thoughts congregate and cause quite a buzz.
ReplyDeleteWe are quite similar in that notion of buzzing I think Robyn - but I hadn't thought of the antiquated notions archive. I like that!
DeleteSomehow the idea of "cold storage" makes the statement unpalatable. Libraries are more like large pools with thousands of diving boards, ready to propel you in to a new fluid, immersive experience, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteI do agree Cindi! It just seemed wrong to me, but I tried to figure out what they might have meant. I love the notion of springboarding into fluid experiences! Much more my sense of libraries!
DeleteVery thought provoking quote! I don't like the term 'cold storage' for some reason but I do like to think that books are just crammed with information, imagination, fascination, just waiting for us to tap into them.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful ice blue photo for Roy G Biv, which I'm taking up from today. Too late for this month but I did a post anyway while I had the bit between my teeth.
Hi Carol - I agree - that phrase really made my back go all heckled! Still if it means they are waiting to be explored and shared etc, then that's positive I think... Love that you've joined Roy G Biv - I like the wee challenge once a month to link my Th Th to colour. Go well.
DeleteI likewise feel uncomfortable about contemplations being in cool space unless they are out of date old fashioned musings in the files. I suppose rather that a library is a spot where considerations gather and cause an astounding buzz.
ReplyDeleteIt's interestign isn't it how we react to the idea of cold storage - it still make me go all weird. I think Libraries and abuzz as you say - thanks for dropping in and leaving a comment. Go well.
ReplyDelete