Redefining misanthropy for a fresh generation. Standard posts begin with a definition from Ambrose Bierce's The Devil's Dictionary followed by a modern adjustment. Miscellany on Wednesday and storytelling on Saturday.
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Infancy
Infancy, n. The period of our lives when, according to Wordsworth, "Heaven lies about us." The world begins lying about us pretty soon afterward.
2005 Update: The time when our contribution is least and our compensation is best.
The part about the world lying: when I (Tom) was in puberty the first Lassie show was on tv and they had a contest to give away her pups. Then the scandal came out in the paper that Lassie was a male. That turned my childhood world upside down!
Tom, imagine the trauma for kids today when we learn Paris Hilton is as well.
Pia, thanks for the kind words. It always makes me smile when someone wants to debate the accuracy of these "definitions." It generally is someone pretty young.
the only time bodily functions are considered cute
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that Mr. Gates views his infancy as naything like "that time when my compensation was best."
ReplyDeleteI like the play on the Wordsworth quote. The entire post is funny - Thanks for the laugh.
ReplyDeleteuh oh time to get into fetal position again
ReplyDeleteSo true!!! LOL
ReplyDeletea time no different from now, people smile, people listen, but people dont know what they hear!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kate.
ReplyDeleteAndria, I'd say ot depends on the bodily function. Dance f'rinstance.
Steve and Ophir, not all currencies are equally desirable,
Prying, I agree. It's like watching lions fight.
Karma, never a bad time for that as long as you're smiling or playing twister,
Thanks, Klondike Kate!
So true, Sreekesh, we're all infants in the attention of our friends or the neglect of strangers,
10:34 PM
The part about the world lying: when I (Tom) was in puberty the first Lassie show was on tv and they had a contest to give away her pups. Then the scandal came out in the paper that Lassie was a male. That turned my childhood world upside down!
ReplyDeleteme thinks Steve is on the lose again and can't even keep his comments straight.
ReplyDeleteThink he meant old age as being non-productive when in fact it could be the most productive time of a persons life
But Steve is young and likes to make foolish comments, so...
Doug, your updates never fail to amaze
Tom, imagine the trauma for kids today when we learn Paris Hilton is as well.
ReplyDeletePia, thanks for the kind words. It always makes me smile when someone wants to debate the accuracy of these "definitions." It generally is someone pretty young.
Infants have it made!
ReplyDeleteNo kidding, Jamie. Even dogs have to eat from a bowl.
ReplyDeleteI don't know. I'm not an infant & I consume a lot.
ReplyDeleteInfancy, n. The time in which we are, before we are truly anything at all.
ReplyDelete)+(
Do infants have as much fun in infancy as adults do in adultery?
ReplyDeleteCourtney, from where I'm sitting, 17 is pretty close, although its true you've started questioning.
ReplyDeleteGabriel, I don't know about you, but I was talking trash then too.
Anonymous, I'm sure I have no idea what you mean. I'll check around.
A stage of development whose end we assume too quickly.
ReplyDelete