The first quote that I circled over and over again is “Over the centuries, we’ve internalized these military metaphors, so much so that we often may not recognize how they influence us.” This made a lightbulb go off in my head, as it finally answered the constant question I had been asking throughout the text thus far: how did we end up comparing healing to warfare? it seemed strange to me that concepts so opposite were so widely used. Now is makes sense, military metaphors seem so normal in a medical setting because they’re internalized. I believe this is also the case with most metaphors we hear on a daily basis, regardless of setting.

Another quote I circled like crazy is “We subtly place an unfair burden on patient and doctor, when in reality, even the most courageous soldier guided by the most effective strategy is too often unsuccessful against an aggressive invader with nothing to loose.” Wow. My initial plan was to just select the part that talks about how we place a sort of burden on both doctor and patient by using these terms, but the rest was too good not to include. It’s worth exploring the concept that even if both parties try their best and “soldier on” to “fight”, the disease doesn’t see that, not would it care if it did, and therefore it may have little effect on the outcome. According to this theory. In high school I learned a lot about how much our minds can actually effect and change an outcome of emotional matter, and I wonder if the same theory can be applied to physical diseases.

Finally, the last quote multi-circled is “And yet, it’s almost instinctive to think of disease, especially cancer, in the context of a battle.” I can’t help but agree. For the most part. I don’t think that our thoughts connecting cancer to a battle is necessarily instinctive. Cancer hospitals advertise it as so when asking for donations, people who have it or know someone who did claim they “won” when referring to treating it. The consumers of this metaphor may not intent of thinking in such way, but rather its taught to them through marketing and advertising.

A quote from Geary that relates to this conversation is “Metaphor also matters because it influences decisions by activating analogies.” Comparing illness to different things through metaphor could give the patient a better understanding of what’s going on, as well as influence their decision to think more positive or negative.

A quote from Erard that relates is “Metaphors generate new perceptions.” Whether good or bad, harmful or beneficial, metaphors can bring upon a new outlook for an illness to everyone involved.