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08/20/2003 03:03:12 PM · #26 |
Originally posted by patriciabrown2001:
You left out what is first in the meaning according to my dictionary.
1.left alone; lonely; solitary.
Since the primary definition refers to loneliness, I thought that the human condition best portrayed desolation. |
Originally posted by EddyG:
[I'm not sure I see how that definition makes the word "desolate" (which is different than desolation) pertain to the human condition.
To me, those terms apply to physical objects. For example, the first thing I thought of reading your definition was a lone tree in the middle of a barren desert. I think it is important to take into account the general meaning of the term (by reviewing all of the definitions together). |
Okay...here is the definition of desolation... 1.a making desolate;laying waste 2.a desolate condition 3.lonely grief; misery 4.loneliness (and the last meaning is) 5.a desolate place.
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08/20/2003 03:25:57 PM · #27 |
The "Desolation" challenge was all toooooo humorous, because of interpretation of the definition. My entry, "Road to Nowhere" received five comments indicating it was desolate, two indcating it was not, two that took exception with the title, and two that defy categorization. The voters had to be voting with their emotions, because the quality of the photo is not that good. The part I got seriously miffed about was that I put very little effort into the photo, and basically just entered for the experience. Much to my amazement, it is now my highest rated photo, and I think it is my poorest performance to date.
For those people that took exception with the title, the road really goes nowhere, except round and round. It is a test track with banked curves at each end. I can drive on it all day and still be less than a kilometer from my office.
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08/20/2003 04:14:26 PM · #28 |
He does not look desolate to me - just fed up and bored.
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08/20/2003 07:07:37 PM · #29 |
When the term 'desolation' is extended to the human condition it may well 'connote' loneliness, sadness, grief et al, in other words it is a term 'inclusive' of these states. It is, however, NOT synonymous with them.
The distinction is critical, when we attempt to discuss a matter which concerns us as profoundly as the human condition. Clarity of thought and speech are equally critical, since offense can so easily be made and taken in the context.
Dictionary definitions, IMO, often do not suffice to keep the language clear. Common and particular usage should be considered as well. After all, the care of language lies in the hands of our writers, particularly poets.
If the challenge topic were a different one, say 'Rectangles' or 'Primary' colours, I believe our efforts to define such subjects could be taken far more liberally. When the term is applied to the human condition, especially to a state as severe and wrought as 'desolation', a casual approach, IMO, is reckless.
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