The document discusses the use of metaphors in different fields including science, humanities, and how they can improve understanding between disciplines. It provides examples of conceptual metaphors used in different contexts like "life is not a bed of roses" and how metaphors are used in scientific papers on topics like vaccines and autism. The document argues that the deliberate use of metaphor can help improve understanding between business, science, and the humanities for the general public.

2. I have developed an optimisation algorithm that
reduces data transfer without quality loss!

3. I have developed an optimisation algorithm that
reduces data transfer without quality loss!
Cool!

4. But people don’t appreciate it.
So how does your
compression work?

5. We cut off some frequencies at the top and
bottom ends of the spectrum.
Oh.

6. =

7. The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be
sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite insane.
The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite insane.

8. =

9. The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be
sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite insane.

10. Mind: Meet Metaphor

11. • Collective memory of the
Holocaust
• Frequency of
constructions related to
shame in Polish and
English
• The idea of otherness and
sin in Puritan America
• Cognitive role of gesture
in abstract concept
development if blind
children
What we do in the
humanities.

12. science
medicine
technology
AI
discovery
engineering
software
language
art
literature
behaviour
beliefs
culture
religion
STEMhumanities

13. knowledge-based economy
Big Data
R&D

14. source:
the Economist

15. ???

16. It’s almost as if people
don’t trust or understand
science

17. metaphors

18. • Collective memory of the
Holocaust
• Frequency of
constructions related to
shame in Polish and
English
• The idea of otherness and
sin in Puritan America
• Cognitive role of gesture
in abstract concept
development if blind
children
nationalism
war
guilt
honour
shame
society
immigration
abortion
love
marriage
universe

19. Juliet is the Sun

20. conceptual
metaphor
e.g. using a physical
concept to explain an
abstract idea
„Life is not a bed of roses”

21. maybe it’s just the way we
speak
(it’s not)

23. but surely scientists
don’t use metaphors!

24. Vaccines and Autism: A Tale
of Shifting Hypotheses
Although child vaccination rates remain high, some
parental concern persists that vaccines might cause
autism. Three specific hypotheses have been proposed:
(1) the combination measles-mumps-rubella vaccine
causes autism by damaging the intestinal lining, which
allows the entrance of encephalopathic proteins; (2)
thimerosal, an ethylmercury-containing preservative in
some vaccines, is toxic to the central nervous system; and
(3) the simultaneous administration of multiple vaccines
overwhelms or weakens the immune system. We will
discuss the genesis of each of these theories and review
the relevant epidemiological evidence.

25. Vaccines and Autism: A Tale
of Shifting Hypotheses
Although child vaccination rates remain high, some
parental concern persists that vaccines might cause
autism. Three specific hypotheses have been proposed:
(1) the combination measles-mumps-rubella vaccine
causes autism by damaging the intestinal lining, which
allows the entrance of encephalopathic proteins; (2)
thimerosal, an ethylmercury-containing preservative in
some vaccines, is toxic to the central nervous system; and
(3) the simultaneous administration of multiple vaccines
overwhelms or weakens the immune system. We will
discuss the genesis of each of these theories and review
the relevant epidemiological evidence.

26. child vaccination
rates remain high
you are (still) here

27. parental concern
persists

28. vaccine causes
autism by
damaging the
intestinal lining,
which allows the
entrance of
encephalopathic
proteins

29. can metaphor
save the world?

31. Knowledge is a tool
Knowledge is a goal

32. deliberate use of metaphor
improves understanding between
business, science, humanities and
the general public

33. =/=

34. Mind: Meet Metaphor
dr Anna Jelec
Dept. of Cognitive Linguistics
Faculty of English, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań
annajelec.com
presentation available on
LinkedIn and researchgate