Have you ever wondered why we say in the city, on the island, or at the ballgame?
Those tiny words convey a deep-seated (and often culturally varied) understanding of the nature of each location. In other words, the prepositions imply our concepts of the “containers” or our “mental shapes” of the spaces:
A city is like a labyrinth, we venture into it- An island is like a mound, we stand on top of it
- A store is like a destination on a map, we arrive at it
Naturally, we use different prepositions at different times. For instance, I may message my friend to say, “I’m at the restaurant,” as I arrived for our lunch date; or, I might say “I’m in the restaurant” when she calls from the parking to ask where I am. These subtle variations reflect differences in our mental models of the location (or object, or phenomenon) as well as our relationship to it and its relationship to other people, objects, or phenomena. A lot of meaning is conveyed by these little terms.
Consider these other examples:
- Running late, I text my friend to say “I’m going in the restaurant, now” (which suggests that I’ve arrived) or “I’m going to the restaurant, now” (which implies I may be awhile).
- I tell my husband, “I’m going to work” as I leave the house (automatically framing the sentence from his perspective), but call my boss to say “I’m coming to the office” at the same time.
These underlying mental models extend to all manner of things. For instance, in the US we often hear phrases, such as “save time,” “spend time, or “time’s running out.” These highlight our shared conceptualization of time, namely as a scarce resource to be captured and consumed. As anthropologist Edward T. Hall famously documented, not all cultures view time in this way. (I’m not sure what the phrase, “stop wasting time,” would mean to a Polychronic [P-Time] person—probably not much!)
I sometimes teach about mental biases (System-1 thinking) in professional development workshops. In those talks, I often use this linguistic example to demonstrate how we receive and interpret implicit messages (i.e., how context frames our interpretation):
- I have two glasses, one is half full and one is half empty. Which did I drink from? The implication is, of course, that I drank from the half empty glass, which was previously full and is now partially drained. Those little linguistic cues convey information about the glasses’ previous states—and often without the speaker nor the listener’s conscious acknowledgement.
Visual Meta-Messages
Like linguistic composition, visual composition often conveys subtle, subconscious meaning. The Gestalt principles of visual perception help demonstrate this. The similarity or proximity of objects to one another implies their conceptual grouping; for instance, in the graphic below, we’d generally consider the top, left square (“color similarity”) to contain five vertical lines (two red and three yellow) rather than a set of unrelated small squares or yellow-red-yellow alternating horizontal lines. We visually group the similarly colored squares and, as a result, make mental assumptions about their relationships—simply because of their visual qualities.
In Industrial Knowledge Design, you can use such subtle visual implications to aid your message. That is, you can design the implicit messages to convey your intended meaning. Although there is a formal construct in semiotics that implies the expression of meaning over and above the explicit information given, I like the less fussy term “meta-messages.”
Every form of communication includes meta-messages, like the linguistic meta-messages mentioned earlier or the Gestalt perception meta-messages depicted in the graphic above. The best communicators use these implicit, connotative messages to reinforce their explicit messages. In daily conversations, most of us play with meta-messages effortless (e.g., “I’m busy with some reports” vs. “I’m slammed with these taskers”); however, because we incorporate them automatically and subconsciously, we often fail to include appropriate meta-messages in more formal (conscious) communications such as memos, reports, talks, or slide presentations.
Thanks! :–)
Kevin Roose wrote one of my favorite stories about meta-messages. In “How spelling mistakes and bad e-mail etiquette can help you get ahead,” he tells how Snapchat’s Evan Spiegel received an email from Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg. At the time, Snapchat was just a small tech start-up, and billionaire Zuckerberg had emailed the 22-years old Spiegel to congratulate him on his burgeoning app. Most businessmen in Spiegel’s position would polish—and then re-polish—a polite and formal reply to the Facebook exec, but Spiegel merely wrote back: Thanks :) would be happy to meet – I’ll let you know when I make it up to the Bay Area.
That informal reply carried with it a host of meta-messages, e.g., we’re peers, we’re congenial, I’m busy… and so on. In his article, Kevin Roose calls it “strategic sloppiness,” which is true in this instance, but I think it’s too narrow a title, in general. I prefer call it just another example of the smart use of meta-messages.
Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wanted to
say that I have really loved surfing around your blog
posts. After all I will be subscribing for your feed
and I’m hoping you write once more very soon!
Your comment is awaiting moderation
You actually revealed that superbly.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
canada pharmacies online
canadian pharmaceuticals online
ed meds online
canadian online pharmacies
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Kudos! I enjoy it.
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
canadian prescription drugs
aarp approved canadian online pharmacies
pharmacy online mexico
northwestpharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Many thanks, I enjoy this!
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
web medical information
aarp approved canadian online pharmacies
online canadian pharcharmy
northwestpharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Terrific postings. With thanks!
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
international pharmacies that ship to the usa
northwest pharmacy
canadadrugs
canadianpharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Wow a good deal of fantastic info.
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
canadian drugs without prescription
canadianpharmacy
trust pharmacy canada
trust pharmacy canada
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Nicely put, Appreciate it!
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
walmart pharmacy price check
canadian online pharmacies
medical information online
online pharmacies of canada
Your comment is awaiting moderation
You suggested this really well!
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
legitimate online pharmacies
canadian pharmacies online
cheap prescription drugs
canada drugs
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Excellent posts. Many thanks!
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
online pharmacy canada
canada pharmaceuticals online
canadian pharmacy without prescription
canada pharmacy online
Your comment is awaiting moderation
This is nicely said. .
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
canada drugs online
canadian pharmacy online
safeway pharmacy
aarp approved canadian online pharmacies
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Terrific write ups, Thanks a lot.
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
best online pharmacies no prescription
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
internet pharmacy
canadian online pharmacies
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Lovely facts, With thanks!
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
international pharmacy
northwest pharmacy
online prescription drugs
canadian pharmacies online
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Appreciate it! Ample facts!
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
online canadian pharmacies
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
canadian pharmacy 365
northwestpharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Regards. Useful information.
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
discount pharmaceuticals
north west pharmacy canada
canadian viagra
canadian online pharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Many thanks. Plenty of postings.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
canada pharmacies online
canada drugs online
cheap canadian drugs
canadian pharmacies-24h
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Amazing a good deal of useful advice!
https://www.lunarciel.com/
canadian pharmacies top best
canadian online pharmacy
cialis online
canadian pharmacies that ship to us
Your comment is awaiting moderation
With thanks, I enjoy this.
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
meds online
canada pharmacy online
canadian pharmacy no prescription needed
canadian pharmacy online
Your comment is awaiting moderation
This is nicely said! .
https://www.lunarciel.com/
canadian online pharmacy reviews
north west pharmacy canada
online pharmacies
canada pharmaceutical online ordering
Your comment is awaiting moderation
You actually revealed that effectively!
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
canadian pharmacies
canadian online pharmacies
best canadian prescription prices
canadian viagra
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Cheers, I enjoy this.
https://www.lunarciel.com/
online pharmacy without prescription
canadian pharmacies-24h
canada online pharmacy
northwestpharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Appreciate it! Quite a lot of facts!
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
canadianpharmacy
canadian pharmacies without an rx
canadian online pharmacy
canadian pharmacies
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Appreciate it, A good amount of info!
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
discount prescription drugs online
canadian pharmacies-24h
discount pharmacy
canada pharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Terrific postings. Thanks a lot!
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
canadian pharma companies
canadian pharmacy
online canadian discount pharmacy
canadian cialis
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Many thanks, Plenty of write ups.
https://www.lunarciel.com/
canadianpharmacy
canadian pharmacy online
canadian pharmacy viagra
northwest pharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Incredible all kinds of good data!
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
online pharmacy no prescription needed
online pharmacies canada
legitimate online pharmacies
canadian pharmacies online
Your comment is awaiting moderation
With thanks! Terrific stuff.
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
online pharmacy without a prescription
canadian online pharmacy
canadian online pharmacy
canadian pharmacy online
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Nicely put, Many thanks!
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
prescription drug cost
canadian online pharmacies
canadian pharmacy online canada
online pharmacies canada
Your comment is awaiting moderation
You actually revealed this wonderfully!
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
pharmacies in canada
canada pharmaceuticals online
canadian pharmacy online canada
london drugs canada
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Fantastic knowledge. Thanks a lot.
https://www.lunarciel.com/
pharmacy price comparison
canada pharmaceuticals online
prescription drug cost
online pharmacies of canada
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Kudos. Loads of stuff!
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
canadian meds
canadianpharmacy
pharmacy prescription
canadian drugs
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Lovely information. Thanks!
https://www.lunarciel.com/
overseas pharmacy forum
canadian online pharmacies
pharmacy prices
top rated canadian pharmacies online
Your comment is awaiting moderation
You actually said it wonderfully.
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
canadian pharmacy online
canadian pharmacies
discount prescription drugs online
canadian pharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
With thanks! Valuable stuff!
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
canadian meds
canada pharmacy online
pharmacy price comparison
canada pharmacy online
Your comment is awaiting moderation
You expressed this adequately.
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
highest rated canadian pharmacies
canadian viagra
buy prescription drugs canada
canadian pharmacies that ship to us
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Well spoken genuinely! .
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
compare rx prices
northwestpharmacy
canada pharmacies prescription drugs
online pharmacies of canada
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Helpful posts. Cheers.
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
canadian pharmacies
canada drugs
buy prescription drugs online
north west pharmacy canada
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Reliable forum posts. With thanks.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
canada drugs
north west pharmacy canada
canadapharmacy
canadian cialis
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Whoa lots of wonderful knowledge.
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
cialis canadian pharmacy
canadian online pharmacy
best canadian mail order pharmacies
canadian pharmacies-24h
Your comment is awaiting moderation
You said it nicely..
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
visit poster’s website
canadian cialis
online canadian pharmacies
top rated canadian pharmacies online
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Good stuff. Cheers.
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
canada pharmacy no prescription
canada pharmaceutical online ordering
global pharmacy canada
canada drug
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Amazing a good deal of superb info!
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
candrugstore com
north west pharmacy canada
cheap drugs online
canada pharmacy online
Your comment is awaiting moderation
You suggested this wonderfully!
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
canadian drugstore online
north west pharmacy canada
buy prescription drugs without doctor
canada pharmacy online
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Cheers! Loads of data.
https://www.lunarciel.com/
online prescription drugs
aarp approved canadian online pharmacies
buy drugs online
canadian pharmacies online
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Awesome stuff. Thank you.
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
cheap prescription drugs
online pharmacies canada
board of pharmacy
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Nicely put, Kudos.
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
discount pharmacy
canadian cialis
no prescription online pharmacy
northwestpharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Kudos, Loads of data.
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
canada pharmacies prescription drugs
north west pharmacy canada
discount pharmacy online
canada drug
Your comment is awaiting moderation
You reported that adequately.
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
online pharmacies canada
aarp approved canadian online pharmacies
canada pharmacies online pharmacy
canadian pharmaceuticals online
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Incredible plenty of great material.
https://www.dunamisproductions.com/
cheap drugs online
top rated canadian pharmacies online
canada drug prices
canadian pharmacies that ship to us
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Valuable knowledge. With thanks.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
canadian pharmacy online
canadian pharmaceuticals online
canadian pharmacy online canada
canada drug
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Good write ups, Many thanks.
https://www.waltcoexpress.com/
mexican pharmacy online medications
canadian pharmacies
canada pharmacies without script
northwest pharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Kudos, Plenty of data.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
canadian pharmacies online
canada pharmaceutical online ordering
trust pharmacy canada
canadian pharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Whoa all kinds of good knowledge!
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
online pharmacy usa
canadian viagra
my canadian pharmacy
north west pharmacy canada
Your comment is awaiting moderation
You expressed it adequately.
https://www.visitwaushara.com/
canadian pharmacy
canadian pharmacies online
discount pharmacy
trust pharmacy canada
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Regards. Numerous advice.
https://www.interlandchemie.com/
legitimate canadian mail order pharmacies
canadian online pharmacy
cialis online
online pharmacies of canada
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Nicely voiced indeed. !
http://canadianonlinepharmacynnm.com/
pharmacy online
london drugs canada
drugs online
northwestpharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Thank you! A lot of advice.
http://canadianpharmacymim.com/
drugs online
canadian pharmaceuticals online
canadian drug store
canadian pharmaceuticals online
Your comment is awaiting moderation
This is nicely said! !
https://nicktambone.com/
prescription price comparison
canada pharmacy online
canadian meds
canadian online pharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Wonderful forum posts. Regards!
http://www.canadianpharmacymsn.com/
drug stores near me
canadian viagra
canada drug pharmacy
canada drugs online
Your comment is awaiting moderation
This is nicely said. .
http://canadianpharmacyntx.com/
canadadrugs
canadian pharmacies-24h
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
online pharmacies of canada
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Thanks a lot. Plenty of facts.
http://canadianonlinepharmacynnm.com/
drug prices comparison
canada drugs online
drugs online
canadian pharmacies
Your comment is awaiting moderation
With thanks. Ample knowledge!
http://talahicc.com/
price prescription drugs
canada pharmaceutical online ordering
prescription online
canadian pharmacies online
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Position clearly regarded..
http://www.canadianpharmacymsn.com/
online pharmacy
london drugs canada
board of pharmacy
canadian pharmaceuticals online
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Thanks a lot! Helpful information!
http://canadianpharmacyntx.com/
mexican pharmacies online
canadian pharmacies that ship to us
reputable canadian mail order pharmacies
canada online pharmacies
Your comment is awaiting moderation
You actually revealed that adequately.
http://talahicc.com/
international pharmacies that ship to the usa
canada pharmaceutical online ordering
no prescription online pharmacy
canada pharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
You’ve made your position pretty clearly..
http://talahicc.com/
online canadian discount pharmacy
canadian cialis
online pharmacy usa
northwestpharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Appreciate it, Lots of knowledge!
http://canadianpharmaciescubarx.com/
canada pharmacy online
canadian pharmacy
best canadian online pharmacy
northwest pharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Amazing quite a lot of useful material.
https://nicktambone.com/
prescription drug assistance
canadian cialis
canada pharmacies
canadian drugs
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Whoa all kinds of awesome facts.
http://canadianpharmacymim.com/
my canadian pharmacy
canadian pharmacies
prescription cost
canadian online pharmacies
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Perfectly spoken certainly! !
http://www.canadianpharmacymsn.com/
canada online pharmacy
top rated canadian pharmacies online
canadian pharmacy without prescription
canadian pharmaceuticals online
Your comment is awaiting moderation
You explained this effectively.
http://canadianpharmaciesnnm.com/
canadian pharma companies
canadian cialis
canadian mail order pharmacies
canadian pharmacies-24h
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Whoa all kinds of awesome knowledge!
http://canadianpharmacymim.com/
canada drug pharmacy
canadian pharmacies without an rx
canadian drugs without prescription
online pharmacies canada
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Seriously a lot of terrific knowledge!
http://canadianpharmacysilo.com/
prescription cost comparison
canadianpharmacy
online pharmacies no prescription
canada drugs
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Great knowledge. Appreciate it!
http://canadianpharmacyntx.com/
best price prescription drugs
online pharmacies of canada
mexican pharmacies
northwestpharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Regards, Fantastic stuff.
https://nicktambone.com/
pharmacy online mexico
online pharmacies of canada
canadian pharmacies top best
canadian cialis
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Seriously tons of valuable facts!
http://www.canadianpharmacymsn.com/
online canadian pharmacy
canadian pharmacy online
reputable canadian mail order pharmacies
online pharmacies canada
Your comment is awaiting moderation
You said this terrifically!
http://talahicc.com/
mexican pharmacies
canadian online pharmacy
online pharmacy without prescription
canada pharmacy online
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Wonderful info, With thanks!
http://talahicc.com/
prescription drug assistance
canadianpharmacy
pharmacy without dr prescriptions
canadian online pharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Cheers. I value it!
http://canadianpharmacysilo.com/
discount drugs online pharmacy
canada online pharmacies
canadian pharmacies online prescriptions
canadian cialis
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Awesome content, Cheers!
http://canadianonlinepharmacynnm.com/
compare prescription prices
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
online pharmacy reviews
canadian drugs
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Seriously a good deal of terrific information!
https://nicktambone.com/
canadian cialis
canadian pharcharmy
canadian meds
canadianpharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Thank you! Lots of write ups.
http://canadianpharmaciescubarx.com/
pharmacy online
top rated canadian pharmacies online
pharmacy near me
canada pharmaceutical online ordering
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Perfectly expressed really. !
http://canadianpharmacyntx.com/
prescription drugs online without doctor
canadian viagra
canada drugs
north west pharmacy canada
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Really all kinds of amazing advice.
http://www.canadianpharmacymsn.com/
canadapharmacy
online pharmacies canada
canadian pharmacy 365
canadian pharmacies-24h
Your comment is awaiting moderation
You actually expressed it wonderfully!
http://canadianonlinepharmacynnm.com/
prescription online
canadian pharmacies-24h
drugs online
canadian pharmaceuticals online
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Superb posts, With thanks.
http://canadianonlinepharmacynnm.com/
price prescription drugs
canada pharmaceutical online ordering
canadian pharmacy viagra brand
northwestpharmacy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
You made the point.
http://canadianpharmaciescubarx.com/
canada drug
canadian pharmacy
trusted overseas pharmacies
canadian pharcharmy
Your comment is awaiting moderation
This is nicely put! !
http://canadianpharmaciesnnm.com/
prescription drugs online without
canada pharmacy online
pharmacy drug store
canadian pharmacies that ship to us
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Very good data. Appreciate it!
http://canadianonlinepharmacynnm.com/
my canadian pharmacy
aarp approved canadian online pharmacies
canada pharmacy no prescription
canadian pharmacies without an rx
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Really all kinds of awesome information!
http://canadianpharmacysilo.com/
best non prescription online pharmacies
canadian online pharmacy
canada drug prices
canada drug
Your comment is awaiting moderation
You actually reported this wonderfully.
http://talahicc.com/
cheap prescription drugs online
online pharmacies of canada
buy online prescription drugs
northwest pharmacy