Jared Singer - Things I Can't Believe We Don't Have Words For

Summary

This powerful script explores the significance of language in defining human emotions and experiences. It delves into the profound and sometimes unsettling aspects of life that lack specific words, such as the complex feelings towards one's twin, the paradoxical desire for destruction, and the inexplicable urge to live despite danger. It also touches on the unnamed sensations that lurk in our subconscious, urging us to find a voice for these emotions to prevent them from overwhelming us.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The act of naming is a way to give meaning to things, while leaving something nameless can strip it of meaning.
• 😱 There are complex emotions and experiences for which we lack words, suggesting a limitation in our language.
• 💔 A profound example of unnamed experiences is 'killing your own twin', hinting at the darkest corners of human nature.
• 🔥 The desire to witness destruction, despite disliking its elements, reflects a paradoxical inner conflict.
• 🏆 The concept of having an 'appropriate amount of pride' in one's actions is introduced, suggesting a balance between humility and self-worth.
• 🤔 The urge to take risks despite a strong will to live indicates a complex interplay between fear and the will to survive.
• 🍬 The taste described as 'one sugar cube sweeter than blood' is a unique, unnamed sensation that language has yet to capture.
• 🤝 The feeling of distrust without a clear reason points to the intricacies of human intuition and social dynamics.
• 😢 The need for a gathering of mourners and the reasons to not give up, even in the face of hardship, underscores the resilience of the human spirit.
• 🏳️ The feeling of failure being rewarding when one has come far, reflects the value of the journey over the destination.
• 💏 The desire to kiss someone without romantic interest, just to experience their essence, explores the boundaries of physical connection and curiosity.
• 🏠 Homesickness for a time, rather than a place, reveals how we are often attached to memories and moments rather than physical locations.
• 👶 The first time holding a new niece or nephew is a unique, unnamed experience that language has yet to define.
• 📚 We have many words for fear, but the unnamed sensations that we fear getting lost in are what truly haunt us.
• 🗣️ The importance of finding a way to express these unnamed experiences is emphasized to prevent them from overwhelming us.

Q & A

What is the significance of naming something according to the script?

Naming something is an attempt to give it purpose, implying that a name provides meaning and context to an object or concept.

What does the script suggest about leaving something nameless?

Leaving something nameless is portrayed as an act that robs it of all meaning, akin to a 'murder of language,' suggesting that names are essential for giving things their rightful place in our understanding.

What are some examples of unnamed feelings or experiences mentioned in the script?

The script lists several unnamed feelings or experiences, such as killing your own twin, the desire to watch everything burn despite disliking the associated elements, and the urge to jump at a fatal ledge despite a strong will to live.

How does the script describe the taste that is one sugar cube sweeter than blood?

This is used as a metaphor to describe an unnamed and complex sensation that is both sweet and intense, suggesting the existence of experiences that defy easy description.

What does the script imply about the human desire for understanding and naming our fears?

The script points out that we have numerous words for fear, indicating a human tendency to categorize and understand our fears, even as other unnamed sensations remain.

How does the script suggest we deal with unnamed and potentially overwhelming sensations?

It suggests that we must find a way to name and articulate these sensations to prevent them from taking over our lives, implying the importance of language in coping with internal experiences.

What is the purpose of the audience applauding at the end of the script?

The applause signifies the audience's recognition and appreciation of the speaker's insights into the importance of language in defining our experiences and emotions.

How does the script use the concept of 'homesickness' to illustrate the need for new words?

The script uses 'homesickness for a time' to show that our language can be inadequate for expressing complex emotions, such as nostalgia for a period rather than a place.

What is the significance of the phrase 'For the reason you don't give up, no matter how bloody and tired'?

This phrase highlights the existence of unnamed motivations that drive us to persevere despite hardship, suggesting the depth and complexity of human determination.

What does the script suggest about the relationship between language and emotions?

The script suggests that language is a tool for understanding and managing our emotions, and the lack of words for certain feelings can leave them unexplored and potentially overwhelming.

How does the script view the act of naming as it relates to our fears?

The script views the act of naming fears as a way to give them form and manage them, as evidenced by the existence of numerous words for different phobias.