Ben’s Essays
Click a cover to see essays from that publication.
ETC: A Review of General Semantics
One of my interests is general semantics, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have the journal of the Institute of General Semantics, ETC: A Review of General Semantics, publish a number of my essays over the years.
Click a title for information on the essay.
Summary
A short essay about the need for general semantics and the obstacles in its way — as well as some recommendations.
Publication Info
Originally published by the Institute of General Semantics, Inc., in ETC: A Review of General Semantics, Vol. 71, No. 2, 2014.
Topics
general semantics, semantics
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Summary
An essay redefining the field of semantics to better understand and define the field of general semantics.
Publication Info
Originally published by the Institute of General Semantics, Inc., in ETC: A Review of General Semantics, Vol. 70, No. 3, 2013.
Topics
general semantics, semantics
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Summary
An essay explaining how to talk probabilistically for improved accuracy and less humiliation.
Publication Info
Originally published by the Institute of General Semantics, Inc., in ETC: A Review of General Semantics, Vol. 66, No. 4, 2009.
Topics
general semantics
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Summary
A true story about the events of the day Michael Jackson died, including stories from my time working on the film The Baster (since retitled The Switch).
Publication Info
Originally published by the Institute of General Semantics, Inc., in ETC: A Review of General Semantics, Volume 66, No. 3 (July 2009).
Watch the Presentation
Delivered September 2009 in New York City at the Across the Generations Conference at Fordham University, co-sponsored by the Institute of General Semantics.
Topics
general semantics, acting
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See Also
Summary
An essay outlining a simple definition of general semantics, both as a term and as a field.
Publication Info
Originally published by the Institute of General Semantics, Inc., in ETC: A Review of General Semantics, Vol. 65, No. 4, 2008.
Topics
general semantics
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Summary
An essay distinguishing three meanings for the word “mind,” relating one of those meanings to the group improvisation experience of group mind, and offering methods for making the experience of group mind more regularly achievable.
Publication Info
Adapted from a seminar-lecture for the New York Society for General Semantics presented January 2008 at the Albert Ellis Institute in New York City. Originally published by the Institute of General Semantics, Inc., in ETC: A Review of General Semantics, Vol. 65, No. 3, 2008.
Topics
general semantics, long-form improvisation, game theory, theory of mind
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Note: The published version of this essay contains some unintended formatting problems. I am unclear about the source of the problems, but the new editor ran an errata in the subsequent issue of ETC.
First, click to read the errata for this essay (PDF version) »
Then, click to read the essay (PDF version) »
Summary
An essay making more immediate the experience of time-binding, a concept introduced by Alfred Korzybski in his book Manhood of Humanity. Inspired by writing the report “‘The World in Quandaries’ Symposium” for ETC: A Review of General Semantics.
Publication Info
Originally published by the Institute of General Semantics, Inc., in ETC: A Review of General Semantics, Vol. 64, No. 1, 2007.
Topics
general semantics
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Summary
A report on the events at the World in Quandaries Symposium at Fordham University in September 2006, co-sponsored by the New York Society for General Semantics.
Publication Info
Originally published by the Institute of General Semantics, Inc., in ETC: A Review of General Semantics, Vol. 64, No. 1, 2007.
Topics
general semantics
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General Semantics Bulletin
One of my interests is general semantics, and I was fortunate enough to have the journal of the Institute of General Semantics, General Semantics Bulletin, publish two of my essays before it halted publication in 2010.
Click a title for information on the essay.
Summary
An essay promoting an identity for general semantics, as well as a simple definition of the term and field.
Publication Info
Originally published by the Institute of General Semantics, Inc., in the General Semantics Bulletin, Vol. 74-75, 2007-2008.
Topics
general semantics
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Summary
A humorous speech distinguishing between the terms “sense” and “nonsense,” providing insight into my comedic techniques.
Publication Info
Originally published by the Institute of General Semantics, Inc., in the General Semantics Bulletin, No. 73, 2006.
Watch the Presentation
Delivered October 2006 in Ft. Worth, TX, at the Making Sense Conference, co-sponsored by the Institute of General Semantics.
Topics
general semantics, comedy
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