And an artificial intelligence, fresh on its first foray into learning about the world, might actually conclude that. We can only hope it is smarter than most humans and marks all of its conclusions contingent upon further learning.
But never mind that. I wonder if there’s a new, clicheable statement which might capture the essence of the thought expressed without committing cognitive mayhem for those of a more literal bent. At least one cliche already exists, “The Cascades host the state of …”, but it suffers from two problems: it places the focus of thought on the state, rather than the Cascades, and it also replaces the primacy of mankind in the scroll of history.
Perhaps “The unruly, majestic Cascades roil their way through the states of Washington”… it captures both facets of interest, their beauty and dynamicism, while ignoring the political state for what it is, a passing fancy of a self-aware species.
On query to my Arts Editor, she responded:
I’m not sure “Roil” is quite the right word, but it’s evocative, at least. “Wend” is a bit too passive. “Forge”? “Make”? “March”?
How about: “The unruly, majestic Cascades span the states of Washington… etc.” or “The unruly, majestic Cascades traverse the states of Washington…etc.” ?
But no, not silly. There’s a point to be made about who was here first.
Or does poetic license trump literal reading? Would the neuro-atypical agree?
