The Journey Metaphor

`BEHIND most problem solving methods stand the metaphors, `getting things done is a journey,' `method,' `way through' - the words reveal the journey metaphor. The metaphor makes us look at the process of carrying out tasks in terms of moving in space, a labyrinth, a thick forest, a cave, a tree with branches, a pebbled beach, a region with scattered towns. ... Metaphors are a way of finding a representation for a problem. They offer solutions to the problem of how to represent a problem, and the journey metaphor is the representation of problem solving. Much of our everyday thinking about carrying out tasks and discovering solutions is organized in our minds by representations drawn with the help of the journey metaphor.''