Re: meeting of minds

<snip>
  it's as if the whole thing was/is
> >sitting there fully formed.  that's the mystery of it all--whether
> >it's where do constructed languages come from, or where and how do
> >fictional worlds get formed.  so--minds meeting.
>
> This is exactly how I feel I'm "discovering" Boreanesia and the
> Boreanesian languages. I have created a fictional setting after a
> geological "what if" situation. Now I don't write novels per se, but
> I do a bit of researching and writing of Boreanesian culture and
> history. When I do real world research, I find clues that may relate
> to Boreanesia. For instance, when reading about precolonial Insular
> Southeast Asian history I discover things that Boreanesians could
> have been involved in: spread of Indian religions - Hinduism and
> Buddhism, inter-island trade, diplomatic relations with China, etc..
> Then I enter the fictional domain and "ask" if Boreanesian were
> involved in these things. In my mind, during my meditations, while I
> dream in my sleep, and while I write things about Boreanesia, I
> discover Boreanesia, explore Boreanesia, meet Boreanesians, query
> the world of Boreanesia because like you said, it is a world - an
> enterable domain. When I have questions, I retreat to this world.
> When I want to get away from the real world, I retreat to this
> world. Sometimes I even time travel and enter Boreanesia as it
> looked like before the encroachment of the western world.
> Boreanesian culture and language begins to reveal itself in that way
> to me. Its as if the whole thing is just there fully evolved waiting
> for me to describe it in detail to those interested. Its extremely
> personal. Extremely self-indulgent. Sometimes I think I belong to a
> mental hospital or something. Oh well...
>
> Regards,
> -Kristian- 8-)
Kristian,
Yeah! that is so exactly a description of what it is like.  I think for =
starters, and this has been suggested in various ways, that having the =
ability to create an imaginative world and/or language, whether it is in =
a conlang mode, or writing a book, or playing RPG's, virtual or live, is =
a permissiable, perhaps even admirable human ability (though perhaps not =
very well paid) that does not need apologizing for--as i tend to do a lot=
--or risking possible classification in mental hospital.  the confusion =
between imagination and madness--and they do share ground--is clear.  i =
think i'll adopt the position for now--the celebration of my lunacy.  lun=
atic lover of language?  terrific.  borderline problems?  i'.m long disap=
peared from sight.  prefer to assume role of explorer of imaginative worl=
ds.  well, maybe someday i'll go native, who knows, and maybe the sign =
of certifiabllity will be that i no longer watch any tv, go to any movies=
 or order any takeout chinese.  so be it.
this mention of "mental"  mode has been suggested several times on this =
list, directly, interlinearly.  what's really interesting to me is how =
come several (or many?) feel this way, have voiced this (though not reall=
y believing it, more a comment about how one is being seen by others who =
do not indulge).  what is it that is worrisome about this activity?  seri=
ously?  and where and how do these worlds get formed?  and how does one =
get in touch with them?  and why would "others" who are imagined to think=
 those who indulge are "mental" fear such explorations?
Guess this is a hot topic for me!
diana