"All language proceeds as a system of navigation. Named things are fixed points aligned or compared, which allow the speaker to plot the next move." — Bruce Chatwin
Yesterday, by one of those synchronicities that always leave me amazed at the magic of life, I found myself thinking twice about naming things. Once after reading an article about the importance of giving a name to new and changing things. The second time I was engaged in a conversation to find a name for something new that is blooming.
In both cases, Chatwin's opening quote from Patagonia emerged from my memories.
I think at the explorers of a few centuries ago when the world was largely unknown. Anytime they came across a new land, they would give it a name. In part, it was a way to own it, for themselves or the ones funding for the mission. But it was also a way to add a new point on the map. A point that future explorers would use as a reference to plot their own adventures.
The astronomer exploring the infinite vastity of outer space do the same.
By giving a name to what is new, we create a reference map for future explorers to go even farther.
That's why writing is still essential. Books are maps that we can combine, compare and blend to plot our new adventures.