Icon .... I don't like someone being referred to as an icon. I know it is accepted modern usage but it just wrong for me.
The word derives from a greek work meaning to be like or seem. In its original sense it refers to images or representations of things. Its use in the computer science field is close to this meaning as well.
These days it is used all too frequently ... almost as a form of shorthand ... when referring to someone with an established reputation in some field or a certain degree of fame or indeed infamy.
For me it is too much of a stretch to go from "an image or representation" to "one who is the subject of great attention or devotion, an idol"
To me it seems that people are maybe a bit to lazy to describe what is good about a person so just call them an icon of ... whatever.
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//janet frame was not just a new ...
//janet frame was not just a new zealander, she was a New Zealand Icon
could have just as easily said she is a great icon of NZ ... or if you will a .....great representation of new zealand
looks like you posted in the wriong ...
looks like you posted in the wriong forum aka, ah well easy come easy go.
wriong = wrong...
wriong = wrong
no i didn't...
no i didn't
hmm....could have sworn there was a ...
hmm....could have sworn there was a forum on janey frame just below this one,
there's also a forum discussing the ...
there's also a forum discussing the usage of the word 'icon', which aka has posted an example of, using Janet Frame as an example.
sam may have been confuzzed because it ...
sam may have been confuzzed because it is quoting him.
//or if you will a .....great ...
//or if you will a .....great representation of new zealand //
...mmmm ... but I don't think that Janet Frame WAS a reperesentation of NEw Zealand. Which is not to say that she wasn't a very highly regarded New Zealand Author.
I mean I have heard someone describe Paul Holmes as an icon of NZ television ... that is a scary thought. If Paul Holmes is a representation of NZ telly then NZ telly must be abysmal .... hang on ... they could be right. Heh heh heh
Not sure about "representation of" or ...
Not sure about "representation of" or representative ...(.oh the irony of a Sales Icon.)
I thought more "a symbol of" being symbolic. Of course I haven't check the dictionary.
Iconography is the study of symbols. I ...
Iconography is the study of symbols.
I guess you could say a symbol is representative of something?
But maybe that's just like mixing Humanists with Humanitarianists,
homos with homophobes?...
homos with homophobes?
or like confusing naturalists with ...
or like confusing naturalists with naturists (!)
I remember reading (I think it was Jeff ...
I remember reading (I think it was Jeff Raskin) that icon is not really the appropriate name for the picture on the computer screen and that the word glyph is much better.
Dictionary.com seems to agree.
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ooo, I like that. from now on, whenever ...
ooo, I like that. from now on, whenever I'm coaching people on the PCs up here at work, I'm going to use that. I can imagine it...
"Double-click that glyph there."
"Eh?"
"That glyph. The little folder with a magnifying glass on it."
Should catch on like my "Send it to me on the email" phrase that went down like such a lead balloon in Auckland when I tried to slip it into conversation there.
I KNOW people who use the world glyph, ...
I KNOW people who use the world glyph, ,akes sence that whole hyroglyph thingie
what about 'avatar'?...
what about 'avatar'?
it's meaning is quite funny... btw ...
it's meaning is quite funny...
btw welcome back to the site, it's nice to see you again
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I assumed the new definition was ...
I assumed the new definition was derived from orthodox church usage - paintings of christ and the saints are called icons. It's not a long stretch to confuse the painting with the subject; hence the word becomes shorthand for a person that's of great importance in their field.
ICON isn't that Winston Peter number ...
ICON isn't that Winston Peter number plate? Oops no, my mistake, that was 84FREE
//I assumed the new definition was ...
//I assumed the new definition was derived from orthodox church usage - paintings of christ and the saints are called icons. It's not a long stretch to confuse the painting with the subject; hence the word becomes shorthand for a person that's of great importance in their field.//
Yep, I think that is how it has come about. The original icons (small images of saints etc) were venerated/worshipped as subsitutes for the subjects of the image. And hence people use the term to describe someone who has a worthy reputation. But I still don't like this usage. All too often it is used too loosely, IMO. It almost seems that anyone who has done something of note is described as an icon of whatever. I think it is over-used and so loses its meaning. The criteria for its use seem too low.
I dunno .... it just seems that many of the people (and it is usually people it is applied to) are not much more than minor celebrities rather than people who should be venerated. Almost as if someone decided "hey this person is a really good ... whatever. Now what have they done? Hmm too hard to actually describe their achievements. I know ... I'll call them an icon of ... whatever"
//For me it is too much of a stretch to ...
//For me it is too much of a stretch to go from "an image or representation" to "one who is the subject of great attention or devotion, an idol"
But it's not too far of a stretch to go from "icon" to "iconoclast", which is the best word ever stemmed from this particular definition of "icon".
iconoclast; n.
1. A breaker or destroyer of images or idols; a determined enemy of idol worship.
2. One who exposes or destroys impositions or shams; one who attacks cherished beliefs; a radical.
So most of the arseholes on this site ...
So most of the arseholes on this site are not arseholes ... they are iconoclasts. That will make them feel better about themselves I guess.
Being one of the arseholes myself, I ...
Being one of the arseholes myself, I prefer to be called a pundit.
But iconoclast is a great word, you have to admit.
Dont you think that to be referred to ...
Dont you think that to be referred to as an icon is something of honour?
I know one of the underground grafitti artists infamous for his talents is represented by the AKA name of IKON thus meaning icon. I reckon its a compliment to one.