2008-11-24
From the APA publication manual, Section 204, Precision and Clarity:
"ANTHROPOMORPHISM: In addition, do not attribute human characteristics to animals or to inanimate sources."
Me, this morning, to the office plant caretaker about to head into the RBS building to care for plants:
Me: "I had a friend who used to do that job. It's pretty awesome that your job is to care for all those little leafy plants and keep them happy."
Plant guy: "Yeah, it's alright."
Me: "They need you! You improve their quality of life, and their greeness keeps the office workers happy! How much more awesome can you get!"
One can see how I might, say, have trouble making my writing comply with APA style when even my daily interactions are littered with this "lack of precision and clarity."
I'm not going to stop. Anthropomorphism makes me happy. And animals have feelings, as do plants. Which reminds me I need to water the ones in my office, and they could probably use a transplant.