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Language for me narrates the pictures in my mind. When I work on designing livestock equipment I can test run that equipment in my head like 3-D virtual reality. In fact, when I was in college I used to think that everybody was able to do that.
Temple Grandin
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Language allows us to visualize and conceptualize our ideas and thoughts effectively.

In this quote, Temple Grandin expresses how language serves as a tool for visualizing her thoughts and ideas, particularly in the context of designing livestock equipment. She emphasizes the ability to mentally simulate designs in a way akin to virtual reality, revealing her unique cognitive process and the assumption that this capability is universal, which speaks to the diversity of human thought and creativity.

Themes

LanguageImaginationDesignThoughtCreativity

In practice

Example use cases

During a presentation about innovation, you might quote this to explain how critical thinking involves visualization.

More from Temple Grandin

Some teachers just have a knack for working with autistic children. Other teachers do not have it.
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Language just gradually came in, one or two stressed words a time. Before then, I would just scream. I couldn't talk. I couldn't get my words out. So the only way I could tell someone what I wanted was to scream. If I didn't want to wear a hat, the only way I knew to communicate was screaming and throwing it on the floor.
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If you have a 2 or 3 year old who is not talking, you must start an early intervention program. The worst thing you can do with an autistic 3 year old is to do nothing.
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I strongly recommend that students with autism get involved in special interest clubs in some of the areas they naturally excel at. Being with people who share your interests makes socializing easier.
Temple GrandinRead
What would happen if the autism gene was eliminated from the gene pool? You would have a bunch of people standing around in a cave, chatting and socializing and not getting anything done.
Temple GrandinRead
I don’t want my thoughts to die with me, I want to have done something. I’m not interested in power, or piles of money. I want to leave something behind. I want to make a positive contribution - know that my life has meaning.
Temple GrandinRead

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