Struggling to write up why programming metaphors fall short. matrix 
A list of topics:
Our metaphors are at a more concrete level than is typical for conceptual metaphor. (This is in keeping with Lakoff's observation that children learn intermediate concepts like tree before they learn either "oak" or "plant." In normal speech, inconsistent metaphors are ubiquitous. An argument (the thing, not the activity) is a Container of an idea, a Building that is constructed (has sturdy foundations), and a Journey (that can be direct or circuitous).It can't be all of those, and yet we use such inconsistent metaphors freely.
A lot of what an individual metaphorical statement is for is setting up a context (including emotional context) for later statements. We do that unconsciously. Oops. i gotta go. More later. How can I have an effective Conversation about such topics?
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