Mystical Poet Han-shan

Roughly, this poem is about perspective. An argument between two poets, there is controversy between what makes a poem valuable. Han-Shan is deterred by, "a scholar named Wang," who laughs at his poem. Wang values poems based on meter and word selection. Han-Shan, in turn devalues Wang's poems saying, "The read like the words of a blind man describing the sun." While focusing on a disagreement, it also reveals the importance of experience.

Perspective is an interesting topic. Psychologist produced visual allusions one perspective a person sees a vase, while another sees two women. People discuss perspective in order to see both the vase and two women, making the whole picture complete. Complacency makes it so both poets only see there own perspective.

Reading Han-Shan's poem, experience is important. Many people read books about various topics, yet without a perspective from experience the information seems useless. When able understand information through something real, it becomes important to remember many facets of the action, philosophy or premise.

How does a secretary know to calculate overlap when an engineer does not? The secretary learned by working on her own do-it-yourself projects. The engineer learned from books so while being able to divide a line into parts within the tolerance of a quark, they forget gravity. Therefore, when making designs, materials cover three inch surface, yet the metal plate falls though. The secretary reminds them to have a quarter inch overlap so it will stay in place.

This is life. As a child our parents tell us their wisdom. Many books supplying ancient wisdom are available. People may listen to information, never straying. It becomes a tool with use after encountering an applicable situation. If someone strays they begin to see the event from many angles. It becomes a sword. While experience is great, often it is nice to accept information as true without finding out why.

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