The Johnny Denovo Mysteries

In his new book “Remix,” Lawrence Lessig begins by considering how comfortable Americans are with using war as a metaphor for strong action or intervention, as in the War on Drugs or the War on Terror. Other cultures are less comfortable with war as a metaphor for action.

Lessig’s analysis of metaphors would make Johnny smile. Lessig acknowledges how metaphors both illuminate and obscure aspects of ideas. This is exactly why Johnny’s job is so difficult. Identifying aspects of the operative metaphors criminals inadvertently adopt is tricky. Sometimes, the metaphors shed light, other times they throw shadows. Discerning the difference takes experience and insights far beyond the norm.

Lessig also picks a great example. War, as a metaphor, is especially blunt and uninformative. It suggests little and limits thinking severely. America would do better to adopt more flexible, fertile metaphors for dealing with its challenges. They would illuminate more along the path ahead.