Not what it means

Sam Kilanowski sent in a letter in which he wrote, “Climate change and global warming/cooling do occur but anthropomorphic (manmade) effects are not adequate to explain the changes.” (“Blame it on the sun,” March 29.)

That is not what “anthropomorphic” means.

The Webster’s College Dictionary gives this definition: “adj. ascribing human form or attributes to a thing or a being not human, as to a deity.”

The verb form is “anthropomorphize”, and the meaning is, “to ascribe human form or attributes to (an animal, plant, material object, etc.).”

So this word has nothing to do with something being manmade. The California Aqueduct is manmade, but it could not be described as an anthropomorphic undertaking, and the water it transports could not be described as bringing anthropomorphic relief to the parched desert.

In Disney’s 1940 animated film Pinocchio, the character of Jiminy Cricket is a good example of anthropomorphism. He resembles a human and looks nothing like a cricket because Walt Disney wisely instructed the animator to avoid realism when drawing Jiminy.

He knew that when the character introduces himself at the beginning of the film and says, “Hi! I’m Jiminy Jiminy Cricket”, the children would believe him and not be frightened by him.

Anthropomorphism is often found in many religions, where human characteristics are ascribed to gods and goddesses. They exhibit human emotions such as anger, jealousy, and love. They have children. They get tired after exerting themselves. If they resemble humans more than anything else, that may be because we have modelled them after ourselves.

My cat, Cookie, was very disappointed this morning when I left for work, but she smiled at me with compassion because she understood that I need to earn money so that I can buy her more cat food.

Art Sirota

Lancaster