downward spiral

[Beeuurkes]

Is that any clearer?

Yes, Mike. Now, I can see the difference between these two expressions. Thank you a lot. :wink:

[MikeNewYork]

Is that any clearer?

Yes, Mike. Now, I can see the difference between these two expressions. Thank you a lot. :wink:

You're welcome. :wink:

[Red5]

Yes, but also bigger and bigger -- spreading. Problems can snowball and they can cause downward spirals, but the problems don't spiral downward.

They surely can, or do you disagree? EG: On a scale of 1 to 10 (where 10 is a completely handleable problem, and 1 is totally unmanageable) my problems spiralled downwards. I'm not suggesting that this would be a natural way of saying it, but that I can imagine a situation where it might be used.

[MikeNewYork]

Yes, but also bigger and bigger -- spreading. Problems can snowball and they can cause downward spirals, but the problems don't spiral downward.

They surely can, or do you disagree? EG: On a scale of 1 to 10 (where 10 is a completely handleable problem, and 1 is totally unmanageable) my problems spiralled downwards. I'm not suggesting that this would be a natural way of saying it, but that I can imagine a situation where it might be used.

I really don't think that works very well. Problems can certainly get worse, but I wouldn't term that a downward spiral. For example, recession is a problem that affects the economy. If recession were in a downward spiral, I would say that the economy would get better. Howevere, when recession gets worse, it can cause a downward spiral in the economy. :wink:

[Beeuurkes]

So. If I try to resume ...

A downward spiral could be like a vicious circle, where problems are breeding some other problems so that the situation is becoming more and more critical (big crash at the end).

A snowball would be the accumulation of problems (not especially related) leading to a situation less and less manageable (not especially a crash at the end).

What do you think ?

[MikeNewYork]

So. If I try to resume ...

A downward spiral could be like a vicious circle, where problems are breeding some other problems so that the situation is becoming more and more critical (big crash at the end).

A snowball would be the accumulation of problems (not especially related) leading to a situation less and less manageable (not especially a crash at the end).

What do you think ? [img]
http://www.hondenhuys.nl/forumsmilies/scheel002.gif[/img]

That's pretty good, but I wouldn't use "snowball" for individual, unrelated problems. :wink:

[Red5]

Problems can also spiral out of control.

[MikeNewYork]

Problems can also spiral out of control.

Excellent. That's very true. :D

[Red5]

Poetically, if love can spiral downwards, why can't problems?

What about the following:

"... In the other, unaddressed and worsening problems spiral down into abject, tragic failure."

http://www.westmont.edu/~work/lectur...oftheworld.pdf

[MikeNewYork]

Poetically, if love can spiral downwards, why can't problems?

What about the following:

"... In the other, unaddressed and worsening problems spiral down into abject, tragic failure."

http://www.westmont.edu/~work/lectur...oftheworld.pdf

To me this a bit like "deceptively shallow". A problem is a bad thing. If it spirals downward, it is unclear if it is getting worse or going away.