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That's right. You don't normally have to work at forgetting. But if you, for example, went through a traumatic event, you would have to work hard at bringing out the latent ability of your memory, which is the art of casting the traumatic event away from your mind. The skill is usually latent. That's why the author advises us to learn how to forget in order to utilize the full potential of our memory.Quote:
Originally Posted by RonBee
That's the message, I think.
It depends- politicians have to work hard at selective memory. ;-)
So, do you think now it's possible that the "it"s are both pronouns referring to "memory", tdol?
When you have a sentence that is structured "It is a XXXX to be able to yyyy", the "it" refers to the following infinitive. In this case, it is "to be able to yyyy".Quote:
Originally Posted by Taka
It is great to be able to swim = To be able to swim is great.
It is advisable to study before exams = To study before exams is advisable.
This is a delayed subject construction (cleft sentence). "It" stands in for the subject until you find it later in the sentence. :wink:
Yes, I would usually take them in the same way as yours. Then, however, the sentences should be equivalent to " To be able to cast out of the mind...is a more subtle art" "To able to be selective and say...is a great skill". Considering the whole context and what is actually believed in psychology, which I mentioned in the previous messages, don't you think using infinitives as their subjects in this case is weird? I mean, if the "it"s are not pronouns but words referring to the following infinitives, then it follows that memory doesn't naturally have the filtering-function in it, which is quite opposite to what is believed in psychology. That doesn't make any sense, IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeNewYork
Mike, take this one for instance:Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeNewYork
The women who organized the first mother's days believed that motherhood was a political force that should be set in motion on behalf of the entire community; it was not merely an expression of a fundamental instinct to lead them devote all their time and attention to their children.
The "it" has "to lead..." behind, but "it" is obviously a pronoun referring to "motherhood".
I think that is a proof of the fact that "It...to..." construction is not necessarily a "cleft".
Given that memeory is the general topic of the sentence there is a kind of link, but I still see the first examples as preparatory. ;-)Quote:
Originally Posted by Taka
I don't know about the psychology. The use of infinitives, in general, puts the action in the potential category. It is more abstract than the gerund form. I don't think that this use rules out a natural filtering mecahnaism. It simply comments that the ability to do it is a good thing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Taka
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taka
I agree with you here, but it is a different construction. In this case, the infinitive phrase is not a noun, so it can't be the subject. This infinitive phrase is a modifier of "instinct". :wink:Quote:
Mike, take this one for instance:
The women who organized the first mother's days believed that motherhood was a political force that should be set in motion on behalf of the entire community; it was not merely an expression of a fundamental instinct to lead them devote all their time and attention to their children.
The "it" has "to lead..." behind, but "it" is obviously a pronoun referring to "motherhood".
I think that is a proof of the fact that "It...to..." construction is not necessarily a "cleft".
There is a link from the topic stated in front, but it also seems like preparatory referring to the following infinitive...Quote:
Originally Posted by tdol
Hmm...maybe the "it"s stand somewhere between a "pronoun" and a "preparatory subject" and the borderline is not clear-cut .
Is that what you mean, tdol?