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I come across this expression in this public lecture "Analogy as the Core of Cognition" by Douglas Hofstadter. (http://shc.stanford.edu/events/calendar/2006-2-6-douglas-hofstadter-analogy-as-the-core-of-cognition.html). Roughly 15-20min into the video. When Doug made this humorous remark, laughters erupted in the room. I do not quite get the joke though. Could anyone explain the significance of Delaware here? |
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Delaware was the first state to ratify the US Constitution, so:
(edit to add a bit more info: Delaware as a whole is quite proud of this fact, and "The First State" is one of its official mottos. As an east-coaster, this tidbit sprang immediately to mind for me.) |
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It is hard to say for sure, but a stereotype you hear about Delaware is that it is the "Lower Slower" state. The notion is that the southern part of the state is very rural and therefore the inhabitants are old, unsophisticated, slow-moving, etc. I think Douglas Hofstadter is attempting to make the point about analogy (ironically using analogy) that it is very primitive or simplistic by comparison with the process of cognition. The lecture was delivered at Stanford (in Connecticut), which is quite close to Delaware, and it is likely that the audience would be well aware of the Delaware stereotype, thus accounting for their reaction. |
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