A Metaphor for Our Future
written by Jaron Summers ©2024
My nephew, Mandrake, is a bright high school senior in California, but like most Gen Zers, he spends too much time glued to screens.
His favorite access to his world? An iPhone 16. His parents hold down three jobs to keep him in batteries.
The kid was so busy learning about Hinge (yes, that Hinge) that he missed Vice President Harris’ encounter with the former President. Their debate was billed as a way to help voters decide who will be our new president in November.
Mandrake asked me to explain how the debate went. I took his phone and turned it off. I thought he was going to take a swing at me.
“Hey! I was doing schoolwork,” he fumed. “I have to know what a metaphor is for English tomorrow.”
“After I explain the debate, you’ll have all the metaphor knowledge you need.”
Mandrake crossed his arms, unimpressed. “You always say I shouldn’t do two things at once, and now you’re doing exactly that.”
“Touché,” I admitted. “Can you picture a cat lady?”
“Like Taylor Swift? Easy.”
“Now, imagine Vice President Harris as a cat lady,” I said.
He closed his eyes and nodded. “Got it.”
“Picture her playing with a confused mouse, gently batting it back and forth, looking like she’s having a grand old time.”
“Okay.”
“The mouse—who was feeling pretty brave a second ago—is now officially terrified.”
“Okay….”
“Now imagine the mouse is wearing a goofy tie, and it’s so scared that, well, let’s just say it soils itself and the tie. That’s how the first debate between a former president and vice president ended.”
“Fine!” Mandrake groaned. “Now explain what a metaphor is.”
“I just did.”
