DeusTrismegistus wrote:Now in regards to cultivating weakness. My opinion is that this doesn't relate to actual weakness but the feeling of weakness. Often the position that feels strongest is weaker than the position that feels weak. This is because people equate strong with muscle use so the position that uses the most muscle to move or maintain feels strong because there is more effort. The position that is actually stronger feels weaker because it requires less effort for the same effect.
Maybe some of this is just semantics:
Main Entry: weak
Pronunciation: \ˈwēk\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English weike, from Old Norse veikr; akin to Old English wīcan to yield, Greek eikein to give way, Sanskrit vijate he speeds, flees
Date: 14th century
1 : lacking strength: as a : deficient in physical vigor : feeble, debilitated b : not able to sustain or exert much weight, pressure, or strain c : not able to resist external force or withstand attack d : easily upset or nauseated <a weak stomach>
2 a : mentally or intellectually deficient b : not firmly decided : vacillating c : resulting from or indicating lack of judgment or discernment d : not able to withstand temptation or persuasion <the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak>
3 : not factually grounded or logically presented <a weak argument>
4 a : not able to function properly <weak eyes> b (1) : lacking skill or proficiency <tutoring for weaker students> (2) : indicative of a lack of skill or aptitude <history was my weakest subject> c : wanting in vigor of expression or effect <a weak translation of the poem>
5 a : deficient in the usual or required ingredients : dilute <weak coffee> b : lacking normal intensity or potency <a weak radio signal> <a weak strain of virus>
It seems to me that you're defining weakness as 5a, where the feeling of effort is the deficient ingredient. Scott seems to be referring to 1b. In IMA, I'd refer to 5a as "softness" rather than "weakness."