head of an octopus is like a train passenger

Categories: Comparisons

An example of an analogy offered to explain a scientific idea:

"How can we understand what it might be like to be an octopus which has a central brain that delegates to subsidiary organs in each tentacle, so they work as somewhat autonomous units. Imagine only finding out you are going for a walk 'second hand' – the octopus head must be a bit like a traveller on a train who notices when pulling out of a station but has no direct input into the action."

What it is like to be a mosquito

Read about analogy in science

Read examples of scientific analogies

Many examples of science analogies are listed in 'Creative comparisons: Making science familiar through language. An illustrative catalogue of figurative comparisons and analogies for science concepts'. Free Download.

Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.