The Meaning is as Fragile as the Flesh Between Us. 2025. Hand bound book. Mulberry paper. Suture thread.

The words, phrases and utterances we make are easily and often misunderstood. In fact, according to body language researcher, Albert Mehrabian, only about 7% of communication consists of words only. Mehrabian found that 38% of communication is vocal, while nonverbal communication makes up 55%. The science of understanding our attempts at communication have roots in what philosopher Kenneth Craik calls the “mental model.” This model suggests that our understanding is filtered through our own lived experiences and that language ambiguity, cultural difference, and our own cognitive biases play a significant role in the ways we understand and, more often than not, misunderstand one another.

The book asks readers to consider the ways they understand the very subtle differences in meaning found in synonym pairs. Readers are asked to read the word pairs allowed to a partner sitting face to face with them. Then, each reader discusses the similarities and differences found in the word pair using any language they have access to.