Words do not inherently contain meaning as a container holds water. Rather, they are pointers to meaning—markers that rely on the shared context between the author and the reader. The meaning of any given narrative depends not only on what the author knows about the world but also on what they wish to elicit from the audience. A narrative might be designed to inform, but it might also be designed to manipulate, to comfort, or to inspire action.

The reader, in turn, does not passively absorb meaning from the text. Each reader brings their own perspective, experiences, and biases to the reading process, interpreting the words in a way that is deeply personal. The author may have chosen specific words with particular meanings in mind, but the containers of meaning are ultimately formed within the reader’s context. The interaction between the author, the reader, and the social, political, or cultural context in which the reading takes place shapes the final interpretation of the narrative.

This relational nature of meaning highlights why words can never fully capture all aspects of reality. The meaning is not static or universal—it evolves, reshapes, and adapts as it moves between different minds, contexts, and interpretations. It is a living process rather than a fixed product.

—Tem Noon