Have you looked at Elizabeth Grosz’s recent work, particularly her uptake of Bergson and Deleuze? I’m thinking in particular of the distinction she makes between qualitative and quantitative difference. The use of metaphor would be a utlization of difference as qualitative, I think: metaphor is rooted in a representational approach to difference whereby the judgement of the difference between one category of subject and another is based upon identity, analogy, opposition or resemblance. These types of judgements are the primary means by which we conceive of the world : x either equals y; x either shares a quality with y; it is either opposed to y or it is like y. Metaphor performs a judgement based upon resemblance, I think - to return to your example, it goes something like this: the effect of ableism on disability resembles the process of colonization. Using metaphor reinforces stability and in the end yields identity.

But Grosz, using Bergson and Deleuze, argues that there is another sense of difference, difference as qualitative, that is neither oppositional nor complementary (ie metaphorical). These are differences that are in the process of being made rather than already given. And indeed, the utilization of quantiative difference covers over and hided qualitative differences. She argues that one of our tasks is to make the distinction between them and to show what the utlization of metaphor (difference as quantitative) leaves out, or omits.

I’ve said enough. But I am hoping to use this distinction in in my own work on anamolous bodies. The book I’m referring to is Nick of Time.

Its fabulous you’ve started a blog - and I love your work.

Linda Edwards