Metaphorical usage of "unplugged"

[Steve Hayes]

Can anyone tell me the metaphorical meaning of "unplugged"?

It seems to be regarded by its users as something that would make
whatever it is that's unplugged desired by their hearers, but I can't
imagine why that would be.

If your computer isn't working, one of the first things they tell you
do do is check to see if it is unplugged, because if it is unplugged
it will not work.

So what possible meaning could "unplugged" have that would make it a
desirable state of affairs?

[Anton Shepelev]

Post by Steve Hayes
Can anyone tell me the metaphorical meaning of
"unplugged"?

Unrestrained, wild, "unglued."

Post by Steve Hayes
It seems to be regarded by its users as something that
would make whatever it is that's unplugged desired by
their hearers, but I can't imagine why that would be.

panem et circenses!

Post by Steve Hayes
If your computer isn't working, one of the first things
they tell you do do is check to see if it is unplugged,
because if it is unplugged it will not work.

This not is about the new electrical meaning, but about the
original one -- stopped by plug. Once the plug is removed,
the gin (or the jinn) breaks loose and whreaks havoc.

Post by Steve Hayes
So what possible meaning could "unplugged" have that would
make it a desirable state of affairs?

Unrestrained exporession of violent emotions?

[Anton Shepelev]

Post by Anton Shepelev

Post by Steve Hayes
Can anyone tell me the metaphorical meaning of
"unplugged"?

Unrestrained, wild, "unglued."

I got it all wrong. An example would have helped.

[occam]

Post by Steve Hayes
Can anyone tell me the metaphorical meaning of "unplugged"?
It seems to be regarded by its users as something that would make
whatever it is that's unplugged desired by their hearers, but I can't
imagine why that would be.
If your computer isn't working, one of the first things they tell you
do do is check to see if it is unplugged, because if it is unplugged
it will not work.
So what possible meaning could "unplugged" have that would make it a
desirable state of affairs?

I can imagine someone who wants to relax by retreating from the busy
lifestyle - no phones, no internet, no radio, no news - describing
themselves as 'unplugged' from the world.

[Madhu]

Post by occam

Post by Steve Hayes
Can anyone tell me the metaphorical meaning of "unplugged"?
It seems to be regarded by its users as something that would make
whatever it is that's unplugged desired by their hearers, but I can't
imagine why that would be.
If your computer isn't working, one of the first things they tell you
do do is check to see if it is unplugged, because if it is unplugged
it will not work.
So what possible meaning could "unplugged" have that would make it a
desirable state of affairs?

decades ago MTV had a show called "Unplugged", I think there were
records like "Eric Clapton, Unplugged". (at a first cut, an acoustic
guitar without amplification). When writing about the (classical)
Indian music concerts I think I've sometimes seen it used
alongside/instead of "mike less"

Post by occam
I can imagine someone who wants to relax by retreating from the busy
lifestyle - no phones, no internet, no radio, no news - describing
themselves as 'unplugged' from the world.

What about

"<XXX> suggested an active, selective, graceful process of
detachment from involuntary or unconscious commitments. <XXX>
meant self-reliance, a discovery of one's singularity, a
commitment to mobility, choice, and change."

Would you replace "XXX" with "unplugged" (the quote is from Timothy
Leary's 1983 autobiography where he is explaining "turn off" in
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn_on,_tune_in,_drop_out

[jerryfriedman]

Post by Madhu

Post by occam

Post by Steve Hayes
Can anyone tell me the metaphorical meaning of "unplugged"?
It seems to be regarded by its users as something that would make
whatever it is that's unplugged desired by their hearers, but I can't
imagine why that would be.
If your computer isn't working, one of the first things they tell you
do do is check to see if it is unplugged, because if it is unplugged
it will not work.
So what possible meaning could "unplugged" have that would make it a
desirable state of affairs?

decades ago MTV had a show called "Unplugged", I think there were
records like "Eric Clapton, Unplugged". (at a first cut, an acoustic
guitar without amplification).

Entirely acoustic--no electronic keyboards or synthesizers.

Yes, Clapton's album /Unplugged/, recorded live for MTV, won Grammy
awards and is the best-selling live album, according to Wikipedia.

Post by Madhu
When writing about the (classical)
Indian music concerts I think I've sometimes seen it used
alongside/instead of "mike less"

I haven't heard it in that sense in English, but it might exist
anyway.

Post by Madhu

Post by occam
I can imagine someone who wants to relax by retreating from the busy
lifestyle - no phones, no internet, no radio, no news - describing
themselves as 'unplugged' from the world.

What about
"<XXX> suggested an active, selective, graceful process of
detachment from involuntary or unconscious commitments. <XXX>
meant self-reliance, a discovery of one's singularity, a
commitment to mobility, choice, and change."
Would you replace "XXX" with "unplugged" (the quote is from Timothy
Leary's 1983 autobiography where he is explaining "turn off" in
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn_on,_tune_in,_drop_out

I think it's more what occam said--detaching from phones, the
Internat, the media.

"In the end, I chose to disappear to Blue Waters Inn over in Speyside,
Tobago, to go unplugged for a while and see what was left of myself
after 18 years without a true vacation, and after 32 years of not
being in Tobago."

https://technewstt.com/unplugged-tobago/

There are similarities to your quotation from Leary, but work is
usually a voluntary and conscious commitment.

And as Anton said, an example would have helped.

--
Jerry Friedman

[HVS]

Post by Madhu

Post by occam

Post by Steve Hayes
Can anyone tell me the metaphorical meaning of "unplugged"?
It seems to be regarded by its users as something that would
make whatever it is that's unplugged desired by their hearers,
but I can't imagine why that would be.
If your computer isn't working, one of the first things they
tell you do do is check to see if it is unplugged, because if it
is unplugged it will not work.
So what possible meaning could "unplugged" have that would make
it a desirable state of affairs?

decades ago MTV had a show called "Unplugged",

The show started in 1989, and according to this site there have been
225 performancess so far (with the most recent from 18 April, 2023,
by a Japanese band Ryokuoushoku Shakai):

https://thetvdb.com/series/mtv-unplugged/allseasons/official

Post by Madhu
I think there were
records like "Eric Clapton, Unplugged". (at a first cut, an
acoustic guitar without amplification). When writing about the
(classical) Indian music concerts I think I've sometimes seen it
used alongside/instead of "mike less"

Post by occam
I can imagine someone who wants to relax by retreating from the
busy lifestyle - no phones, no internet, no radio, no news -
describing themselves as 'unplugged' from the world.

What about
"<XXX> suggested an active, selective, graceful process of
detachment from involuntary or unconscious commitments. <XXX>
meant self-reliance, a discovery of one's singularity, a
commitment to mobility, choice, and change."
Would you replace "XXX" with "unplugged" (the quote is from
Timothy Leary's 1983 autobiography where he is explaining "turn
off" in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn_on,_tune_in,_drop_out

[micky]

In alt.usage.english, on Mon, 26 Aug 2024 18:08:49 +0530, Madhu

Post by Madhu

Post by Steve Hayes
Can anyone tell me the metaphorical meaning of "unplugged"?
It seems to be regarded by its users as something that would make
whatever it is that's unplugged desired by their hearers, but I can't
imagine why that would be.
If your computer isn't working, one of the first things they tell you
do do is check to see if it is unplugged, because if it is unplugged
it will not work.
So what possible meaning could "unplugged" have that would make it a
desirable state of affairs?

decades ago MTV had a show called "Unplugged", I think there were
records like "Eric Clapton, Unplugged". (at a first cut, an acoustic
guitar without amplification). When writing about the (classical)
Indian music concerts I think I've sometimes seen it used
alongside/instead of "mike less"

Sounds like this would include no reverb, no echo, no dubbing. Acoustic
guitar and acoustic Clapton.

[Janet]

Post by Steve Hayes
Can anyone tell me the metaphorical meaning of

"unplugged"?

If you plug in to google, there are plenty of examples.

Janet

[HVS]

Post by Steve Hayes
Can anyone tell me the metaphorical meaning of "unplugged"?
It seems to be regarded by its users as something that would make
whatever it is that's unplugged desired by their hearers, but I can't
imagine why that would be.
If your computer isn't working, one of the first things they tell you
do do is check to see if it is unplugged, because if it is unplugged
it will not work.
So what possible meaning could "unplugged" have that would make it a
desirable state of affairs?

The obvious source for this use of "unplugged" is the MTV series of
that title, where musicians perform their songs using acoustic rather
than electric instruments (i.e., performing "unplugged").

The series has been going since 1989, and according to this site:

https://thetvdb.com/series/mtv-unplugged/allseasons/official

there have been some 225 performances and another 25 or so "Specials"
over the past 35 years.

The metaphorical use is that something "unplugged" is an unembellished,
and thus more authentic, performance of something than the
edited/polished version of the same thing.

[Ruud Harmsen]

Post by Steve Hayes
Can anyone tell me the metaphorical meaning of "unplugged"?
It seems to be regarded by its users as something that would make
whatever it is that's unplugged desired by their hearers, but I can't
imagine why that would be.
If your computer isn't working, one of the first things they tell you
do do is check to see if it is unplugged, because if it is unplugged
it will not work.
So what possible meaning could "unplugged" have that would make it a
desirable state of affairs?

Acoustical music, without amplifier, often in a more refined style.

[Steve Hayes]

Post by Ruud Harmsen

Post by Steve Hayes
Can anyone tell me the metaphorical meaning of "unplugged"?

Acoustical music, without amplifier, often in a more refined style.

Thanks -- that tells me the literal meaning, but doesn't throw much
light on the metaphorical meaning.

[Snidely]

Post by Steve Hayes

Post by Ruud Harmsen

Post by Steve Hayes
Can anyone tell me the metaphorical meaning of "unplugged"?

Acoustical music, without amplifier, often in a more refined style.

Thanks -- that tells me the literal meaning, but doesn't throw much
light on the metaphorical meaning.

Why not? It should throw light on at least the desirability aspect,
see "refined". It's generally a more intimate performance, with a
small audience, much the way classical muscians do chamber music. It
is also supposed to be more intimate in the sense that the musician is
opening up their most thoughtful and personal side.

I've seen it applied occasionally to public speaking, but I'm wondering
what you see as a wide metaphorical use?

/dps

[Steve Hayes]

Post by Snidely

Post by Steve Hayes

Post by Ruud Harmsen

Post by Steve Hayes
Can anyone tell me the metaphorical meaning of "unplugged"?

Acoustical music, without amplifier, often in a more refined style.

Thanks -- that tells me the literal meaning, but doesn't throw much
light on the metaphorical meaning.

Why not? It should throw light on at least the desirability aspect,
see "refined". It's generally a more intimate performance, with a
small audience, much the way classical muscians do chamber music. It
is also supposed to be more intimate in the sense that the musician is
opening up their most thoughtful and personal side.
I've seen it applied occasionally to public speaking, but I'm wondering
what you see as a wide metaphorical use?

A blog advertised as "Religion -- unplugged".

https://religionunplugged.com

[Snidely]

Post by Steve Hayes

Post by Snidely

Post by Steve Hayes

Post by Ruud Harmsen

Post by Steve Hayes
Can anyone tell me the metaphorical meaning of "unplugged"?

Acoustical music, without amplifier, often in a more refined style.

Thanks -- that tells me the literal meaning, but doesn't throw much
light on the metaphorical meaning.

Why not? It should throw light on at least the desirability aspect,
see "refined". It's generally a more intimate performance, with a
small audience, much the way classical muscians do chamber music. It
is also supposed to be more intimate in the sense that the musician is
opening up their most thoughtful and personal side.
I've seen it applied occasionally to public speaking, but I'm wondering
what you see as a wide metaphorical use?

A blog advertised as "Religion -- unplugged".
https://religionunplugged.com

Okay, I have no explanation for that one after viewing the site. It
seems to be a specialty news site, not particulary focused on the
personal and upclose side of religion, and not obviously eschewing the
big stage.

I might use unplugged in a religous context to mean informal services,
no organ, no choir, maybe acoustic guitar. Maybe a small gathering in
a home or a classroom. Folding chairs.

Or else maybe a quiet interview with a person, not necessarily a
well-known person,about their faith. One article on that page might
fit that side ... but with a backdrop of the Grand Ole Opry, which is a
very plugged-in stage.


/dps

[Sam Plusnet]

Post by Steve Hayes

Post by Steve Hayes

Post by Ruud Harmsen

Post by Steve Hayes
Can anyone tell me the metaphorical meaning of "unplugged"?

Acoustical music, without amplifier, often in a more refined style.

Thanks -- that tells me the literal meaning, but doesn't throw much
light on the metaphorical meaning.

Why not?  It should throw light on at least the desirability aspect,
see "refined".  It's generally a more intimate performance, with a
small audience, much the way classical muscians do chamber music.  It
is also supposed to be more intimate in the sense that the musician
is opening up their most thoughtful and personal side.
I've seen it applied occasionally to public speaking, but I'm
wondering what you see as a wide metaphorical use?

A blog advertised as "Religion -- unplugged".
https://religionunplugged.com

Okay, I have no explanation for that one after viewing the site.  It
seems to be a specialty news site, not particulary focused on the
personal and upclose side of religion, and not obviously eschewing the
big stage.
I might use unplugged in a religous context to mean informal services,
no organ, no choir, maybe acoustic guitar.  Maybe a small gathering in a
home or a classroom. Folding chairs.

That brings 'The Society of Friends' to mind (as I know of in the UK, it
could well be quite different elsewhere).

[Steve Hayes]

Post by Snidely

Post by Steve Hayes

Post by Snidely
I've seen it applied occasionally to public speaking, but I'm wondering
what you see as a wide metaphorical use?

A blog advertised as "Religion -- unplugged".
https://religionunplugged.com

Okay, I have no explanation for that one after viewing the site. It
seems to be a specialty news site, not particulary focused on the
personal and upclose side of religion, and not obviously eschewing the
big stage.
I might use unplugged in a religous context to mean informal services,
no organ, no choir, maybe acoustic guitar. Maybe a small gathering in
a home or a classroom. Folding chairs.

In view of the general definition, I would take "unplugged" in a
religious setting to refer to a capella singing, but that's not how
they appear to use it on that site.

Post by Snidely
Or else maybe a quiet interview with a person, not necessarily a
well-known person,about their faith. One article on that page might
fit that side ... but with a backdrop of the Grand Ole Opry, which is a
very plugged-in stage.
/dps

[Ruud Harmsen]

Post by Snidely

Post by Steve Hayes

Post by Ruud Harmsen

Post by Steve Hayes
Can anyone tell me the metaphorical meaning of "unplugged"?

Acoustical music, without amplifier, often in a more refined style.

Thanks -- that tells me the literal meaning, but doesn't throw much
light on the metaphorical meaning.

Why not? It should throw light on at least the desirability aspect,
see "refined".

Maybe also unrefined, with strangely the same meaning as my "refined",
like of crude oil, unprocessed, the way it is, but delicate and fine?

Post by Snidely
It's generally a more intimate performance, with a
small audience, much the way classical muscians do chamber music. It
is also supposed to be more intimate in the sense that the musician is
opening up their most thoughtful and personal side.

Yes, small scale and initimate, basic.

Again more literally, like the Tiny Desk Concert series on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/@nprmusic

Fine music by fine artists.

[Phil Carmody]

Post by Ruud Harmsen

Post by Snidely

Post by Steve Hayes

Post by Ruud Harmsen

Post by Steve Hayes
Can anyone tell me the metaphorical meaning of "unplugged"?

Acoustical music, without amplifier, often in a more refined style.

Thanks -- that tells me the literal meaning, but doesn't throw much
light on the metaphorical meaning.

Why not? It should throw light on at least the desirability aspect,
see "refined".

Maybe also unrefined, with strangely the same meaning as my "refined",
like of crude oil, unprocessed, the way it is, but delicate and fine?

Perhaps unsophisticated, as in lacking show. Nothing fancy, no pyrotechnics.

Post by Ruud Harmsen

Post by Snidely
It's generally a more intimate performance, with a
small audience, much the way classical muscians do chamber music. It
is also supposed to be more intimate in the sense that the musician is
opening up their most thoughtful and personal side.

Yes, small scale and initimate, basic.

Not just basic, but back to basics - this isn't never-been-plugged-in,
this is unplugged. Pared back.

Post by Ruud Harmsen
http://youtu.be/wzlZ68ts-IU
Fine music by fine artists.

Indeed.

Phil

[Ruud Harmsen]

Post by Steve Hayes

Post by Ruud Harmsen

Post by Steve Hayes
Can anyone tell me the metaphorical meaning of "unplugged"?

Acoustical music, without amplifier, often in a more refined style.

Thanks -- that tells me the literal meaning, but doesn't throw much
light on the metaphorical meaning.

Plain and simple, authentic, pure, grassroots, genuine, down to earth.