MIND AS RHIZOME (MAR) METAPHOR is one of the metaphors the minds (Duffy & Cunningham, 1996). The other metaphors of mind are Mind as Computer (MAC) and Mind as Brain (MAB). The metaphor of rhizome rejects the such notions as hierarchy, order, node and structure.The metaphor of rhizome is adapted from Umberto Eco's popular novel, the name of the rose.

A rhizome is a root crop, and underground system of stems. A tulip is a rhizome.

A form of mind resembles characteristics of rhizomes in the following ways:

•  There are only connections. There are no fixed points or positions. Every point can and must be connected with every other point.
• There is no hierarchy and order. Points and positions are not super ordinate or prior to others.
• Structure is dynamic, and constantly changing. 
  

People are connected to other people not only individually but also collectively, such as social languages and speech communities. In society people may have different opinions and thoughts, but when they are asked to define a "chair" they will give similar definition for it.

Environments also connect people to others, for example; persons who are from different countries do not speak each other , they have same results in solving math problems.

According to MAR thinking is not action that takes place within a mind and within a body. It is a connection and an interaction with environment and other people. 

Gulcin Cirik
Graduate student, SDSU Department of Educational Technology