Cipher

The Word of the Day for November 28 is "cipher."

cipher: (noun)

1. A person having no influence or value.
2. The mathematical symbol (0) denoting absence of quantity; zero.
3. An Arabic numeral or figure; a number.
4. A cryptographic system in which units of plain text of regular length, usually letters, are arbitrarily transposed or substituted according to a predetermined code.

Synonyms: a nobody, a nonentity

Usage: He was a cipher in the estimation of the public, and nobody attached any importance to what he thought or did.

Relevance to my life: When I am in the deep chasm of a depressive episode, it is hard to escape the feeling that I am but a cipher, less even than the numeral zero, which has a significant place in the mathematical world: simply by adding zeros to a digit, you can increase its worth manyfold, whereas I feel that I add nothing.

Other favorite nonentities include:




American Beauty
Lester Burnham, a Nobody no more






Glengarry Glen Ross
I don't know about you, but after being the subject of that obscenity-laden rant, I'd feel pretty worthless too. Again, Kevin Spacey, btw






Glengarry Glen Ross
This is the best scene in the movie. Alec Baldwin delivers one hell of a motivational speech. I'll bet these salesguys feel pretty low now. Sales is brutal. Damn. David Mamet is a genius.






Death of a Salesman
Willie Loman, the quintessential cipher







Full Metal Jacket
Speaking of anti-motivational speeches designed to tear people down to nonentities, here is Gunnery Sgt Hartmann at his best.