> “Want” gets redefined somewhere between the first and second to last paragraph
I think I get what the author is going for. English lacks words to describe the degree to which you want something paired with how seriously you're willing to pursue it. A word that means "I desire this enough to seriously work for it given the sacrifices required" would be really useful and I've found quite a few people pull the same semantic trick with want that the author does as a way to communicate it.
Certainly, trying to push this idea into my mentees' minds is something I've had to spend an unfortunately large amount of time doing given how intuitive it feels like it should be.
I’d say those are all lower than want on the “seriousness” dimension. Above want (but maybe off in other ways) I’d put plan, intent, intention, goal, objective, and pursuit.
I think I get what the author is going for. English lacks words to describe the degree to which you want something paired with how seriously you're willing to pursue it. A word that means "I desire this enough to seriously work for it given the sacrifices required" would be really useful and I've found quite a few people pull the same semantic trick with want that the author does as a way to communicate it.
Certainly, trying to push this idea into my mentees' minds is something I've had to spend an unfortunately large amount of time doing given how intuitive it feels like it should be.