I think this boils down to how it can be tough to tell the difference between: 1. I speak about it as if it were a person because I have embedded some beliefs

I think this boils down to how it can be tough to tell the difference between: 1. I speak about it as if it were a person because I have embedded some beliefs and expectations which are wrong. 2. I speak about it as if it were a person just because that's just how the English language works when describing complicated things. Similarly, the faceless mannequin in the clothing store "poses" as a person, and even "beckons" customers with an outstretched arm, yet nobody on the sidewalk is confused or falls in love [0] with the mannequin. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mannequin_(1987_film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mannequin_(1987_film)