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chefcrsh
Skeptic Friend
Hong Kong
380 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2012 : 18:51:52 [Permalink]
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Yeah I read that somewhere yesterday, but it don't sit right with me. One of the most common examples of a paradox is the sentence: I always lie. As a paradox it can't possibly be true, so that doesn't fit the definition. That definition you use is something like the second definition in my dictionary. But I note the example in my dictionary does not seem at all paradoxical.
I think there is no close opposite, and sophism is just being wedged in there. But I also think that paradox is one of those difficult words that is poorly used, and so poorly defined, like unique (also with a second definition (from poor common use) that ignores the primary definition and thus allows such awful prose as "kind of unique."
paradox |#712;par#601;#716;däks|
noun
a statement or proposition that, despite sound (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory: a potentially serious conflict between quantum mechanics and the general theory of relativity known as the information paradox.
• a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true: in a paradox, he has discovered that stepping back from his job has increased the rewards he gleans from it.
• a situation, person, or thing that combines contradictory features or qualities: the mingling of deciduous trees with elements of desert flora forms a fascinating ecological paradox.
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| Edited by - chefcrsh on 01/20/2012 18:56:55 |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2012 : 21:12:13 [Permalink]
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| I got to thinking finally after Bill's lukewarmly suggested "sophism". I think, that since a sophism is by definition deceptively untrue, that one would be out as an opposite to paradox. But maybe "truism" or "tautology"? |
“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2012 : 01:36:25 [Permalink]
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When I was about 4, my family camped out in Yosemite National Park. I still remember that it was a lush place. I recall feeding moss by hand to fearless wild deer.
I also recall an incident having to do with our camp neighbors. They had a boy (let's call him Jimmy) about my own age, but unlike me, he did not have the speech impediment of baby-talk. I recall that Jimmy was a nice boy, and we played well together.
When I got to camp back from one romp with Jimmy, my father said, with a grin, "That Jimmy, he's a nice boy. He talks very clearly, too, doesn't he?"
I frowned as I answered, "Well, maybe he can talk purdy good," I allowed, "but he sure don' unnerstan' purdy good." |
“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
| Edited by - HalfMooner on 02/12/2012 01:47:05 |
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podcat
Skeptic Friend
435 Posts |
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
 Posted - 03/10/2012 : 00:36:46 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by Dave W.
The world is a little less funny now. Peter Bergman has died. I only knew of him through Firesign Theatre, but I will now endeavor to seek out his other stuff.
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I believe Bergman may have been the evening news reader at KPFA FM radio in Berkeley in early 1967. If so, as an unpaid volunteer, I wrote a number of his news scripts. Trying to research this. Not easy to find vast amounts of pre-Internet data on the Internet, and a memory for faces and names has never been my forte.
Edited to add: Nah, the news reader in Berkeley must have been another guy. Bergman was at LA's KPFK, I was at that station's Pacifica sister station, in Berkeley, KPFA. Also, I just now listened to a recording of Peter Bergman, and his voice is not as deep as the KPFA news guy. The KPFA news reader also had a full beard, which hid his face and makes it harder for me to tell him from Bergman, especially after all this time.
Fuhgettaboutit.
I'm sort of glad it wasn't Bergman, because the KPFA guy was kind of a dick. All the time I donated my work there, I kept getting better at writing in his style until the guy stopped editing my scripts entirely, but he never once thanked me. |
“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
| Edited by - HalfMooner on 03/10/2012 02:30:51 |
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9688 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2012 : 03:45:02 [Permalink]
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Maybe I've mentioned it somewhere else in passing, but I think perhaps it's worth full disclosure... It is the kind of news that really do belong in the water cooler thread so I should have posted it here in the first place:
March 1st I was elected full board member of the local Trade Union, at my work. Elected secretary of the board by the rest of the board members. The last six months our regular secretary had dropped out due to personal reason, and I'd been jumping in to help out.
The president, vice president, and the rest of the board members recognized my organizational skills, and especially my writing skills, and decided I would be an asset as a secretary.
This means that I'll be doing more work during day than I used to. I've already been called to participate in the salary negotiation. This is exciting times!
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Dr. Mabuse - "When the going gets tough, the tough get Duct-tape..."
Dr. Mabuse whisper.mp3
"Equivocation is not just a job, for a creationist it's a way of life..." Dr. Mabuse
Support American Troops in Iraq:
Send them unarmed civilians for target practice..
Collateralmurder. |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2012 : 04:14:00 [Permalink]
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| Congrats, Mab! Do a good job for those who elected you, but try not to forget us. |
“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
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Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13477 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2012 : 11:39:26 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by Dr. Mabuse
Maybe I've mentioned it somewhere else in passing, but I think perhaps it's worth full disclosure... It is the kind of news that really do belong in the water cooler thread so I should have posted it here in the first place:
March 1st I was elected full board member of the local Trade Union, at my work. Elected secretary of the board by the rest of the board members. The last six months our regular secretary had dropped out due to personal reason, and I'd been jumping in to help out.
The president, vice president, and the rest of the board members recognized my organizational skills, and especially my writing skills, and decided I would be an asset as a secretary.
This means that I'll be doing more work during day than I used to. I've already been called to participate in the salary negotiation. This is exciting times!
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Congratulations and oy! You know what I mean...
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Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous.
Why not question something for a change?
Genetic Literacy Project |
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williamsmith518
Spammer
Turkey
1 Post |
Posted - 05/03/2012 : 01:01:45 [Permalink]
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| [Spam deleted - Dave W.] |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2012 : 02:57:49 [Permalink]
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Please keep your random English text and Turkish transvestite spam to yourself, "William".
[Quoted spam removed - Dave W.] |
“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2012 : 03:56:47 [Permalink]
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Thanks, Dave. Sorry I made things a little more troublesome by "replying with quote" to that spam.
Turks and transvestites: It was the spam part I didn't like. If you come to SFN with a skeptical mind and readable English, you are welcome no matter how you (cross-)dress, or which (if any) flag you salute. |
“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
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sailingsoul
SFN Addict
2830 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2012 : 11:52:18 [Permalink]
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| Who wrote the Bible? An Atheists answers! |
There are only two types of religious people, the deceivers and the deceived. SS |
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9688 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 08:05:07 [Permalink]
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| My back hurts. Sorry everyone who expected me to be at the chat. I'm on temporary sick leave. My physical therapist have set me up with exercises and meds to get me well again. |
Dr. Mabuse - "When the going gets tough, the tough get Duct-tape..."
Dr. Mabuse whisper.mp3
"Equivocation is not just a job, for a creationist it's a way of life..." Dr. Mabuse
Support American Troops in Iraq:
Send them unarmed civilians for target practice..
Collateralmurder. |
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The water cooler, part 3
