Comments on: Ignorance as the Greatest Virtue? http://www.ocellated.com/2006/09/05/ignorance-as-the-greatest-virtue/ A blog on nature, science, religion, and just about anything else I want to post on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:02:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Jay http://www.ocellated.com/2006/09/05/ignorance-as-the-greatest-virtue/#comment-1798 Jay Fri, 15 Sep 2006 14:09:40 +0000 http://www.ocellated.com/2006/09/05/ignorance-as-the-greatest-virtue/#comment-1798 When "this one thing" is the point of the article, I'd say that the odds are just fine... Still Fred, I'm not trying to be disrespectful to you, but in this case, I just don't see the article as facetious. We may just have to agree to disagree on this one. When “this one thing” is the point of the article, I’d say that the odds are just fine… Still Fred, I’m not trying to be disrespectful to you, but in this case, I just don’t see the article as facetious. We may just have to agree to disagree on this one.

]]> By: Fred http://www.ocellated.com/2006/09/05/ignorance-as-the-greatest-virtue/#comment-1684 Fred Tue, 12 Sep 2006 04:46:05 +0000 http://www.ocellated.com/2006/09/05/ignorance-as-the-greatest-virtue/#comment-1684 What are the odds that in the midst of all those jokes (or, rather, "lightheartedness" or "tongue in cheekness") that he's serious about this one thing? What are the odds that in the midst of all those jokes (or, rather, “lightheartedness” or “tongue in cheekness”) that he’s serious about this one thing?

]]> By: Jay http://www.ocellated.com/2006/09/05/ignorance-as-the-greatest-virtue/#comment-1661 Jay Mon, 11 Sep 2006 14:13:45 +0000 http://www.ocellated.com/2006/09/05/ignorance-as-the-greatest-virtue/#comment-1661 Yes Fred, I've read the article completely. (Actually several times, in trying to be fair to your comments and Gibson). <blockquote> He’s making jokes the whole time. And since the beginning of a piece sets up its theme, and his piece opens humorously, how can you not accept the entire piece as humor? </blockquote> Because one uses humor throughout a piece does not necessarily mean that one is being sarcastic or facetious about the thesis of an article. Despite his overall humor, I see none that indicates he's joking about his point -- which is (to paraphrase) "I don't care what scientists say, Pluto is still a planet." Yes Fred, I’ve read the article completely. (Actually several times, in trying to be fair to your comments and Gibson).

He’s making jokes the whole time. And since the beginning of a piece sets up its theme, and his piece opens humorously, how can you not accept the entire piece as humor?

Because one uses humor throughout a piece does not necessarily mean that one is being sarcastic or facetious about the thesis of an article. Despite his overall humor, I see none that indicates he’s joking about his point — which is (to paraphrase) “I don’t care what scientists say, Pluto is still a planet.”

]]> By: Fred http://www.ocellated.com/2006/09/05/ignorance-as-the-greatest-virtue/#comment-1585 Fred Fri, 08 Sep 2006 16:35:16 +0000 http://www.ocellated.com/2006/09/05/ignorance-as-the-greatest-virtue/#comment-1585 Jay, have you read the whole piece? He's making jokes the whole time. And since the beginning of a piece sets up its theme, and his piece opens humorously, how can you not accept the entire piece as humor? Sarcastic and facetious. Of course, that doesn't mean it's successful and funny, but I don't think there's any doubt that that's what it's attempting. Jay, have you read the whole piece? He’s making jokes the whole time. And since the beginning of a piece sets up its theme, and his piece opens humorously, how can you not accept the entire piece as humor? Sarcastic and facetious. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s successful and funny, but I don’t think there’s any doubt that that’s what it’s attempting.

]]> By: Jay http://www.ocellated.com/2006/09/05/ignorance-as-the-greatest-virtue/#comment-1582 Jay Fri, 08 Sep 2006 13:32:04 +0000 http://www.ocellated.com/2006/09/05/ignorance-as-the-greatest-virtue/#comment-1582 I don't. I'm sorry, but there's nothing in that piece that tells me it's facetious. Yes, I see that he think's he's being quite humorous by pointing out that Pluto's a dog... But his point -- that he's not going to let scientists decide for him that Pluto's not a planet -- seems to be a sober one. So Fred, how do you know (and how would you convince me) that it's "just a light little comic piece"? I don’t. I’m sorry, but there’s nothing in that piece that tells me it’s facetious. Yes, I see that he think’s he’s being quite humorous by pointing out that Pluto’s a dog… But his point — that he’s not going to let scientists decide for him that Pluto’s not a planet — seems to be a sober one.

So Fred, how do you know (and how would you convince me) that it’s “just a light little comic piece”?

]]> By: Steve http://www.ocellated.com/2006/09/05/ignorance-as-the-greatest-virtue/#comment-1578 Steve Fri, 08 Sep 2006 10:39:48 +0000 http://www.ocellated.com/2006/09/05/ignorance-as-the-greatest-virtue/#comment-1578 OK. That is good news! I gladly take it back. OK. That is good news! I gladly take it back.

]]> By: Fred http://www.ocellated.com/2006/09/05/ignorance-as-the-greatest-virtue/#comment-1524 Fred Thu, 07 Sep 2006 00:16:54 +0000 http://www.ocellated.com/2006/09/05/ignorance-as-the-greatest-virtue/#comment-1524 Um, I hate to tell you, but that article by Gibson was facetious; just a light little comic piece. Um, I hate to tell you, but that article by Gibson was facetious; just a light little comic piece.

]]> By: Steve http://www.ocellated.com/2006/09/05/ignorance-as-the-greatest-virtue/#comment-1520 Steve Wed, 06 Sep 2006 20:07:52 +0000 http://www.ocellated.com/2006/09/05/ignorance-as-the-greatest-virtue/#comment-1520 His ignorance of the process is amazing. And he gets big bucks for being so ill informed. I was kind of disappointed that Pluto was dropped. I'm not really sure why I had such affection for it being a planet. But my rational side understands how scientific bodies have to assess these situations and must come up with standardized guidelines and rules and conventions in order to bring order to what could become chaos. I wouldn't argue that processes like this are perfect. But they are not completely arbitrary either. I laughed at your planetary physicist in a bunker. His ignorance of the process is amazing. And he gets big bucks for being so ill informed. I was kind of disappointed that Pluto was dropped. I’m not really sure why I had such affection for it being a planet. But my rational side understands how scientific bodies have to assess these situations and must come up with standardized guidelines and rules and conventions in order to bring order to what could become chaos. I wouldn’t argue that processes like this are perfect. But they are not completely arbitrary either. I laughed at your planetary physicist in a bunker.

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