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2010/02/27 21:27:11
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Dakka Veteran
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http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gdf9vX3OqWTlQDhOeg9Qxlj678Tw
... Lockergate?...
You know, Watergate was part of a conspiracy purpetrated by the fething president of the US of A!!!
Now any unpleasent situation is deemed a gate of some sort. BIlly hid candy under his desk during class? Its Twizzler-gate!!!! Why does our language have to be slowly eroded by people who speak without thinking about context?
This makes me angry.
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In a Society in which there is no law, and in theory no compulsion, the only arbiter of behaviour is public opinion. But public opinion, because of the tremendous urge to conformity in gregarious animals, is less tolerant than any system of law. When human beings are governed by "thou shalt not", the individual can practise a certain amount of eccentricity: when they are supposedly governed by "love" or "reason", he is under continuous pressure to make him behave and think in exactly the same way as everyone else.
George Orwell is my hero.
Social Experiment: if you're pissed like me, copy and paste this into your sig, and add a number after it.
PISSED 8374982374983749873948234
Check out my band Man In A Shed |
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2010/02/27 21:29:57
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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[MOD]
Anti-piracy Officer
Somewhere in south-central England.
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Is this some kind of gategate!!!?!?!?!
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2010/02/27 21:31:50
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Dakka Veteran
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Kilkrazy wrote:Is this some kind of gategate!!!?!?!?!
I was waiting for somebody to say that.
Watergate was deliberate, this is a slow process caused by the ebb and flow of conversation. ergo it is nothing like a "gate".
And before somebody even suggests the idea: a conspiracy about water would be called "hydrogate."
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In a Society in which there is no law, and in theory no compulsion, the only arbiter of behaviour is public opinion. But public opinion, because of the tremendous urge to conformity in gregarious animals, is less tolerant than any system of law. When human beings are governed by "thou shalt not", the individual can practise a certain amount of eccentricity: when they are supposedly governed by "love" or "reason", he is under continuous pressure to make him behave and think in exactly the same way as everyone else.
George Orwell is my hero.
Social Experiment: if you're pissed like me, copy and paste this into your sig, and add a number after it.
PISSED 8374982374983749873948234
Check out my band Man In A Shed |
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2010/02/27 21:32:39
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Mounted Kroot Tracker
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So way back when, Microsoft was owned by multiple conspiracies?
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Night Watch SM
Kroot Mercenaries  W 2 - D 3 - L 1
Manchu wrote: This is simply a self-fulfilling prophecy. Everyone says, "it won't change so why should I bother to try?" and then it doesn't change so people feel validated in their bad behavior.
Nightwatch's Kroot Blog
DQ:90-S++G++M-B++I+Pw40k08#+D+A--/cWD-R+T(S)DM+
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2010/02/27 21:33:50
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Dakka Veteran
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Nightwatch wrote:So way back when, Microsoft was owned by multiple conspiracies?
All involving un-ratified legislation.
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In a Society in which there is no law, and in theory no compulsion, the only arbiter of behaviour is public opinion. But public opinion, because of the tremendous urge to conformity in gregarious animals, is less tolerant than any system of law. When human beings are governed by "thou shalt not", the individual can practise a certain amount of eccentricity: when they are supposedly governed by "love" or "reason", he is under continuous pressure to make him behave and think in exactly the same way as everyone else.
George Orwell is my hero.
Social Experiment: if you're pissed like me, copy and paste this into your sig, and add a number after it.
PISSED 8374982374983749873948234
Check out my band Man In A Shed |
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2010/02/27 23:16:45
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Monster-Slaying Daemonhunter
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Language evolves naturally. You'd be surprised at the amount of phrases used in common everyday language which are derived from cultural events. Gate being used to postfix a scandal is no different. You might not like it, but it's not erosion of language.
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2010/02/27 23:24:03
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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[DCM]
Chief Deputy Sub Assistant Trainee Squig Handling Intern
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Or you could just exclude any offending phrases from your own vocabulary.
If I was to list the turns of phrase I detest, I'd be here for the next few years gibbering away.
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2010/02/27 23:30:30
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Dakka Veteran
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@whatwhat: I can see what you are saying, and will generally agreew ith you. However, in this case we have taken a phrase which had great meaning and diluted it to the point that it is virtually useless. Obviously language will evolve, but it should be through a process of natural selection based on usefulness, not ignorance and hyperbole.
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2010/02/27 23:34:39
In a Society in which there is no law, and in theory no compulsion, the only arbiter of behaviour is public opinion. But public opinion, because of the tremendous urge to conformity in gregarious animals, is less tolerant than any system of law. When human beings are governed by "thou shalt not", the individual can practise a certain amount of eccentricity: when they are supposedly governed by "love" or "reason", he is under continuous pressure to make him behave and think in exactly the same way as everyone else.
George Orwell is my hero.
Social Experiment: if you're pissed like me, copy and paste this into your sig, and add a number after it.
PISSED 8374982374983749873948234
Check out my band Man In A Shed |
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2010/02/27 23:34:21
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Dwarf High King with New Book of Grudges
United States
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It is. You're ensuring that right now, as are those who misuse words and phrases.
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Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. |
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2010/02/27 23:35:04
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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[DCM]
Chief Deputy Sub Assistant Trainee Squig Handling Intern
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No, it's all about being cool.
Take one of my most loathed phrases...
'Back In The Day'. It's nonsensical. What day for a start? It's just something heard in a ghetto and mindlessly parroted to make people seem edgy and cool. Pathetic, no?
Other things I find aurally offensive? Calling your friends 'blud' or 'bredren'. You're not Jamaican. You're not even American. Christ, you're not even black. You're just some jumped up middle class scrawny white boy trying to impress 'yo bitches'.
Blech! Stupid stupid stupid.
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2010/02/27 23:35:34
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Dakka Veteran
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Well good then.
And Mad Doc Grotsnik...have at her
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In a Society in which there is no law, and in theory no compulsion, the only arbiter of behaviour is public opinion. But public opinion, because of the tremendous urge to conformity in gregarious animals, is less tolerant than any system of law. When human beings are governed by "thou shalt not", the individual can practise a certain amount of eccentricity: when they are supposedly governed by "love" or "reason", he is under continuous pressure to make him behave and think in exactly the same way as everyone else.
George Orwell is my hero.
Social Experiment: if you're pissed like me, copy and paste this into your sig, and add a number after it.
PISSED 8374982374983749873948234
Check out my band Man In A Shed |
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2010/02/27 23:36:25
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Dwarf High King with New Book of Grudges
United States
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Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
'Back In The Day'. It's nonsensical. What day for a start? It's just something heard in a ghetto and mindlessly parroted to make people seem edgy and cool. Pathetic, no?
Hey now, that's one of my favorites.
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Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. |
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2010/02/27 23:37:36
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Dakka Veteran
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Could we assume that it means "back in the day when the thing I am about to say was true"?
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In a Society in which there is no law, and in theory no compulsion, the only arbiter of behaviour is public opinion. But public opinion, because of the tremendous urge to conformity in gregarious animals, is less tolerant than any system of law. When human beings are governed by "thou shalt not", the individual can practise a certain amount of eccentricity: when they are supposedly governed by "love" or "reason", he is under continuous pressure to make him behave and think in exactly the same way as everyone else.
George Orwell is my hero.
Social Experiment: if you're pissed like me, copy and paste this into your sig, and add a number after it.
PISSED 8374982374983749873948234
Check out my band Man In A Shed |
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2010/02/27 23:38:52
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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[DCM]
Chief Deputy Sub Assistant Trainee Squig Handling Intern
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GRAAAAARH! MAD DOC GROTSNIK SMASH!
Such a mind numbingly banal thing to utter.
And another one... 'y'all'. Now I get that it's part of the Soutern Drawl accent, and that I don't mind. But it seems to be spreading across the world, and I for one would like to see it stopped. Why not just say 'you'. It's easier, and more importantly correct.
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2010/02/27 23:41:57
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Dwarf High King with New Book of Grudges
United States
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nintendoeats wrote:Could we assume that it means "back in the day when the thing I am about to say was true"?
I generally intend it as a replacement for "in my experience", or "this once happened to me".
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Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. |
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2010/02/27 23:44:21
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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[DCM]
Chief Deputy Sub Assistant Trainee Squig Handling Intern
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So why not just use those phrases and terminologies instead?
This makes me a sad Panda. 
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2010/02/27 23:45:06
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Dwarf High King with New Book of Grudges
United States
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Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:So why not just use those phrases and terminologies instead?
This makes me a sad Panda.
I prefer the aesthetic of the phrase "back in the day".
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Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. |
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2010/02/27 23:47:46
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Dakka Veteran
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yeah, I'll buy that for a dollar. If used correctly it has a nice self-aware colloquial thing going for it.
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2010/02/27 23:48:10
In a Society in which there is no law, and in theory no compulsion, the only arbiter of behaviour is public opinion. But public opinion, because of the tremendous urge to conformity in gregarious animals, is less tolerant than any system of law. When human beings are governed by "thou shalt not", the individual can practise a certain amount of eccentricity: when they are supposedly governed by "love" or "reason", he is under continuous pressure to make him behave and think in exactly the same way as everyone else.
George Orwell is my hero.
Social Experiment: if you're pissed like me, copy and paste this into your sig, and add a number after it.
PISSED 8374982374983749873948234
Check out my band Man In A Shed |
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2010/02/27 23:57:19
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Monster-Slaying Daemonhunter
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My main problem with 'back in the day,' is nothing to do with it being nonsensical, but because it's usually being said by someone who A. lives in the past or B. is about to tell me some condescending dribble about how they had it harder than me.
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2010/02/28 00:10:57
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Fixture of Dakka
Manchester UK
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Back in the day, we never had any of these idiomatic problems.
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 Cheesecat wrote:
I almost always agree with Albatross, I can't see why anyone wouldn't.
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2010/02/28 00:13:10
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Dwarf High King with New Book of Grudges
United States
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whatwhat wrote:My main problem with 'back in the day,' is nothing to do with it being nonsensical, but because it's usually being said by someone who A. lives in the past or B. is about to tell me some condescending dribble about how they had it harder than me.
I dread the phrase "in my day" for similar reasons.
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Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. |
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2010/02/28 00:20:09
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Dakka Veteran
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Albatross wrote:Back in the day, we never had any of these idiomatic problems.
At the risk of sounding elitest, I actually think that might be true. It certainly seems that there was a time, even in the last 100 years, when one could pretty well define "high" and "low" english. Our standards for what defenitely qualifies as "low" english seem to have dropped to the sort of fragmented segments one typicly finds in a text message or some of those other forums. Now we are satisfied to simply see that someone has attempted to spell the words they are using, even if they are using them completely innapropriately.
I must say though, Dakka is alot better than most other forums that I have been to in this regard. Must be a demographic thing.
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In a Society in which there is no law, and in theory no compulsion, the only arbiter of behaviour is public opinion. But public opinion, because of the tremendous urge to conformity in gregarious animals, is less tolerant than any system of law. When human beings are governed by "thou shalt not", the individual can practise a certain amount of eccentricity: when they are supposedly governed by "love" or "reason", he is under continuous pressure to make him behave and think in exactly the same way as everyone else.
George Orwell is my hero.
Social Experiment: if you're pissed like me, copy and paste this into your sig, and add a number after it.
PISSED 8374982374983749873948234
Check out my band Man In A Shed |
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2010/02/28 00:22:35
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Enigmatic Sorcerer of Chaos
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I'll throw this one out there. Canadians'll know what it means. "Jus' giver"
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2010/02/28 00:24:41
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Dakka Veteran
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Khornholio wrote:I'll throw this one out there. Canadians'll know what it means. "Jus' giver"
Gorram newfies. I admit it, we do win the " North American territory with worst collective grasp of the english language" award. And that includes any part of Mexico as well.
EDIT: Though to be fair to the topic at hand, that phrase has never really meant anything.
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2010/02/28 00:25:58
In a Society in which there is no law, and in theory no compulsion, the only arbiter of behaviour is public opinion. But public opinion, because of the tremendous urge to conformity in gregarious animals, is less tolerant than any system of law. When human beings are governed by "thou shalt not", the individual can practise a certain amount of eccentricity: when they are supposedly governed by "love" or "reason", he is under continuous pressure to make him behave and think in exactly the same way as everyone else.
George Orwell is my hero.
Social Experiment: if you're pissed like me, copy and paste this into your sig, and add a number after it.
PISSED 8374982374983749873948234
Check out my band Man In A Shed |
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2010/02/28 00:42:03
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Highlord with a Blackstone Fortress
Adrift within the vortex of my imagination.
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whatwhat wrote:Language devolves naturally. You'd be surprised at the amount of phrases used in common everyday language which are derived from cultural events.
Fixed.
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n'oublie jamais - It appears I now have to highlight this again.
It is by tea alone I set my mind in motion. By the juice of the brew my thoughts aquire speed, my mind becomes strained, the strain becomes a warning. It is by tea alone I set my mind in motion. |
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2010/02/28 00:42:59
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Dwarf High King with New Book of Grudges
United States
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The difference between devolution and evolution is determined only by the side of the curve you find yourself on.
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Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. |
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2010/02/28 00:49:28
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Dakka Veteran
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devolution has no meaning in the context that we are discussing. evolution means slow change through a method of selection. I don't see that there is any opposite process to that.
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In a Society in which there is no law, and in theory no compulsion, the only arbiter of behaviour is public opinion. But public opinion, because of the tremendous urge to conformity in gregarious animals, is less tolerant than any system of law. When human beings are governed by "thou shalt not", the individual can practise a certain amount of eccentricity: when they are supposedly governed by "love" or "reason", he is under continuous pressure to make him behave and think in exactly the same way as everyone else.
George Orwell is my hero.
Social Experiment: if you're pissed like me, copy and paste this into your sig, and add a number after it.
PISSED 8374982374983749873948234
Check out my band Man In A Shed |
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2010/02/28 00:54:15
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Dwarf High King with New Book of Grudges
United States
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Its simply an aesthetic criterion as governed by utility. Evolution is aesthetically positive, or conducive to survival, whereas devolution is negative, or detrimental to it. Of course, the Is-Ought problem ensures that we can never be certain which is occurring.
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Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. |
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2010/02/28 01:02:05
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Dakka Veteran
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Yeah, that makes sense.
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In a Society in which there is no law, and in theory no compulsion, the only arbiter of behaviour is public opinion. But public opinion, because of the tremendous urge to conformity in gregarious animals, is less tolerant than any system of law. When human beings are governed by "thou shalt not", the individual can practise a certain amount of eccentricity: when they are supposedly governed by "love" or "reason", he is under continuous pressure to make him behave and think in exactly the same way as everyone else.
George Orwell is my hero.
Social Experiment: if you're pissed like me, copy and paste this into your sig, and add a number after it.
PISSED 8374982374983749873948234
Check out my band Man In A Shed |
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2010/02/28 01:03:39
Subject: Yet another valid turn of phrase is demeaned
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Fixture of Dakka
Manchester UK
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Plus words are just arbitrary symbols, with absolutely zero in the way of inherent meaning. Any meaning we ascribe to them is governed by convention, negotiation and assumption. It follows that idioms should be no different in this respect.
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Cheesecat wrote:
I almost always agree with Albatross, I can't see why anyone wouldn't.
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