[MD] God is dead.

[ian glendinning]

And Peter,

My joke about burning dictionaries - was about burning Christians at
the stake, like an effective practical precaution aginst their mis-use
and mis-understanding as individuals :-) But about as much use as a
chocolate fireguard in actually understanding them.

("Absolutely no value" - was of course tongue in cheek.)

Ian

On 3/3/06, ian glendinning <psybertron at gmail.com> wrote:
> Peter,
> Actually I usually do guess first (based on context, sound, shape,
> analogy, etc) and then reach for several dictionaries, including two
> or three etymological sources if possible ... then decide what it
> really "means" at the moment. There is a lot to recommend the
> child-like exploration I find.
>
> My point was "a definition" is only a small static part of any meaning.
>
> Ian
> PS - If you think I made that up, look at the "One-Look" dictionary
> link on my blog, and the much used Marvin Minsky quote on my
> references page.
>
> On 3/3/06, Peter Corteen <psigenics at googlemail.com> wrote:
> > Hi Ian,
> >
> > I'll bet you will reach for a dictionary like any of us when you see a new
> > word and want to know what it signifies or do you just make a guess from
> > context   (which is what babies must do at first.)?
> >
> > Also, like Marsha, I wouldn't equate nature with "God" who is necessarily
> > supernatural.
> >
> > Regards
> >
> > Peter
> >
> > On 03/03/06, ian glendinning <psybertron at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Marsha, et al
> > >
> > > The trouble I find with dictionaries is that they contain "definitions",
> > > but nothing remotely useful.
> > >
> > > If we ever get into book-burning they'll be first on the pyre :-)
> > >
> > > Ian
> > >
> > > On 3/2/06, MarshaV <marshalz at charter.net> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Ian,
> > > >
> > > > Here is my dictionary's definition.  I do not like the word.  For me,
> > > > it has low quality.  And I really don't want to use it, or talk about
> > > it.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > God n. 1. the Supreme Being, the creator and ruler of the
> > > > universe.  2. one of several deities, esp. a male deity, presiding
> > > > over some portion of worldly affairs,  3. Christian Science. the
> > > > Supreme Being considered with reference to the sum of His
> > > > attributes.  4. any deified person or object.  5. (used to express
> > > > disappointment.)
> > > >
> > > > I'm working on a painting, and that's much more exciting.
> > > >
> > > > Marsha
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
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