[MD] Science Wars

[MarshaV]

At 03:27 PM 4/19/2009, you wrote:
> > > >[Marsha]
> > > >By conventional truth I mean a pattern that is relational,
> > > >ever-changing and conceptually constructed.  What of a conventional
> > > >truth is shared?  Are you, six letters with some kind of relationship
> > > >to crime, shared?
> > > >
> > > >[Krimel]
> > > >Conventions may have those properties but a convention is shared. The
> > > > term has no meaning in the context of the individual. Letters are
>shared
> > > >conventions my explanation for the etymology of my name is likewise
> > > > shared. In short EVERYTHING about a "conventional truth" is shared.
>That is what
> > > > makes it conventional.
> > >
> > >Marsha
> > >Can you name one static of pattern (meaning) that is shared
> > >100%?    Each particular will have its little deviation.
> > >
> > >[Krimel]
> > >Of course not, neither in terms of 100% of people agreeing nor of two
> > >people sharing 100% overlap in understanding. Fortunately neither of
>these is
> > >required of a conventional understanding. The issue is really about how
> > >much overlap (short of 100%) do we actually need to communicate and share
> > >understanding. The science of information theory is all about this.
> > >Communication and convention are the ability the exchange meaning and
> > >messages. Or to be more precise reduction in uncertainty. Evolutionary
> > >success for example, depends in reducing uncertainty and ANY reduction
> > >confers selective advantage. This is as true of memes are of genes. This
>is
> > >how we evaluate concepts and conventions. We determine how meaningful
>they
> > >are by how well they reduce uncertainty. It is reduction not absolute
> > >reduction that is critical.
> >
> >Marsha
> >The existence of zebras is a conventional truth.  Are using the
> >phrase 'conventional truth' differently?
> >
> >[Krimel]
> >I think so unless this a trick question. I have experienced zebras and my
> >individual concepts of zebrahood are different from yours but our shared
> >convention with regards to zebras is a 'conventional truth' even though
> >there is uncertainty as to the exact amount of overlaps in our individual
> >experience.
>
>Marsha:
>No trick question.  The visual pattern of a zebra may be similar
>between the two of us, but "Is that all there is, is that all there
>is.  If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep
>dancing..."  Do you get what I'm suggesting?
>
>[Krimel]
>Not really, but I am a glass half full kind of guy, I guess. What more would
>you like for there to be?


Marsha:
More than a half empty kind of attitude, but maybe that is not you.





.
_____________

Shoot for the moon.  Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.........
.
.