[MD] Moq_Discuss Digest, Vol 39, Issue 75

[Michael Poloukhine]

> [Michael]
> The definitions of words are relatively constant as compared to the rate of
> change of ideas, either in society or in personal dialog. 
> 
> [Arlo]
> OK. We agree here. I only add that the "constancy" is not an edict from an
> authority, but a shared consensus among those in the dialog. Certainly, we have
> to agree to a sizeable foundation to make higher communication possible. If we
> belabored every word, every perceived nuance, we'd never get past the first
> sentence (maybe even the first word). 

MP: Yes. But consensus *is* authority. (witness: law) In that sense linguistic 
constancy *cannot* occur without authority. The real debate here I think is not 
*whether* authority is acceptable, but rather what constitutes *acceptable* 
authority.

MP
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"Don't believe everything you think."