NationStates Jolt Archive


I Have a "Theory"

Saipea
18-12-2004, 19:59
No. No you don't. Laymen don't have "theories". They have guesses or hypothesis.Theories take years, decades, centuries to sculpt and refine, and to say you have a theory is wrong and stupid.

"A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena."

That is a theory. You have a conjecture, and opinion, and idea, or a speculation.

The moral: Don't throw the word "theory" around. It insults the integrity of the theory of gravity, the theory of electronic circuits, the atomic theory, etc.
Los Banditos
18-12-2004, 20:01
No. No you don't. Laymen don't have "theories". They have guesses or hypothesis.Theories take years, decades, centuries to sculpt and refine, and to say you have a theory is wrong and stupid.

"A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena."

That is a theory. You have a conjecture, and opinion, and idea, or a speculation.

The moral: Don't throw the word "theory" around. It insults the integrity of the theory of gravity, the theory of electronic circuits, the atomic theory, etc.Huh. That's your theory.
Gnostikos
18-12-2004, 20:30
No, that's a definition, a fact, a postulate... interspliced with my hatred of ignorant lay people.
I don't hate laymen, just ones that act like they know as much as the experts. And postulates are not fact, they are presumed fact. And the plural of hypothesis is hypotheses.
Tuesday Heights
18-12-2004, 20:32
A laymen can know just as much if not more about intellectual matters than any so-called "expert" can.
BLARGistania
18-12-2004, 20:32
I'm sorry, but you have said too many words that mean the same thing. This practice is not within the operational parameters of doublespeak or Ingsoc. You will be arrested by the thought police.
Saipea
18-12-2004, 20:32
I don't hate laymen, just ones that act like they know as much as the experts. And postulates are not fact, they are presumed fact. And the plural of hypothesis is hypotheses.

Oops. My bad.

And don't knock being a wise ass who thinks he knows everything. The more people correct you and have to find your mistakes for you, the better you become!
Saipea
18-12-2004, 20:36
I'm sorry, but you have said too many words that mean the same thing. This practice is not within the operational parameters of doublespeak or Ingsoc. You will be arrested by the thought police.

Was there ever a sequel to that book?

(Don't say 2004)
BLARGistania
18-12-2004, 20:36
Was there ever a sequel to that book?
Not that I know of.
Los Banditos
18-12-2004, 20:38
Was there ever a sequel to that book?
God, I hope not.
The New Echelon
18-12-2004, 20:38
A laymen can know just as much if not more about intellectual matters than any so-called "expert" can.

At which point, the Layman becomes the Expert.

It's annoying how people use Theories so lightly, but it's now accepted use. The best bet is for the professional circles to start using a new term, someting long that 'laypeople' won't like to use in everyday language...
Saipea
18-12-2004, 20:38
A laymen can know just as much if not more about intellectual matters than any so-called "expert" can.

Yes, but we have no right to call our thoughts theories.
I know I'm guilty of it.

The more freely we use the word, the less significance and respect people give to those who really do have theories.
Gnostikos
18-12-2004, 20:45
And don't knock being a wise ass who thinks he knows everything. The more people correct you and have to find your mistakes for you, the better you become!
Yes, I agree. That is why I corrected you, because I'd want others to do the same for me.
Chinkopodia
18-12-2004, 21:31
Yes, but we have no right to call our thoughts theories.
I know I'm guilty of it.

The more freely we use the word, the less significance and respect people give to those who really do have theories.

Surely theories are ideas, and theorums are those proven?

You seem to be thinkin that theory is the same as theorum - if not, what the big deal about using it?