The word "field" is a racial slur now.

[2PhiloVoid]

Neither are kidney transplants.

All words are “made up”; there’s no “word mine” where we find “new words”. Therefore defining and redefining them is an on-going process (that you seem to like to complain about).

That's right. Tomorrow, the word "two" will suddenly be made to mean "five." And it will because we say it will.

 

[RDKirk]

Neither are kidney transplants.

All words are “made up”; there’s no “word mine” where we find “new words”. Therefore defining and redefining them is an on-going process (that you seem to like to complain about).

What's not normal, at least in the West, is government and academia pressure to use or not use certain words. That is definitely a tool out of the totalitarian toolbox. The US is not as egregious in that regard as Canada and the UK, but the desire is there.

 

[Aldebaran]

Neither are kidney transplants.

Which is not relevant here.

All words are “made up”; there’s no “word mine” where we find “new words”. Therefore defining and redefining them is an on-going process (that you seem to like to complain about).

Defined by society and culture, or certain liberal politicians?

 

[Pommer]

Which is not relevant here.



Defined by society and culture, or certain liberal politicians?

By society, which we are, and this is all “normal”, but we have to argue over everything so…here we are.

 

[Aldebaran]

By society, which we are, and this is all “normal”, but we have to argue over everything so…here we are.

Yeah, well in the meantime, I'll continue using the word "field". Hopefully, I won't have to worry about losing a job over it. Maybe facebook will ban me for it though.

 

[rjs330]

But are "we" really doing that?

Or are we elevating every silly little side show into prominence in order to stoke our culture wars fires and keep ourselves agitated?

Yes we are. As WE have seen in other areas these silly little sideshows turn mainstream. When it's being taught in the education system and in government agencies it goes much farther than sideshow.

 

[rjs330]

Neither are kidney transplants.

All words are “made up”; there’s no “word mine” where we find “new words”. Therefore defining and redefining them is an on-going process (that you seem to like to complain about).

Oh come on man. Most of these words have been around for thousands and thousands of years. Sure someone somewhere in the ancient past beyong our knowledge created a word. That has nothing to with this thread and the offense take over a dumb word that has nothing to do with the supposrd offe we take

When you look at the epistemology of words you see that words do change. But there's always a legitimate reason for adding definitions to words. This is not about adding a definition to a word.

This is about calling words offensive just because apparently someone has to find a reason to be offended.

 

[durangodawood]

Yes we are. As WE have seen in other areas these silly little sideshows turn mainstream. When it's being taught in the education system and in government agencies it goes much farther than sideshow.

Im not feeling the pressure. I doubt I will.

 

[rjs330]

Im not feeling the pressure. I doubt I will.

No yet. Hopefully you never will. I am hoping the push back will prevent it. We'll see.

But in places they are putting pressure on. You just aren't part of those places.

 

[Pommer]

Yeah, well in the meantime, I'll continue using the word "field". Hopefully, I won't have to worry about losing a job over it. Maybe facebook will ban me for it though.

I’m sure quantum field theory will go on just fine.
This topic is a complaint about some esoteric departments in a couple of places trying to be “fair” and non-discriminatory and (maybe) going too far.
Enjoy making a Big Deal about it though.

 

[Hans Blaster]

That's right. Tomorrow, the word "two" will suddenly be made to mean "five." And it will because we say it will.

Like that hasn't happened in the past. (Just look at how the number words evolve from earlier languages and related languages.)

If it does there will be a need for a replacement for (twice one), I suggest "double 1" (just like double u). Eventually there would be a typsetting symbol for it, but until then we can just count to ten.

one, double one, three, four, two, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

 

[Aldebaran]

I’m sure quantum field theory will go on just fine.
This topic is a complaint about some esoteric departments in a couple of places trying to be “fair” and non-discriminatory and (maybe) going too far.
Enjoy making a Big Deal about it though.

If showing how they're going "too far" (your words) is making a "big deal" about it (again, your words), I will enjoy it.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Like that hasn't happened in the past. (Just look at how the number words evolve from earlier languages and related languages.)

If it does there will be a need for a replacement for (twice one), I suggest "double 1" (just like double u). Eventually there would be a typsetting symbol for it, but until then we can just count to ten.

one, double one, three, four, two, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

Hans, you know there's a huge difference between the natural evolution of language and the sudden, gratuitious, and forced change made by some political voices working in a Marxian/"1984-ish" style.

 

[durangodawood]

Hans, you know there's a huge difference between the natural evolution of language and the sudden, gratuitious, and forced change made by some political voices working in a Marxian/"1984-ish" style.

So I can test your assertion, whats an example of this forced change thats actually stuck?

 

[Aldebaran]

So I can test your assertion, whats an example of this forced change thats actually stuck?

Women are "birthing persons" now.
"Master bedroom" is no longer used by realtors.
NOTAM used to mean "Notices to airman", but now redefined as "Notice to air missions" to please everyone, even though the system itself failed.
"Woman" can no longer be defined.
Men can supposedly have babies now.
"Latinx" (not sure if it has actually caught on yet)
"Pet parent" instead of pet owner

 

[durangodawood]

Women are "birthing persons" now.
"Master bedroom" is no longer used by realtors.
NOTAM used to mean "Notices to airman", but now redefined as "Notice to air missions" to please everyone, even though the system itself failed.
"Woman" can no longer be defined.
Men can supposedly have babies now.
"Latinx" (not sure if it has actually caught on yet)
"Pet parent" instead of pet owner

OK. Going down the list I see changes that either havent stuck, or that I simply dont care about at all. I sure am not seeing the fingerprints of Big Brother on this.

For sure I anticipate more de-gendering of language as it seems increasingly silly to maintain language gender norms suitable to patriarchal times. I still cant do Latinx with a straight face tho.

 

[Bradskii]

Women are "birthing persons" now.
"Master bedroom" is no longer used by realtors.
NOTAM used to mean "Notices to airman", but now redefined as "Notice to air missions" to please everyone, even though the system itself failed.
"Woman" can no longer be defined.
Men can supposedly have babies now.
"Latinx" (not sure if it has actually caught on yet)
"Pet parent" instead of pet owner

Where do you get these from? The only one that sounds odd is master bedroom. S'always the main bedroom where I come from. And you may have noticed that women fly planes as well these days.

And Latino is male, Latina is female but Latinos is used for male and female. That's how the language works. If you want to the use Latinx, then for siblings you'll need to use hermanx as opposed to hermanos. And uncles and aunts becomes tix instead of tios. If you use Spanish words then you need to follow Spanish grammar.

 

[RDKirk]

I’m sure quantum field theory will go on just fine.
This topic is a complaint about some esoteric departments in a couple of places trying to be “fair” and non-discriminatory and (maybe) going too far.
Enjoy making a Big Deal about it though.

The story was about a university and a state government eschewing "field" as a matter of official policy. I'm not the one who made it a Big Deal.

 

[RDKirk]

OK. Going down the list I see changes that either havent stuck,

What condition meets your definition of "stuck?"

or that I simply dont care about at all.

Well, that certainly means nothing to anyone else.

I sure am not seeing the fingerprints of Big Brother on this.

Does it not matter when a state or the federal government takes it up? Otherwise, what does "Big Brother" mean?

For sure I anticipate more de-gendering of language as it seems increasingly silly to maintain language gender norms suitable to patriarchal times. I still cant do Latinx with a straight face tho.

And yet, the governor of Arkansas is coming under fire for being a US government official refusing to incorporate "Latinx," even though the governments of Spanish-speaking nations refuse to adopt it.

 

[durangodawood]

What condition meets your definition of "stuck?"

When the usage (or abandonment of usage) becomes common, durable, and mostly not questioned. Like with the demise of "negro".

Well, that certainly means nothing to anyone else.

I dont know if theres better measure of oppression than people reporting feeling oppressed. Im reporting that I dont. Put that in the basket along with everyone elses testimony.

Does it not matter when a state or the federal government takes it up? Otherwise, what does "Big Brother" mean?

Govt official usage in docs is not oppression. Oppression is when govt forces your usage.

And yet, the governor of Arkansas is coming under fire for being a US government official refusing to incorporate "Latinx," even though the governments of Spanish-speaking nations refuse to adopt it.

So? Is she entitled to immunity from criticism?..... while here we are putting other agencies of govt "under fire" for excising "field". None of the under fire stuff is oppression.

All this about big brother oppression seems a little hyperventilatory to me. That said, I think relegating "field" is double plus silly.