Inside The Worlds Most Unusual Fossil Site - The La Brea Tar Pits

Tuur said:

Direct questions work marvelously to get to the point, particularly in getting important information in an emergency. This includes yes or no questions. So many questions can only have a binary answer. Don't like binary answers? Don't ask binary questions.

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I shall make another attempt at clarification. I agree completely about the power and the relevance of binary questions. However, when dealing with the detail of concepts, or plans, or historical events, or any of the multiplicity of "things" that concern one or more sections of humanity, binary questions can be very, even dangerously limiting. In such scenarios I think there is a pattern wherein those with limited knowledge of that scenario get the wrong answers, by applying predominantly binary questions and in expecting, sometimes exclusively, binary answers. Do you disagree that this is the case?

Tuur said:

BTW, don't like me? Put me on ignore. No muss, no fuss

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What a peculiar remark! At this point in time I am indifferent to you. I am engaging with your remarks in an effort to properly understand your position. But since you asked this question, I would be very interested to learn why you think I do not like you.

Tuur said:

No. Asking if a triple point exists is a yes or no question. Asking what it the triple point of water isn't. Asking if there's a gravitational constant is a yes or no question. Asking what is the nature of gravity isn't. Answers are based on the questions asked. If someone doesn't want yes or no answers, they shouldn't ask yes or no questions.

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The need to put precise specifications and contingencies into a question to make a yes/no question appropriate isn't demonstrating a strict binary.