[CAUT] Semantics

[David Ilvedson]

I can think of one reason to use amplify...it is easy for the customer to understand...imprecise, yes...but who cares...

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: PAULREVENKOJONES at aol.com
To: caut at ptg.org
Received: 5/9/2009 11:23:24 AM
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Semantics




>In a message dated 5/9/2009 4:47:24 P.M. Central 
>Daylight Time, davidlovepianos at comcast.net writes:

>At this  point I think everyone understands that a soundboard is not  an
>amplifier.
>Maybe. :-)

>However, why can't one say "the volume of sound produced
>formerly limited  by the inconsequential mass of the vibrating string alone
>is increased when  the energy is transduced to the soundboard whose greater
>mass and area  allow for the greater movement of air".
>It's closer.

>Substitute the
>colloquial meaning of amplified for increased and I  don't think the 
>physical
>world as we have come to know it will cease to  exist or all soundboard
>science will be endangered.
>Why not just use the correct lexicon?. 

>Precision in language is all well and good and
>important, at least in most  cases--after all we made the first tools and
>fire (a significant step in  the history of science) only being able to
>grunt.  This rather  inconsequential transgression
>It's not a sin, just lazy-mindedness, and fuzzy thinking. I've got enough  
>fuzz in my navel, thanks. Oops, is that TMI?

>will  hardly cause the
>seeds planted to not grow 
>might could...

>or put  guns in all our pockets, as someone has
>suggested.
>Hyperbole, not ad hominem...metaphor, not attack...

>I'm not sure which side is more guilty of the ad hominem
>attacks. 
>No person has been attacked. An inarticulate and poor use of  language 
>which might lead those who don't know to greater confusion rather than  
>enlightenment has been. Properly so. 

>Point  made, time to move on. 
>Don't you mean, let's transduce? :-)



>David  Love
>www.davidlovepianos.com




>**************Remember Mom this Mother's Day! Find a florist near you now. 
>(http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=florist&ncid=emlcntusyelp00000006)