semantics

In public discussions, . . . it is a common practice for one of the disputants to dismiss his opponent's argument by saying that it is merely a matter of semantics . . . . This approach is open to two objections. The first is the use of the word 'merely.' When disputants are arguing with words -- and no other method of argument is in general use -- the meanings that they attach to the words they use are of fundamental importance, not something to be dismissed. The second objection is that the comment should be followed, as it rarely is, by an examination of what semantic problems are involved and how they affect the argument.

— G.L. Brook, Words in Everyday Life 76 (1981)

Staples Sealy Posturepedic Geneva Black Leather Executive Chair

Your Rating: 3 stars
Headline: Comfortable for a short time

Pros : Comfortable, Sturdy, Rolls Smoothly, Good Lumbar Support, Attractive Design
Cons : Not Enough Padding, Uncomfortable
Best Uses : Home Office, Computer Chair
Describe Yourself : Midrange Shopper
Primary use : Personal

Author Nicholas Carr: The Web Shatters Focus, Rewires Brains

Author Nicholas Carr: The Web Shatters Focus, Rewires Brains
By Nicholas Carr May 24, 2010 | 12:00 pm | Wired June 2010

http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/05/ff_nicholas_carr/all?mbid=wir_newsltr

My response:

language

It is easy enough to say that a person should live in such a way as to avoid the perfect infinitive after the past conditional, but it is another matter to do it.

— James Thurber, "Ladies' and Gentlemen's Guide to Modern English Usage"

on Easter

He who is risen
Hath cast no shadow today
No prolonged winter!

— Brynn

language

There are three main sources of colour in language, and all of them involve words: vividness, activeness and pleasantness. The first makes the picture clear, the second makes it lively, and the third makes it easy to look at.

— Royal Bank of Canada, The Communication of Ideas 17 (rev. ed. 1972)

writing

Clear thought easily finds words to fit it.

— Arthur Schopenhauer, "Schopenhauer on Style"

writing

With some awe we have to remind ourselves that writers like Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Milton had no access to what we would call dictionaries. Spelling did not much worry them, as it worries a modern author who runs to his dictionary to check on difficult words like 'hemorrhage' (my personal blind spot). Milton spelled in his own creative manner, preferring 'mee' to 'me' when he wished to be emphatic; Shakespeare went the free and easy Elizabethan way, leaving his own name to be juggled with in a variety of orthographical fantasies; with Chaucer the encoding of speech sounds was logical and required no checking.

— Anthony Burgess, A Mouthful of Air 332 (1992)

Travelocity Torture

Message left today at the Travelocity Customer Service web site:

Quote:

Today I had the opportunity to remain on hold for the Travelocity Customer Service phone line for almost three and one-half hours during three separate calls while trying to cancel an imminent reservation. The time spent actually speaking to representatives during these calls was approximately ten minutes; the rest was time on hold.

I have three comments based on this experience.

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