Re: [Harp-L] re: One (sort of) newbie's perspective



As a scientist in my day job I know that even 'facts' are better expressed as opinions and that some 'facts' turn out to be artifacts of the methods used to study them. The whole point of science is that facts are revisable if they turn out to be wrong.

Like when I were a lad, soaking harmonicas before playing them was, factually, the right thing to do. Then we filed down the swollen comb. Arrgh

Merry Christmas

Richard
On 24 Dec 2008, at 13:01, Jonathan Ross wrote:

Drew Ross writes:

"3. Use opinion language instead of fact language."


This is a great suggestion. For opinions. When something is a fact, then calling it an opinion diminishes it. Recognizing the difference between objective facts and subjective opinions is important: there are not two sides to everything, some things are and others aren't.


In this case, whether comb material effects the sound of the harmonica is a fact. It is a question of mechanical interactions which can be tested, measured and codified. It is not about people's opinions, feelings or the like. Those are valid, but entirely separate issues.



()()    JR "Bulldogge" Ross
()  ()
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Richard Hammersley Grantshouse, Scottish Borders http://www.last.fm/music/Richard+Hammersley http://www.myspace.com/rhammersley http://www.myspace.com/magpiesittingdown







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