Sin Tax and Some Antics

[psyllogism]

In my previous article on the topic, I suggested that I would next talk about computers. But I realized, I'm not there yet. I gotta talk about language, first. All you English and French majors out there should like this

Comments

[anailia]

Even a naturally spastic and disorganized person like me becomes a control freak with enough programming practice.....

[magus341]

The distinction between ambiguity and precision is an extremely important one. It's THE reason economists use mathematics - to add precision to their arguments. Math is a horrible way to say 90% of everything that one can say about a tremendously complex economy comprised of fuzzy humans. Sometimes the fuzziness is helpful. It allows for different interpretations which can increase creativity and flexibility. Sometimes, you just want to say exactly one thing. This was a good essay.

"there are only a finite number of verbs that don't"
There are only a finite number of verbs that do, also.

[psyllogism]

Thanks. And good point on ambiguity leading to increased creativity/flexibility!

Re: finite number of verbs - Very true! Though arguably we often add new verbs to English (like "fax") which are almost-always regular. So that's LIKE an infinite number of regular verbs ;-). But my point is that the number of regular verbs is far larger than the number of irregular ones.

[magus341]

I knew that was your point, but you were writing an article about how mathematics makes you speak precisely and you used a mathematical term in an ambiguous/imprecise way. It was just too deliciously ironic, so I had to comment.