Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Public House › New species of whale discovered
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Billy_T.
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July 26, 2016 at 10:35 pm #49405July 26, 2016 at 11:17 pm #49407
bnwBlockedInteresting though more like realized rather than discovered.
The upside to being a Rams fan is heartbreak.
Sprinkles are for winners.
July 27, 2016 at 6:38 am #49416
nittany ramModeratorInteresting though more like realized rather than discovered.
Yes, that’s usually the way it goes nowadays. at least for larger animals. It was the same with the recent ‘discovery’ of a new species of tapir. However, there may be some large bodied animals still unknown to science waiting to be found in the depths of the ocean.
Of course, there are plenty of smaller organisms that have yet to be discovered. Thousands of new species are being found every year.
July 27, 2016 at 7:54 am #49417Billy_TParticipantFrom Merriam Webster:
noun dis·cov·ery \dis-ˈkə-v(ə-)rē\
Popularity: Bottom 50% of words
Simple Definition of discovery: the act of finding or learning something for the first time : the act of discovering something
: something seen or learned for the first time : something discovered
I’ve always found the semantic complaints about “discovery” to be rather silly. They started rearing their angst-ridden heads when it came to Columbus and America, at least in my lifetime.
The reason it’s silly? Using the word “discovery” doesn’t mean or imply or suggest that the discoverer invented something, or was the first to know of something’s existence. It just means that they discovered something new to them, which had been unknown to them before that. That they had been ignorant of its existence prior to that discovery. Ignorance altered — at least to a degree. Like a teen “discovers” sex. It obviously existed before him or her. But it’s a brand new experience for them.
The bigger issue, for me, is that roughly half of all wildlife has been wiped out since 1970 — mostly due to us poisoning the planet.
Earth has lost half of its wildlife in the past 40 years, says WWF
July 27, 2016 at 8:00 am #49418Billy_TParticipantOf course, the above is not to say that there weren’t/aren’t those who abuse(d) the word for their own purposes. Like those who think or thought that Columbus and company’s “discovery” meant some ultimate redemption for the indigenous “heathen” and the chance to finally become “civilized.”
Personally, I prefer the general framework of Native cultures to our own, with their nearly flat hierarchies — one or two rungs at most — and their strong connection to the earth. There was, of course, diversity within those cultures as well, and they weren’t all great stewards of the earth, but in generally, I prefer their setup to ours.
July 27, 2016 at 9:50 am #49419
znModeratorSemantic debate?
“Discovered” is the conventional word because it means brought to our attention when previously we were in ignorance.
Like, you discovered that there’s a mole in your garden.
The word refers to and only means “came to our awareness and attention.” Doesn’t mean you suddenly invented moles who therefore now exist for the first time in the history of the earth.
July 27, 2016 at 10:04 am #49420Billy_TParticipantSemantic debate?
“Discovered” is the conventional word because it means brought to our attention when previously we were in ignorance.
Like, you discovered that there’s a mole in your garden.
The word refers to and only means “came to our awareness and attention.” Doesn’t mean you suddenly invented moles who therefore now exist for the first time in the history of the earth.
Exactly.
This may be a stretch, but it reminds me of the faux-controversy over “Black Lives Matter.” It’s always implied “too” at the end of that. Which is the point. It’s never meant “only,” added to the front of that. So the right-wing refrain of “All Lives Matter” is stupid and offensive and basically just another way to put white folks back on top.
IMO, etc.
July 27, 2016 at 10:19 am #49421bnwBlockedSemantic debate?
“Discovered” is the conventional word because it means brought to our attention when previously we were in ignorance.
Like, you discovered that there’s a mole in your garden.
The word refers to and only means “came to our awareness and attention.” Doesn’t mean you suddenly invented moles who therefore now exist for the first time in the history of the earth.
Except in this case the japanese had already known of this whales existence for decades from live sitings and even a DNA profile already in their possession. So this isn’t a case of true discovery rather its a case of other misidentified specimens being correctly identified.
The upside to being a Rams fan is heartbreak.
Sprinkles are for winners.
July 27, 2016 at 10:35 am #49424nittany ramModeratorSemantic debate?
“Discovered” is the conventional word because it means brought to our attention when previously we were in ignorance.
Like, you discovered that there’s a mole in your garden.
The word refers to and only means “came to our awareness and attention.” Doesn’t mean you suddenly invented moles who therefore now exist for the first time in the history of the earth.
Exactly.
This may be a stretch, but it reminds me of the faux-controversy over “Black Lives Matter.” It’s always implied “too” at the end of that. Which is the point. It’s never meant “only,” added to the front of that. So the right-wing refrain of “All Lives Matter” is stupid and offensive and basically just another way to put white folks back on top.
IMO, etc.
A good analogy I heard for when All Lives Matter is used in response to Black Lives Matter…
Picture a group of people sitting around a table at a dinner. One person who’s plate is empty says “I deserve to eat.” Another person who’s plate is piled high with food says, “Hey, we all deserve to eat!”
July 27, 2016 at 11:20 am #49429Billy_TParticipantSemantic debate?
“Discovered” is the conventional word because it means brought to our attention when previously we were in ignorance.
Like, you discovered that there’s a mole in your garden.
The word refers to and only means “came to our awareness and attention.” Doesn’t mean you suddenly invented moles who therefore now exist for the first time in the history of the earth.
Exactly.
This may be a stretch, but it reminds me of the faux-controversy over “Black Lives Matter.” It’s always implied “too” at the end of that. Which is the point. It’s never meant “only,” added to the front of that. So the right-wing refrain of “All Lives Matter” is stupid and offensive and basically just another way to put white folks back on top.
IMO, etc.
A good analogy I heard for when All Lives Matter is used in response to Black Lives Matter…
Picture a group of people sitting around a table at a dinner. One person who’s plate is empty says “I deserve to eat.” Another person who’s plate is piled high with food says, “Hey, we all deserve to eat!”
That is good, Nittany. Had not heard that before. Thanks.
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