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Skepticism, Science & Pseudoscience

DetlefK

(16,584 posts)

11. But we need terms that are practical.

Reply to muriel_volestrangler (Reply #10)

Mon Jul 20, 2015, 04:11 AM

Jul 2015

We SHOULD redefine the charge of the electron as +e because that would make calculations a lot easier. But we can't because too many people are used to it.

We SHOULD redefine 2*pi as tau because that would make calculations a lot easier. But we can't because too many people are used to it.

With the planets with have the possibility to use terms that are practical for the people who actually have to work with them.

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Once again, some DUers think science is a democratic proposition. [View all] HuckleB Jul 2015 OP

How Pluto is classified is as much a cultural exercise as a scientific one. Skinner Jul 2015 #1

You're wrong about the reason for the reclassification. LiberalAndProud Jul 2015 #2

I did not say it was arbitrary. Nor do I believe it to be arbitrary. Skinner Jul 2015 #3

So, you didn't acknowledge that other DUers thought it should be up for popular vote? HuckleB Jul 2015 #6

Pluto was reclassified as the largest object in the Kuiper Belt Warpy Jul 2015 #9

But it was up for vote - that's rather the point muriel_volestrangler Jul 2015 #13

That's rather like voting on evolution Warpy Jul 2015 #16

I dispute it's like the case of evolution muriel_volestrangler Jul 2015 #17

Post removed Post removed Jul 2015 #5

BTW, if you want to ban me, just do it. HuckleB Jul 2015 #7

Walt Starr did this so much better than you.... Little Star Jul 2015 #8

Why not hold democratic votes on other sciency stuff? Like abortion, vaccinations... DetlefK Jul 2015 #4

That's a weird argument you're putting forward there muriel_volestrangler Jul 2015 #10

But we need terms that are practical. DetlefK Jul 2015 #11

But wishing to use a definition that held for 75 years isn't 'pseudoscience' muriel_volestrangler Jul 2015 #12

It's not democracy per se. DetlefK Jul 2015 #14

But the decision isn't in the same category as the 'sciency stuff' you listed in #4 muriel_volestrangler Jul 2015 #15