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That's not the right way to look at it.

A telescope that can see back to the beginning of the universe is never obsolete to astronomers. The Hubble is 'obsolete', but there are plenty of astronomers that would step over their own mothers to get time on it.




Sorry for the total digression that follows

> but there are plenty of astronomers that would step over their own mothers to get time on it.

May I suggest "there are plenty of astronomers who would cut their left hands to get time on it". Similarly florid, but does not propagate the meme "people will often be evil for the right price" -- that meme is self reinforcing, the more we believe in it, the more true it becomes, and the worst the world becomes as a result


> the worst the world becomes as a result

I believe the world becomes even worse when people are unable to speak candidly, frankly, and in their own way. Being able to extract and recognize the meaning behind someone's words, in spite of any perceived flaw in word choice or phrasing, is one of the hallmarks of a mature and intelligent individual.

This belief that controlling how people speak will somehow make the world a better place seems somewhat quixotic.


> This belief that controlling how people speak will somehow make the world a better place seems somewhat quixotic.

100% agree. The way we talk, I think, matters. The stories we tell ourselves help shape us. But so does it matter how we try to change it.

Forcing/controlling the way people speak is a remedy worse than the malady 97% of the time, and certainly in the present case.

(Also, it is reasonable that you would interpret my suggestion as an attempt to control, given some elements of the current political climate)

Another example of a poorly told story that worries me: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/may/09/the-real-lord-...




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