Comments on: On Rescuing Reporters and Accurate Language in Astronomy http://spin-onehalf.com/2009/08/on-rescuing-reporters-and-accurate-language-in-astronomy/ Science, technology and media commentary for people who like to know things. Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:41:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Josh F. http://spin-onehalf.com/2009/08/on-rescuing-reporters-and-accurate-language-in-astronomy/comment-page-1/#comment-148 Josh F. Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:19:48 +0000 http://spin-onehalf.com/?p=403#comment-148 I think that the use of present tense vs. past tense is really more of a matter of educational focus. Astronomers more then likely do not take very many English classes in Star school, and thusly wouldn't have as strong of a grasp on the proper usage of words. Really the use of the present tense was simply a grammatical mistake on the part of someone that could talk for days about black holes and spiral galaxies, but more then likely is unsure of when to use "then" and "than". I have that same problem. I think that the use of present tense vs. past tense is really more of a matter of educational focus. Astronomers more then likely do not take very many English classes in Star school, and thusly wouldn’t have as strong of a grasp on the proper usage of words. Really the use of the present tense was simply a grammatical mistake on the part of someone that could talk for days about black holes and spiral galaxies, but more then likely is unsure of when to use “then” and “than”. I have that same problem.

]]> By: DrKuha http://spin-onehalf.com/2009/08/on-rescuing-reporters-and-accurate-language-in-astronomy/comment-page-1/#comment-116 DrKuha Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:05:48 +0000 http://spin-onehalf.com/?p=403#comment-116 Re: the spatha: Yeah, I was going more for the sound of the word "spatha" as opposed to gladius. It's a more obscure sword, but not unheard of, and has a cool name. But it does make sense that Clinton might prefer it to the gladius. Re: past vs. present: I think you're right on the money. When I was writing the post, it did occur to me that POV would dictate verb tense, but it still strikes me as odd and inaccurate. I do like the analogy to the rifle report. Re: the spatha: Yeah, I was going more for the sound of the word “spatha” as opposed to gladius. It’s a more obscure sword, but not unheard of, and has a cool name. But it does make sense that Clinton might prefer it to the gladius.

Re: past vs. present: I think you’re right on the money. When I was writing the post, it did occur to me that POV would dictate verb tense, but it still strikes me as odd and inaccurate. I do like the analogy to the rifle report.

]]> By: Jeremiah Liend http://spin-onehalf.com/2009/08/on-rescuing-reporters-and-accurate-language-in-astronomy/comment-page-1/#comment-114 Jeremiah Liend Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:12:43 +0000 http://spin-onehalf.com/?p=403#comment-114 I prefer the gladius to the longer spatha. It's a question of utility really. I prefer to forsake length for reliability. Consider the gladiator. But you're right, as a former president he would more than likely be armed with the sword of a general. As per the question of Past Vs. Present tense, I think it's more of a philosophical question, which I attempt to avoid. If we can only perceive something at a distance then our tense is determined by our perception. Like the person who dies before you hear the report of the rifle. Just because we don't hear the report until after the death the person is still dead at the point of impact. Maybe this makes no sense at all however. I prefer the gladius to the longer spatha. It’s a question of utility really. I prefer to forsake length for reliability. Consider the gladiator. But you’re right, as a former president he would more than likely be armed with the sword of a general. As per the question of Past Vs. Present tense, I think it’s more of a philosophical question, which I attempt to avoid. If we can only perceive something at a distance then our tense is determined by our perception. Like the person who dies before you hear the report of the rifle. Just because we don’t hear the report until after the death the person is still dead at the point of impact. Maybe this makes no sense at all however.

]]> By: Puuda Maggui http://spin-onehalf.com/2009/08/on-rescuing-reporters-and-accurate-language-in-astronomy/comment-page-1/#comment-113 Puuda Maggui Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:49:14 +0000 http://spin-onehalf.com/?p=403#comment-113 You're silly... You’re silly…

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