Hi Bruce,

"Does anyone, including yourself, take that kind of balderdash seriously?"

Yes, I do, except that I don't consider it "balderdash".

"Here's something equivalent to what you're saying:

DoctorDick is an amazing genius who discovered a way to translate any foreign book to English. He hasn't actually come up with a translating device yet (he leaves that for future generations), but he has proved to me that his method works. I have seen his translations of two foreign books and they look exactly the same as the ones in my local library! I'm completely in awe of his genius, and I can't understand why no one takes him seriously. "

Here, again your concept of "equivalence" is in error. Here are some things I didn't say:

I never said Dr. Dick is "an amazing genius".

I never said I'm completely in awe of his genius.

I never said I can't understand why no one takes him seriously.

But I would agree that if someone claimed to have such a translation device and they showed that it could translate all existing foreign books, or even two for that matter, I would certainly expect it to be able to translate new books after they are written.

"You have to excuse me if I don't have a lot of respect for your intelligence. I'm really sorry."

Don't be sorry. You're excused. I have no need for your respect.

Warm regards,

Paul

• I'm astonished! - tourist - September 24, 2003 - 18:46 UTC
  • Tell Me Why - pmartin - September 24, 2003 - 19:17 UTC
  • Translation devices and the like - harvey1 - September 24, 2003 - 19:32 UTC
    • Wonderful, Harv! - tourist - September 24, 2003 - 19:56 UTC
      • snake oil - harvey1 - September 24, 2003 - 20:04 UTC
        • (i.e., they aren't getting enough oxygen) nt - harvey1 - September 24, 2003 - 20:05 UTC
• Way to go Paul! - carefuluniverse - September 24, 2003 - 19:47 UTC
  • Oops. I Posted The Thanks In The Wrong Place - pmartin - September 24, 2003 - 21:22 UTC
• Uhh, Thenk You...Thenk You Veruh Much (NT) - pmartin - September 24, 2003 - 21:18 UTC
  • ? - harvey1 - September 24, 2003 - 21:26 UTC
    • And...Thank You, Harv - pmartin - September 25, 2003 - 00:54 UTC