On 30 July 2013 10:18, john g marr <jmarr_at_unm.edu> wrote:
> On Mon, 29 Jul 2013, Stephen Paling wrote:
>
>> Like learning to program and building algorithms? That's what I'm doing.
>> I'm tired of bikeshedding.
>
>
> Algorithms are "minor technical" tools built to serve a higher purpose.
> It's the purpose and its ramifications that determine whether the algorithms
> are examples of "bikeshedding. How about some "technical" software that can
> drain the media swamp of identifiable manipulative rhetoric (as, for
> example, identified on Wikipedia's "List of fallacies")?
>
> "Bikeshedding" happens most commonly when actions are taken without regard
> for potential consequences, such as how to get the most out of fracking with
> no concern for earthquakes and pollution.
>
I think you have misunderstood what bikeshedding is, bikeshedding
doesn't occur as the result of an action, it prevents actions by
arguing about unimportant details. Like what colour the bike shed
should be.
Someone steps up and says I am going to build a new bikeshed, because
this old one is falling over. Here I have the wood and all the
materials needed. Then someone else says "It must be blue", "No it
must be red" and the bikeshed is never built.
If people were arguing about what colour hardhats they should wear
when fracking, I could understand your example.
Chris
PS All catalogues should be blue!!
Received on Mon Jul 29 2013 - 18:26:34 EDT