----- Original Message ----- From: Carl Remick <carlremick at hotmail.com> To: <lbo-talk at lists.panix.com> Sent: Friday, January 28, 2000 10:19 AM Subject: Re: Polo wars (replies to Justin, Jim F, Carl, Rob.)
> >How do you measure the reliability of language?
>
> By its absence.
Right, and how do you measure that?
>
> >At what moment was language
> >more reliable?
>
> Pre 20th century.
>
Ah, yes, the big bang of linguistic corruption: Jan. 1, 1901. Everything was so clear and precise before then. There was no irony. Everybody meant exactly what they said and said exactly what they meant. Oh for the good old days.
> >(Bigger question: What are you counting as language?)
>
> You're soaking in it right now.
>
But Madge, are there other brands?
> >How do
> >you know (that it was more reliable in general)?
>
> Ah, the snares of epistemology!
>
Or: Ah, the ruses of nostalgia!
All best Christian