X-Loop: openpgp.net
From: Jim Choate <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> This is bullshit, plain and simple. If you're going to redefine a word
> every time then it means nothing to anyone, not even yourself.
Indeed, words mean nothing to everyone. Their meanings doesn't fall from the
sky. It's attributed by HUMANS. The word "word" doesn't mean anything to my
wife, who doesn't speak English. Once I translate it to her, she attributes
a meaning to it.
> If you're
> goin to take a commen word and use it in an uncommen, unique, or new way
> then it is YOUR responsibility to alert people to this.
Which is exactly what I was saying. [And exactly what you failed to do, when
redefining blackmail.]
> It is not their
> responsibility to guess as what you mean.
Never said that.
> Further, as an author the last
> thing one should want, outside of a fiction piece, is to have the reader
> guess at your meaning.
Very good.
> > Even when Jim wants to define blackmail as anything involving the
request of
> > money, that's ok. It's when he argues that everyone should use HIS
> > definition that I have a problem :)
>
> Not accurate at all. Blackmail is extortion pure and simple. When
> discussing it and the related ethical issues involved it is in no way
> different than any other extortion.
As I was saying, if blackmail was equivalent with extortion, then what word
do you use for "I know something I won't tell, if you pay me"?
Mark
