noise ratio on taxacom

[Mr Fortuner connection modem]

I agree entirely with "Gena Gulamentum". If somebody takes the time to post a
message, who is going to decide that it is "frivolous"? (I AM interested in
the language discussion).

Another thing, "all work and no play make Jack a
dull boy" (like Jack Nicholson said, with an axe to grind). We are not
religious leaders or politicians who have to take themselves seriously for
people to believe in them, we are taxonomists and we do taxonomy because it's
fun (at least I do). Well, let's have fun from time to time.

But I know that
some of you scorn frivolity and want to be Scientists with a capital S and no
fun. Let me ask them, what is more worthy of Science, ground level research on
exact geographical coordinates of an obscure place, or participation, from a
taxonomic point of view, in the discussion on major
philosophical/social/scientific questions, such as should we have a universal
language, what is a race, what is Man, and the like?

The answer, of course,
is that none is "better" and both types of activities are important. Science
consists in facts, interpretation of these facts, and discussions about these
interpretations and their philosophical consequences. Sometimes, such
discussions verge on esoterism, inner-circle quarrels, or frivolity. So what?
Better get swamped from time to time by an exchange of silly messages (of
course, Bob Hope is NOT the type of H. sapiens sapiens. Jerry Lewis is) than
to suppress silliness and also suppress discussions on fundamental questions.


Renaud Fortuner