[Taxacom] FW: formation of zoological names with Mc, Mac, et

[Stephen Thorpe]

[Paul wrote] Again, the reversal! The problem is not with the Code, but with the database
[reply] I don't see this as a point of disagreement between us (but you seem to, so I guess we do disagree about something!). Problems are relative to what is wanted. The Code is not problematic in itself, but the Code not being logically watertight does pose a problem to anybody who wants to get a machine to "understand" the Code. In other words, the problem is not with the Code or the database, but with the marriage between the two ...
________________________________________
From: taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu [taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu] On Behalf Of dipteryx at freeler.nl [dipteryx at freeler.nl]
Sent: Saturday, 5 September 2009 6:27 p.m.
To: taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
Subject: Re: [Taxacom] FW: formation of zoological names with Mc, Mac, et

Van: taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu namens Stephen Thorpe
Verzonden: za 5-9-2009 7:10

> [...] This is fine, except that it does pose something of a problem
> to the prospects of automated databases. Because of the nature of a
> machine, it will require a single, perfectly spelled out
> disambiguation of the Code ...

***
Again, the reversal! The problem is not with the Code, but with
the database. Your approach keeps reminding me of the aforism:
"Man, the only creature intelligent enough that the purpose of
evolution is the computer"

I quite admired the post of Richard Pyle in response to Roger Ham's
blog, emphasizing that bioinformatics should have the intent to help
rather than to take over:
"I think that the purpose of taxonomy is to produce a system that
people can actually use to *communicate with each other*."

Paul
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