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in reply to Re^3: Who is your favorite scientist and why?
in thread Who is your favorite scientist and why?

I like the quote because I observe a lot of exactly that in the real world... and because of the eleventh word.

It honestly doesn't much matter who said it in this case (remember, "examine what is said, not who speaks"), I just prefer to properly attribute a quote when possible. I don't think you should give Russell too hard a time just because he flip-flopped a lot, that's better than someone that digs in their heels and closes their mind to any opinion change. Russell spent a lot of time thinking about things, was willing to change his mind based upon new observations, constantly "questioned authority", and didn't much care about being popular. In fact, doesn't that sound a lot like someone you know? :-)

And hey, Miss Piggy has some good quotes too that hit home with me personally... "Smart cooks realize that the easiest cookbook to use is the Yellow Pages and the handiest appliance in the kitchen is the telephone."

Just another Perl hooker - My clients appreciate that I keep my code clean but my comments dirty.
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Re^5: Who is your favorite scientist and why?
by BrowserUk (Patriarch) on Sep 05, 2017 at 14:16 UTC

    Brilliant retort. Especially the Miss Piggy quote :)

    (I have a particular bee in my bonnet about argumentum ad verecundiam at the moment -- long story -- so don't take my antipathy toward Russell to heart. He won't! I'll be his best friend tomorrow :) )


    With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday'
    Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
    "Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority". The enemy of (IT) success is complexity.
    In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice. Suck that fhit

      No worries, I just figured you most likely read something (or some things) of his you adamantly disagreed with, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that if true. Also, I'm sorry, but I just can't help myself... on that last thought of yours... :-)

      In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted. - Bertrand Russell

      Just another Perl hooker - My clients appreciate that I keep my code clean but my comments dirty.