12-01-2018, 06:54 AM
Some people don't mean to be condescending, which means to talk down to. ;-)
...
he does it willy nilly to all those he decided is inferior to his vaulted position amongst the stars.
We here on Punaweb, all come from different backgrounds. We've had a variety of experiences growing up, in our education, and work environments. TomK I assume, may work in a more demanding and exacting position, one that requires a higher degree of of precision in measurements, language, and accurate definitions than most of us. More than my job, to be sure.
When scientists discuss or describe an event or theory, the details are important. Asking and answering questions are an important part of the process. It's how we as humans learn.
Take the Theory of Evolution for example. It consumed decades of systematic consideration and organization of the evidence before Darwin (or Wallace) presented his (their) ideas to the world. Scientists debated observations in On The Origin Of Species for decades more after it was published, but it was the details Darwin noted, and their implications that brought us to our understanding of the concept of evolution today. Not a simple belief or disbelief of the idea.
When TomK asks for a question to be answered, or for information, or for the source of information, those details are important to him (and us) when he determines how much weight, or truth, or fact that information may have, and therefore, how much it may apply to the discussion.
Now as Rob pointed out, no one has to answer a question here. We haven't been brought in for questioning. We're not down at the police precinct with a light hanging over our head. No one's presented us with a subpoena, or served us papers to appear in the Court of Punaweb.
We each come to Punaweb for different reasons and have different expectations of what's expected if we post. When TomK, as a scientist asks us why we made a certain statement, I don't find that he's talking down to anyone, or is condescending. In fact, to me it appears he's treating us as an equal, on level ground as he would conduct himself with colleagues and associates when discussing a new idea or concept in his profession. Certainly scientists need to be pressed for more information and greater detail in the regular course of events, probably daily.
For example some scientists recently claimed the interstellar object Oumuamua, discovered by PAN-STARRS on Maui, may be an artificially constructed artifact sent from another civilization to our solar system. I bet the two scientists who put forward that idea have been asked a lot of questions since they published. And because they choose to answer those questions, their hypothesis is considered slightly less of a crackpot theory than if they were "some guy" who thinks it just makes sense Oumuamua is a starship because it has a funny rocket-like shape compared to other stuff shooting around in outer space. "Some guy" could be right, who knows, but personally, I still might wonder why he says what he says, or thinks what he thinks, even though he's under no obligation to explain himself further.
When TomK asks us questions, consider this, he's not dismissing your comments as out of hand, he's giving them a platform for serious consideration.
"I want great climate, we’re going to have that.” President Donald J. Trump, while viewing the massive wildfire devastation 11/17/18. (The J stands for Jenius)
...
he does it willy nilly to all those he decided is inferior to his vaulted position amongst the stars.
We here on Punaweb, all come from different backgrounds. We've had a variety of experiences growing up, in our education, and work environments. TomK I assume, may work in a more demanding and exacting position, one that requires a higher degree of of precision in measurements, language, and accurate definitions than most of us. More than my job, to be sure.
When scientists discuss or describe an event or theory, the details are important. Asking and answering questions are an important part of the process. It's how we as humans learn.
Take the Theory of Evolution for example. It consumed decades of systematic consideration and organization of the evidence before Darwin (or Wallace) presented his (their) ideas to the world. Scientists debated observations in On The Origin Of Species for decades more after it was published, but it was the details Darwin noted, and their implications that brought us to our understanding of the concept of evolution today. Not a simple belief or disbelief of the idea.
When TomK asks for a question to be answered, or for information, or for the source of information, those details are important to him (and us) when he determines how much weight, or truth, or fact that information may have, and therefore, how much it may apply to the discussion.
Now as Rob pointed out, no one has to answer a question here. We haven't been brought in for questioning. We're not down at the police precinct with a light hanging over our head. No one's presented us with a subpoena, or served us papers to appear in the Court of Punaweb.
We each come to Punaweb for different reasons and have different expectations of what's expected if we post. When TomK, as a scientist asks us why we made a certain statement, I don't find that he's talking down to anyone, or is condescending. In fact, to me it appears he's treating us as an equal, on level ground as he would conduct himself with colleagues and associates when discussing a new idea or concept in his profession. Certainly scientists need to be pressed for more information and greater detail in the regular course of events, probably daily.
For example some scientists recently claimed the interstellar object Oumuamua, discovered by PAN-STARRS on Maui, may be an artificially constructed artifact sent from another civilization to our solar system. I bet the two scientists who put forward that idea have been asked a lot of questions since they published. And because they choose to answer those questions, their hypothesis is considered slightly less of a crackpot theory than if they were "some guy" who thinks it just makes sense Oumuamua is a starship because it has a funny rocket-like shape compared to other stuff shooting around in outer space. "Some guy" could be right, who knows, but personally, I still might wonder why he says what he says, or thinks what he thinks, even though he's under no obligation to explain himself further.
When TomK asks us questions, consider this, he's not dismissing your comments as out of hand, he's giving them a platform for serious consideration.
"I want great climate, we’re going to have that.” President Donald J. Trump, while viewing the massive wildfire devastation 11/17/18. (The J stands for Jenius)
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves