Must opinions be substantiated? (TMT examples)

[MarkD]

Reader alert: boring, dry text

Defining "unsubstantiated" has complexities. Oxford Dictionary: "Not supported or proven by evidence."

Big difference between not supported and not proven.

But IMO common usage is fairly well set. Defining “proof” is important. "Proving" is demonstrating something completely or to a very high certainty. American Heritage Dictionary: Proof: "The evidence or argument that compels the mind to accept an assertion as true."

This helps understanding “substantiation” and its forms. Example: ”I read your opinion; points 1 and 2 are OK, but 3-5 have no merit. Your opinion is unsubstantiated.” This is not usually how we talk.

One could say: ”....3-5 have no merit. You have not substantiated your opinion.” But "proved" would be better: You have not proved your opinion. "Substantiate" is more often used as "support."

* * * *

“Unsubstantiated” is a strong term. Here is its common use:

TMT supporter to colleague: ”Did you see what the critics posted? TMT will leak mercury. It’s completely unsubstantiated.” Colleague: Yes, they are fabricating yet another claim.”

Common use: “Unsubstantiated” as in "unsubstantiated opinion" is the absence of any evidence. Not a critic's perception that the evidence is poor. The latter judgment would be a "poorly substantiated opinion."

If someone can show this is wrong, I stand by to be educated.

[TomK]

It's my unsubstantiated opinion that this thread should be left to rot in the archives. How's that? No substantiation required.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Oxford Dictionary:

I think the real question isn't which dictionary provides a preferred definition, but back to the beginning of this thread where inexplicably you changed my word "comment" to your choice of word "opinion?" You can answer or not, but afterward, as TomK suggested it might be better to take this thread into the station wagon and drive it upstate to a nice farm where it will be much happier, with room to run free in the wide open spaces. With a nice family.

[Guest]

Plenty of opinions were offered after this article, some are opinions from Hawaiians for a change.

http://inbigisland.com/news/8-reasons-tm...uirements/

Gentrification may be a real problem for Hawaiians today. The Hawaiians or Kanaka race have had it very hard the past 100 years but if they lose their Piko of Mauna Kea to the TMT Corporations and foreign governments it may spell the end of their time and practiced traditions in Hawaii. The TMT project may bring more millionaires to buy up the big island lands which in turn may bring even higher rent and more homeless for the Hawaiian people. jmo

http://scalar.usc.edu/works/water-sustai...ian-issues

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

The Hawaiians or Kanaka race have had it very hard the past 100 years

Yes if only they had some organizations to advocate for their cause. Like OHA for culture, or DHHL with hundreds of thousands of acres of land to give the Hawaiian people, or an educational system set up for their keiki, like Kamehameha Schools with billions of dollars at their disposal.

But why do I have the sense we've gone over this issue here on Punaweb for the past 100 years? gypsy, I hope you don't mind my asking, but with your new job do you have medical included? I say this with the best of intentions, that perhaps you may wish to ask a specialist about memory issues. If they find anything, and catch it early, there is much the medical profession can now do to halt or slow the progression of memory loss over time, so it doesn't get any worse.

“Facts fall from the poetic observer as ripe seeds.” -Henry Thoreau

[kalakoa]

Gentrification may be a real problem for Hawaiians today.

Please, just stop with the racism.

Gentrification is a real problem for anyone who can't afford it.

Skin color is irrelevant.

DHHL with hundreds of thousands of acres of land to give the Hawaiian people

Except that they don't. Those of sufficient "blood quanta" (there's that racism again) might qualify for a lease in their lifetimes. Their children will usually have to make other plans, though. DHHL is "gentrifying" the land before anyone gets to use it.

[Guest]

For new PW members who may be interested.

When the TMT ground breaking blasting does happen on Mauna Kea it should have a better chance for the future NSF financial backing.

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2012/04/g...-no-thanks

Would the blasting of several acres of Mauna Kea's Northern plateau for the TMT sight create any water aquafir contamination or water level concerns?
Is the water Aquafir from atop Mauna Kea currently being diverted or drying up?
Would a large several acre blast for the TMT project development change the current landscape or ecosystem that is considered by some to be sacred, rare and fragile?
If the TMT blasts several acres, What would happen to all the rare mosses, lichen, bugs and plant life that currently live on the TMT's project sight?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_4EInEQIRQ

[kalakoa]

Could we or should we care? Taxes still going up, JMO.

[Rob Tucker]

My opinion... a bunch of nonsense. Not worth responding to.

[kalakoa]

My opinion... a bunch of nonsense.

Can you substantiate that?