dclayh comments on Zwicky's Trifecta of Illusions - Less Wrong

18 Post author: thomblake 17 July 2009 04:59PM

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Comment author: dclayh 18 July 2009 03:57:02AM 3 points [-]

Many people seem to think virtually any kind of language trend is undesirable.

If true, this is sad. Personally I applaud language changes that increase complexity (e.g. neologisms) and disparage ones that reduce it (words or grammatical constructions falling out of use; two words that mean different things being used to mean the same thing).

Comment author: MichaelBishop 18 July 2009 05:08:43PM 2 points [-]

Not all language changes that increase complexity are useful. In many cases, the use of particular words, or ways of speaking, can best be understood as wasteful signaling.

Comment author: dclayh 18 July 2009 05:25:54PM 1 point [-]

True. But the purpose of language is not merely to be useful, but also beautiful and fun.