The Phenomenology of Error Speaking of things that fill people (self included) with irrationally intense and immediate fury, I recommend Joseph Williams' deep and worthwhile exploration of "word rage".

I am often puzzled by what we call errors of grammar and usage, errors such as different than, between you and I, a which for a that, and so on. I am puzzled by what motive could underlie the unusual ferocity which an irregardless or a hopefully or a singular media can elicit, ... words like detestable vulgarity, garbage, atrocity, idiot, and simple illiteracy. The last thing I want to seem is sanctimonious. But what happens in Cambodia and Afghanistan could more reasonably be called horrible atrocities. ... Idiots we have more than enough of in our state institutions. And while simply illiteracy is the condition of billions, it does not characterize those who use disinterested in its original sense.

I am puzzled why some errors should excite this seeming fury while others, not obviously different in kind, seem to excite only moderate disapproval. And I am puzzled why some of us can regard any particular item as a more or less serious error, while others, equally perceptive, and acknowledging that the same item may in some sense be an "error," seem to invest in their observation no emotion at all. (I have condensed the passage)

It's long, and deserves consideration, so print it out and read it on the shitter. The amusing and somewhat unexpected conclusion provides additional payoff. 

posted by mrflip in Science at 11:55PM CST on Mar 03 [trackback]