Privileged Planet: New study (Introduction)

by dhw, Wednesday, May 02, 2012, 10:17 (4589 days ago) @ xeno6696

MATT (to dhw): I've wanted to ask for some time why you do NOT consider yourself part of the masses?-I asked Matt to explain what he meant, and he replied: "I tend to equate laymen with masses. You've said a couple times lately you considered yourself a layman."-Then I'm even more flummoxed by your question. If I consider myself a layman and you equate laymen with the masses, shouldn't your question be: Why DO you consider yourself part of the masses? Curiouser and curiouser, as Alice would say.-FYI: A layman is someone who does not have professional or specialized knowledge of a particular subject, and as I am not a scientist, I use the term when discussing scientific subjects. (I see David has also commented on this. Thank you.)-You asked if I was offended. Of course not ... you and I are old sparring partners. I said I felt uncomfortable about the possible insinuations, because "the masses" is often a pejorative term, and if someone considers himself to be separate from the masses, it could well be construed as meaning that he feels superior. I am painfully aware of my own ignorance, which would hardly make me feel superior. That was why I asked you to explain the question and to tell us whether and why you do or don't consider yourself part of "the masses" ... which of course you have not done (some matts are more slippery than others!). As your response is even less comprehensible than the original question, perhaps you'll try again, if you think it's worth pursuing.