photogpat wrote:I'll let you keep your fight with the sparkling pink pony.
He can argue all he wants, it doesn't change what something is.
photogpat wrote:What I'm trying to say here is that, in the court of public opinion (aka lay-person, non gunnie, unwashed masses, etc)...we've lost that particular battle. "Clip" being used to describe what we would call a "magazine" is accepted in the common english language in the US, consequently, has made its way into Webster's dictionary. Ditto with "assault weapon". Don't bother explaining the difference to me, I'm a gunnie....I know the terminology and factual accuracy. Hell, we should all be calling them "firearms" not "guns" too, right?
I'll agree to all of that because it's exactly the same in the IT world; but when someone calls the computer case "the hard drive", it's wrong, but I know what they mean. In turn, I nicely inform them of the difference not to be snooty, but instead so they may learn and next time give better clarification since when someone says "A" and it's really "B" it sends everyone down the wrong rabbit hole and wastes resources (time, money, efforts, etc).
Imagine if you went into the repair shop with your automobile and told them the problem was with the carburetor when it was the transmission. They'd eventually figure it out, maybe even right away, but you'd look like an idiot and it may cost you more money down the line, most certainly time and effort is wasted. In IT, 95% of our time is playing detective trying to figure out the end-user's problem and the technical problem. Computer issues are easy to fix; it's the EUs that are next to impossible, especially if they are vested in their ignorance and thus refuse to learn.
photogpat wrote:To re-iterate my original point - when you start a discussion with a non-gunnie concerning any of the current events surrounding "guns" in the US by correcting them over the use of the word "clip" or "assault" - you sound like a stuck up know-it-all trying to prove your vocabulary superiority.
If we do not educate the masses one person at a time, then we will always have a tougher-than-normal battle. If the masses understood what an assault weapon really is, or that having a 30-round magazine doesn't really matter when you can saw one out in under 2 seconds, we'd have an easier time of it. Yes, one can come across as snooty, but it's how you present it. Unfortunately many people don't like to learn, aren't open minded, and suck on the tit of the mass media for everything it's worth. I never said it was easy, just worth it.
photogpat wrote:It comes across as overly pedantic, and its not necessary to the discussion.
Yes, it can, depending on how you present it to them as mentioned above.
photogpat wrote:Later on, when writing to your legislators, THEN its the time for EXACT definitions...not to the general public, they've already made up their minds (for now).
They have made up their minds based on incorrect information, misinformation, or outright lies.
photogpat wrote:Mentioning it as an aside at the end of a conversation perhaps
Well, perhaps at the end, or during, or the beginning, is the right time. It depends on the people and subject matter involved.
Also same type of argument. When the non-mechanic wants his car fixed it doesn't matter what you are calling the car part that needs fixing. Closer parts group would be better in the magazine vs clip comparison but it works. Maybe transmission vs shifter or ????????
