Comments on: When did “several” become “multiple?” http://cultureby.com/2009/12/when-did-several-become-multiple.html This Blog Sits At the Intersection of Anthropology and Economics Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:43:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Grace http://cultureby.com/2009/12/when-did-several-become-multiple.html/comment-page-1#comment-29 Grace Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:47:45 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=7#comment-29 Perhaps there has been an explosion lately in math majors. To us, multiple means n>1 Perhaps there has been an explosion lately in math majors. To us, multiple means n>1

]]> By: Grant McCracken http://cultureby.com/2009/12/when-did-several-become-multiple.html/comment-page-1#comment-28 Grant McCracken Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:17:04 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=7#comment-28 Tom, excellent, we are mobile even when seeking to be immobile! Thanks,, Grant Tom, excellent, we are mobile even when seeking to be immobile! Thanks,, Grant

]]> By: twitter.com/tomguarriello http://cultureby.com/2009/12/when-did-several-become-multiple.html/comment-page-1#comment-27 twitter.com/tomguarriello Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:15:21 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=7#comment-27 Why do we want to sound more official and in control especially when the rest of the culture is becoming both more informal and more playful? Because sometimes we want to be "them" and sometimes we want to be "us." We're flexible, so we can be whatever we want to be just by the flip of a word. Nice observation. Why do we want to sound more official and in control especially when the rest of the culture is becoming both more informal and more playful? Because sometimes we want to be “them” and sometimes we want to be “us.” We’re flexible, so we can be whatever we want to be just by the flip of a word. Nice observation.

]]> By: Grant McCracken http://cultureby.com/2009/12/when-did-several-become-multiple.html/comment-page-1#comment-26 Grant McCracken Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:22:33 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=7#comment-26 Laurie, very well said (and not at all edu-jargonic)! Laurie, very well said (and not at all edu-jargonic)!

]]> By: chris http://cultureby.com/2009/12/when-did-several-become-multiple.html/comment-page-1#comment-25 chris Sun, 13 Dec 2009 02:01:34 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=7#comment-25 I think multiple is more vague and therefore less risky than several. I think multiple is more vague and therefore less risky than several.

]]> By: LaurieWatt http://cultureby.com/2009/12/when-did-several-become-multiple.html/comment-page-1#comment-24 LaurieWatt Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:20:38 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=7#comment-24 Did you notice... one, a couple, several, many, lots and lots, tons, countless, innumerable -- they all have a warmth, a common resonance. "multiple" is mathematic, edu-jargonic, an attempt to sound more educated than perhaps one really is. Truly sad. It creates a barrier -- and as McCracken suggests, it's police-speak, bureaucratic. Can't we use language that warms us, unites us, makes connections between us all? We should try harder to communicate as people, not as individuals cast in roles. Did you notice…
one, a couple, several, many, lots and lots, tons, countless, innumerable — they all have a warmth, a common resonance.

“multiple” is mathematic, edu-jargonic, an attempt to sound more educated than perhaps one really is. Truly sad. It creates a barrier — and as McCracken suggests, it’s police-speak, bureaucratic.

Can’t we use language that warms us, unites us, makes connections between us all? We should try harder to communicate as people, not as individuals cast in roles.

]]> By: Grant McCracken http://cultureby.com/2009/12/when-did-several-become-multiple.html/comment-page-1#comment-23 Grant McCracken Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:06:02 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=7#comment-23 SI, thats the right direction! Thx, Grant SI, thats the right direction! Thx, Grant

]]> By: SOLUTIONS_ink http://cultureby.com/2009/12/when-did-several-become-multiple.html/comment-page-1#comment-22 SOLUTIONS_ink Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:04:43 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=7#comment-22 I read the blog multiple times and have some thoughts - several actually. I read the blog multiple times and have some thoughts – several actually.

]]> By: Grant McCracken http://cultureby.com/2009/12/when-did-several-become-multiple.html/comment-page-1#comment-21 Grant McCracken Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:46:26 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=7#comment-21 Jason, perfect, thanks, Grant Jason, perfect, thanks, Grant

]]> By: Grant McCracken http://cultureby.com/2009/12/when-did-several-become-multiple.html/comment-page-1#comment-20 Grant McCracken Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:27:51 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=7#comment-20 Andrew, well said, legalistic vocabulary, the phrase I was searching for.  Thx, Grant Andrew, well said, legalistic vocabulary, the phrase I was searching for.  Thx, Grant

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