312 definitions by but for
A mechanism which structurally, physically, or electronically blocks human beings from committing an error.
Walls, locks, and barbed-wire are examples of a structural error-impossibilitator. And the way Web pages are programmed to not allow a user to proceed to the next step until the user types their password, for example, is an example of an electronic error-impossibilitator. Condoms and other pregnancy-prevention devices are also error-impossibilitators. However, some error-impossibilitators are not fool-proof. Parents, teachers, mentors, coaches, personal trainers, security guards or bouncers are not error-impossibilitators because—unless they stand in someone's way—they can only help others prevent errors. Error-impossibilitators are of two types, those that can be circumvented, such as by cutting a barbed wire, and those which cannot be circumvented, such as the wall President Trump offered to build on the U.S.-Mexico border. Note that very few error-impossibilitators are 100% reliable because if someone wants to, they can, for example, dig a tunnel under a wall, as people have done to get to the other side.
by but for November 29, 2017
Speech which includes expletives.
The professor speech included destigmatized words. Everyone was shocked, but after the meeting most people started to laugh and talk with others using expletives such as "shit" and "fuck". Using some newly destigmatized words the presenter was able to get the attendees to comprehend the crisis better, and everyone was able to more effectively propose what may turn out to be better solutions.
by but for February 16, 2019
An Identity Check is the first thing two people do when they see one another, even if they never speak to one another, is evaluate who the other person is and how powerful that person is. The second thing every person who interacts with another person in any way does is impose an identity on the other person, and they do that by telling the other person who they think that person is by the way they treat them.
When the identity another person indirectly, subtly, but firmly imposes on another person matches the identity that person has of themselves, or is close to the one they are working to attain, the person will continue interacting with the person who is imposing that desired identity on them. When the identity being imposed is different than the one that person has of themselves or is working to attain, that person will stop interacting with the person or the people who attempt to impose an identity the person does not agree with or like.
When the identity another person indirectly, subtly, but firmly imposes on another person matches the identity that person has of themselves, or is close to the one they are working to attain, the person will continue interacting with the person who is imposing that desired identity on them. When the identity being imposed is different than the one that person has of themselves or is working to attain, that person will stop interacting with the person or the people who attempt to impose an identity the person does not agree with or like.
Sharon and Jane silently conducted an Identity Check on one another. As soon as they were introduced to one another by Bob McDonald, they continued evaluating one another and soon started to impose an identity on one another. Jane agreed with the identity Sharon was imposing on her, but Sharon did not like the identity Jane was imposing on her and walked away.
by but for January 22, 2020
A thought writer sends his thoughts from his brain via his nerves to his hand which writes them and lets him see his thoughts transformed into words.
Thought writing' and 'thought typing' are not the same as writing. Writing asks the brain to articulate a thought or an emotion so the writer can write it down.
Thought writing' and 'thought typing' are not the same as writing. Writing asks the brain to articulate a thought or an emotion so the writer can write it down.
by but for December 16, 2017
A thought writer sends his thoughts from his brain via his nerves to his hand which writes them and lets him see his thoughts transformed into words.
Thought writing' and 'thought typing' are not the same as writing. Writing asks the brain to articulate a thought or an emotion for the writer to write down.
Thought writing' and 'thought typing' are not the same as writing. Writing asks the brain to articulate a thought or an emotion for the writer to write down.
by but for December 16, 2017
A way of wording an expression in a way that specifies which individual, entity, or other thing committed an act or caused something to happen.
An example of an 'indirect attribution' is, "It was determined that 'unless exempt by diplomatic status, all persons entering the United States, including U.S. citizens, are subject to examination and search by Customs and Border Patrol officers'." Transformed into a "correct attribution" that statement would say something like, "In August of 2009, CBP Directive 3340-049 laid out its policies on searching electronic devices....In the course of a border search, with or without individualized suspicion, an Officer may examine electronic devices and may review and analyze the information encountered at the border.” Though correctly attributing an action increases transparency and accountability, and generally furthers the common good, it takes more time to say and/or space to write.
by but for October 12, 2017
A different way to say "think," based on the fact that differentiating is a key function of thinking.
Is the ability to differentiate—to tell things apart, to distinguish between things, to determine which thing is better, which thing is more important—the essence of intelligence and also of thought? the researcher asked himself. His cousin, a stand-up comedian, word inventor, and word artist quipped, "might dif-FOR-en-ti-ate' mean the ability to differentiate what a thing is used 'for.' And could "differentiate" surreally mean, something along the lines of she ate differently, different she ate?
by but for December 26, 2017