Fair Witness is a fictional profession invented by Robert Heinlein. (Stranger in a Strange Land)
A Fair Witness is an individual trained to observe events and report exactly what he or she sees and hears, making no extrapolations or assumptions. An eidetic memory is a prerequisite for the job, although this may be attainable with suitable training.
In Heinlein's society, a Fair Witness is a highly reputable source of information. By custom, a Fair Witness acting professionally, generally wearing distinctive white robes, is never addressed directly, and is never acknowledged by anyone present.
While Fair Witnesses may hold jobs, at all times they must honor the traditions of the Fair Witness and do their best to avoid any possibility of bias when wearing the robes and repeating the truth of what they have seen, done or heard.
Fair Witnesses are prohibited from drawing conclusions about what they observe. As a demonstration, in the novel a Fair Witness was asked to describe the color of a house in the distance. She responds, "It's white on this side"; whereupon Heinlein explains that she would not assume knowledge of the color of the other sides of the house without being able to see them. Furthermore, after observing another side of the house she would not then assume that any previously seen side was still the same color as last reported, even if only minutes before.
A Fair Witness is an individual trained to observe events and report exactly what he or she sees and hears, making no extrapolations or assumptions. An eidetic memory is a prerequisite for the job, although this may be attainable with suitable training.
In Heinlein's society, a Fair Witness is a highly reputable source of information. By custom, a Fair Witness acting professionally, generally wearing distinctive white robes, is never addressed directly, and is never acknowledged by anyone present.
While Fair Witnesses may hold jobs, at all times they must honor the traditions of the Fair Witness and do their best to avoid any possibility of bias when wearing the robes and repeating the truth of what they have seen, done or heard.
Fair Witnesses are prohibited from drawing conclusions about what they observe. As a demonstration, in the novel a Fair Witness was asked to describe the color of a house in the distance. She responds, "It's white on this side"; whereupon Heinlein explains that she would not assume knowledge of the color of the other sides of the house without being able to see them. Furthermore, after observing another side of the house she would not then assume that any previously seen side was still the same color as last reported, even if only minutes before.
by Deacon John Hubertz April 18, 2018
Get the Fair Witness mug.by NilBilly April 8, 2010
Get the Jebrovah's Witness mug.Related Words
Damn Holmes, witness the thickness!
(As a woman with an attractive rear end walks by.)
Indeed Watson, quite an assadocious young lady...
(As a woman with an attractive rear end walks by.)
Indeed Watson, quite an assadocious young lady...
by emilygoo July 27, 2006
Get the witness the thickness mug.You're about to experience something amazing! Something spectacular! Something so lit that your mind will be blown and shattered! Witness the Litness is basically when a dude thinks everything is "lit" or cool/badass and wants to show the whole world what he has. It can be a trick, a flip, something like video, something inside his pants or her pants lol Witness the Litness is an experience. Embrace it. Accept it. Cuz remember, everybody is a candle, but not everybody is lit.
"Okay Eber, you're about to witness the litness as i try to do some stupid shit. Lets hope i don't die and that it stays lit."
by FerCatchTheseHands February 11, 2017
Get the witness the litness mug.Keyboardcat Witness -
1. a worshiper of The Keyboard Cat.
2. One who has witnessed the greatness of Keyboardcat.
3. A Spin off of the Church of Ceiling Cat.
1. a worshiper of The Keyboard Cat.
2. One who has witnessed the greatness of Keyboardcat.
3. A Spin off of the Church of Ceiling Cat.
He is a Keyboardcat witness they meet on thursdays and watch many episodes of Keyboardcat religiously.
He is a member of the Keyboardcat witnesses.
Tom is not catholic, he is a Keyboardcat witness.
He is a member of the Keyboardcat witnesses.
Tom is not catholic, he is a Keyboardcat witness.
by ravenmsb June 24, 2009
Get the Keyboardcat Witness mug.An over-obsessed Radiohead fan who, in attempt to enlighten others, goes door to door carrying a copy of OK Computer on vinyl and spreads the good word of the great Thom Yorke. The Thom Yorke's witness tends to lack the ability to understand those who do not enjoy Radiohead, so do not offend them.
Who was that at the door?
Oh that was just a Thom Yorke's witness. I told him I don't like Radiohead so he went and jumped in front of a truck.
Oh that was just a Thom Yorke's witness. I told him I don't like Radiohead so he went and jumped in front of a truck.
by Crusty Howard April 20, 2018
Get the Thom Yorke's Witness mug.Also known as the “Trump Old Party” (TOP). A far-right subgroup of the GOP, which may be likened to a political equivalent of Jehovah’s Witnesses. White nationalists who misuse Christianity to reach out to undecided or apathetic voters, by warning them to stay away from socialist or alt-left politicians who support abortion, same-sex marriages, illegal immigration, and multiculturalism.
Guesstimate how many ultra-MAGA patriots in red-pilled states who just hate being called “Trump’s Witnesses.”
by Fasters January 14, 2023
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