Full Version: Is "Canon" a live-wire word?
| QUOTE |
| in the beginning, god rolled a 20. and there was light! |
But Light was relegated to a level 0 cantrip with a naff duration, So then we got the Dark Ages.
| QUOTE (DrJest) | ||
But Light was relegated to a level 0 cantrip with a naff duration, So then we got the Dark Ages. |
OT: This reminds of a bumper sticker I saw:
Jesus saves... and takes half damage.
| QUOTE (Crimson Jack) |
| Jesus saves... and takes half damage. |
I saw that one too... It was more hilarious because I saw it during a time when there is this periodic D & D/demonic material book burning that pops up once every few years.
they still have those? damn, i need to summon more demons to take over men's souls. when all of earth's population is controlled by spirit-beasts from the deepest levels of hell who obey my every command, we'll finally have some peace.
| QUOTE (mfb) |
| they still have those? damn, i need to summon more demons to take over men's souls. when all of earth's population is controlled by spirit-beasts from the deepest levels of hell who obey my every command, we'll finally have some peace. |
To which I'm reminded of another bumper sticker:
Lord, save me from your followers!
| QUOTE (Little Bill) |
| If your goal is communication, you are usually better off using words as they are commonly used, rather than as they may be used for someone who is familiar with the 3rd or 4th definitions in the dictionary. If your goal is to show off how smart you are, then by all means use the more obscure definitions and argue about the technical meaning of individual words - none of that will help you communicate anything meaningful, however, other than that you're a bit full of yourself. That is why I said using Hero for Hitler and Tyrant for FDR probably aren't the best choices, unless you are a neo-Nazi and intend their common meanings. The common meaning of "canon" to my mind is "scripture", and calling a role playing game scripture is in my view either disparaging of scripture or giving too much weight to what is, after all, only a game. Now technically the use of "canon" as it appears in these forums is (for the most part) a correct modern usage - I do not dispute that - I merely wondered if anyone else was bothered about the more common meaning of canon. Apparently no one else is, so carry on guys. |
My point is that to many people canon being used in this way,is normal. People also use words and don't know the meaning. People also change the meanings of the words they use.
The goal here, is communication. But so that we're all speaking on the same level, you have to use the alternate definition of the word so that it makes sense. I for one, do not wish to substitute one word ("canon") for five ("an accepted principle or rule"). Creating lengthy sentences is more a sign of someone who is trying to show off how smart they are, than someone who is being concise in their word usage.
Maybe the answer is to require everyone to post in the true high tongue, L337 speak.
Maybe the answer is to require everyone to post in the true high tongue, L337 speak.
| QUOTE |
| Jesus saves... and takes half damage. |
ROTFLMFAO... Oh my Ghod I definitely need to get that printed on a bumper sticker so I can slap it onto my tool box... That just plain ROCKS...
bah, everyone knows jesus has evasion and takes no damage on a successful save.
Another popular one along those lines, though too long for a bumpersticker is:
Jesus Saves, sidesteps around Judas, dribbles downcourt where he passes to John the Baptist who shoots and scores!
Jesus Saves, sidesteps around Judas, dribbles downcourt where he passes to John the Baptist who shoots and scores!
I've seen a bumper sticker in Canada that read ...
"Jesus saves, but Gretsky scores on the rebound."
"Jesus saves, but Gretsky scores on the rebound."
"Jesus Saves, the rest of you take full damage." Is another one I've seen.
"Jesus saves! Everyone else has to listen variations on this goddamn joke forever."
| QUOTE (Arethusa) |
| "Jesus saves! Everyone else has to listen variations on this goddamn joke forever." |
Plus its brother series of jokes, the ever popular "Jesus is coming..."
Jesus is coming, look busy.
Jesus is coming, hide your porn.
And so on.
Being a relatively articulate person, I use a lot of words that have many meanings or levels of meanings. I don't go around saying, "And you can take that as gospel," when I mean, "I firmly believe what I am saying is true, and so should you." But that doesn't mean I couldn't. I know what is intended, and I can tell if sacrilege or blasphemy is intended.
Canon was a word before it was applied to any scripture. As an articulate person you should be able to figure out that we are applying a real word with a valid definition in an appropriate way.
That being said......
Warning, mildly pathetic attempt at humor coming....
And if you are a religious person who is made uncomfortable by the use of the word canon, what the heck are you doing playing RPGs? Don't you know you'll burn in Hell if you pick up a bag of dice?
OK, attempt at humor done.
Canon was a word before it was applied to any scripture. As an articulate person you should be able to figure out that we are applying a real word with a valid definition in an appropriate way.
That being said......
Warning, mildly pathetic attempt at humor coming....
And if you are a religious person who is made uncomfortable by the use of the word canon, what the heck are you doing playing RPGs? Don't you know you'll burn in Hell if you pick up a bag of dice?
OK, attempt at humor done.
have i loged on to the god channel? noooooooooooooooooooooo
torz x
Hey, we'll talk about everything else...
actually I think it was more so an RPer who was offended that he might be talking about religion, (other than shamanism).
no offense intended if you take some.
and if you do I have to ask what you're doing on Dumpshock in the first place.
no offense intended if you take some.
and if you do I have to ask what you're doing on Dumpshock in the first place.
| QUOTE (Jrayjoker) |
| Canon was a word before it was applied to any scripture. |
"Fuehrer" was also a perfectly acceptable title for a leader at one time.
Now it's impossible to use it without linking yourself to one particular leader who bore the title.
And yet the word is still used in Germany.
| QUOTE (Arethusa) |
| And yet the word is still used in Germany. |
Not as a title.
"Canon" has been commonly been in use among sci-fi and fantasy circles for some time. While the headline groups tend to be among the Star Trek/Star Wars/Lord of the Rings axis, it generally just refers to the level of authenticity behind assertations, with religious connotations only implied due to the fanaticism of those social circles.
As stated before, words can change meaning over time (just think of the word "gay"). It is generally acceptable and even expected to refer to a body of literature that is an authoritative source as canon within the context of a particular social group's discussion. I'm afraid that the argument is simply over semantics and not actual practice.
As stated before, words can change meaning over time (just think of the word "gay"). It is generally acceptable and even expected to refer to a body of literature that is an authoritative source as canon within the context of a particular social group's discussion. I'm afraid that the argument is simply over semantics and not actual practice.
Yes, but it's a stupid argument over semantics.
| QUOTE (Arethusa) |
| Yes, but it's a stupid argument over semantics. |
Oh, I totally agree. Someone is trying to state an opinion that is simply not shared with the others. It doesn't invalidate the person's feelings about the subject, obviously, but I certainly don't share those feelings about a succinct and contextually accurate word.
| QUOTE (Arethusa @ Feb 17 2005, 06:44 PM) |
Oh, I totally agree. Someone is trying to state an opinion that is simply not shared with the others. It doesn't invalidate the person's feelings about the subject, obviously, but I certainly don't share those feelings about a succinct and contextually accurate word. |
And it's been made fairly clear to me that no one else has a problem with it, so I won't mention it again.
I said what now?
| QUOTE (Arethusa) |
| I said what now? |
My Ventriloquism skills have been getting better, apparently. What a waste of Karma.
| QUOTE (Arethusa) |
| Yes, but it's a stupid argument over semantics. |
As opposed to the intelligent argument over semantics?
| QUOTE (Sammiel) |
| bah, everyone knows jesus has evasion and takes no damage on a successful save. |
| QUOTE |
| Yes, but it's a stupid argument over semantics. |
But it's FUN, Entertaining, and Educational.
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