I'm slightly interested, Enmos, in why you keep bringing petty semantic discussions up? What point are you trying labouriously to make?
While I wouldn't classify all of these related threads as "petty", I too am intrigued.
Enmos, clue us in. What are you trying to accomplish? I suspect there is some underlying common direction that you are trying to lead people in, but what is it? Surely not to show
the complete and utter ignorance of biological taxonomy amongst certain members of SF? If that's the point, I think you have made it - many times over.
So please reveal what's next. I'm pretty sure there is another level here...
It's the product of frustration and being deeply shocked and alarmed I'm afraid..
Randwolf, your initial suspicions are right, but it's not only certain members, it's the astonishing number members..
And it's not only ignorance of taxonomy, but an apparently lack of common sense. Ask a number of 8 year olds these questions and most, if not all, will give the correct answers, and the large majority with even be able to explain why to a reasonable extent.
The "other level" is that they get away with spouting their nonsense in Biology & Genetics, while addressing the matter by making a thread about it results in being called a troll and in thread-lock.
In other words.. I'm "acting dumb".
Consider it an alternative strategy to get these issues out in the open.
Anyone asserting that:
- trees are not alive
- humans/insects/fish are not animals
- spiders are insects
- dolphins are fish
- millipedes are half insect half worm etc etc
in Biology & Genetics should be called a troll and receive the proper warnings, not the ones confronting these people.
They also should get 50 lashes..
I am shocked by the wide scale ignorance of the bare basics here.
I believe it reflects a worldwide trend of ignorance where nature is concerned and I think these matters should be addressed before they do too much damage.
My apologies for the drama, and any possible typos (I just got out of bed, I can barely hold my eyes open)..