A Linguistic Paradox

In science and law, we try to use words in a very precise fashion.  Accordingly, we define our terms as precisely as possible.  This gives rise to a paradox: each new definition of a word is added to the list of its existing definitions.  Our efforts to reduce the ambiguity of a word serve only to increase its ambiguity.

At The Hazard Of His Ears

What has the hazard of a person's ears to do with science history?

The history of Arctic science, exploration and discovery is sprinkled with many as yet unsolved mysteries, many concerning the meanings of words in old documents.  In this, the first article in a short series, I present my thoughts on some of these mysteries for discussion.  By clarifying an obscure passage in an old document we may add to its credibility as a source of historical or scientific data.  Thus the solving of these mysteries will - I suggest - add to our knowledge of Arctic history, and hence of Arctic science.

How To Get Well And Truly Shellacked

Now I'm not recommending for every future president that they take a shellacking like they, like I did last night.
Barack Obama,November 07 2010,
as reported by
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
http://www.abc.net.au/insiders/content/2010/s3059266.htm

President Obama's use of the word 'shellacking' has puzzled some folks here in England, where the term has long since fallen out of use.

The Climate Insiders - Their Goal Is Doubt

I BRING fraternal greetings from the Mother of Parliaments to the Congress of your “athletic democracy”. I pray that God’s blessing may rest upon your counsels.

Viscount Christopher Monckton.
Testimony to The Energy&Commerce Committee of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC, Wednesday, 25 March, 2009.
http://energycommerce.house.gov/.../testimony_monckton.pdf

Arctic Ice November 2010

Return to previous Arctic conditions is unlikely

Record temperatures across Canadian Arctic and Greenland, a reduced summer sea ice cover, record snow cover decreases and links to some Northern Hemisphere weather support this conclusion

Arctic Report Card 2010
http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/reportcard/