My intent with this post is to be informative. I reserve my emotional reactions to seeing the use of "theory" posted time and time again with an inaccurate representation. If I present snark, it's not intentional, but I feel a compulsion to help educate on this matter.
A formed opinion or guess on the outcome of some element seen in this series, or any other series for that matter, is not a theory by the very definition. A theory is a solidified scientific declaration based on exhaustive testing and viewing of the results. It involves a lot of time, research, and experimentation.
Reading up on the books and rewatching the series doesn't make ones suppositions qualified to be a theory. It's a form of educating, but doesn't push it to the point of being a viable point of scientific law. These so-called theories are guesses, educated guesses. And there's another word for that: hypothesis.
Before I engage further, will you tell me what your point is?
My intent with this post is to be informative.
Lol OK. My hope was that you would further explain why you decided to start a whole new thread educating us all on one definition of the word theory.
I'm kind of with Brandy on this. This seams to be language pedantry just for the sake of it. If everyone used the word "hypothesis" instead of "theory", would this improve your enjoyment of the TV series?
Language is in a state of flux, evolving gradually all the time. If we are to get annoyed every time someone uses language slightly differently to how we expect them to, we're setting ourselves up for getting annoyed far too much.
I mean, if I got myself all worked-up every time I heard an American say "could care less" when they really mean "couldn't care less", or spell it "color" rather than "colour", I'd probably end up having a nervous breakown...
*sticks scientist hat on*
If we were discussing science - fair enough, but this is errr.., Twin Peaks. An awful lot of the laws of science are being creatively twisted.
If we say something is significant, do we then have to prove it statistically?
In this situation if the choice of words means that a post is clear to most people, then I think that seems sensible. I'm afraid that trying to impose scientific definitions when people are discussing Twin Peaks won't really do the public advancement of science any favours! 🙂
There's also the matter of people communicating in what may not be their first language. I always feel completely humbled by that as, unless you are looking for a bus stop in a Spanish-speaking country, I am completely useless!
Theory, as used in scientific definitions, is as stated by the OP but in ordinary conversation the definition is not so narrow.
Last time I checked, most of us here aren't scientists, nor are we discussing scientific principles, so it's my contention that we can cheerfully ignore Aaron's post and use the word however we damn well please. I know I will and I don't give a monkey's what anyone says about it.
The word 'theory' derives from Greek; first as 'theoros', meaning spectator, then later 'theoria' meaning contemplation / speculation.
This was not an informative thread.
It was merely the means for the poster to appear to be superior in some form.
I hope it helped the poster feel superior for a short while.
We can all continue to discuss Twin Peaks now.
This was not an informative thread.
It was merely the means for the poster to appear to be superior in some form.
I hope it helped the poster feel superior for a short while.
We can all continue to discuss Twin Peaks now.
Didn't work out too well, either, since the word has more than one definition. If anyone chooses to lecture on usage, they should make sure they know what they are talking about first.
This was not an informative thread.
It was merely the means for the poster to appear to be superior in some form.
I hope it helped the poster feel superior for a short while.
We can all continue to discuss Twin Peaks now.
Didn't work out too well, either, since the word has more than one definition. If anyone chooses to lecture on usage, they should make sure they know what they are talking about first.
We better make sure that we refer to this post whenever someone has a "theory" just to keep them in check.
😉
I hereby pronounce this thread "theory gate".
OK, here's my two cents. We have dollars and cents here in New Zealand.
In my role, which includes facilitation of software engineers and testers etc, I observe robust discussion and how easily they can be perceived as personal attacks. In my missive (hmm, must look that up) about the rules of this community, I talk about social contracts where we, as a group surface how we're going to call each other out, on our sh*t if you will.
I am delighted to see, despite the impression we could have come away with from the initial post, everyone chose to be respectful in their response, in that the impact was we felt condescended to, the key there is how it felt. There are lots of Facebook groups, and on you tube where it so easily descends into a mud slinging spiral, a la 'you're a dick,' 'no, you are.'
I do like the presentation of hypotheses, but let's face it, this season is as bent as it could be, and stands to get far more bent if part 8 - like no other was anything to go by, so while there are so many possibilities as to the meaning of and connection between x and y etc, some of it is, by Lynch's own admission pure mischief. He has also said how much he loves to see what the audience makes of it, but like the true artist he is, he sure ain't gonna tell us, and why would he? Running the risk of ruining our love of this show, which is such beautiful art swell as a strong, albeit wonderfully obscure narrative / story arc.
As an aside I can be a pedant too. I cringe when people spell lose with two O's and say brought when they mean bought...
I am literally yearning time forward right now for next week's episode where theories and stuff will be blown out of the water, or proven to be maybe. 🙂
Thank you all for this group. I'd argue it's the best.
OK, here's my two cents. We have dollars and cents here in New Zealand.
In my role, which includes facilitation of software engineers and testers etc, I observe robust discussion and how easily they can be perceived as personal attacks. In my missive (hmm, must look that up) about the rules of this community, I talk about social contracts where we, as a group surface how we're going to call each other out, on our sh*t if you will.
I am delighted to see, despite the impression we could have come away with from the initial post, everyone chose to be respectful in their response, in that the impact was we felt condescended to, the key there is how it felt. There are lots of Facebook groups, and on you tube where it so easily descends into a mud slinging spiral, a la 'you're a dick,' 'no, you are.'
I do like the presentation of hypotheses, but let's face it, this season is as bent as it could be, and stands to get far more bent if part 8 - like no other was anything to go by, so while there are so many possibilities as to the meaning of and connection between x and y etc, some of it is, by Lynch's own admission pure mischief. He has also said how much he loves to see what the audience makes of it, but like the true artist he is, he sure ain't gonna tell us, and why would he? Running the risk of ruining our love of this show, which is such beautiful art swell as a strong, albeit wonderfully obscure narrative / story arc.
As an aside I can be a pedant too. I cringe when people spell lose with two O's and say brought when they mean bought...
I am literally yearning time forward right now for next week's episode where theories and stuff will be blown out of the water, or proven to be maybe. 🙂
Thank you all for this group. I'd argue it's the best.
What makes the mud slinging replies even funnier is they usually go something like "Your a looser/your a dick", all written without the slightest trace of irony.
I confess I'm a spelling nazi; can't help it, misspelled words set me teeth on edge. I ain't averse to slang, vernacular or colloquialisms but please spell the damn thing properly.
Anyhow, this site is one of the best I've known; the only one better than this for good behaviour (usually) is by invitation only.
Thanks for your contributions, everyone, but I'm closing this thread before we go even more off-topic. Back to Part 8!
Fire walk with