Why do we have to accept what others think is right.

[hunky]

For example, the threads about Pluto not beina a planet anylonger because of some scientists said so; Tomato is a fruit because someone said so, and so it goes.

[theatreboi]

because that's the way that it's been forever basically.

[xyzguy]

Ok first of all, a tomato is a fruit, if you were eating the stem, roots or leaves of the tomato plant, that would be a vegetable.

Also, there is a need for a universal definition of all things. Or else everything would get confusing and we wouldn't be able to understand each other.

[cozmik]

As humans we like to group things. We group people, places, things. That's just the way humans are. We've created a group called fruits, vegitables, etc. A tomatoe is called a fruit just because it meets the qualifications to be in that group. Same thing with Pluto, except our new definitions and qualifications for being in the group "planet" means Pluto can't be there any more.

We don't have to accept these things, among others, but we're not going to be in synch with the general population either, cause we still like pre-defined groups cause it requires less thinking.

[Swellegant]

You don't have to accept it. Make up your own definitions.

However, as so astutely pointed out above, for us to communicate and learn, we have to have establish definitions. If Pluto does not actually match the definition of a planet, then it's not a planet, just as if a dog does not match the definition of a schnauzer, it's not a schnauzer, it's some other kind of dog; if a tomato matches the definition of fruit better than the definition of vegetable, then it's a fruit.

On the other hand, what difference does it make?

Whether or not Pluto is a planet or not is completely irrelevant except to anyone studying the solar system; I have no idea what the difference is between a planet and a non-planet... I always assumed planets orbit the sun, that moons orbit planets, and something that does neither is just a rock floating about in space. I've never been to Pluto, I have no idea what it does or doesn't do, and I can't even imagine caring.

Whether or not a tomato is a fruit or a vegetable only matters if you're counting them for your diet; I can't even tell what characteristics define a fruit versus a vegetable... something about the presence of fructose would be my guess. But tomatoes go in salads and on sandwiches, or fried with a little salt, or in marinara sauce, etc; my definition of a tomato rests on what it's used for.

So here's the upshot: if you want to make up your own definitions to things, go right ahead, but I have to warn you that it's a lot of work. You have to think the thing all the way through, you see. And it's so much easier to just accept an expert's word on the matter. That's why religion is so popular.

Keep questioning everything, hunky.

[gsdx]

We don't, really, Hunky.

There are still people around who believe the Earth is flat.

But then, you probably know how those people are treated.

[sb]

yeah like why is the colour red, red and not green? and why do they call cars, cars instead of mosquito's?

[slobone]

We don't, really, Hunky.

There are still people around who believe the Earth is flat.

But then, you probably know how those people are treated.

When Americans were asked, how long does it take the earth to go around the sun, 17% said 1 day, and 18% said the sun goes around the earth.

[rainbow2006-01]

There was one thing on youtube where Americans were asked where they should bomb next. The creators of the show made a map but put different names on Australia, like South Korea, France etc. A lot of them said, oooh France looks like a good place to bomb, pointing at Australia. One said South Korea looked bigger than they originally thought, again pointing at Australia. I mean wow!

[Yves]

For example, the threads about Pluto not beina a planet anylonger because of some scientists said so; Tomato is a fruit because someone said so, and so it goes.

Expanding on your example: Why do we have to accept that homosexuality is not a disease just because some scientists (American Medical Assoc, Am. Psych Assoc) said so....

Scientific evidence and informed discussion are not a bad thing per se. In some cases a society changes views on a topic based on evidence. There many things that we now take for granted that are based on scientific evidence (think about seat belt use). At the same time science is far from perfect (insert Nazi doctors or the Tuskegee experiment in Alabama here)

More than a few crimes have been committed in the name of science but there have been some improvements in the way we explain a few things now compared to a couple of generations ago (think homosexuality, domestic violence, child rearing practices, etc.). At the same time an average person doesn´t have to agree with scientists or even have a basic understanding of the problem. We know that condoms prevent HIV but some decide not to use them for different reasons (or no reason at all). Lack of knowledge, inadequate/incomplete information and conflicting agendas (political, religous) are some additional factors to consider when deciding about pluto, tomatoes or condoms.

[donnykabob]

You don't have to accept it. If you don't go along with it, society will just think you are crazy though.

[luminum]

I agree with allt he above statements.

You don't have to accept the standardized definition of planets and fruits and vegetables, but then you have to ask yourself why you've chosen to accept the older definition of planets, fruits, and vegetables.

You also have to ask yourself then, based on how you feel, shouldn't the asteroid Ceres be a planet? It's just as qualified as Pluto.

Should bell peppers be fruits or vegetables? Beets? And why?

[190E]

Because the guy who created it either makes more money than you, has more connections, or is more powerful and threatening, if none of the above apply, have at it. (satire)

[mowrest20]

Okay, I'm confused. Is Pluto a fruit or vegetable?

[Andreus]

the way we categorize things constantly gets changed, but the reality of them never does

Pluto will be called something esle in a few hundred years and tomatoes may as welll

never know

[okiedokie]

an old saying i grew up with "it's just another case of there you are"

[gotdimples77]

a tomato is a fruit because it is the result of a polinization of a flower. the flower itself and the rest of the plant not originating from the polinization of a flower is a vegetable

[Lube]

It also depends on context. Nothing is absolute.

A tomato is a 'fruit' in the scientific sense, as gotdimples77 said: it's the love child of a plant.

But a tomato is not a 'fruit' in the sense of I'm-going-shopping-at-the-supermarket. It's a vegetable. At the supermarket--or in your kitchen or tummy--a fruit is a sweet thing from a plant. A vegetable is a savory thing from a plant.

Do you call green beans a fruit? How about corn on the cob? (Technically they may not be fruit; there are finer gradations there I'm sure.)

Anyone (other than a scientist) who insists on calling a tomato a fruit is either himself a fruit (wacky) or a vegetable (no brain waves).

[gabriel1]

We don't, really, Hunky.

There are still people around who believe the Earth is flat.

But then, you probably know how those people are treated.

*looks in wonderment at gsdx* the Earth ISN'T flat??
Oh woe is me, woe is me...

[luminum]

*looks in wonderment at gsdx* the Earth ISN'T flat??
Oh woe is me, woe is me...

Yes, it means that in fact, when people ran away from you and disappeared, they were lying when they said that they had fallen off the edge of the earth and that's why they couldn't hang out with you. Lies!

[frankfrank]

You say to-MAY-to, I say to-MAH-to...

Pluto is neither a fruit nor a vegetable, it's an animal! Arf arf...

[douseiai]

For example, the threads about Pluto not beina a planet anylonger because of some scientists said so; Tomato is a fruit because someone said so, and so it goes.

ok here i go....
pluto is a planet... however it is in the category of dwarf planet...
tomato is a fruit because of the definition of fruit... which is a matured ovum... aka it comes from a flower...
the reason we go by what other people say is so that we can have a clear definition of what things are... the reason we made pluto a dwarf planet is because we finally have a real definition of a planet... your talking about factual issues not opinions... we base facts by what science proves... i'm not saying you have to believe everything you hear from scientist... but for pointless issues like if pluto is a planet or not thats just stupid... why should you even care? it doesn't affect you... and if someone tells you pluto is a planet... well lets tell them the requirements to get planet statis... basically spherical, orbits a star (or our sun), and clears debris from its orbital pathway... pluto fits in 2 of those but not the third... it does not clear up debris from its orbit neptunre does... and tomato... well tomato here ya go http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomato

your first statement i am sorry to say is kinda silly if not stupid... if we didn't define things through methodology of science and other ways then well... we wouldn't have dictionaries... i could call my teacher an assmonkey because thats my word for teacher... we need things defined so we have comonalities so that we might communicate better.... as well as explore our galaxy and planet better... science isn't trying to push things aside... they merely want the most specific definition for things so that we can more easily define other thigns

[irish1]

There was one thing on youtube where Americans were asked where they should bomb next. The creators of the show made a map but put different names on Australia, like South Korea, France etc. A lot of them said, oooh France looks like a good place to bomb, pointing at Australia. One said South Korea looked bigger than they originally thought, again pointing at Australia. I mean wow!

I wish that they had said "Nowhere".

[blackbeltninja]

Should bell peppers be fruits or vegetables? Beets? And why?

Anything containing seeds is a fruit - I presume bell peppers fall into here, unless our bell peppers and your bell peppers are two different things of course.

A beet is a vegetable, i think, like an onion - you're eating the root.

-d-

[luminum]

I was going based on his definition that fruits were sweet and vegetables were not.

[blooeyz]

For example, the threads about Pluto not beina a planet anylonger because of some scientists said so; Tomato is a fruit because someone said so, and so it goes.

You don't

You create your own reality don't let others take that away from you

[ffwd]

Why would I "create my own reality" and "make up my own definitions" when a bunch of experts who do nothing with their lives but study planets or tomatos have already gone to the trouble of thinking up a definition for me? I have no problem with their definitions.

We don't have to believe what "somebody" comes up with as a definition for a tomato. But if it is a botanist who has spent a career studying fruits and vegetables instead of just some random person off the street, then why the heck not? It saves me the trouble of reclassifying all the world's life forms. It saves me the trouble of rediscovering all the objects in the solar system. As far as I can see we should be glad they can be bothered...

[douseiai]

aha a clue sherlock