3-D Usage

[P3D Paul S. Boyer <boyer@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

John Berkovitz asks where the limits lie in accepting 3-D misnomers.
   
They lie somewhere t' th'other side of allowing "stereopticon" for

stereoscope, or "beamsplitter" when it's a mirror or prism device.

These limits have the invaluable function of enabling us quickly
to tell whether someone understands, or is utterly ignorant.  It
saves time!  It is a cue to adjusting your response either to
adult conversation with a possible equal, or to an attitude of
patient condescention to a novice.

Terminology *does* count for something.  Would you trust a doctor
who pronounced prostate "prostrate"?  Or treated the word appendix
as if it were plural?

Like it or not, language is a powerful indicator for allowing
the distinction between members of the in-group, and outsiders.
If you go to Pennsylvania and pronounce Amish with a long A
("AY-mish"), or say Lancaster with the emphasis on on the second
syllable, you just don't belong, and the locals will immediately
classify you accordingly.  If the local folks are friendly, they
may politely explain the error, thereby welcoming you into
their group, at least with status or an "accepted vistor".

So it is with hobbies.  There are certain things that someone
in our hobby should know.  If they don't know, they should be
helped.  Think of it this way: the same person who is careless
with 3-d terminology, is probably the same person who, unless
helped, will soon be inflicting on you his mismounted slides.
That should be adequate motivation for your helpful intervention!
--Paul S. Boyer  <boyer@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>


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