On: Mission Creep: When Everything Is Terrorism

[rhizome]

Right, which is why prelapsarianism is not a useful strategy. It's impossible to prevent rot before it starts, because it has always already started.

[jacques_chester → rhizome]

I don't know why I bother with common turns of phrase on HN, someone always reduces it symbolic logic and springs an a-ha on me.

Yes. Of course it's "always started". That doesn't render my point completely empty, because there is always a before to take as a starting point.

[rhizome → jacques_chester]

Common turns of phrase wouldn't be so troublesome if they were simply avoided in favor of direct language and makings of actual points. "We have to fight these things when they come up, but we tend not to," or whatever, instead of defensive profundity. Language is a lossy codec for thought, metaphor doubly so.

[visakanv → jacques_chester]

Agreed. Best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, next best time is now, etc