Topic awaiting preservation: Just a simple question. (Page 1 of 1)

Ok...

If I don't think that time travel is possible, does that mean I think that time travel is impossible?

Yes. Impossible is an antonym of possible is it not?

I think the real question is whether you think at all.

Well, if you mean that you KNOW that it is currently not possible to travel through time, then you don't necessarily think that it is impossible. Do you believe that it COULD be possible at some point?

But ya, typically NOT POSSIBLE = IMPOSSIBLE

SPyX is right but InSiDeR didn't use possibility statements. In his case, the meaning of the sentence structure is purely black and white.

True dat, true dat. . .

Actually, If I say "I don't think time travel is possible." That doesn't mean that I think it is impossible.

Its like asking me if I do.

I don't think so but I give it the granted possibility : as opposed to saying it is definately not positive, doing not thinking is just like being undecided.

Well i don't have time to answer this!
Southpark has started ~runs offf~~

InSiDeR: Possible. Impossible. Likely. Unlikely. If you say, "I don't think time travel is possible," it means you think time travel is impossible. If you say, "I don't think time travel is a likely event to occur any time soon," then you're saying that time travel is possible but not likely to happen soon.

Even though the English language has many grays, there are many words that are strictly black and white (synonym & antonym). Possible and impossible are black and white conclusory possiblity statements. Likely and unlikely are not conclusory.

Actually, I believe the word that you would be best off using is PLAUSIBLE. If you don't think it will happen, but you don't really want to write if off completely either, than you would say that it is implausible.

-Adam

ram look at it this way, so many people don't understand this so dont feel bad

to "think so" per say, is to send electric charges from dendrites to dendrites creating "thought"

Ok

Time travel is possible (+)

I don't/do think time travel is possible (+-)

Time travel is impossible (-)

Does that make things a little more clear?


_____________________
Prying open my third eye.

No, InSiDeR it's you that doesn't understand.

YOU created YOUR own OPINION. "I don't think time travel is possible."

Here's the correct form:

Time travel is possible: +
Time travel is impossible: -
Time travel is likely to happen in an amount of time: +
Time travel is unlikely to happen in an amount of time: -
I think time travel is possible: (OPINION) +
I think time travel is impossible: (OPINION) -
I think time travel is possible given "Event A" and "Event B" occurs: (OPINION) +-
I think time travel is impossible given "Event A" and "Event B" does not occur: (OPINION) +-

Opinion is just that. It is not fact. It is a judgement made either by study of factual information relating to a topic or a quick, dirty, and baseless biased judgement.

"I think time travel is possible."

Why do you think time travel is possible? What information do you have to base your judgement?

"I don't think time travel is possible." OR "I think time travel is impossible."

Why don't you think time travel is possible? etc...


Now here comes the implied "gray":

"I don't think time travel is impossible."

There's a few implications within this statement but it really depends on how the listener (reader) perceives and interprets the statement.

1. (Implied Gray) "I don't think time travel is impossible. I just think that if "Event A" and "Event B" occurred then there would be a "Change."
2. (Black&White) Time travel is impossible.

This is why so many people have trouble with the English language.


My intentions were not offend you, or clarify any issues. Though it's possible that I've confused the issue a bit more.

It's my OPINION that the English language is effective only when two communicators understand where each other is coming from. In other words, their perceptions are not deceived by implications and what they say and hear is black and white. This is why a lot of people here and more places don't like me (much or at all).


Are you misunderstanding me?

Insider, that honestly made no sense whatsoever, which is no surprise.

Here, try this:

I do not think time travel is possible.
EQUALS
I think time travel is not possible.
EQUALS
I think time travel is impossible.

If you want to discuss whether or not the first two equal, you would just be arguing semantics. To say one is to mean the other.

quote:

---

I think time travel is possible: (OPINION) +
I think time travel is impossible: (OPINION) -
I think time travel is possible given "Event A" and "Event B" occurs: (OPINION) +-
I think time travel is impossible given "Event A" and "Event B" does not occur: (OPINION) +-

---

Wrong on all 4 counts... Those are not opinion. It is a fact that you THINK one thing or another. Whereas an opinion is saying something IS possible/impossible.

Time travel will never be possible. That's an opinion.

However, the fact that this "debate" has gone on this long, proves that none of ya'll THINK or even have that capability.

________________________________________________________________
-- Jack of all trades, master of that which has my attention at
the moment.

Home Sweet Home

[This message has been edited by Lord_Fukutoku (edited 08-07-2002).]

Someone explain to me which part of Insider's question had anything to do with whether or not something is an opinion.

All you asked, Insider, was whether (a) your not thinking time travel is possible means (b) that you think time travel is impossible.

The answer, simply, is yes. The one means the other. Period. What is it you aren't getting? If you meant to ask a different question, then restate it and be clearer.

And slimey or not, LF, I take exception to being included in those who don't "THINK or even have that capability."

Wes... don't bother. The question has been answered yet the originator of the question doesn't accept the answer. This topic is done. I'm out.

Simple question.

Simple answer: Yes.
Long, drawn-out answer: Yes.

another simple question:

if I think this thread should not be open, does that mean that I think it should be closed?
(we'll see if you can guess the answer insider.....).