Richard Clark wrote:
On Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:07:45 -0400, Michael Coslo
wrote:

Does it follow then that since I'm not at all likely to spontaneously
combust due to my cell phone use, that there are no effects?

Hi Mike,

Not likely? This "certitude" falls into the same category of
speculation that began this side thread. The rhetoric of "not likely"
automatically admits it into having the same small possibility of cell
phone tumor risk.

Admittedly, this is the first time that I have heard "not likely"
turned into certitude. I would at one time have said that wasn't very
likely.

One might begin to think that there is bit of a difference between
scientific discourse and English discourse. That is likely. Whereas I
highly doubt that it would happen, you use that doubt as a springboard
to add to the issue.

All without answering my question!

I doubt that using a cell phone wil cause me to crave lutefisk either.
So we add another possibility to the mix.

Ask a scientist if a singularity might show up and start spitting to
coffee cups S/he will probably say "not likely", when indeed it is
almost impossible, yet not eliminated. Something like almost infinitely
unlikely, depending on if we ascribe to the big crunch eventually
following the big bang, or even the big cigarette. But at least take a
shower. But I digress.....

It doesn't ipso fatso mean they accept that as a real possibility. But
the odds, as scientists look at them, make it difficult to state 100
percent yes or no. We see it all the time on TV cop shows when they go
to court. They even give odds on DNA evidence.

Now onto the concept of spontaneous human composting er combustion....


- 73 de Mike N3LI -