Re: virus: The naming of parts
Joe E. Dees (joedees@bellsouth.net)
Thu, 3 Jun 1999 02:52:05 -0500
Date sent: Wed, 2 Jun 1999 23:36:47 -0700 (PDT)
From: Dylan Durst <ddurst@levien.com>
To: Church of Virus <virus@lucifer.com>
Subject: Re: virus: The naming of parts
Send reply to: virus@lucifer.com
> > To me, technology = tools. You use and make the best tools you can if
> > you're any kind of craftsman at all. So far, homo sapiens sapiens is the
> > only species that makes tools for making tools.
>
> I'd agree with you, if you are refering mainly to tools of a
> non-biological proccess (Dogs turn sugars into ATP, they use that as a
> tool to enable their saliva generating cells, that make saliva (a tool,
> imho). If we can say that a dog makes shit, we should be able to say that
> they make ATP).
>
Neither is voluntarily made in one of several possible manners for a
chosen purpose. Biological processes are not tools, but help
constitute the bodily base whose capacity tools may extend.
>
> I'm tired of quoting dictionaries, but it seems relivant in this case.
>
> Note definition #4 from m-w.com:
>
>
> Main Entry: 1tool
> Pronunciation: 'tl
> Function: noun
> Etymology: Middle English, from Old English tOl; akin to Old English
> tawian to prepare for use -- more at TAW
> Date: before 12th century
> 1 a : a handheld device that aids in accomplishing a task b (1) : the
> cutting or shaping part in a machine or machine tool (2) : a machine
> for shaping metal : MACHINE TOOL
> 2 a : something (as an instrument or apparatus) used in performing an
> operation or necessary in the practice of a vocation or
> profession <a scholar's books are his tools> b : a means to an end <a
> book's cover can be a marketing tool> c often vulgar : PENIS
> 3 : one that is used or manipulated by another
> 4 plural : natural ability <has all the tools>
>
That is sports slang. This is all that need be said about it.
Meaning #1 is the meaning referred to here.
>
> - dylan
>
> - - -
> Dylan Durst # ddurst@levien.com # ddurst@cats.ucsc.edu # dylan@haptek.com
> http://www.porter.ucsc.edu/~dsd # <-<--<---<----<----|---->---->--->-->->
>
>