Okay, but how do we get technical terms with precise meanings that are analyzable using propositions that can be investigated and decided using logic and observation? If we’re in a context where the meaning of words is automatically eroded by projection into low-dimensional, low-context concepts into whatever the surrounding political forces want, we’re not going to get anywhere without being able to fix the meaning of words we need to have a non-obvious technically important use.
Instead of saying “using this term to mean X is a discourtesy”, one could try “please don’t use this term to mean X, and please encourage your readers not to use it to mean X, and to encourage their readers and so on”.
Okay, but how do we get technical terms with precise meanings that are analyzable using propositions that can be investigated and decided using logic and observation? If we’re in a context where the meaning of words is automatically eroded by projection into low-dimensional, low-context concepts into whatever the surrounding political forces want, we’re not going to get anywhere without being able to fix the meaning of words we need to have a non-obvious technically important use.
Instead of saying “using this term to mean X is a discourtesy”, one could try “please don’t use this term to mean X, and please encourage your readers not to use it to mean X, and to encourage their readers and so on”.