3 ms·

I spent six years getting chemistry degrees (and became a programmer instead) and every time people blame chemicals for things I have to laugh.

SAI_Peregrinus 9y ago
"Chemical free" is always amusing. Pretty much the only material product I buy that's truly chemical free is electricity from the power company.
- lulmerchant 9y ago
  "Organic" is almost as bad in my opinion.
  - grzm 9y ago
    With all of these terms, do you understand what people mean when they use them? Artificial and natural likewise can be criticized, but is it helpful? Are you perhaps dereferencing them to a different definition than what they intend? Human language is very fluid and understanding depends at least in part on context. I have my own pet peeves with respect to imprecision in language, but I work against that from getting in the way of the real goal, which is understanding.
    - lulmerchant 9y ago
      "Organic" and "Chemical" are words that already have a clear meaning. In the alternative context in which these words are used, they have no meaning. You won't find a consistent or concise definition that describes the alternative context in which these words have come to be used. What those words really mean in that context, is completely arbitrary, varies greatly depending on who you're talking to, and has noting to do with the use of chemicals, or organic chemicals. Worse yet, products that are deemed to be either "Organic" or "Chemical Free" often fail to meaningfully differentiate themselves from the products which are "not organic" or "chemical". At best, the use of these words is a deceitful marketing ploy used to manipulate people who don't understand chemistry. At worst (as is the case with "organic certification"), it is simply a scam used to con money out of producers and consumers.
      - derekp7 9y ago
        I thought that there was (FDA?) regulation on what foods can be labeled as organic. Will have to look into that.
      - King-Aaron 9y ago
        You're fighting a losing battle if you try to enforce traditional meaning to language in a contemporary environment. Context is the key. The word "organic" takes on a very different meaning if you're describing a brake rotor compound, instead of a bunch of bananas in a supermarket, for instance. However it's by no stretch devoid of meaning in either context.
  - mc32 9y ago
    Along those lines, "biologique". "Traditional [farming techniques]", a mouthful, might be a better descriptor, but traditional now refers to modern farming techniques, so it too would be confusing.

SAI_Peregrinus 9y ago

"Chemical free" is always amusing. Pretty much the only material product I buy that's truly chemical free is electricity from the power company.

lulmerchant 9y ago
"Organic" is almost as bad in my opinion.
- grzm 9y ago
  With all of these terms, do you understand what people mean when they use them? Artificial and natural likewise can be criticized, but is it helpful? Are you perhaps dereferencing them to a different definition than what they intend? Human language is very fluid and understanding depends at least in part on context. I have my own pet peeves with respect to imprecision in language, but I work against that from getting in the way of the real goal, which is understanding.
  - lulmerchant 9y ago
    "Organic" and "Chemical" are words that already have a clear meaning. In the alternative context in which these words are used, they have no meaning. You won't find a consistent or concise definition that describes the alternative context in which these words have come to be used. What those words really mean in that context, is completely arbitrary, varies greatly depending on who you're talking to, and has noting to do with the use of chemicals, or organic chemicals. Worse yet, products that are deemed to be either "Organic" or "Chemical Free" often fail to meaningfully differentiate themselves from the products which are "not organic" or "chemical". At best, the use of these words is a deceitful marketing ploy used to manipulate people who don't understand chemistry. At worst (as is the case with "organic certification"), it is simply a scam used to con money out of producers and consumers.
    - derekp7 9y ago
      I thought that there was (FDA?) regulation on what foods can be labeled as organic. Will have to look into that.
    - King-Aaron 9y ago
      You're fighting a losing battle if you try to enforce traditional meaning to language in a contemporary environment. Context is the key. The word "organic" takes on a very different meaning if you're describing a brake rotor compound, instead of a bunch of bananas in a supermarket, for instance. However it's by no stretch devoid of meaning in either context.
- mc32 9y ago
  Along those lines, "biologique". "Traditional [farming techniques]", a mouthful, might be a better descriptor, but traditional now refers to modern farming techniques, so it too would be confusing.