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“Auto” just means “self.” Do autobiographies write themselves? Does the word “automobile” imply no driver is needed?
by mikeash 8y ago
“Auto” just means “self.” Do autobiographies write themselves? Does the word “automobile” imply no driver is needed?
- Someone1234 8y agoIt doesn't "just" mean that. You aren't arguing in good faith when you choose to selectively use and ignore dictionary definitions of common words as it conveniences you.
- simion314 8y agoAuto can mean also automatic, autonomous , you are trying to defend the meaning of autopilot by bringing aviation definition, it would be similar to me telling all the people that they are using language wrong because in chemistry or math the word X ids defined to mean something a bit different. in physics acceleration is used when things slow down too, but at least in my language this is weird and in day to day use acceleration means increase in speed, you want to understand how/why most people define autopilot as more then dr5iver assist then just ask them and stop telling them they are wrong because in domain X the word is used different.
- mikeash 8y agoI’m not saying they’re wrong. I’m saying their understanding of the word baffles me. That’s not the same thing, and it’s kind of annoying to be attacked just for not understanding people.
- simion314 8y agoLet me try to explain, people are not knowledgeable on how airplane autopilot works, what people understand when they hear autopilot is from what they had seen in movies or games, read in books or what the words actual mean.
- mikeash 8y agoThere are contrary examples that normal people would know too. For instance, it’s common to use the phrase “on autopilot” to describe the state of a person who does something really stupid because they were following a routine without thinking.
- conscion 8y agoNo but autobiographies are self-biographies, automobiles are self-mobile so an autopilot would self-pilot, i.e. pilot itself
- mikeash 8y agoAnd they do, but that doesn’t mean they’re autonomous or capable of handling any situation. A wing leveler is piloting itself.
- SmellyGeekBoy 8y agoAgreed. So "Auto Pilot" == "Self Pilot". As in, it pilots itself. Which would indeed imply that no driver was needed.