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> "America's internet" > The first two words of the headline are wrong. Applications are not the Internet. This must be some kind of record for HN headlines.

> "America's internet" > The first two words of the headline are wrong. Applications are not the Internet. This must be some kind of record for HN headlines. It's not actually wrong: you just have to realize that words have different meanings. The internet is simultaneously: a TCP/IP network and the collection of applications built on top of that network that people use. The first meaning is technical jargon, the second is a more colloquial meaning. Technical meanings are not more correct than other kinds of meanings.

1970-01-01 5y ago
OK fine, but going with this logic is how you get to "a series of tubes"
- tablespoon 5y ago
  >> It's not actually wrong: you just have to realize that words have different meanings. The internet is simultaneously: a TCP/IP network and the collection of applications built on top of that network that people use. The first meaning is technical jargon, the second is a more colloquial meaning. Technical meanings are not more correct than other kinds of meanings. > OK fine, but going with this logic is how you get to "a series of tubes" No, obviously not. You get to "series of tubes" when you try force a layman grasp the technical TCP/IP network definition instead of accepting their use of the colloquial definition centered on applications.
  - 1970-01-01 5y ago
    Sorry, I don't follow. Colloquial diction is unacceptable in business, legal, and engineering contexts because it causes confusion. Using laymen terms such as "internet" in a headline yields more misinformation and confusion about what the system actually is. I agree colloquial word choice is not wrong for a blog, however applications are not the network, and they will need to do better if they want my click.
    - tablespoon 5y ago
      Colloquial may be the wrong term, think "non-technical" instead. > Using laymen terms such as "internet" in a headline yields more misinformation and confusion about what the system actually is. No it doesn't. It's just a fact that "internet" has technical and non-technical definitions that diverge somewhat. That ship sailed a long time ago, and no amount of pedantic complaining will change it. And frankly, it's not reasonable to expect laymen to understand how their applications work at a technical level (e.g. distinguish between the internet and the web). It's incumbent on the people who do understand those distinctions to adapt to their audience and the multiple definitions in use.

1970-01-01 5y ago

OK fine, but going with this logic is how you get to "a series of tubes"

tablespoon 5y ago
>> It's not actually wrong: you just have to realize that words have different meanings. The internet is simultaneously: a TCP/IP network and the collection of applications built on top of that network that people use. The first meaning is technical jargon, the second is a more colloquial meaning. Technical meanings are not more correct than other kinds of meanings. > OK fine, but going with this logic is how you get to "a series of tubes" No, obviously not. You get to "series of tubes" when you try force a layman grasp the technical TCP/IP network definition instead of accepting their use of the colloquial definition centered on applications.
- 1970-01-01 5y ago
  Sorry, I don't follow. Colloquial diction is unacceptable in business, legal, and engineering contexts because it causes confusion. Using laymen terms such as "internet" in a headline yields more misinformation and confusion about what the system actually is. I agree colloquial word choice is not wrong for a blog, however applications are not the network, and they will need to do better if they want my click.
  - tablespoon 5y ago
    Colloquial may be the wrong term, think "non-technical" instead. > Using laymen terms such as "internet" in a headline yields more misinformation and confusion about what the system actually is. No it doesn't. It's just a fact that "internet" has technical and non-technical definitions that diverge somewhat. That ship sailed a long time ago, and no amount of pedantic complaining will change it. And frankly, it's not reasonable to expect laymen to understand how their applications work at a technical level (e.g. distinguish between the internet and the web). It's incumbent on the people who do understand those distinctions to adapt to their audience and the multiple definitions in use.