3 ms·
Pretty cool, but... The article "Kelp is the planet’s fastest-growing plant" ... kelp is not a plant? Second sentence of its Wikipedia article.
by cmrdporcupine 3y ago
Pretty cool, but...
The article "Kelp is the planet’s fastest-growing plant"
... kelp is not a plant? Second sentence of its Wikipedia article.
- mkaic 3y agoPrescriptivism vs. descriptivism. Taxonomically, you're right — kelp is a macroalgae, not a plant. But most people don't really care (and don't need to care) about this taxonomical distinction in their day-to-day life. It has a stem and leaves, it eats via photosynthesis, it's rooted to a single spot, and it's green-ish — as far as I'm concerned, that's a plant! I generally find that defining words descriptively (based on how most people use them most of the time) rather than prescriptively (based on how institutions or niche groups use them) is a good way to avoid conflict, both on the internet and IRL!
- SubiculumCode 3y agoThe same with trees and 'plants'. Many trees are more closely related to plants, than to other trees.