Cindy Haglund wrote in a message to Roger Nelson:

 RN> How do you know they are variables?

 CH>  Because they're functions of variability 

I might have believed you if you had said they were variable functions.

 CH>  A clever gent elsewhere once gave a most eloquent (IMHO) example
 CH> of how an absolute can be absolute. He said the quality of being
 CH> absolute depends on  the scope of that which you're claiming to be
 CH> an absolute. "Absolute" depends on the elements of the whatever it
 CH> is including all variables which one may have control over as one
 CH> perceives that control.

Sounds liks someone from my fourth grade class (brilliant students all),
but what he neglected to tell you is that absolutes are fleeting.

 CH> His exemplary example describes an empty coffee cup as being
 CH> absolutely empty. :)

Ah, but is it?

 CH> Of course the humorous nitpicer will say: But it is full of Air! :)

 You may rest assured there is something there.

 CH> SO our Mastermind must backtrack and include ALL possible 'buts' by
 CH> saying and demonstrating by turning the cup upside down, " MY
 CH> Coffee cup has no coffee in it. Or. That for which this coffee cup
 CH> is intended, coffee- is absent.

You're getting warm.  (-:

 CH> Now you see all variables and constants are known and controlled,
 CH> the scope is SMALL. Therefore The Empty Coffee Cup empty of Coffee
 CH> is by all rights and whatfors is indeed, an absolute. :)

Cold.

 CH> I think I need to fill my coup.... .ahhhhh my cup is now 3/4 full.
 CH> Of what? OH Coffee of course.

What else is in there besides a dab peanut butter?

 CH> Now back to your question Roger. How do we know that which we call
 CH> a variable is a variable? I think the answer is : predictability of
 CH> how the something will behave/react?

The only thing predictable about that is its unpredictability.

 CH> IE: If the wind is blowing at a constant speed of 10 mph, we might
 CH> say the wind is a CONSTANT  no?  But we all know wind speed varies
 CH> unless there's no wind at all then we say there is no wind. :)

I prefer the word sustained over "CONSTANT".

 CH> A constant is something that to our perception anyway, stays the
 CH> same over long tracts of time. It's reliable that way for measuring
 CH> other things we do perceive as variables.

Yes, but nothing lasts forever.

 CH> A variable changes depending on other variables or constants acting
 CH> upon it. Yes/No/fresh pot of coffee/tea/OJ ... we know because it
 CH> changes... and we can not always control that change. Change being
 CH> our reaction to something altering in some way just a about
 CH> everybody absolutely notices..

Boy!  This is a long message.  (-:

[...]

 CH>  Plants benefit from C02 but then just as with animals and Oxygen
 CH> excess/pure can be fatal. *Ps: here is something funny. sort of...
 CH> MY Italian born Grandmother thought it was dangerous to have plants
 CH> in the house and especially in your bedroom because she believed
 CH> plants take Oxygen out of the air. No amount of explaining
 CH> convinced her that plants put Oxygen INTO the air. They only use it
 CH> in transpiration at night. Hardly enough to kill anybody.

Plants don't belong in the house, anyway.

 CH>  I never use packaged condiments. And tartar sauce is not a Chinese
 CH> condiment so no wonder. :)

But they didn't make it.  Whenever I see a packaged tatar sauce with that
name on it, I'll leave it be.

 CH>  I don't mind that much. The mornings are so nice but for the first
 CH> time in four years I have to spray scent free OFF on myself when I
 CH> take the dogs out for their morning walk.! 

Also wear dark clothing.  Mosquitoes are attracted to white-colored clothes.

 CH> When do the skeeters leave I want to know.

At daybreak and sometimes not even then.  Depends on your proximity to a swamp.

 RN> ...October 31 -- Jamie Lee Curtis' birthday.  (-:

 CH>  Um. I'll figure this out someday.

Shouldn't take you too long.

 CH> Cinabsoultelyders

Nice name.

 CH> ... Cats: Murphy's way of saying, "Nice furniture!"

... The horseshoe crab isn't really a crab at all.


Regards,

Roger 
--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+