Re: JKR’s giant mistake?

[hogsheadbarmaid]

No: HPFGUIDX 117770



> > > Pippin:
> > > "Red herring" refers to the misleading clue itself. A mistaken 
> > > belief based on false evidence or faulty reasoning is generally 
> > > referred to as a superstition. 
> > 
> > Neri:
> > Aren't you using slightly too strong words? While there is no 
> absolute
> > proof that the bad guys can't say the name Voldemort, canon does 
> seem
> > to suggest it. 
> 
> Renee:
> I have a problem with the word superstition, with its connotations 
> of irrationality and false religion. Methinks "fallacy" suits 
> Pippin's definition better. 
> 
> That is, it would if we knew for certain the evidence and/or the 
> reasoning were faulty, which I don't think is the case. Even if you 
> can argue that there is an explanation for every instance a bad guy 
> says "Voldemort", this still doesn't constitute evidence that some 
> of these cases weren't oversights. The contradiction between what 
> canon strongly suggests and the use of Voldemort's name by a few 
> particular characters, remains. That the narrator is unreliable and 
> therefore possibly wrong about this, doesn't mean he's unreliable 
> all the time (if he were, he'd be reliable again, if you see what I 
> mean), and therefore actually wrong about it.
> 
> I keep saying we need more information, though I agree with 
everyone 
> who said that saying "Voldemort" doesn't separate the white sheep 
> from the black.
> 
> Renee


barmaid tries again to enter this thread:

It seems to me that the DE's do not say the name because of fear yes, 
but also a certain kind of respect, almost love or awe or religious 
devotion to the Dark Lord.  The name by itself, especially without 
the "Lord" in front of it sounds too familiar or informal -- 
disrespectful.  These people, the DE's have banked everything on the 
idea that LV is "the one".  To casually use his name minimizes his 
power, which is exactly why DD wants people to use it.

I will pose my question from further up this thread here again.  When 
did people stop saying the name and why?  It seems likely that there 
was a time when it was widely spoken -- it is certainly widely known -
- so when and how did this name taboo come in to play.

I personally use the word superstition all the time whenever someone 
(usually me) confuses coincidence with cause and effect.  I find it 
to be a particularly useful concept in dealing with computer 
problems.  I think it could be appropriate to this name issue as well.

     --barmaid