Re: JKR’s giant mistake?

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 117780


 
> > > > 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. <<

Pippin:
I think we agree that canon fosters a belief that bad guys can't 
say the name.  It's only if we accept this belief that the use of the 
name by various unsavory persons becomes a problem, which 
is what I wanted to emphasize by using the term superstition. I 
do not mean to imply that those who do accept it are overly 
credulous or inclined to reason falsely. 

Renee:
> > 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. <<

Pippin:
Mistakes, such as the famous wand order mess, are  random 
and thus as likely to be spectacular as not. An apparent 
inconsistency which shows signs of having been slipped 
inconspicuously into innocent chapters, and occurs only in one 
direction, so that we don't have Dumbledore or Sirius saying "the 
Dark Lord", smacks of intent rather than coincidence. But I could 
be wrong. 

Renee:
> > 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.<<

Pippin:
I think we have all the information we need. Sirius and Lupin who 
use   the name freely, were still suspected of being spies and 
Death Eaters during VWI. 

Pettigrew also  must have used it before -- at least, Sirius 
remarks that Pettigrew is now afraid of it, "What, scared to hear 
your old master's name?" said Black. "I don't blame you Peter. 
His lot aren't very happy with you, are they?" -PoA ch 19. Peter 
certainly can't have been possessed for an entire year or he 
would have died as Quirrell did when Voldemort abandoned 
him. 

In fact, Sirius uses the name for several pages before Harry "at 
long last" decides to believe him. So even Harry doesn't think 
this is something he can rely on entirely,  though it doubtless 
helped to convince him.
 
> barmaid tries again to enter this thread:
> 
> 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.<

Pippin
I think it is analogous to the name of G-d in the Hebrew 
scriptures, which the pious may write but not speak. Hagrid isn't 
afraid to write the name down, only insecure about how to spell 
it. 

Tom himself reveals his name first by writing it in magical letters.

Pippin