I'm starting a new thread so we don't have to scroll over all that nonsense.

I'm against hard and fast definitions in matters like this. The risk of wasting space on things that are off the topic is minor, and the DT folks can deal with it easily if they ever feel the need. I see no reason for them to have a coherent policy. As a friend of mine used to say, "Whenever someone says 'policy', they're explaining why they won't do what you need them to do."

And now I'm going to test this theory by talking about science fiction. Alice, I did enjoy A Canticle for Leibowitz, by the late Walter Miller (especially the original novelette, which was the episode about the illuminated manuscript). Did you know that a sequel is out or due soon? Apparently it was almost done, but was finished after Miller's death by the brilliant Terry Bisson.

The Art's-uncle's-gun/George-Washington's-ax joke is part of a 2000-year-old tradition. For the Greek philosophers, it was Theseus's ship. After every voyage he replaced a few planks, till eventually none of the original ones were left.


Link to previous Methodologies thread