Another Word For It Patrick Durusau on Topic Maps and Semantic Diversity

May 12, 2010

Gonorrhea and Weapons of Mass Destruction

Filed under: Classification,Concept Hierarchies,Humor,Ontology — Patrick Durusau @ 7:43 am

The Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) ontology at the Suggested Upper Merged Ontology (SUMO) website includes Gonorrhea.

Imagine a WMD debate over a Gonorrhea test for all airline passengers, blue ink for their thumbs (positive), along with penicillin shots.

The transmission mechanisms of Gonorrhea make it an unlikely weapon of mass destruction.

The monological nature of WMD ontology prevents contrary views from being registered. It must have, after all, a determinate result.

Topic map authors can make equally foolish statements. The difference is that contrary views can be registered as well.

1 Comment

  1. I think the question whether any ontology is “monological” (as you contrasted it) does more depend on its interpretation, not so much on the definition.

    So, maybe, it is a bit bizarre to have this sickness a WMD, but the world we live in, is bizarre. And getting weired every day. But that is not the point, as you correctly say that you can do bizarre things in TMs as well.

    Also the WMD.kif I can take with a grain of salt (or many more grains). But I cannot undo, what has been said, but neither can TMs.

    Comment by Robert Barta — May 14, 2010 @ 7:16 am

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