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sapinker's profile
Steven Pinker
Steven Pinker
Steven Pinker
Verified account
@sapinker

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Steven PinkerVerified account

@sapinker

Cognitive scientist at Harvard.

Boston, MA
pinker.wjh.harvard.edu
Joined January 2010

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    Steven Pinker‏Verified account @sapinker Apr 3

    Literally? “Vatican literally falls apart after Pope Francis says ‘Hell doesn’t exist,’” read a headline in Metro UK, a British newspaper”. But not as funny as the article itself: Does Hell Exist? And Did the Pope Give an Answer?https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/30/world/europe/pope-francis-hell-scalfari.html …

    4:06 PM - 3 Apr 2018
    • 78 Retweets
    • 265 Likes
    • Leviathan Marina Rabadán Kai Karos H.M.P Sanjeewanie Neşe Güneş Barry Coert Inna Troik Jerbin J Juarez
    54 replies 78 retweets 265 likes
      1. Geoffrey Miller‏Verified account @primalpoly Apr 3
        Replying to @sapinker

        I imagine that Catholics might appreciate a little more clarity on this issue. Just for expected utility calculations and so forth.

        0 replies 1 retweet 18 likes
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      1. Icenian‏ @icenianV7 Apr 3
        Replying to @sapinker

        The Metro is worth every penny it's readers pay for it.

        0 replies 1 retweet 2 likes
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      1. New conversation
      2. Trick Shroadé‏ @trick_shroade Apr 3
        Replying to @sapinker

        I hope the Pope clarifies his position on the Easter Bunny and Santa Clause as well.

        1 reply 0 retweets 3 likes
      3. Dr. Ray‏ @RewatiRay Apr 3
        Replying to @trick_shroade @sapinker

        Didn’t the Roman Emperor Constantine wipe out the existing culture and religion of the Europe to inforce Christianity and appropriated some of the good rituals of #Paganism (as we call them now ) and butchered those in the name of #WitchHunt who defied his authority ???

        3 replies 0 retweets 2 likes
      4. 1 more reply
      1. paul‏ @PaulSommer17 Apr 3
        Replying to @sapinker

        I’ve given up and decided that the proper use of the word “literally” is dead and gone. Figuratively that is.

        0 replies 0 retweets 2 likes
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      1. Phil D‏ @beetmode Apr 4
        Replying to @javi_for_prez @sapinker

        I literally died of laughter. Oh wait. No I didn't.

        0 replies 0 retweets 2 likes
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      1. Alwyn Downe‏ @alwyn_downe Apr 5
        Replying to @sapinker

        It. Exists because You think it does.

        0 replies 0 retweets 1 like
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      1. Jacobus Cuesix‏ @JacobusCuesix Apr 3
        Replying to @sapinker

        Millennials ought to be forbidden to use the word 'literally' unless they demonstrate competence in using the word 'figuratively' in a sentence

        0 replies 0 retweets 1 like
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      1. Shawn Willden‏ @shawnwillden Apr 3
        Replying to @sapinker

        I have to say I find it quite pleasant that Pope Francis enjoys regularly chatting with "a nonbeliever who stimulates him".

        0 replies 0 retweets 1 like
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      1. Linda Ward Selbie  📷‏ @lindaws Apr 3
        Replying to @sapinker

        Now if that nasty business empire is sold off & proceeds to pay reparations for violent colonialism #cdnpolipic.twitter.com/LyaZ4njBq4

        Kent Monkman Studio
        0 replies 0 retweets 1 like
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      1. Cory Williams‏ @Williamscoryr Apr 3
        Replying to @sapinker

        Pretty funny... but is it funnier than the hat..? 😉

        0 replies 0 retweets 1 like
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      1. Chad Hayes, MD‏ @chadhayesmd Apr 3
        Replying to @sapinker

        Just checked the satellite footage. It’s still there.

        0 replies 0 retweets 1 like
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      1. New conversation
      2. West‏ @SeanWestrom2 Apr 3
        Replying to @sapinker

        R.I.P., the English language. Even the newspapers are at this 'literally' stage now.

        1 reply 0 retweets 1 like
      3. 1 more reply
      1. New conversation
      2. Lilith‏ @LilithLiberated Apr 3
        Replying to @sapinker

        Professor Pinker you are an educated man. Perhaps you can tell me why the use of a hyperbolic antonym whips so many into a frenzy. Especially one who’s usage dates back to Charles Dickens?

        2 replies 0 retweets 0 likes
      3. Jack‏ @jack1208164 Apr 3
        Replying to @LilithLiberated @sapinker

        It's because many people don't use the word "literally" as hyperbole. They are misusing it because of a general lack of language comprehension. It's indicative of a general decrease in language comprehension.

        1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes
      4. Lilith‏ @LilithLiberated Apr 3
        Replying to @jack1208164 @sapinker

        But it is not a lack of comprehension. Everyone knows that figuratively is the opposite meaning of literally that’s why it’s used as a sarcastic term. I’m not prepared to treat the average English speaker as quite that stupid

        1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes
      5. Jack‏ @jack1208164 Apr 3
        Replying to @LilithLiberated @sapinker

        It has nothing to do with intelligence. I don't believe the average English speaker is unintelligent, and I also believe that on avg they know what it means. But I think think language comprehension is going downhill fast (not due to stupidity) and results in this kind of thing

        1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes
      6. Jack‏ @jack1208164 Apr 3
        Replying to @jack1208164 @LilithLiberated @sapinker

        By "this kind of thing" I mean that the misuse of this term (and things like this) lead to it being used more as an intensifier, and not as hyperbole.

        1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes
      7. Lilith‏ @LilithLiberated Apr 3
        Replying to @jack1208164 @sapinker

        I understand your objection to the general trend. I agree. An inability to make some people understand what a definition even is is infuriating. But I don’t understand the objection to the use of this particular term when, in this form it is literally literally used by Dickens

        1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes
      8. Jack‏ @jack1208164 Apr 3
        Replying to @LilithLiberated @sapinker

        "But I don’t understand the objection to the use of this particular term when" Fair enough. At the end of the day language is only a tool to convey a message, and isn't some sacred thing, so I can see why you hold that opinion

        1 reply 0 retweets 1 like
      9. Lilith‏ @LilithLiberated Apr 3
        Replying to @jack1208164 @sapinker

        I’m glad we could discuss it without degenerating into insulting each other. Twitter is exhausting some days

        0 replies 0 retweets 0 likes
      10. End of conversation

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