"Weakened dam stable but 'extremely volatile'"

John Galt · 10-19-2005, 09:25 AM

Yeah, that makes sense. Stable, yet not stable.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/10/19/mas....ap/index.html

KevinNU7 · 10-19-2005, 09:30 AM

cnn is desperate for ratings

vex · 10-19-2005, 10:10 AM

Extremely volatile huh? Must be a bust.

Maple Leafs · 10-19-2005, 10:25 AM

On many days, that sounds like an accurate description of my wife.

sterlingice · 10-19-2005, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinNU7

cnn is desperate for ratings

Huh? Don't get me wrong- they are ratings whores with a lot of useless trumped up stories but that description is from the mayor of the town's comments, hence the quotes.

SI

KevinNU7 · 10-19-2005, 12:04 PM

The Mayor said it was under control but extremely volatile, which makes a hell of alot more sense

Huckleberry · 10-19-2005, 12:23 PM

I understand that the words seem incompatible at first, but it's not unusual for a situation to be both stable and volatile.

The dam is currently holding the water. It's stable. However, that condition could possibly change dramatically and suddenly. That's volatile.

Think of a pressurized container of hydrogen. Stable and volatile. Volatile often means that a new, additional input to the situation can cause something dramatic to happen. Doesn't mean the situation isn't stable on its own.

John Galt · 10-19-2005, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huckleberry

I understand that the words seem incompatible at first, but it's not unusual for a situation to be both stable and volatile.

The dam is currently holding the water. It's stable. However, that condition could possibly change dramatically and suddenly. That's volatile.

Think of a pressurized container of hydrogen. Stable and volatile. Volatile often means that a new, additional input to the situation can cause something dramatic to happen. Doesn't mean the situation isn't stable on its own.

Better words would provide that distinction, like the mayor saying "under control." For the most part, stable is an antonym of volatile. To say something is "extremely volatile" makes it even worse to me. "Stable" doesn't just mean currently in control, it means "not subject to extreme change of fluctuation." So, to me the headline is nonsense.

10-19-2005, 09:30 AM	#2
KevinNU7 College Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: Beantown	cnn is desperate for ratings __________________ Boston Bashers - III.14 - (8347)

10-19-2005, 10:25 AM	#4
Maple Leafs Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002	On many days, that sounds like an accurate description of my wife. __________________ Down Goes Brown: Toronto Maple Leafs Humor and Analysis

10-19-2005, 12:04 PM	#6
KevinNU7 College Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: Beantown	The Mayor said it was under control but extremely volatile, which makes a hell of alot more sense __________________ Boston Bashers - III.14 - (8347)

10-19-2005, 12:23 PM	#7
Huckleberry College Starter Join Date: Dec 2001	I understand that the words seem incompatible at first, but it's not unusual for a situation to be both stable and volatile. The dam is currently holding the water. It's stable. However, that condition could possibly change dramatically and suddenly. That's volatile. Think of a pressurized container of hydrogen. Stable and volatile. Volatile often means that a new, additional input to the situation can cause something dramatic to happen. Doesn't mean the situation isn't stable on its own. __________________ The one thing all your failed relationships have in common is you. The Barking Carnival (Longhorn-centered sports blog) College Football Adjusted Stats and Ratings

10-19-2005, 10:10 AM	#3
vex Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Tulsa	Extremely volatile huh? Must be a bust.

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