Words fail me: irritated at iteration

Iteration is a precise word but is increasingly being used to describe “draft” or “version”.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines iteration as:

• the repetition of a process or utterance;

• repetition of a mathematical or computational procedure applied to the result of a previous application, typically as a means of obtaining successively closer approximations to the solution of a problem;

• [count noun] a new version of a piece of computer hardware or software.

The definition at the free online dictionary is:

1. the act or an instance of iterating; repetition;

2. mathematics A computational procedure in which a cycle of operations is repeated, often to approximate the desired result more closely;

3. computer science,

a. the process of repeating a set of instructions a specified number of times or until a specific result is achieved,

b. one cycle of a set of instructions to be repeated: After ten iterations, the program exited the loop.

Meanings and changes

The two definitions of iteration appear to be very similar: repetition, a mathematical procedure or describing processes in computer science or software. There is a more detailed discussion of the computer use at Wikipedia.

The meaning of iteration involving repetition is different from that of drafts or versions of texts, usually rules or guidance. Draft and version are useful and easily understood words meaning an early form of a text, usually provided for amendment. The words imply “change” sometimes through examination by committee, discussion, editing, proofing and so on. For example, this post was saved in “drafts” folder, before being edited and published.

Both sets of meanings can imply change but one through a process of repetition and the other by editing

So if you are talking about words, stick to draft or version, leave iteration to the scientists.

Monks' sleeping quarters at Cleeve Abbey, west Somerset

Monks' sleeping quarters, originally uploaded by littlekeithy.

Taken at Cleeve Abbey, Somerset. The remains of a medium sized abbey with a fine cloister, living quarters, decorative tiles and a gatehouse. Full set of photos can be seen at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjFtNvTB

Ice Age art: the beginnings of the division of labour. A review

The British Museum is currently exhibiting Ice Age art: figurines, ivory carvings, inscribed symbols and animals from the European Stone Age.  I recently visited it so here's my review and considerations on some of wider issues that it raised about historical development.

Example of the art on display
from the British Museum's website

The art shows how humans developed the capacity for abstract thought and shamanistic rituals.

But the very development of these skills also points to how human societies took advantage of the particular environment to obtain enough food and shelter in order for the beginnings of specialization or division of labour. IT was this specialization that was the origins of the art of spiritual and even that of religion.

Film review: The Cabinet of Dr Caligari

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari is a remarkable German film made in 1920. Directed by Robert Wiene, it introduces motifs that we still find in modern cinema and uses Expressionist sets and design.

Words fail me: this isn't appropriate

I spent 10 years working in the media covering local government, health and social services. And I spent a lot of it deleting the word appropriate. Why? Because its use as an adjective has become so commonplace that it had almost lost its meaning.

Words fail me: I might get this wrong

The meanings of words are often in a relationship; either in opposition to each other or occupying different parts of a spectrum.

May and might are one such latter pairing. Both have the meaning the possibility of something happening.

For example I may go out tonight or I might go to the fair.

The difference between the two is that may is a bit more certain about something happening than might. In the above examples the likelihood of me going out tonight is greater than going to the fair.

Words fail me: possible and probable

In a previous post I wrote about the differences between possible and potential and how they are becoming increasingly confused. Now I want to briefly look at possible and one of its regular team mates probable.

First the meanings