Pontiac Solstice Forum - View Single Post - GM Announces Solstice Recall [merged]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRinKY

I think that in the discussion of "normal" behavior for a mechanical system we should use Merriam-Webster's second (or its medical dictionary's first) definition:
2a: according with, constituting, or not deviating from, a norm, rule, or principle
2b: conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern

It does not matter what proportion of examples exhibits the behavior, but whether the behavior conforms to the design standard of the system in question.

2a would seem to be in line with my prior definition. The latter does lend itself to a more liberal use. As in, "normal" behavior is that which we expect to observe (based on prior experience). If we have owned other cars that do not whine or clunk, we do not expect this one to. When it does, we classify the behavior as "abnormal."

I would still offer the (rhetorical, granted) argument (not fight, but argument

) that if we owned 12 Solstices and they all whined and clunked, we would then classify that behavior as "normal" (for the Solstice), regardless of which of the definitions proffered we chose to use.

Again, I do not fight with you.

I'm simply enjoying the discussion.

I now retreat to watch some football. Enjoy the evening.

--Chemist (can you tell I am a former (mediocre

) debater?)

__________________
"Muirne" --- Envious, ebony leather, LSD/ABS/AC/Monsoon w/6CD changer, mats, splash guards, DDM Stage II S/C, DDM stainless headers/cat/exhaust, DDM 4-piston brakes/slotted rotors, Probeam, Backbone, black "stubby" antenna, Lil' Chromies, K-sphere pedals, Kazera KZ-L wheels, the TWEETY door unlock/lock button, Garmin nuvi 750 GPS, High Note horn, Brushed Al door sills, etched/lighted WindRestrictor, white LED map/footwell lights, 3rd brake light pulser. --- She moves!
NASSOA Founding Member

	Chemist Founding Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lubbock, Texas	Quote: Originally Posted by JRinKY I think that in the discussion of "normal" behavior for a mechanical system we should use Merriam-Webster's second (or its medical dictionary's first) definition: 2a: according with, constituting, or not deviating from, a norm, rule, or principle 2b: conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern It does not matter what proportion of examples exhibits the behavior, but whether the behavior conforms to the design standard of the system in question. 2a would seem to be in line with my prior definition. The latter does lend itself to a more liberal use. As in, "normal" behavior is that which we expect to observe (based on prior experience). If we have owned other cars that do not whine or clunk, we do not expect this one to. When it does, we classify the behavior as "abnormal." I would still offer the (rhetorical, granted) argument (not fight, but argument ) that if we owned 12 Solstices and they all whined and clunked, we would then classify that behavior as "normal" (for the Solstice), regardless of which of the definitions proffered we chose to use. Again, I do not fight with you. I'm simply enjoying the discussion. I now retreat to watch some football. Enjoy the evening. --Chemist (can you tell I am a former (mediocre ) debater?) __________________ "Muirne" --- Envious, ebony leather, LSD/ABS/AC/Monsoon w/6CD changer, mats, splash guards, DDM Stage II S/C, DDM stainless headers/cat/exhaust, DDM 4-piston brakes/slotted rotors, Probeam, Backbone, black "stubby" antenna, Lil' Chromies, K-sphere pedals, Kazera KZ-L wheels, the TWEETY door unlock/lock button, Garmin nuvi 750 GPS, High Note horn, Brushed Al door sills, etched/lighted WindRestrictor, white LED map/footwell lights, 3rd brake light pulser. --- She moves! NASSOA Founding Member