What is a tractor?

[Libertine]

Yankee:

<font color="blue">Too much Peikoff, perhaps? </font>

I am familiar with Peikoff, but never met him. Did meet Rand once though - mind like a steel trap. Since you are familiar with them, and presumably their philosophy, I will tell you that I am not an objectivist due to my disagreement with certain mystical elements in Objectivism. Also, regarding another one of your posts, the Libertine has no association with Libertarian but derives from its lifestyle implications (although I am getting too old and jaded any more - I probably should pick another handle).

Your last post has some interesting thoughts in it. I would respond now, but want to mull it over. There have been some interesting comments in this thread (aside from some ad hominem) - I started it because of a disagreement in another thread over what a "tractor" was. Though it might be of some interest to define what we are talking about. Based on some of the comments I can see my original definition was incomplete.

JEH

PS Epistemology is not a monopoly of the Objectivists.

 

[Libertine]

Henro:

<font color="blue">wondering . . . if he had a tutor helping him write more like the rest of us! </font>

No, Henro, no tutor. But I must admit that I often have to deliberately change mental gears - after all, the purpose of words is to communicate (trigger certain neural events in the brain of someone else). By selecting the words more carefully it is sometimes easier to do that. So I often have to "translate" from the way I think to the best way to communicate. Unfortunately, among my many failings in life I do not always do that very well. Sorry.

But regardless of my failings, don't you think it worthwhile to know what we are talking about when we use the symbol "tractor" - after all, this is a tractor site? So, why don't you go out and look at your tractor, sit in the seat and have a cold one, and ask yourself, what are the essential characteristics about this thing that makes it a tractor?

JEH

 

[Libertine]

MicroPilot:

<font color="blue">How about a Skid Steer? I would definatley not call this a tractor, yet it is used as power source for many different tools, and is commonly used in the Ag world. </font>

Good point. As I mentioned above, because of some of the posts it is obvious that my original definition needs improvement.

JEH

MossRoad & others - I am not responding to all the comments but I have read them all and am reflecting on them. Thanks to you.

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( But regardless of my failings, don't you think it worthwhile to know what we are talking about when we use the symbol "tractor" - after all, this is a tractor site? )</font>
I hope I don't seem to be insensitive to your feelings about this, but NO. I don't ever have to think about that at all. My tractor does what it's supposed to, and what I want it to, and I don't have to ask a thing about what a tractor is. I know what it is and have for most of my 51 years. My great grandfather, who I was lucky enough to know until I was 19yo, would say it has four legs and you have to talk to it saying GEE and HAW to get it to work. John

 

[BRIGUY]

I could only read half of this thread before posting. (Brain Overload)!!!!

All the tractors described above AG, Tractor beam, Printer wheels, Semi truck, Mechanical mule, etc, etc, etc...........
All

1) Can be used to pull something.
2) Can be used to power something (PTO on many Semi trucks)
3) Origionally Intended to be used for work of some kind)
4) Are mechanical.

So what we have here is a mechanical worker.

This brings me to a more important point. Based on the definition of tractor, What is a TBNer??? Refering to a person.

1) a person who likes doing work with tractors???
2) a person who lokes working on tractors???
3) a person who likes woking on the internet???
4) a person who likes thinking about tractors and playing on the internet instead of working while they are at work. (this is what my wife and my boss both think??? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Yankee]

"Epistemology is not a monopoly of the Objectivists. "

Nope, but they do love the word.

"the Libertine has no association with Libertarian"

Oh, too bad! I thought it was a particularly good handle for a Libertarian.

"but derives from its lifestyle implications (although I am getting too old and jaded any more - I probably should pick another handle). "

Perhaps you're more an Epicurean? How about "Epicynic" or "Jadacurean"?

 

[BRIGUY]

WHAT??????? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Man I feel stupid maybe I need to go back to college again!!!

 

[Yankee]

"How about a Skid Steer"

I would not call a skid steer even a special case of tractor. It's a good example of why a definition of tractor should include not just traction in the "tires gotta grab" sense (which would include skid steers), but in the drawing, or pulling sense (which would not). A tractor must fundamentally be designed to work around drawing a working load.

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> don't you think it worthwhile to know what we are talking about when we use the symbol "tractor" - after all, this is a tractor site? </font>

JEH,

Your question triggered a flashback...

I was young...a world traveller of sorts...been on the road a year and a half...sitting in a small inn in Tokyo...

There was a guy there who was also American...he was into Taoism...I questioned him...we debated...he often said..."they are just words your using man, think about it..."

I thought about it....

Sometimes words just get in the way...

Most people do pretty much know what a tractor is.

THat being said, I have to applaud you. Wonder if I spelled that right... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Because I never really considered those two-wheelled thingees tractors...but now do...

 

[bgott]

"but derives from its lifestyle implications (although I am getting too old and jaded any more - I probably should pick another handle). "

The last I heard was that they sell pills to fix that! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif