Better

[(poco) Sforzando]

No, usually it annoys me, and I don't like to do it. I consider it different in this case, since so many (despite the denials of some locals¹) use this stuff to try to enforce their taste and preference onto others. The insistence on an enforced set of rules as to what or who is "great" ("better") and what isn't, and reacting with derision or insult to those who don't follow it. I think this is harmful for several reasons, which is why I think it is important to make the distinction between objectivity and subjectivity (regardless of the education-level, knowledge, or numeric makeup of the opinion-givers).


¹ I'm not naming any local message board residents as doing this, just that so many here deny that it even occurs... though it occurs quite often, as they very well should know.

If you write "Joachim Raff, the Greatest!" on your avatar, how does what you are doing differ from those you attack? You're reminding me a little of the coach who told his players, "Hey, guys, watch your f*cking mouths, fer Chrissake!"

[JoshLilly]

If you write "Joachim Raff, the Greatest!" on your avatar, how does what you are doing differ from those you attack? You're reminding me a little of the coach who told his players, "Hey, guys, watch your f*cking mouths, fer Chrissake!"

I don't tell anyone else to think Raff is great, do I? Or say that I'm objectively correct to think that he's great, do I?

[Saul]

A result of two posts today which essentially asked "I like it:  if that doesn't mean better, what does better mean?"

Butter...

[Ephemerid]

Butter...

par-kay!!! 

(never mind me...)

[George]

I couldn't figure out the sailor? terminology used in the voting options  , but I would have voted for yes, they are absolutely different.

Like someone else said, liking something only refers to that thing, liking one better refers to two and yes best refers to more than two, except in the case where there is only two, like parents or presidential candidates. 

[George]

A result of two posts today which essentially asked "I like it:  if that doesn't mean better, what does better mean?"

Better means I like it more than x or I like it more than x and y.

I like it just means I like x.

I suspect that maybe if you put your question into context, it might be easier to see your dilemma with this.

[George]

Good - One item
Better - Two items - Of the two, you like one better than the other.
Best - More than two items - Of the three items, you like one the best of the three.

Anne wins the prize! I like her reply best. It is a good reply, much better than the rest. 

Seriously, excellent breakdown, Anne. 

[George]

[re. Anne's last post]

But the question is, do we always like what is good?

Good doesn't actually exist.

[karlhenning]

But is a red brick schoolhouse a better schoolhouse, or simply a redder schoolhouse?

Better deader than redder.

[karlhenning]

Good doesn't actually exist.

Then better (which is the comparative form of good) does not exist, either.  And if it does not exist, it cannot "equal" I like it.

Edit :: typo corrected, to make the post yet better

[karlhenning]

Thus, I hope you were true to your thought, and voted Aye, George 

[George]

Then better (which is the comparative form of good) does not exist, either.  And if it does not exist, it cannot "equal" I like it.

Edit :: typo corrected, to make the post yet better

Well played! 

[George]

Thus, I hope you were true to your thought, and voted Aye, George 

Only after consulting my Popeye to English dictionary. 

[karlhenning]

Well played! 

You are kind, and I thank you, sir! 

[karlhenning]

Popeye, George! Outstanding!

Now there was a sailor who knew that spinach was good, even if you might not like it! 

[George]

Popeye, George! Outstanding!

Now there was a sailor who knew that spinach was good, even if you might not like it! 

Well played again, I like that reply even better than the first, though I did like the first one. 

[Ephemerid]

Popeye, George! Outstanding!

Now there was a sailor who knew that spinach was good, even if you might not like it! 

I like Doritoes lots more than spinach, therefore Doritoes are better...   

[George]

I like Doritoes lots more than spinach, therefore Doritoes are better...   

...for scaring girls away. strong muscles are better than strong breath. 

[karlhenning]

I've got to admit it's getting better (Better)
A little better all the time (It can't get more worse)
I have to admit it's getting better (Better)
It's getting better since you've been mine

[lukeottevanger]

Each line really needs to have an 'IMHO' suffix, of course, to be correct.