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thaumasiotes 5 days ago

> I would say this is all we really should reasonably expect from our knowledge consensus systems.

Compare this text from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_configuration :

>> The most common labeling method uses the descriptors R or S and is based on the Cahn–Ingold–Prelog priority rules. R and S refer to rectus and sinister, Latin for right and left, respectively.[2]

This claim is actually repeated further down in the article. The fact that it is false was noted on the talk page seven years ago, but this seems to bother no one. After all, there's a citation.

I think we can reasonably expect more. Wikipedia reliably fails at very, very easy problems of "knowledge consensus".

jasonlotito 5 days ago | parent [-]

> The fact that it is false was noted on the talk page seven years ago, but this seems to bother no one.

From the talk page:

"This is inaccurate, as the linked Wikitionary page defines rectus as straight, not right"

From the Wiktionary page referenced: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/rectus

   - led straight along, drawn in a straight line, straight, upright. 
   - (in general) right, correct, proper, appropriate, befitting.
   - (in particular) morally right, correct, lawful, just, virtuous, noble, good, proper, honest.
The rest of talk page comment: "I was told during my education that the rectus-right definition was used by Robert Sidney Cahn as an excuse to use his own initials, although I cannot find a source to back that up."

So, the wiktionary page literally defines it as right, and we see that it's not about direction but about being correct or incorrect. And then the follow up has literally no source to back it up.

So... "I think we can reasonably expect more."

The first claim is debunked. The second claim has nothing to back it up.

Is your proposal then to accept lies and claims without evidence?

Idesmi 4 days ago | parent | next [-]

The first claim is correct, as the topic was direction, not correctness.

thaumasiotes 4 days ago | parent | prev [-]

Ok, so you also failed at a very, very easy problem, but you're proud of that fact?

Question: in the phrase "right and left", what does right mean?