Mar 27 2020 - Benefit of the Doubt

This idiom came to my mind - benefit of the doubt.  What a fascinating expression. Here's Merriam-Webster's definition: the state of accepting something/someone as honest or deserving of trust even though there are doubts  "He might be lying, but we have to give him the benefit of the doubt and accept what he says for now." Here's Oxford's version: A concession that a person or statement must be regarded as correct or justified, if the contrary has not been proven. I saw this definition attributed to Oxford: an acceptance that a person is truthful or innocent if the opposite cannot be proved.  These seem subtley different to me.  In one, the subject is presumed to be guilty of something, in the other presumed to be innocent.  Alfred Lord Tennyson's words speak to the kinder and more generous interpretation of the second definition:  “Cleave ever to the sunnier side of doubt.”  ― Alfred Lord Tennyson In my research I found numerous articles challenging people to stop giving Trump the benefit of the doubt.  This one - about Guinness Word Records is the more interesting story. And the two answers demonstrate the two sides of the expression. Q Is Guinness World Records (GWR) trustworthy? A1  GWR has a track record of approving or disapproving record attempts based on whether or not it will benefit their Brand. The most recent is the 1 minute pull up attempt by Anthony Robles, it is clearly not a good attempt, however GWR approved it so that they could attach their Brand to his increasing popularity. A2 Very trustworthy. Their standards for acceptance of records is very strict, sometimes ridiculously so. I have a good friend, a very talented athlete at both distance running and now as a pro cyclist, who had had knee surgery that did not allow her to run. She thought, however, that she could set a Guinness record for the fastest 5-kilometer race on crutches using one leg. She actually did complete a 5K race in a faster time than the listed Guinness record, but Guinness rejected her application because she did not submit a video of the entire race to show that she used the crutches the entire way; her partial video was deemed inadequate. It is a train day today, which means a 'Skylum" day replacing the plain blue backdrop with a sunny sky.

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If In Doubt

The expression is "when in doubt"... Here are some of the expressions that are paired with this: When in doubt wear red. ~ Bill Blass When in doubt, don't. ~ Benjamin Franklin Wise men, when in doubt whether to speak or to keep quiet, give themselves the benefit of the doubt, and remain silent. ~ Napoleon Hill A conservative is someone who makes no changes and consults his grandmother when in doubt. ~ Woodrow Wilson When in doubt tell the truth. ~ Mark Twain These are from Brainyquotes, you have to go over there to see them all - they aren't easily copied.  When I look through quotes, I am amazed at the diverse range of people being quoted.  From Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain to current comedians to names I don't recognize.  So I chose one randomly - Ken Thompson. Ken Thompson - When in doubt, use force.   Ken Thompson is a computer scientist who worked on the Unix operating system.  Here is my favourite: Ken Thompson was once asked what he would do differently if he were redesigning the UNIX system. His reply: "I'd spell creat with an e."