People Are Computers

People are computers? I thought you were-

Welcome to the small branch of defining terms in logic.

Let me first begin by reducing vagueness. It is understandable that a strange phrase like such can be confusing but never fear! Reducing vagueness simply means "explaining what a certain word means to keep miscommunications from happening." It is quite obvious why I will use two words instead of the whopping eleven.

How do you reduce vagueness? Well, generally the root of the problem lies in the fact that it is unclear what the person is talking about...so possibly a definition would start us on the right track. In fact, if you were thinking definition, good for you! That is precisely what should be done.

Going back to my incredulous statement with this new approach, I think we might change our minds about the truth value of this statement. What word needs defining? Well, it's probably the word computer that threw you off, so let's discuss this word.

What is a computer?

I'm not going to give any Webster's Dictionary definitions here, but list the main ones that most people know about.

1. Computer: as in an every-day device people use for work, play, etc.
2. Computer: as in a being or thing that computes.

So if I told you:

a computer is a computer

I have no doubt that you would agree. Isn't it obvious that a computer is a computer? But could you be thinking too fast? What if I meant:

an every-day device people use (computer) is a thing that computes (computer).

Hopefully you are catching on. To simplify it for you, these are the possible meanings of the statement "a computer is a computer":

Definition 1 = Definition 1

Definition 1 = Definition 2

Definition 2 = Definition 2.

I am referencing to the definitions I gave.

Now, we shall return to the original statement "People are computers."

This could mean two things:

People = Definition 1

People = Definition 2.

Most people will be confused because computers are common items, while "computers" isn't generally a commonly used word. People assert that "People are computers" means definition 1. It could, but the proper thing to do first is ask:

"Please clarify what you mean when you use the term 'computers.'"

I think you now understand why I believe that people are in fact computers.

Thanks for reading, and I will see you next time!
~Caleb