What Does It Mean to Be Average?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of "average," exploring its subjective and objective interpretations. Participants examine various contexts in which the term is used, including statistical measures and personal characteristics, while also engaging in humorous and anecdotal commentary.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that "average" can be objective in statistical contexts, such as IQ, wages, and height, while being subjective in personal descriptions.
  • One participant humorously suggests that being average equates to being an idiot, citing examples of perceived foolishness in society.
  • Another participant questions the rationale behind safety warnings on products, linking it to the average person's behavior.
  • There is a humorous exchange about the absurdity of averages, such as the concept of having a fractional child in a family.
  • Some participants use metaphors, comparing averaging colors in a painting to the inadequacy of representing the essence of the original work.
  • The conversation shifts to light-hearted banter about cultural references, including figures like Olive Oyl and Jay Leno, with playful disagreements about their characteristics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the meaning of "average," with no clear consensus on its implications or interpretations. The discussion includes both serious and humorous takes, reflecting differing opinions and interpretations.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes anecdotal evidence and humorous examples that may not be universally accepted or applicable, highlighting the subjective nature of the topic.

Imparcticle
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What does it mean to be average? Isn't it subjective?
 
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It's objective when applied to those things which are amenable to statistical analysis. "My IQ is average" means that it's around 100. "My wage is average" means that it's around $40k p/a (in my country). "My height is average" means that it's around 5'8" (in my country again). But, "I'm an average kind of guy" isn't a very objective statement.
 
Imparcticle said:
What does it mean to be average? Isn't it subjective?
What does it mean? I wouldn't know. Ask Jimmy p
 
The average person is a complete idiot; therefore, if you are average, you are an idiot. Such examples of average idiots
-lady leaves poptart in toaster, house starts on fire, she sues Kellogg (this really happened)
-Aliso Viejo almost banned foam cups because they were made with water (source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,114168,00.html)
-Around 90% of Americans surveyed support a ban on water (source: dhmo.org)
-A bb gun I purchased has a warning on it: "aim away from face"


Nobody on this forum is average.
 
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Lol..."aim away from face"...lol
:D :D :D

Is that so they don't get sued?...or for the protection of the 'avergae' person buying the gun?...
 
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Mostly for protection against lawsuits... but you have to be a retard to aim a BB gun at somebody's face. To give you an idea of how powerful a BB gun is, it can penetrate half an inch of plywood. A BB can rip through a magpie like it's not even there. That's actually why I got that gun, to kill birds that awaken me...
 
Dont you like being woken up by birds? Its even better if they have already cooked breakfast.
 
lol... on the DHMO webpage:

It is not clear how the two contribute directly to the dangers inherent in Dihydrogen Monoxide, although von Bueltzingsloewen believes that a synergetic mechanism, catalyzed by traces of hydrogenhydroxide, plays a major role.

hydrogenhydroxide. Hah!
 
The average person has an IQ less than or equal to that of a glass of water. They also have the personality of mildew. Frequently I spray average people with Lysol but it doesn't seem to stop them from sprouting up.

(well tribdog told you to ask! hah THAT one backfired didnt it?? :biggrin:)
 
  • #10
The average family has 2.7 children. Obviously, there is no such thing as a 0.7 child. So from this example you can see that it is quite possible that in a room of 100 people, no one would be "average" in whatever quality was examined.
 
  • #11
It's a bit like taking all the different colours in a painting, then mixing them up, averaging the colors somhow - and coming up with the 'average' colour in the painting.

Would in No Way represent the panting.
 
  • #12
quddusaliquddus said:
It's a bit like taking all the different colours in a painting, then mixing them up, averaging the colors somhow - and coming up with the 'average' colour in the painting.

Would in No Way represent the panting.

Take a the Mona Lisa, swirl it together, and boom: you've got Olive Green.

A masterpiece. Brilliant. Work of Art.
 
  • #13
I think Olive Green is hot. Didn't she date a couple of sailors?
 
  • #14
Wasnt that Olive Oil?? I would have said she was average. I mean if she can only date Bluto and Popeye, it proves she is no spring chicken
 
  • #15
well, shiver me timbers, yess, you gots something gainst popeye?
 
  • #16
well come on, he was a seedy guy. Anyone whose pipe is razor edged to act as an emergency can opener for a can of spinach he just HAPPENS to carry around with him each episode has to have something... well...wrong... with him. Other than that, he has a big chin.
 
  • #17
"He does not"~Jay Leno
 
  • #18
who is Jay Leno? Does he have a big chin too? AND it's a "bum chin"... does Jay Leno have a big bum chin?
 
  • #19
jimmy p said:
who is Jay Leno?
Obviously you wouldn't know, being British... Jay Leno is an extremely famous American comedian who, yes, does have a big 'bum' chin. A very, very big chin. That answer your question, jimmy?
 
  • #20
yes thanks :biggrin: Just like a sports commentator here... Jimmy Hill.
 
  • #21
You don't know Jay Leno? that's downright unamerican. lol
you notice the last two topics we took over were started by the same person. That's not a good way for us to make friends you know.
 
  • #22
friends? that's a word I haven't heard in a long time... lol, but that's cos they are dolts. I'm sure he doesn't mind, it brings a little spice into some topics. Not to say this is an "average" topic.
 
  • #23
I wasn't talking about this one. Sometimes I wish you'd pay attention. That's not asking too much is it?
 
  • #24
Actually you would be suprised. I have a very short atten...
 

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