I think science too much, apparently.

[JaredJames]

pebcak

I like PICNIC

 

[Digitalism]

Perhaps by thinking more relationally this sort of conflict can be avoided for you in the future. She was probably not thinking in "I'm right and you're wrong" terms (at least initially).

 

[1MileCrash]

For clarification this is my friend's girlfriend, not mine.

 

[Stan Marsh]

My friend's girlfriend asked us a question from one of her home ec classes to stump us. I'm sure you've all heard it before.

"What will give you a worse cut, a dull knife, or a sharp knife."

My response: "a sharp knife, because obviously, its narrower edge allows it to split materials more efficiently (it can be thought of as a wedge..)"

She responds, proudly: "Nope! With a dull knife you aren't paying attention because you think that since it's dull it won't cut you, so you're more likely to mess up and cut yourself."

A friend responds: "Yeah, you just aren't thinking deep enough into it."

I explain to them: "No, I think it's more of the fact that I don't see how it make sense to make a judgment call on the person handling two materials when trying to compare two materials."

I was thinking science too much, they said. And perhaps they are right. When I hear this question asked I want an experiment set up where there are no mysterious variables like the snotty disposition of the person while using the dull knife. I want the same event repeated with the dull and sharp knives.

It's like saying "which is more malleable, gold or nickel?" Nickel, because you assume gold is more malleable so you hit it harder, which breaks it. Therefore nickel is more malleable than gold.

Obviously they are not capable to think in a logical way or think in a rigid way. They can not distinguish differences between definitions (more likely to cut you and more capable to make a deep cut). By any chance, did they get no or very few training in math/physics?