Viable... ugh

[Pernicious]

Ok, it's been a while since I've opened discussion on terminology and what I do and do not like. Last I recall I ranted about not liking the terms "B elf" (without the space, means Blood Elf), "FireLock" (bleh), "Afflock" (double bleh), and others. I write this in good fun, and not to be hurtful or bash anybody that uses these terms.

Today, I would like to discuss the term, viable. People are always asking if this or that is viable. To quote a movie whom some of you might know, "I do not think it means what you think it means" - Inigo Montoya from the Princess Bride.

I looked it up. The most common definitions for viable include (source & source & source):

1. Capable of germinating, living, growing and developing.
2. An occurrence with a good chance of persisting as long as no serious adverse modifications occur.
3. feasible: capable of being done with means at hand and circumstances as they are.

Of those definitions, the closest one I see to what is being used here is number 3. However, Asking if build XYZ is feasible will always result in an answer of YES simply because it is capable of being done with the means at hand and the circumstances as they are! You can run SSC as affliction, you can run it as demo or destro too. YES you can hit arena in season 1 or any of the others, or even dungeon gear. Heck, you can run it in greens if you want. I'm sure you can even run it with no gear on, though it might not be as easy or as much fun, or even all that great to watch.

I think what everyone is really asking is, Is this the most efficient or effective build/armor/etc... And not, is it capable of germinating, or is it feasible.

What do you all think? Do you have any words that have been bugging you?

[Vaell]

Viable is a very overused term, certainly. I think with any word that is used frequently, that sticks out in a sentence will grate after a while.

One term I'm not fond of is L2P - it's usually full of bile and hatred, though I can't recall it being used in reference to me, I find myself cringing a little when I see people use it.

I suppose it's just a symptom of when you get young people who are unsure of themselves in that awkward teenage way (which is perfectly normal btw. We've all been there or are there), who perhaps want to be seen in a positive light, to fit in, getting it horribly wrong.

Never been fond of buzz words or fashionable language, unless used in a satirical way.

[Twista]

I agree man, I hate when folks use that word, another word I hate is mitigation I see people use in the forums. I'm like man Just play the game.

[Whistle]

Power leveling.

I'm in trade the other day and a guy says "Does anyone know what gems are best for gear x, I'm powerleveling BGs and need to be more effective..."

Last night: "Looking to buy powerleveling from level 55 or above. Paying 5 Gold. Serious people only PST ASAP and be ready to go..."

Also last night: "Power leveling Twink. Need WC or SFK run. Paying 10 gold. All loot goes to me as I am paying you to take me thru. You loot I don't pay. PST"

God help me I am tired of seeing those two words.

[Necronomis]

Most misused word in WoW?

pst

[Maltyrius]

A phrase that always grates on me: 'I could care less.'

Misuse of 'I could NOT care less' of course.

could care less

[Devicus]

Viable: You can raid with all greens and 0/0/0 but it's not viable. it *isn't* feasible.

–verb (used with object) 1.to lessen in force or intensity, as wrath, grief, harshness, or pain; moderate. 2.to make less severe: to mitigate a punishment. 3.to make (a person, one's state of mind, disposition, etc.) milder or more gentle; mollify; appease. –verb (used without object) 4.to become milder; lessen in severity.

What do you think I copy pasted the definition of? it's used a lot because to a tank it's the reason to exist.

As for abbreviations. Typing afflock is easier. Much easier. Especially when you're explaining to guildies what gear point it's viable into over several character limited messages via whisper.

Heh I have my niggles but they're things like getting "deadmines daily" tells. I answer "is it?" They give me an invite, despite having never answered anything... I think next time they'll get a burst of simular gibberish back.

[moarcursez]

Originally Posted by Pernicious

Today, I would like to discuss the term, viable. People are always asking if this or that is viable. To quote a movie whom some of you might know, "I do not think it means what you think it means" - Inigo Montoya from the Princess Bride.

I think with viable, the implication is 'if I do this, will I get raid invites' not necessarily is it technically possible to do this. For example, you can spec destruction with 0 spell hit, but you're probably not getting a raid invite. In todays minimaxed world (hopefully that will change in Wrath of the Lich King), viable and say optimal spec are close to equivalent.

[Devicus]

As you progress through content min/maxing is required. At low stages of progression anything is viable, though you may need to gear up more to be able to say that. At the higher levels, min/maxing is required. The problem with not requiring min/maxing is, that people who do it then get an easy run. Blizz seem to be approaching the problem by trying to increase the number of combinations with maximum potential and therefore high end viability.

I bet that caused several headaches ^

[Smyth]

This is an abbreviation instead of a word, but QQ really burns my biscuits.