The problem is the word "fact". Somehow this is now perceived as an eternal truth, rather than a statement which is true right now, but might change soon.
Some of the examples point this out nicely, let's take the 10 biggest cities in the US. Isn't it obvious that this "fact" only works with a timestamp attached to it? The 10 biggest cities in 1990?
Maybe this is more about the language in science, textbooks and science journalism. A little more precision would make the real facts stand out better.
Some of the examples point this out nicely, let's take the 10 biggest cities in the US. Isn't it obvious that this "fact" only works with a timestamp attached to it? The 10 biggest cities in 1990?
Maybe this is more about the language in science, textbooks and science journalism. A little more precision would make the real facts stand out better.