Thursday, March 10, 2011

Meticularia

A couple of years ago I took the word "meticulous" and created "Meticularius", "meticularia", "meticularian", and "meticularianism". I asked: "What is a 'meticule'." I answered: "The smallest meaningful unit in any system; therefore, its value resides in the individual system to which it relates at the time of use. This allows for variations among users.  I have been described as a "meticulous workman."  My customers often define the value "well done," and what is acceptable for one customer is not for another. This allows my own fine gradation of excellence as well as someone elses.  One person may not be able to perceive tenths of a millimeter yet be able to perceive one millimeter. For that person millimeter is the finest gradation possible and my tenths of a millimeter will be determined by that person as excessive, compulsive, over doing it, etc.  Each activity we engage in has upper and lower limits of acceptability depending on the individual participant.