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Comment by alooackbar | Hacker News Reader

But he did invent email.

He invented an electronic messaging system that he called email.

But what he created is distinct and in no way related or had influence on the design or implementation of email we use today.

The history of email is documented in RFCs that date back to when this supposed 'inventor' was a toddler.

"To invent" means "to create or design something that has not existed before". Obviously not true in this case.

Aside: Is there a HN script out there that creates an account and posts a comment in one action?

I think it would be more accurate to say that he invented the first private/internal email-based collaboration systems a la Microsoft Exchange. Which is actually a pretty decent claim to fame that I'd certainly be happy with.

Sorry, had to downvote this as you have to be trolling.

No, no, it's true: he did invent email. He just didn't do it first.

The most you could say is that he re-invented it independently. But plain “invented” is simply not true.

but "invent" is defined as "create or design (something that has not existed before); be the originator of."

If you have to play with the semantics of the words this much the argument is invalid.

You mean if you have to use the definition of the word?

That many downvotes is unfortunate...

But words are not these neat bundles of data like JSON or XML. They mean different things to different people.

Once mud has been thrown on an argument and everything is see because of the murky grey areas pulling out a dictionary won't help. The other side will just pull out one with a definition that meets their needs.

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