The Logic? - Rapids and rocks can never stop a river from flowing into the sea?

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Aren't rapids helpful to push a river flowing faster into the sea?
See the definitions of rapid:
a part of a river where the current is very fast

Your opinions?

Context:
"The wise seeks common ground while the unwise clings to differences." China and Europe should respect each other, treat each other as equals, seek common ground while shelving differences, and pursue win-win cooperation. By doing so, we will enhance our dialogue and engagement, maximize common interests, share opportunities and jointly meet challenges.

Rapids and rocks can never stop a river from flowing into the sea. Likewise, I believe that no issues or differences can stop our friendship and cooperation from growing.

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Type: Question • Score: 5 • Views: 680 • Replies: 17

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View best answer, chosen by oristarA

@oristarA,

You and the article are in agreement, Ori, so what is your issue?

1 Reply

@JTT,

JTT wrote:

You and the article are in agreement, Ori, so what is your issue?

Are you telling me that the word stop and the phrase speed up share the same meaning there, JTT?

1 Reply

@oristarA,

Original: Rapids and rocks can never stop a river from flowing into the sea. Likewise, I believe that no issues or differences can stop our friendship and cooperation from growing.
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Ori:
Are you telling me that the word stop and the phrase speed up share the same meaning there, JTT?

You've got me doubting my own eyes, Ori. Where is "speed up"?

1 Reply

@JTT,

JTT wrote:

Original: Rapids and rocks can never stop a river from flowing into the sea. Likewise, I believe that no issues or differences can stop our friendship and cooperation from growing.
----------

Ori:
Are you telling me that the word stop and the phrase speed up share the same meaning there, JTT?

You've got me doubting my own eyes, Ori. Where is "speed up"?

Accelerate.

1 Reply

@oristarA,

Quote:

Aren't rapids helpful to push a river flowing faster into the sea?

No.

0 Replies

@oristarA,

Where is "accelerate"?

0 Replies

@oristarA,

Ori: Aren't rapids helpful to push a river flowing faster into the sea?
--------

The thing that causes rapids to occur, a greater vertical drop per horizontal mile, are helpful in causing a river to flow faster towards the sea.

1 Reply

@oristarA,

Rapids and rocks are dangerous. They can be impediments to travel (have you ever been in a canoe?), but they don't stop the water from flowing. Water always finds a way. It's inevitable.

Rapids and rocks can never stop a river from flowing into the sea. Likewise, I believe that no issues or differences can stop our friendship and cooperation from growing.

Rapids and rocks are being likened to issues and differences, but the author doesn't think that these issues and differences will stop the friendship between China and Europe.

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@JTT,

JTT wrote:

Ori: Aren't rapids helpful to push a river flowing faster into the sea?
--------

The thing that causes rapids to occur, a greater vertical drop per horizontal mile, are helpful in causing a river to flow faster towards the sea.

It is proper to say:

Winter and darkness can never stop you from longing for sunshine.

It is not proper to say:

Summer and darkness can never stop you from longing for sunshine.
Because summer itself is usually hot or very hot; one needs not longling for sunshine (rather, one longs for cool).
Likewise, rapids themselves are fast flowing water. That is why it is not proper to say:
Rapids can never stop a river flowing into the sea. Because rapids usually help water to flow more rapidly.

Saying "Rapids can never stop a river flowing into the sea" is like saying "sunshine can never stop water from becoming hot." It is improper because sunshine always makes water becoming hot.

1 Reply

@oristarA,

Ori: it is not proper to say.

Summer and darkness can never stop you from longing for sunshine.
Because summer itself is usually hot or very hot; one needs not long for sunshine (rather, one longs for cool).
-------------------
What does "proper" mean, Ori? Your personal opinion doesn't prevent others from having a differing opinion. It's conceivable that there are people who would want 24 hours of sunshine and hot.

Ori: Likewise, rapids themselves are fast flowing water. That is why it is not proper to say:
Rapids can never stop a river flowing into the sea. Because rapids usually help water to flow more rapidly.

Saying "Rapids can never stop a river flowing into the sea" is like saying "sunshine can never stop water from becoming hot." It is improper because sunshine always makes water become hot.
--------------

A number of fundamental errors. Methinks that you've never been in a set of rapids. Rapids often have boulders, some smaller some humongous. The slope creates the speed. The name rapids includes a greater incline/gradient to be sure but it also can have rocks, snags, boulders, eddies, backwaters, sump/souse holes, keepers, haystacks, hydraulics, ... , some or all of which slow and even reverse the flow of water.

See,

http://www.pinnacle-travel.org/whitewater-rafting-glossary/

1 Reply

It's a metaphor. It doesn't have to be literally true. It's saying momentary snags and dangers (for human travel) can't stop something inevitable (more or less).

2 Replies

@MontereyJack,

MJ: It's a metaphor. It doesn't have to be literally true.

That's true, Jack, but in this case it is also literally true. There can be huge repeater rapids where the water goes upstream for quite a distance, then heads again downstream.

0 Replies

And actually rocks can stop a river running to the sea. Happens all the time with enough rocks. You get a lake.

2 Replies

@MontereyJack,

True dat!

0 Replies

@MontereyJack,

Metaphor or analogy?

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@MontereyJack,

MontereyJack wrote:

And actually rocks can stop a river running to the sea. Happens all the time with enough rocks. You get a lake.

Concrete and steel may be better, Jack. They've built stupid Three Gorges Dam to stop the greatest river in this Celestial Empire.

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@JTT,

JTT wrote:

Ori: it is not proper to say.

Summer and darkness can never stop you from longing for sunshine.
Because summer itself is usually hot or very hot; one needs not long for sunshine (rather, one longs for cool).
-------------------
What does "proper" mean, Ori? Your personal opinion doesn't prevent others from having a differing opinion. It's conceivable that there are people who would want 24 hours of sunshine and hot.

Ori: Likewise, rapids themselves are fast flowing water. That is why it is not proper to say:
Rapids can never stop a river flowing into the sea. Because rapids usually help water to flow more rapidly.

Saying "Rapids can never stop a river flowing into the sea" is like saying "sunshine can never stop water from becoming hot." It is improper because sunshine always makes water become hot.
--------------

A number of fundamental errors. Methinks that you've never been in a set of rapids. Rapids often have boulders, some smaller some humongous. The slope creates the speed. The name rapids includes a greater incline/gradient to be sure but it also can have rocks, snags, boulders, eddies, backwaters, sump/souse holes, keepers, haystacks, hydraulics, ... , some or all of which slow and even reverse the flow of water.
See,

http://www.pinnacle-travel.org/whitewater-rafting-glossary/

That's it.

0 Replies

The Logic? - Rapids and rocks can never stop a river from flowing into the sea?

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