ask Dr. Fipple
Issue #1
This week's question comes from Angela Bertley of Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Well, Angela, I'll certainly try. You're certainly asking a complicated question for such a young person. You must be very intelligent and I'm sure your parents are very proud. You're also asking a question that has been pondered for a long time by very smart people. I'm not sure I can answer with certainty. Chiff & Fipple has much in common with Science and Science has much in common with Chiff & Fipple. But, they aren't the same thing. Chiff & Fipple is all about tinwhistles and about the crazy, mixed-up people that make them and play them. Science is a systematic study of the nature of things. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words so let's see if they're right. Here are some diagrams that may help you:
This is a tinwhistle--and it sort of illustrates what Chiff & Fipple is about. It may look scientific and there is some science involved in making it and in understanding how it works to make musical sounds. But, as you can see, this whistle isn't Science.
Now, let's look at an actual picture of Science.
See? It's got all of the major signs of Science. Arrows. Negative numbers. Dotted lines. Big words. Lovachevskian space.
I hope this has helped you with your question. I hope you get an A on your paper. If not, tell your teacher to give me a call.
Dr. Fipple
Coming soon:
How is Chiff & Fipple different from British Literature?
ON TO ISSUE #2 of Chiff & Fipple For KIDS!