I like to think of this particular example as a sort of reminder that we need to be specific on what grounds we are arguing. Colloquially, and for the sake of practicality, the straw has two holes. You would one hole or the other is in the drink, or clogged. But topologically, yes, there is only one hole.
Ehh. I’m not sure it’s very constructive to make a topological argument from a debate people usually think about as a linguistic one.
But saying that to make a hole in a sphere, you need to make two holes in the sphere is funny.
Very good observation. Now what about a hollow sphere?
In germany we say alles hat ein Ende nur die Wurst hat zwei
I like to think of this particular example as a sort of reminder that we need to be specific on what grounds we are arguing. Colloquially, and for the sake of practicality, the straw has two holes. You would one hole or the other is in the drink, or clogged. But topologically, yes, there is only one hole.
Except maybe to illustrate the necessity of various disciplines, as this is a maths problem and not a linguistics one.
Arguing the linguistics of this is like arguing over astrology.