I was under impression that “turning point” and “tipping point” are basically saying the same thing in that both words refer to big change of movement, trend and situation allowing no-return. But when I come across the following statement in Washington Post’s (August 21) article that came under the title, “The elite strikes back- getting under Trump’s skin,” I felt like there is a significant difference between two phrases.
The past week has been a turning point, perhaps even a tipping point. Since the President abdicated his moral leadership after Charlottesville, the well-connected have used their leverage to send a message about what truly makes America great.
I checked online Oxford Dictionary. It defines “turning point” as: The point at which a decisive change in a situation occurs, especially one with beneficial results.
And “tipping point” as: The point at which a series of small changes or incidents becomes significant enough to cause a large, more important change.
Here's my questions:
Is turning point always directed to “beneficial result” as Online Oxford Dictionary defines in contrast the direction or result of “tipping point being neutral or negative?