Premise: you start um the dollar value on things

Hypothesis: You start with the spiritual value.
Answer: no

Premise: At worst, he is amassing credentials, fame, and wealth on the basis of others' uncredited labor--once considered a scholarly sin.

Hypothesis: His gaining of credentials, fame, and wealth from the labor others is akin to plagiarism.
Answer: it is not possible to tell

Premise: He poured some kefir into himself, and then by mistake into the vat.

Hypothesis: He poured some water into himself.
Answer: no

Premise: Instead, I now understand it's my fault.

Hypothesis: It is not my fault.
Answer: no