Vladimir_Golovin comments on Not Technically Lying - Less Wrong

32 Post author: Psychohistorian 04 July 2009 06:40PM

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Comment author: Alicorn 05 July 2009 05:56:52AM *  10 points [-]

I would be interested to see what people think of some other options:

4) "I'll tell you later." [Fails to answer the question; is neither a Technical Lie nor actively misleading; may lead the patient to believe it's a painkiller or similar anyway]

5) "I'm doing everything I can to help you; please don't distract me." [True statement and a request; may lead the patient to believe it's a painkiller or similar anyway]

6) "It's a 300-osmolarity isotonic solution of chloridated alkali metal." [Technobabble; the average patient will have no clue what this means. Unless I'm misusing chemical terms found on Wikipedia, it's completely accurate. Will probably discourage further questions, especially if stated rapid-fire in a curt tone.]

Comment author: Vladimir_Golovin 05 July 2009 07:43:27AM 16 points [-]

3+4+5+6:

"It's a 300-osmolarity isotonic solution of chloridated alkali metal -- the strongest painkiller I have. I'll explain the details later, but now please don't distract me -- I'm doing everything I can to help you." (stated rapid-fire in a curt tone.)