SilasBarta comments on The Absent-Minded Driver - Less Wrong

27 Post author: Wei_Dai 16 September 2009 12:51AM

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Comment author: SilasBarta 23 September 2009 12:17:09PM -1 points [-]

In the past, I took a comment seriously from you that was satire. Is this one of those, too? Sometimes it's hard to tell.

If it's serious, then my answer is that whatever "clutter" my comment here gave, it would give even more as a top level post, which probably can't give more explanation than my post already did.

By the way, just a "heads-up": I count 6+ comments from others on meta-talk, 8+ down-mods, and 0 explanations for the errors in my solution. Nice work, guys.

Comment author: Z_M_Davis 23 September 2009 04:14:17PM *  10 points [-]

I count 6+ comments from others on meta-talk, 8+ down-mods, and 0 [sic] explanations for the errors in my solution. Nice work, guys.

If it is in fact the case that your complaints are legitimately judged a negative contribution, then you should expect to be downvoted and criticized on those particular comments, regardless of whether or not your solution is correct. There's nothing contradictory about simultaneously believing both that your proposed solution is correct, and that your subsequent complaints are a negative contribution.

I don't feel like taking the time to look over your solution. Maybe it's perfect. Wonderful! Spectacular! This world becomes a little brighter every time someone solves a math problem. But could you please, please consider toning down the hostility just a bit? These swipes at other commenters' competence and integrity are really unpleasant to read.

ADDENDUM: Re tone, consider the difference between "I wonder why this was downvoted, could someone please explain?" (which is polite) and "What a crock," followed by shaming a counterfactual Wei Dai (which is rude).

Comment author: SilasBarta 23 September 2009 05:05:06PM -1 points [-]

If it is in fact the case that your complaints are legitimately judged a negative contribution, then you should expect to be downvoted and criticized on those particular comments, regardless of whether or not your solution is correct. There's nothing contradictory about simultaneously believing both that your proposed solution is correct, and that your subsequent complaints are a negative contribution.

Actually, there is something contradictory when those whiny comments were necessary for the previous, relevant comments to get their deserved karma. Your position here is basically: "Yeah, we were wrong to accuse you of those crimes, but you were still a jerk for pulling all that crap about 'I plead not guilty!' and 'I didn't do it!', wah, wah, wah..."

At the very least, it should buy me more leeway than get for such a tone in isolation.

But could you please, please consider toning down the hostility just a bit?

Sure thing.

I trust that other posters will be more judicious with their voting and responses as well.

Comment author: wedrifid 23 September 2009 01:14:39PM 2 points [-]

No satire. I just don't find expecting the universe to 'behave itself' according to my ideals to be particularly pleasant so I don't wast my emotional energy on it.

I have upvoted your comment because it appears to be a useful (albeit somewhat information dense) contribution. I personally chose not to downvote your complaints because I do empathise with your frustration even if I don't think your complaints are a useful way to get you what you want.