TobyBartels comments on Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality discussion thread, part 4 - Less Wrong

3 Post author: gjm 07 October 2010 09:12PM

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Comment author: TobyBartels 21 October 2010 01:24:01AM *  5 points [-]

I think it gives the impression that humans are almost rational, and only need to correct biases to become so.

That's why nobody should use a silly name like ‘Overcoming Bias’. (^_^) <g> :-)

Actually, I disagree. To me, ‘less wrong’ is a title of humility that suggests that we are wrong but need to become less so. In contrast, ‘more correct‘ would suggest to me that we are already correct but can still become more so.

Similarly, ‘half full’ sounds optimistic while ‘half empty’ sounds pessimistic, even though their literal meaning is identical. It's a matter of the emphasis to which the listener is drawn.

This may be highly subjective.

Comment author: FeepingCreature 31 January 2012 07:43:43PM 0 points [-]

Imo 'half full' implies that the glass is filling, whereas 'half empty' implies that it is emptying.