David_Gerard comments on Defecting by Accident - A Flaw Common to Analytical People - Less Wrong

86 Post author: lionhearted 01 December 2010 08:25AM

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Comment author: wedrifid 01 December 2010 11:19:22PM 3 points [-]

Consider the brief reply to a correction, "Fixed, thanks". This could be interpreted as abrupt or even rude, but it is short, it acknowledges the help as received and useful and implemented, and it's clear in those functions. It's as polite as makes sense: more humble dancing about would only be annoying to many people

I would add that acceding to the corrections of another is somewhat of a compliment - particularly to nerds. In fact it is a strong enough status signal that I don't expect high status people to acknowledge such correction unless they cannot get away with not doing so.

Comment author: David_Gerard 07 December 2010 01:53:42PM 8 points [-]

I don't expect high status people to acknowledge such correction unless they cannot get away with not doing so.

Saying out loud "I was wrong and you were right" is a most amusing piece of judo to use on Usenet. It tends to explode people's heads.

Comment author: christopherj 05 December 2013 05:37:24AM 1 point [-]

That's probably more because you hacked into their computers to access their speakers, than what specifically you said out loud.