MartinB comments on Rationality Quotes: December 2010 - Less Wrong

6 Post author: Tiiba 03 December 2010 03:23AM

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Comment author: MartinB 04 December 2010 05:02:02PM 4 points [-]

I hope there have been some changes in the way scientists work since the 1960s. Also I hope that it depends on the specific field.

As a conclusion of the initial argument one could add time limits to tenure, but please lets not argue for killing off scientists justs for being to old.

Comment author: soreff 04 December 2010 11:21:03PM 15 points [-]

time limits to tenure

Nice way to put it! To phrase it another way:

To argue in favor of mortality because of fears of entrenched conservatives is to demand capital punishment where term limits would suffice.

Comment author: MartinB 05 December 2010 02:30:53AM 2 points [-]

Thank you!

Try to get someone to put it in these words. Usually no one demands the killing of professors, or even mentions how he likes to have old people die from neglect.

If someone boldly states that he wants all these old people to die to free up space, or what ever, than you probably found a person you do not actually want to have a discussion with.

Comment author: MartinB 05 December 2010 02:35:36AM 4 points [-]

I hope there have been some changes in the way scientists work since the 1960s.

I completely forgot about a very important point. When rejuvenation actually works, then it might also make the brain work better, younger and so on. If it is true, that great scientists do their most important work before reaching age X, then after a rejuvenation they might be able to do even more with their good as new brain + more experience. Then it would not be a matter of getting rid of holders of old ideas, but find a way to deal with people that have an unreachable time advantage, that cannot be made up. It would be good for society to keep experienced mind in work.

Comment author: Perplexed 04 December 2010 06:53:03PM 2 points [-]

No real need to kill them off, as long as new ones are being born. Unanimity is nice, but simple majorities can usually get the job done.

As for your time limits idea, I might go further, and send everybody back to school to get a new PhD every 100 years: in a new field, at a different school, in a different language.

Comment author: [deleted] 05 December 2010 05:18:26PM 6 points [-]

You're only going to give me 100 years to study mathematics, uninterrupted?

B-b-but! That's nowhere near enough time!

Comment author: MartinB 04 December 2010 07:35:14PM 1 point [-]

I am happy to see how it will turn out

Comment author: shokwave 04 December 2010 05:40:17PM 1 point [-]

This might be the answer you are looking for.