Kaj_Sotala comments on Rationality Quotes: February 2011 - Less Wrong

13 Post author: gwern 01 February 2011 05:46PM

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Comment author: Kaj_Sotala 02 February 2011 11:33:05AM *  12 points [-]

Make a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

(Terry Pratchett, I think.)

Comment author: Vladimir_Nesov 02 February 2011 11:37:34AM 16 points [-]

I saw a creepy hospice volunteer search ad on the street a few days ago. It said something along the lines of "They will be grateful to you for the rest of their lives." Like an inappropriate joke.

Comment author: Kaj_Sotala 02 February 2011 11:40:59AM 6 points [-]

That's... disturbing, but also weirdly compelling.

Comment author: Alicorn 02 February 2011 12:40:49PM 10 points [-]

I think it's more elegant to say it like this: "Light a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day. Light a man afire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."

Comment author: shokwave 02 February 2011 12:53:22PM *  2 points [-]

In text, yes. I said it aloud a few times and I couldn't tell the two apart easily. Maybe "light a man A fire / light a man ON fire"

Comment author: Alicorn 02 February 2011 01:08:37PM 1 point [-]

I've successfully delivered "a fire"/"afire" aloud, but it's a little tricky to time right.

Comment author: NihilCredo 03 February 2011 07:35:56AM 0 points [-]

A little gesturing will likely help a lot.

Comment author: Kaj_Sotala 02 February 2011 12:52:49PM 1 point [-]

I find my formulation slightly quicker to parse, but otherwise you're right.

Comment author: Sniffnoy 02 February 2011 11:54:21PM *  0 points [-]

From Jingo, IIRC. Also I think the second line began "But set fire to him..."

Comment author: Snowyowl 05 February 2011 01:43:10AM 0 points [-]

IIRC, he uses this joke several times.

Comment author: Sniffnoy 05 February 2011 02:10:03AM 0 points [-]

Ah, nevermind then.