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Armok_GoB comments on Dominus' Razor - Less Wrong
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Comments (27)
"clever" not being the same as smart or rational is relevant here. Evolution is very stupid and very clever.
I don't just reject the literal meaning. I do think defining 'clever' in any way that makes evolution clever is a terrible definition but that isn't important. The meaning, connotation and intent behind making the exhortation "Evolution is cleverer than you are" to yourself is just entirely undesirable and not at all the profound wisdom that it presents itself as. It's misleading self sabotage.
I'm pretty sure I'm using the standard definition of "clever" that most everyone use.
Whereas my position is that you are incorrect about the cleverness but that the far more important problem with the pithy quote is that the connotations are all wrong. In terms of being an inspirational quote conveying some insight it has negative value. (Which is probably as far as we can take this. I disapprove and disagree with the Rule while you agree. Hardly important.)