Bugmaster comments on Rationality Quotes December 2011 - Less Wrong

4 Post author: Jayson_Virissimo 02 December 2011 06:01AM

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Comment author: Bugmaster 30 November 2011 09:25:24PM 4 points [-]

One could make an argument that, in the world of Warhammer 40K, keeping your mind barred and guarded is actually the most rational thing to do. Because if you do not, then instead of saying things like "only in death does duty end", you'll find yourself saying things like, "maim kill burn MAIM KILL BURN" and "Arrghbllgghhayargh NURGLE". Only it wouldn't be you saying those things, precisely, but a daemon that slipped into your unguarded mind and took up residence in your body.

Comment author: TimS 30 November 2011 10:22:22PM *  4 points [-]

It may be that xenophobia is a local optimum for humanity in 40K. But technology is explicitly mystical in that universe. Imagine how many fewer problems they would have with their enemies if their stuff all worked, and they had more of it.

It's like bringing a 1000 pt army to a 500 pt skirmish. Every time.

Comment author: Bugmaster 30 November 2011 10:28:21PM *  2 points [-]

Imagine how many fewer problems they would have with their enemies if their stuff all worked, and they had more of it.

IIRC that actually did happen a couple of times in that universe. The answers were usually "A Machine God eats the factory planet" and "Necrons". So, the outcome was... not good.

On the other hand, the T'au have a pretty good handle on their tech, and they're improving it all the time, so maybe the humans could take some lessons from them. On the third hand (*), the T'au as a whole seem to be immune to Chaos corruption, which is a luxury that the humans do not enjoy.

(*) Or tail or tentacle or what have you.

Comment author: MarkusRamikin 01 December 2011 07:22:18AM 1 point [-]

(*) Or tail or tentacle or what have you.

Mechadendrite, thank you very much.