shminux comments on Rationality Quotes May 2012 - Less Wrong

6 Post author: OpenThreadGuy 01 May 2012 11:37PM

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Comment author: shminux 24 May 2012 06:14:17PM 13 points [-]

if you can’t explain how to simulate your theory on a computer, chances are excellent that the reason is that your theory makes no sense!

-- Scott Aaronson

Comment author: BillyOblivion 28 May 2012 07:31:51AM 3 points [-]

OTOH it could be that the "you" in the above knows little to nothing about computer simulation.

For example a moderately competent evolutionary virologist might have theory about how viruses spread genes across species, but have only a passing knowledge of LaTeX and absolutely no idea how to use bio-sim software.

Or worse, CAN explain, but their explanation demonstrates that lack of knowledge.

Comment author: [deleted] 29 May 2012 08:32:39AM 1 point [-]

Such as set theory?

Comment author: Eugine_Nier 30 May 2012 05:29:39AM 1 point [-]

Well, every heuristic has exceptions.

Comment author: Oscar_Cunningham 05 June 2012 06:16:56PM -1 points [-]

By definition?