CronoDAS comments on Rationality Quotes September 2012 - Less Wrong

7 Post author: Jayson_Virissimo 03 September 2012 05:18AM

You are viewing a comment permalink. View the original post to see all comments and the full post content.

Comments (1088)

You are viewing a single comment's thread. Show more comments above.

Comment author: Swimmy 04 September 2012 12:44:33AM 12 points [-]

I thought the correct answer would be, "No time for programming, too busy pushing a boulder."

Though, since the whole thing was a punishment, I have no idea what the punishment for not doing his punishment would be. Can't find it specified anywhere.

Comment author: CronoDAS 06 September 2012 10:51:59AM 11 points [-]

The version I like the best is that Sisyphus keeps pushing the boulder voluntarily, because he's too proud to admit that, despite all his cleverness, there's something he can't do. (Specifically, get the boulder to stay at the top of the mountain).

Comment author: Xachariah 06 September 2012 11:43:06PM 8 points [-]

My favorite version is similar. Each day he tries to push the boulder a little higher, and as the boulder starts to slide back, he mentally notes his improvement before racing the boulder down to the bottom with a smile on his face.

Because he gets a little stronger and a little more skilled every day, and he knows that one day he'll succeed.

Comment author: gwern 07 September 2012 03:06:49AM 10 points [-]

In the M. Night version: his improvements are an asymptote - and Sisyphus didn't pay enough attention in calculus class to realize that the limit is just below the peak.

Comment author: DanielLC 11 September 2012 02:39:09AM 5 points [-]

Or maybe the limit is the peak. He still won't reach it.