Alejandro1 comments on Firewalling the Optimal from the Rational - Less Wrong

86 Post author: Eliezer_Yudkowsky 08 October 2012 08:01AM

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Comment author: wedrifid 08 October 2012 03:34:01AM *  8 points [-]

Expecting small children to give a solemn vow filled with patriotic propaganda every weekday morning that they can't even begin to know the ramifications of, OR ELSE, sounds like something you'd find in a totalitarian state.

It also sounds like something you would find in all sorts of other states that aren't totalitarian.

Comment author: Alejandro1 08 October 2012 03:56:42AM 9 points [-]

Maybe, but as one small data point, I was really surprised (and creeped out) to just now infer from MaoShen's comment and check on Wikipedia that the Pledge of Allegiance is recited at the beginning of every school day. In my country, the closest cultural equivalent is done once per year, in "Flag Day", and I had previously assumed the American Pledge was like that, being said on July 4th or similar specially significant moments.

Comment author: [deleted] 08 October 2012 01:45:03PM 6 points [-]

Pledge of Allegiance is recited at the beginning of every school day

[Googles for it and reads it] Whaaaaaat??? O.o

Comment author: Epiphany 09 October 2012 03:53:35AM 1 point [-]

Yep. I'm American. My school did it.

Comment author: NancyLebovitz 11 October 2012 06:07:12AM 0 points [-]

Mine, too, though I'd say it worked backwards in my case-- I'm very cynical about formal group-bonding.

Comment author: Nornagest 08 October 2012 08:36:08AM *  2 points [-]

For what it's worth, I only remember doing so until fourth grade, or about nine years of age. I'm not sure if that makes it better or worse.

I now regret using it as an example, though. Evidently I grossly underestimated its potential sensitivity, and I really should have known better.

Comment author: wedrifid 08 October 2012 04:04:57AM 2 points [-]

Maybe, but as one small data point, I was really surprised (and creeped out) to just now infer from MaoShen's comment and check on Wikipedia that the Pledge of Allegiance is recited at the beginning of every school day.

Likewise (except now I'm only creeped out, the surprise came a long time ago).

In my country, the closest cultural equivalent is done once per year, in "Flag Day", and I had previously assumed the American Pledge was like that, being said on July 4th or similar specially significant moments.

I don't recall whether we have one at all. I remember we have a national anthem that we sung occasionally. Something about "wealth for toil" is involved.

Comment author: Blueberry 23 October 2012 06:16:28AM 0 points [-]

For what it's worth, I've never seen it said in any of the US schools I've attended. It's not universal.