75th comments on Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality discussion thread, part 19, chapter 88-89 - Less Wrong

12 Post author: Vaniver 30 June 2013 01:22AM

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Comment author: Qiaochu_Yuan 30 June 2013 02:02:58AM 1 point [-]

You don't think Dumbledore would've obliviated the Weasley twins after using the map to find Voldemort? That would also have been the smart thing for him to do.

Comment author: Intrism 30 June 2013 02:08:37AM *  4 points [-]

Nah, not really. The Marauder's Map is the obvious thing to try when searching for someone in Hogwarts, he wouldn't release any information to the Weasleys. And, of course, Dumbledore does trust the Weasleys. It did suggest the Map to Quirrell as a device he'd want to confiscate, but it's not really in Dumbledore's nature to think that far ahead.

Comment author: maia 30 June 2013 02:18:43AM 4 points [-]

I guess the question is, how many levels deep is Dumbledore playing? I think it's possible he's smart enough to predict that Voldemort would do this, and take the map away from them as a precaution. But not super likely.

But other than that, I don't see a motivation for Dumbledore to confiscate it; he seems to like that the Weasleys have it. It's a token of Gryffindorishness, flouting the letter of the law to pull pranks and help out their friends or what have you. And Dumbledore likes that, I think.

Comment author: Qiaochu_Yuan 30 June 2013 02:24:07AM 2 points [-]

Right, but Dumbledore also thinks there's a war going on. The map seems like too useful a tool for either side to have for Dumbledore to be so cavalier about leaving it in the twins' hands.

Comment author: Intrism 30 June 2013 02:39:53AM *  4 points [-]

I would understand Dumbledore confiscating the map. But, if he were to confiscate it, he would do only that, not Obliviate the Weasleys such that they'd have no memory of ever possessing such a map. It would seem cruel and pointless to him.

Comment author: Qiaochu_Yuan 30 June 2013 02:42:26AM 3 points [-]

Suppose Dumbledore thinks his enemies aren't aware that the map exists. If he believes one of his enemies is a Legilimens and is periodically scanning the students' minds, he might not want to take the risk of them scanning the Weasley twins and discovering the existence of the map. But I admit I'm stretching at this point.

Comment author: Decius 30 June 2013 04:07:26AM 6 points [-]

If that enemy exists, he already knows.

Comment author: Benja 30 June 2013 11:44:13AM 4 points [-]

Upvoted for qualifying the clever argument with the admission that it is a stretch.

Comment author: maia 30 June 2013 02:52:12AM 0 points [-]

That's a good point. I'm updating slightly in favor of Dumbledore having it, then.