Qiaochu_Yuan 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 02:24:07AM 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.