Skeeve 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: Skeeve 30 June 2013 07:05:19PM 11 points [-]

You know, speaking of foreshadowing...

That very quote led into McGonagall's theory that Harry had suffered some kind of trauma and had it Obliviated. And then there was that business with the Remembrall in chapter 17. I'd have to go back and check for more instances of Harry specifically foreshadowing a future event like this, but more and more I'm beginning to think that Harry has forgotten or locked foreknowledge that's leaking into his subconscious.

Comment author: buybuydandavis 30 June 2013 07:37:45PM *  12 points [-]

But in Chapter 17, McGongall rejects the theory that remembralls detect Obliviation.

“More importantly, why did the Remembrall go off like that?” Harry said. “Does it mean I’ve been Obliviated?”

“That puzzles me as well,” Professor McGonagall said slowly. “If it were that simple, I would think that the courts would use Remembralls, and they do not. I shall look into it, Mr. Potter.” She sighed. “You can go now.”

But, strange that Harry doesn't think to keep experimenting with the Remembrall.

Comment author: Skeeve 30 June 2013 07:44:44PM 8 points [-]

But, strange that Harry doesn't think to keep experimenting with the Remembrall.

This bothered me as well. It's a mysterious phenomenon that directly relates to Harry's own mental state. He should have been all over that.

Comment author: Tripitaka 30 June 2013 10:54:59PM 2 points [-]

Harry had forgotten that he was not to use his timeturner in front of other people- a fact which got him a very stern rebuke from Mcgonagall.

Comment author: Skeeve 30 June 2013 11:00:49PM 4 points [-]

That's plausible, but if so, it seems like a very disproportionate response from the Remembrall; that is assuming that under ordinary circumstances Remembralls light up like they do in canon, which I suppose is not necessarily a given.

Comment author: taelor 01 July 2013 01:19:08AM *  1 point [-]

“If it were that simple, I would think that the courts would use Remembralls, and they do not. I shall look into it, Mr. Potter.”

From what we've seen of Wizard courts, they aren't exactly bastions of prudence and rationality.

Comment author: gwern 01 July 2013 01:22:02AM 4 points [-]

And we never did hear back from her on that topic, did we?

Comment author: ikrase 01 July 2013 07:24:30AM 1 point [-]

Could he have forgotten without obliviation?

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