Lumifer comments on White Lies - Less Wrong

38 Post author: ChrisHallquist 08 February 2014 01:20AM

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Comment author: Lumifer 08 February 2014 11:17:06PM 2 points [-]

Consider you were asked in a public setting whether you've ever fantasized about killing someone. Asked in an insistent manner. Dodge this!

Why is this is problem? I'm not Alicorn but I wouldn't have any issues admitting in public that yes, I've fantasized about killing someone. And the situation is very easy to steer towards absurd/ridiculous if the asker starts to demand grisly details :-)

Comment author: Nornagest 10 February 2014 05:53:21PM *  0 points [-]

Why is this is problem?

Well, "asked in an insistent manner" does seem to count as evidence that there's some ulterior reasoning behind the question. Ordinarily I expect a lot of people (though maybe not most people) would be happy to admit that they've e.g. fantasized about running over Justin Bieber or whoever their least favorite pop star is with a tank, but I for one would be a lot more inclined to dodge the question or lie outright if my conversational partner seemed a little too interested in the answer.

Comment author: Lumifer 10 February 2014 06:33:19PM 2 points [-]

I for one would be a lot more inclined to dodge the question or lie outright if my conversational partner seemed a little too interested in the answer.

If the conversational partner seems too interested, I'm likely to start inquiring about his/her fantasies... :-D

Comment author: Kawoomba 08 February 2014 11:23:17PM 0 points [-]

Why is this a problem?

Heh. Dunno. Many of these other people (vaguely waves towards society) like to insist they wouldn't. Not even while they're in the bathroom, you know, producing rainbows. Makes it a good example.

Comment author: Vulture 11 February 2014 01:45:36AM 1 point [-]

Not even while they're in the bathroom, you know, producing rainbows.

If I'm interpreting your euphemism correctly: this fetish is not as common as you think it is.