skeptical_lurker comments on Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality discussion thread, March 2015, chapter 114 + chapter 115 - Less Wrong

3 Post author: Gondolinian 03 March 2015 06:02PM

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Comment author: skeptical_lurker 03 March 2015 07:55:50PM 1 point [-]

Well, I don't know how shields work in this setting, but one possibility is that shields do not let anything magical through, which would stop transfigured materials. Shields do stop bullets, so... is it a matter of speed? Do shields stop fast things like bullets, but let slow things such as knives through?

If carbon nanotubes work, then wizards who are not familer with the latest muggle science could still stab each other with very thin (to the point of near invisibility) diamond blades.

Comment author: Phigment 03 March 2015 08:01:05PM 8 points [-]

The slow nanowire penetrates the shield.

Comment author: skeptical_lurker 08 March 2015 08:38:44PM 0 points [-]

I guess this is plausible.

Comment author: Oshi 03 March 2015 08:08:07PM 2 points [-]

That sounds entirely too much like Dune to me. That's enough reason for me to doubt shields work that way.

Comment author: skeptical_lurker 03 March 2015 08:22:05PM 0 points [-]

Why? I wouldn't be surprised by the inclusion of a homage to Dune.