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Alicorn comments on You'll die if you do that - Less Wrong Discussion

15 Post author: sixes_and_sevens 12 May 2011 10:27AM

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Comment author: Alicorn 12 May 2011 06:42:25PM *  2 points [-]

People can be stupid. Shockingly stupid.

People can also have pica. I think someone who felt inclined to eat things labeled "DO NOT EAT" would be more likely to seek medical attention than someone who felt inclined to eat unlabeled things.

Comment author: gwern 12 May 2011 06:58:32PM 1 point [-]

You would? What would your base rate for such people be?

Whatever it is, I think it's probably swamped by all the kids of various ages that eat random things.

Comment author: Alicorn 12 May 2011 07:03:53PM 0 points [-]

I don't know what the base rate is. I'm pretty sure I'd have gotten help if I'd been eating something labeled inedible, as opposed to ice.

Comment author: gwern 12 May 2011 08:53:32PM 1 point [-]

As a teenager, sure. But there are lots of little critters that can both read warnings and which won't be taken to the shrinks if they eat odd things.

(Who among us can truthfully claim to have never eaten a single inedible or socially disapproved substance in their lifetime? If someone does, they probably ought to go ask their parents what they think about such claims of incredible oral continence.)