For example, among rationalists, it's probably trivial to say that any given partner is very unlikely to be the best possible. That's really simple statistical inference. But to say that in other contexts signals that you are at best, a misanthrope, and at worst, Pure Evil.

Consider the secretary problem. One can argue that someone good enough that got selected is essentially best possible.

lessdazed15y20

After being employed for a while, the secretary might become the best secretary possible by being familiar with the employer's habits and such.

3wedrifid15y

One could even more correctly say that was the best possible selection of a secretary. They wouldn't even need to be equivocating on 'best possible' if they said it as a reply to Dallas in that case.

See in context