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cultureulterior comments on Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality discussion thread, part 15, chapter 84 - Less Wrong Discussion

3 Post author: FAWS 11 April 2012 03:39AM

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Comment author: cultureulterior 13 April 2012 04:53:58PM *  0 points [-]

My non-conclusive arguments for this are as follows:

  • Each rotation equals one hour.
  • We cannot privilige the human experience, and therefore the length of the earth day cannot be a physical constant.
Comment author: DanArmak 14 April 2012 05:10:08PM 5 points [-]

We cannot privilige the human experience, and therefore the length of the earth day cannot be a physical constant.

The length of an earth day is part of all Earth life experience, not uniquely human.

Comment author: TheOtherDave 13 April 2012 05:54:45PM 5 points [-]

Hm. If we were using physics here, I'd observe that a usable time turner has to be tied into things like the rotation and movement of the earth, because traveling back in time without taking those things into account somehow leaves one stranded in interplanetary or interstellar space. Given that we're talking magic, well, who knows. But sure, I agree that it's suggestive but inconclusive.

Comment author: qjmw 14 April 2012 04:23:19AM 2 points [-]

A good bit off topic but replying here anyway. If humanity was not special enough to set the Interdict of Merlin on absolutely everybody it could really turn against them when the aliens arrive.

Comment author: Random832 16 April 2012 03:09:20PM 0 points [-]

Are we certain that the amount of time that each rotation takes you actually is an equinoctal hour, or a constant? If broomsticks can use Aristotlean physics, maybe Time Turners can be limited to six solar hours.