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wedrifid comments on The rational rationalist's guide to rationally using "rational" in rational post titles - Less Wrong Discussion

64 Post author: Vaniver 27 May 2012 07:13PM

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Comment author: wedrifid 27 May 2012 08:20:57PM 21 points [-]

It is almost always used as a redundant jargon term either as an applause light or as an attempt to justify an irrelevant subject as a legitimate subject for discussion.

Most instances of "A rational X of Y" can be replaced with "X of Y".

Comment author: Raiden 27 May 2012 08:34:02PM 6 points [-]

I agree with you I just don't like articles with a one-word command and no explanation.

Comment author: Vaniver 27 May 2012 08:56:47PM *  14 points [-]

To further explain the joke: note the contrast between the title, which crams in more words than can comfortably fit, with the body, which neatly expresses the advised course of action. An explanation that is more communicative but less literary would go as follows:

The word "rational," particularly when in the phrase "most rational," is seen as contentless and will cause downvotes and highly upvoted complaining comments. If you want advice on what toothbrush to buy, shoes to wear, or diet to eat, ask for advice and state your objectives. A 'rational' toothbrush is one that best acquires some value- and so just target that value. If you write a post asking for advice on improving your oral heath, you might get a recommendation for a flosser which could do more than getting a slightly better toothbrush.

See also the particularly rational brand of cigarettes.

Comment author: Raiden 27 May 2012 11:54:38PM 1 point [-]

A joke? Well I feel stupid now!

Comment author: RobertLumley 28 May 2012 04:03:02PM 1 point [-]

Low Quality Video if you'd prefer. I think it loses something in text.